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I will never own any touring bike later than '07, because IMHO, the TBW was the absolute worst thing the Co. has come out with in years--problematic, unreliable, hard to swap bars, terrible "lag", & a very "disconnected" feel from the motor. I like the instant feel of cables, which is why I went for an '07 King...first year 96" motor & 6-speed trans, yet still retains throttle cables. All other problems can be adressed, except you are stuck with the TBW. No thanks.
As a previous 07 owner I respect your throttle cable preference...with that said, cruise control systems using a throttle cable do not work nearly as good as TBW systems. It's true, Harley had some issues when TBW came out, those issues are in the rear view mirror.
Major improvemts available in the newer bikes are Brembo ABS brakes, a stronger frame and on and on.
I am not putting down any bike of any year. They all put a smile on your face. I simply accept that time moves forward, the bikes keep improving. Harley will improve upon the Rushmores as well.
FYI: TBW is used in all automobiles including high end models for years without issues, it simply works the best.
................ 07 was the year HD rolled out the 96 twin cam. Shortly after the roll out users began complaining of excessive noise when running in 1st and 5th gears. MoCo determined that this noise was related to the design of the transmission and did not compromise integrity in any way. However, this problem plagued the twin cam for several years and no doubt was a bonanza for after market manufacturers, most notable Baker.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.