I've been getting a bad feeling in my gut that I'm gonna fall in love with an 08 Road King. Based on the experience of you 07 baggers, if there are no signifiant changes to the 96"/6 speed, what would you do different (SERT/pipes/103/Stage 1)?

 

bobros, the bike you have now is beautiful, why change?

What kind of air horn do you have?

Hack

 

Not sure why. I like the idea of more comfort for longer riding. Had back surgery back 1981 and since, have been limited to 2 hour stretches before needing a rest. Swapped my bike for my buddy's 06 ultra today. Hated the straight arms reach but liked the suspension. Oh yeah, radio's kinda nice too. Don't like all the fiberglass on the Ultras but rather prefer a more nostalgic look.

The horn is not an airhorn. Just a trumpet that moves the sound from the left side to the right. I believe they were made for the Evo's. The sound is pathetic but I like the look.

 

I know you won't like this but, in stock trim, the new 96 runs better when left alone. American Rider did some very in depth testing (see the April and June '07 issues) and discovered that because of the new closed loop system, the 96 actually lost midrange power with the addition of a hi flow and pipes. The gain was minimal at the low end and super at the high end. Unfortuately, I don't think many of us run at wot in 6th gear. What a deal !

 

I would prefer not to have to dump $$$ into a new bike just to make it perform properly. With all the "heat" issues and 5th gear noise complaints, I just wanted to educate myself noew what I might be getting onto if I get an 08. If the 07's are leaving the showroom floors running problem free, that all the better.

 

I found just the opposite to be true, my 07 ultra run perfect now with the se a/c and 1.75" mufflers and the latest canned stage 1 map. Smoother in all gears, coolerand now has enough low end power to putt at lower rpm, 6th is much more usable now. Midrange is stronger, but I purposely did not get crazy with the muffler flow diameter (for sound and torque reasons)

 

I've got just under 10K on my '07 Road Glide inits first year and we've had a lousy winter and spring riding season. Bought it right after the dealer show this past July. Put a quick 1k on it so I could change the oil and then took it on a flawless ride through parts of TX, NM, CO, SD, WY, MT, UT, ID last Aug. States not in that order btw. The only change made was a stage I down load just to richen things up slightly so I could run the washable, bolt in K&N that replaces the O E paper filter.

 

I've no doubt that each bike will react differently to suttle changes. I prefer my daily ride as stock as can be. Now my '07 vette ? Not !

 

I agree with you RMC. I read the American Rider articles and just don't get it. I took an average of 5 or 6 dynos on stock07s from various
magazines. My 07stage1 w/PC111 has 15% more hp and 10% more tq and runs way better and cooler than when stock.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with the bikes. They were brand new. I have no doubt that after almost 10k of long distance riding in the mountains this past summer, my bike hasbetter power than when new.