09+ touring frames: Am I the only person who doesn't think they're great?

[runamuck]

I traded my 03 ultra for an 09 and I like the ride better on it. it feels a little more stretched out to me and a little more solid. I didnt buy it for any of the better frame claims tho I was going for the 6 speed and 6 gallon tank and abs brakes. it does seem to be more comfortable on the highway.  I dont care for the seff-arming security system but the plastic parts and paint on the newer bikes looks to be better quality to me.

[MaxxV4]

There was a slight change in the passenger position in 14 that puts the passenger up and back from the driver. It is very slight, but you can feel it. I have a 12 limited and when I first got on the (rented) 14 Ltd with my wife on the back, I couldn't figure out what was wrong. It felt top heavy and was harder to ride slowly than my 12. We were in a book store that evening and I found a cycle mag that had the road test of the 14 Ltd. The author went on to explain the seating difference and how it moved the passenger out of the sweet spot. The wider rear tire make the turn in on corners a little slower than the earlier models but you get used to it. My friend who rides with me a lot says that I was faster through the curves on my 05 EG standard, of course that bike weighed about 760 lbs where the Ltd is around 900 lbs.

JMHO

[NETacomaFatboy]

made the jump from 2002 RG to 2010 RG.  2010 is much better of a ride, IMHO.

[Ratfade]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't feel nearly as lonely as I did before.

[Admiral Akbar]

The 09 - up bagger frames are for those who don't know what they are doing.. same goes for the 06 -up dyna frames..  Both have more trail to make them more stable.. Some misconceive that the chassis must be stiffer as a result.

[boooby1744]

I will tell you that the '14-up front ends (upper pinch bolts and larger diameter tubes) are a huge improvement. You can actually throw the bike into a corner and get positive feedback. No more spongy, washy feeling.

Yep,ordered a CCE Tour Trac,hope to install next month.

[texaskatfish]

*borrowing* one of RedDogs lines to fit me..........

My '01 FLHR doesn't wobble or have any of the handling issues I have herd others talk about and I do ride it pretty hard on occasion so I have no plans on replacing it................the one specific wobble I encountered was over 160,000 miles ago at approx 40K on Gracie's clock- the stabilizer link up top between the cylinders was worn out - I'm amazed it has never needed another replacement (so far) *knockin on wood* 

[glens]

The 09 - up bagger frames ... have more trail to make them more stable.. Some misconceive that the chassis must be stiffer as a result.

Don't know if they're any stiffer if compared without front or rear forks, but they are definitely stiffer torsionally from the rear axle to the steering head.  Especially over time and miles.  1/2" less rear wheel travel makes them feel generally stiffer vertically through that path, too.  :-)

My '07 RK had a wiggle at the waist from factory-new.  Never got too bent up about it but the old lady complained at times.  Night and day difference with the '09+ frames.  The '14 rolling chassis is even better yet.

[flh canuck]

While my '08 Electra Glide felt more nimble when turning, the '13 is more stable in a straight line and feels much more planted and confidence inspiring when cornering, especially those corners where the pavement is less than perfect.

Night and day difference over the old style frame. I like the new style frame.

[Admiral Akbar]

The 09 - up bagger frames ... have more trail to make them more stable.. Some misconceive that the chassis must be stiffer as a result.

Don't know if they're any stiffer if compared without front or rear forks, but they are definitely stiffer torsionally from the rear axle to the steering head.  Especially over time and miles.  1/2" less rear wheel travel makes them feel generally stiffer vertically through that path, too.  :-)

My '07 RK had a wiggle at the waist from factory-new.  Never got too bent up about it but the old lady complained at times.  Night and day difference with the '09+ frames.  The '14 rolling chassis is even better yet.

If you want to hot rod a 40s ford, install a late model motor, what is the first thing you are going to do to the chassis?

[Admiral Akbar]

While my '08 Electra Glide felt more nimble when turning, the '13 is more stable in a straight line and feels much more planted and confidence inspiring when cornering, especially those corners where the pavement is less than perfect.

Night and day difference over the old style frame. I like the new style frame.

Noticed the 1/2 inch extra trail, did you?

[BUBBIE]

 


If you want to hot rod a 40s ford, install a late model motor, what is the first thing you are going to do to the chassis?

From Max...

Plate it...

signed....BUBBIE

************FISH PLATE*************

[Admiral Akbar]

If you want to hot rod a 40s ford, install a late model motor, what is the first thing you are going to do to the chassis?

From Max...

Plate it...

signed....BUBBIE

I certainly hope you don't mean chrome..

[flh canuck]

Noticed the 1/2 inch extra trail, did you?

The extra trail definitely contributes to the straight line stability but I also noticed that the "hinged in the middle" sensation is gone when cornering....Or should I say it no longer "handles like a drunken camel".

I consider that to be one of the more noticeable improvements over the old style frame.

[Admiral Akbar]

Noticed the 1/2 inch extra trail, did you?

The extra trail definitely contributes to the straight line stability but I also noticed that the "hinged in the middle" sensation is gone when cornering.... I consider that to be one of the more noticable improvements over the old style frame.

That part is tire profile and the trail.. If you keep using the crappy tires HD sell for the pre 09 baggers you'll find it bad.  Newer tires are lower profile and better contour.. Both help to take stress off the rubber mounts..

[04 SE Deuce]

Plate ='s box. 

A friend had a 40 Ford coupe,  first build was powered by 420+ inch blown SB utilizing the stock frame.  A tether was required on the passenger door to keep it from flying open under acceleration due to the twist/wind-up of the stock frame.  IIRC a TCI frame was used in a re-build.   -Rick 

[fbn ent]

I believe there is another thing about the bigger rear tire that no one has mentioned...The increased rotational weight of the new heavier rim/tire assembly makes it easier to keep up. Like the old gyroscope you had as a kid. Right Max?

[BUBBIE]

I did a lot of Frame work while up in my welding shop in Wa.

Boxing, Fish Plating, usually the many dropped in a new style front end off a chevy type... Using the suspension also... Then worked on the frame from there back...

I don't remember the cars front end used as it was always furnished... AND tacked into place.

signed....BUBBIE

[Admiral Akbar]

Ok Boxed or boxing was the word I was looking for.. Anyway what did HD do when they built the 09 frame? They unboxed it on the rear section..

[glens]

If you want to hot rod a 40s ford, install a late model motor, what is the first thing you are going to do to the chassis?

Increase the trail.

How much time have you on the newer frame?

[BlackMarshmallow]

This has been an enlightening read. My experience has been various metrics, a Sportster and now my '06 FLHR. Test rode a '12 CVO Ultra late last year and was astonished at what I thought was the sucky handling. It just didn't throw into the curves like my '06. It didn't meet my 'expectations'. I personally thought the handling was stiff and wooden, BUT that said I'm pretty sure it would have grown on me if I'd have given it a lot more miles and learning. I just didn't get enough time on it to get a feel for it. My initial impression was NOT good, though.

[glens]

An extra-bells-and-whistles Ultra didn't "throw in" as well as a Road King?

You'd need to ride a newer Road King to develop a fairer determination.

[disco]

I sold my 04 Ultra and got on my 11 Ultra the next day. There is no comparison.  Don't know or care why. BTW my 04 Rk was just as bad as the 04 Ultra.

[BlackMarshmallow]

An extra-bells-and-whistles Ultra didn't "throw in" as well as a Road King?

You'd need to ride a newer Road King to develop a fairer determination.

1. In a word, no.  2. You're right, but I wasn't going for an apples to apples comparison. I was just trying to decide if I liked an Ultra enough to consider a trade. the 2012 CVO was well priced at $24k so. . .  I was just expecting something different I guess.

[glens]

I, for "1", was being facetious.  Obviously an (even heavier than "normal") Ultra does not "throw in" as well as a Road King.

I had an '07 Road King that I put ~25k miles on.  Near the end of that time I put a few k on an '08 Ultra.  And I've got ~40k miles (combined) on the new-framed Ultra.  The newer setup definitely rides a little sportier.  It handles that way as well.  The factory tires are excellent and they last better than twice as long.  The brakes are better, too.

About the only thing that's not better is the engine shake at idle.  It doesn't appear near as lively as before.  But I try to spend most of my time going down the road anyway so that trade-off is worth it.

I don't know off hand; would that CVO be a "standard" ride height or "lowered"?  I've not ridden anything with the shorter suspension travel but expect it would be even "worse" in the ways the newer "sportier" ride might be considered "bad" by someone with your perspective.