HarleyTechTalk

I'm about to get a bagger. Is a 09-10 really worth 4-6k more dollars than a clean 04-07? And should anyone consider an 08, since it's a "bastard year?"

I thought the 07 was a bastard year.. Max

So far so good with my '08 bastard Road Glide. Haven't tested the newer ones so I can't compare them.

JMHO, but I think the 09 is my favorite as it has the latest frame/suspension updates and no cat in the exhaust. It's only a matter of time before they start testing for the cats as part of the state inspection process.

Quote from: Stripper Juice Brand on July 26, 2010, 05:57:46 PM
I'm about to get a bagger. Is a 09-10 really worth 4-6k more dollars than a clean 04-07? And should anyone consider an 08, since it's a "bastard year?"

It depends on the bike, and you.
If the decision came down to a '09 or an '08, I would go with the '09 for a few dollars more. Now a clean '04 should run you around $12-$13K so you will need to decide if the extra $6-$10K for a '09 or '10 is worth it.
I traded out of an '05 Ultra to a '10 Ultra and thing the new bike is light years ahead of the '05. Big pluses to me are the 6 gallon tank, better handling, and miles remaining on the odometer. The 96 inch and the 6 speed are pluses two, but not as much as the rest. In all the '09-'10 is a nice package. If you plan on touring and putting on some miles I recomend the newer frame. It is not unusual for the wife and I to run an 800+ mile day. The extra gallon of gas means we can safely run 175-200 miles between stops, and we will. With the '05 150 miles between stops was really pushing the limits of the fuel. If your type of riding is more the one day jaunt close to home then maybe the older baggers will do just fine.

I have a 07 RG, and would like a 10 or 11 bike.  Everyone raves about the new frame and motor mounting.  Bigger tank and ABS are pluses, but not enough to make me trade.

Also, a 09 or 10 should have some factory warranty left on it, if that matters to you.

If I was shopping for a 1st bagger, i would go 09 thru 11, no problem.

menace

test ride a used pre 08 and then test ride a 10.   Night and day.  My 2010 RG sticks on the road and just handles...  Only thing I do not like are the 2/1 pipes.  Wait a while and see what 2011 brings.  By then, the 2010 will be even cheaper.

The best bet currently is the 09.  It's got everything including no cat so it can breathe.

Maybe it's just me but I'd go after a low mileage 07. 96" motor, six speed, and good cable perated throttle body. IMO, the new chassis isn't worth the extra money and FBW throttle body and its lack of response arent either. Also, the new bikes have a multitude of warranty issues.

I wouldn't be afraid of an '08 if the price is right; you get an "'09" engine and trans with a lot less weight.

i ride a dyna fatbob and i am just curious as to why an 08 touring bike would be considered undesirable?

Larry

I have an '05 Road King and have ridden a '09 Road King and my answer is definately YES.  The new ones are so solid feeling and the brakes are much better.  I didn't know my old one flexed so much until I rode the new one.  They are worth the extra money.

Quote from: aharp on July 27, 2010, 04:17:11 AM
Also, the new bikes have a multitude of warranty issues.

I have an 09 Street Glide...What warranty issues??? Other then the re-call with the gas tank I've no problems

I had an 08 Ultra Classic for a year. I then rode an 09 when mine was in the shop. The very next day I put the 08 up for sale and bought an 09. The 08 bike is great but the handling characteristics of the 09 is superior. There is nothing wrong with the 08 other then the handling. IMO

I'd look for an 06 with a carb. But that's just me.

Quote from: RK4ME on July 27, 2010, 07:19:55 AM
I wouldn't be afraid of an '08 if the price is right; you get an "'09" engine and trans with a lot less weight.

true but you will not have the 09 + 10 frame.

wasn't it till '09 that the 6th gear was actually OD?

what was the recall on the gas tank for?

I traded in my 03 e-glide classic in may for an 09 and have been happy with it so far..I dont like the self arming security system..would rather push fob button at my choice. I dont like the tranny whine when I shift down to first..and since the frame is wider..I have to spread my legs more when stopped (6' tall)..there is an annoying clunk when I give it gas after coasting...but it is very comfortable on the highway which is what I got it for..I have a wide glide for short jaunts w/o wife..the change in sprockets has given it enough pull off the line and at 75mph it just putts along...I just did about 1100 miles trip from DFW to arkansas mountains and back and it handled twisties and up and downs with ease..the brakes seem to effortlessly haul you down from speed when needed and the cruise and stereo are better than the 03...the biggest negative is now I have a payment again..

I cant believe this has gone on for 18 posts and nobdy asked.....What the hell is "stripper juice"?

lol

Thanks Dennis I just didn't want to be the 1st one to ask 

Quote from: unforgiven on July 27, 2010, 07:30:31 AM
i ride a dyna fatbob and i am just curious as to why an 08 touring bike would be considered undesirable?

Larry

i think the point is the new frame in '09 is a more desireable than a simularly priced '08. The differance in price between the two years is going to be just a few hundred, so if you were looking for a touring bike, and the choice was between an '08 or an '09 I think most people would pay a few dollars more for the '09. Now for the rest of the line up in those years there is very little differance between the two years so how cares? The differance between a '08 SofTail and a '09 Softie is probably just the color of the paint.

I would be buying a bike with plenty of mods. engine, exhaust, seat. paint, bling etc etc. No matter what year you get the list of parts needed to make these bike right is endless. Any tourer with the most money spent on it will be the best unless you can afford a brand new bike with then near double the price customizing. I have seen some bikes sell through these forums that are show wining bikes that sell for a 1/4 of total money spent

Quote from: Justpassingas on July 27, 2010, 08:05:56 AM

Quote from: aharp on July 27, 2010, 04:17:11 AM
Also, the new bikes have a multitude of warranty issues.

I have an 09 Street Glide...What warranty issues??? Other then the re-call with the gas tank I've no problems

Not 09 models as much as the 10's. We've seen a lot of "sabatoge" it appears with the newer bikes. Things that couldn't possibly have been accidental but done on purpose. Brand new bikes with the shock bolts two threads in, wiring harnesses assembled/plugged in wrong, dents in tanks, TONS of paint flaws like dust under the clearcoat, finger prints, etc.

Quote from: hogbag on July 27, 2010, 07:21:52 PM
I would be buying a bike with plenty of mods. engine, exhaust, seat. paint, bling etc etc. No matter what year you get the list of parts needed to make these bike right is endless. Any tourer with the most money spent on it will be the best unless you can afford a brand new bike with then near double the price customizing. I have seen some bikes sell through these forums that are show wining bikes that sell for a 1/4 of total money spent

True, to a point.
I like my bike pretty much stock. If I want to mod it I would rather do it myself, then I know what I got. Most of the chrome bling you can send back to China, I just want functional chrome, highway pegs, luggage rack.
I looked at a bike years ago and the seller had every "live to ride" emblem he could find. I asked if he had any of the stock pieces to replace the emblems with and he got offended! He was proud of having "live to ride" on his bike in ~250 differant places, (OK, I exaggerate a bit, but you get the point!).
When I bought my 2010 Ultra I bought highway pegs, a luggage rack for the trunk lid, and riders back rest. I brought over from my old bike my XM radio, GPS, tour pack arganizer, and windshield pouch. I am done, no more options to add. I ride with a bunch that feel the same way. We enjoy our Harleys, but see no need to add a buch of chrome do-dads. To us the bikes are more of a work horse than a fashion statement.