It is the 
Bought my first HD (2004 FLHT) one week ago. Any advice...
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: western Montana
get a service manual for your bike,as well as a parts manual and maybe even the electrical Diagnosis too,you can find those cheap on ebay often.Also,there are a LOT of other places to get parts and accessories besides the dealer.I don't mean any dealer bashing by that,just that you can find a wider selection and more unique pieces that way.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Port Orchard, Washington
Thanks for the warm welcome. I just went on a 175 mile ride today. It was fantastic. Getting used to the Seat now but I am going to take your guys advice and check out the lower profile seats. From what I have read on here about the cam tensioner's, I think I'm ok for right now because theres no noise coming from it. I am going to order the seal kit and check when the kit arrives.
My feeling on the bike now are why didn't I just get one of these bikes 6 years ago when I bought my Suzuki. Probably because back then I wasn't ready for a big bike yet.
I think I'm going to go ahead and check into the bagger brace. Found one on this site that looks interesting.
http://bitchinbaggers.com/
My feeling on the bike now are why didn't I just get one of these bikes 6 years ago when I bought my Suzuki. Probably because back then I wasn't ready for a big bike yet.
I think I'm going to go ahead and check into the bagger brace. Found one on this site that looks interesting.
http://bitchinbaggers.com/
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Good bike and price. You will need about 2 to 3 K on it to get the feel for the handling. Don't react right now.
Don't worry about the seat height either. The 800 lbs curb weight under you and the steering head geometry will be very stable.
The bike was designed for long haul runs. It is nice that you keep the bike for around town riding. That was good thinking.
Welcome aboard.
Don't worry about the seat height either. The 800 lbs curb weight under you and the steering head geometry will be very stable.
The bike was designed for long haul runs. It is nice that you keep the bike for around town riding. That was good thinking.
Welcome aboard.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
I have been riding for about 8 years now. First bike was a Sport bike, 1988 Honda Hawk 650cc. Traded in on a Cruizer, 2004 Suzuki Volusia 805cc. Now I have decided to keep the Volusia for an around town scoot and I bought a HD 2004 FLHT 88ci. Wasn't seriously looking but I test drove it and it feels like the bike is made for me. 
Had to buy it. $10,250. Seems to be pretty standard except for a stage one kit (pipes and intake), bagger chaps, bat wing side wind deflectors, Sissy bar, Light bar, Upgraded Sony stereo.
After putting about 200 miles on it this last week there seems to be a few things bothering me. It sits alittle taller than my Suzuki. So I dont feel like I have the stability I would like when I come to a stop. I'm 5'11" so I can put my feet flat on the ground still.
I am thinking of getting a lower profile seat or even a 1.5" shock lowering kit.
It was recommended to me to get a bagger brace for better stability, I dont feel like it really needs it though.
-The bike has 25k miles and someone told me I should check out the cam tensioners.
Are these common issues with this bike? Any advice on these items or others would be greatly appreciated.
Had to buy it. $10,250. Seems to be pretty standard except for a stage one kit (pipes and intake), bagger chaps, bat wing side wind deflectors, Sissy bar, Light bar, Upgraded Sony stereo.
After putting about 200 miles on it this last week there seems to be a few things bothering me. It sits alittle taller than my Suzuki. So I dont feel like I have the stability I would like when I come to a stop. I'm 5'11" so I can put my feet flat on the ground still. I am thinking of getting a lower profile seat or even a 1.5" shock lowering kit.It was recommended to me to get a bagger brace for better stability, I dont feel like it really needs it though.-The bike has 25k miles and someone told me I should check out the cam tensioners.
Are these common issues with this bike? Any advice on these items or others would be greatly appreciated.
Sell the Volusia, there is no point in owning it. The EG is great on the highway and great on the city streets too. I bought my first bike (Shadow) off a guy who had a Ultra and figured he would use the Shadow around town. Ended up he never used the Shadow after all.
Don't mess with the suspension or seat. You just to need to get used to the bike. It will never be like the Suzook. My EGC had a seat height like 3-4" higher than the Shadow. Within weeks I was like how did I ever ride the Shadow?
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 23,178
Likes: 19
From: elsewhere
I got used to the seat height on my FLHT in no time. I really like it now. Give it a little time and a couple of thousand miles, then if you still feel like it's not quite right spend the dough on a seat. JMO.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
If you like wrenching, get the manual and give it a very thorough maintenance once over yourself. Nothing like the piece of mind knowing the bike that well and knowing it is well serviced.
I would give the seat/height a little time.....took me a couple of weeks to get used to the RKC height versus my prior Road Star. Once I did I found I love it that way and have no desire to sit lower.
Start running search engines in the Touring thread with different variations of year, model, 88, etc. You will find LOT's of things you never knew you needed (and probably don't) but will now want. Congrats and enjoy!!
I would give the seat/height a little time.....took me a couple of weeks to get used to the RKC height versus my prior Road Star. Once I did I found I love it that way and have no desire to sit lower.
Start running search engines in the Touring thread with different variations of year, model, 88, etc. You will find LOT's of things you never knew you needed (and probably don't) but will now want. Congrats and enjoy!!
