'09 handling question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
'09 handling question
I know the "new frame design" in '09 was supposed to be a huge improvement over the previous bikes but is it really that big of a deal? I had an 03 Road King and an 04 Electra Glide Classic before I bought my 09 Road King Classic and I do think the 09 rides a little better, even with the lowered suspension the PO added to it.
But what about handling in turns? I know these bikes are not canyon carvers so I do realize the limitations of a 800-900 pound bike. However I am sure that my 03 and 04 handled turns better than my 09. It seems to me I have to hold the 09 down in the turn more so than I did on the other bikes. I think it has to do with the fatter rear tire. I noticed it this past weekend while riding some winding country roads. There are several long sweeping turns that I used to run through on my older bikes and once I pushed the grip down they just held their line and swept right through. The 09 wants to be held in place and seems like it wants to either stand back up a little or be pushed further over. Like its not happy staying in one position too long.
I'm running a new Dunlop American Elite on the rear with about 500 miles on it and the same tire on the front with about 3000 miles on it. I adjusted the steering head wobble last fall and my suspension is in good condition. I do have wire spoke wheels but I always run a screwdriver handle around them and "listen" to them when I wash or work on the bike and none of them seem to be making an odd sound.
Has anyone else noticed this on their 09 or later scoot?
But what about handling in turns? I know these bikes are not canyon carvers so I do realize the limitations of a 800-900 pound bike. However I am sure that my 03 and 04 handled turns better than my 09. It seems to me I have to hold the 09 down in the turn more so than I did on the other bikes. I think it has to do with the fatter rear tire. I noticed it this past weekend while riding some winding country roads. There are several long sweeping turns that I used to run through on my older bikes and once I pushed the grip down they just held their line and swept right through. The 09 wants to be held in place and seems like it wants to either stand back up a little or be pushed further over. Like its not happy staying in one position too long.
I'm running a new Dunlop American Elite on the rear with about 500 miles on it and the same tire on the front with about 3000 miles on it. I adjusted the steering head wobble last fall and my suspension is in good condition. I do have wire spoke wheels but I always run a screwdriver handle around them and "listen" to them when I wash or work on the bike and none of them seem to be making an odd sound.
Has anyone else noticed this on their 09 or later scoot?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Santa Cruz
Yes the wider tire takes more “force” but provides a larger contact patch for better traction. The new frame design is stiffer and mounts the swing arm stiffer. All that adds to better handling. Of course the poor lean angle of all Harley’s is always the limiting factor but all things being equal an ‘09 up will be faster and more stable in turns than earlier models.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
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I'm with you, Bubba. When the '09's first came out, I rented one and thought, "What's the big deal?" Everyone said the new frame was so great, but I didn't see it.
Now I own and '11 Street Glide, a '12 RK, and a 2003 Ultra Classic. The '03 does low speed handling and curves the best of the three. I suppose the fatter rear tire and new frame may be better for straight line touring, but I can't say it's an overall improvement.
Now I own and '11 Street Glide, a '12 RK, and a 2003 Ultra Classic. The '03 does low speed handling and curves the best of the three. I suppose the fatter rear tire and new frame may be better for straight line touring, but I can't say it's an overall improvement.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: The Wasteland
My point exactly. You just summed it up a little better than I did. Sure the new frame is better but I dont see any huge improvements. More like subtle refinements here and there. But I guess better is better at the end of the day and any improvement is better than none.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Santa Clarita
Good point, Bubba...I came off of a 2006 FLHX with the smaller rear wheel, and onto a 2011 FLHX...I do like the thought put into the later frame in terms of how the various components bolt onto it...much better thought out.
But, I too, have noticed how it doesn't track thru the turns as well as the older one. Call me crazy and irresponsible, but from time to time, I go hands free and ride the bike that way...and I just can't get it to track thru the turns as easy hands off. I wondered why that was, and you just made it real!
I rarely push the bike to it's cornering limits, so I can't really comment on that. All and all, the newer frame is fine...is it that much better than the older one? Not really, to be quite honest. Not enough to recommend a bike with the updated frame over an earlier one, for that one reason alone.
But, I too, have noticed how it doesn't track thru the turns as well as the older one. Call me crazy and irresponsible, but from time to time, I go hands free and ride the bike that way...and I just can't get it to track thru the turns as easy hands off. I wondered why that was, and you just made it real!
I rarely push the bike to it's cornering limits, so I can't really comment on that. All and all, the newer frame is fine...is it that much better than the older one? Not really, to be quite honest. Not enough to recommend a bike with the updated frame over an earlier one, for that one reason alone.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: 48.067222,12.863611
If you don't ever push your pre '09, you probably won't care. If you ride hard in curves, etc., it's night and day difference. Still light years away from where a 25K motorcycle should be though.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The new frame was a step backwards in some ways, as it didn't address one of the major short-comings of the original rubber-mount design - it went off down a blind alley instead. So you are right to be sceptical. I address the subject in my bagger wobble thread. Get a long drink first, if you wander off reading the follow-up posts!
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From: dutchess county,ny
Old Hippie has it right , the frame is way more stable at higher speeds in turns. The older frame would walk (flex) in turns at those speeds. Veekness if your having problems with your bike tracking , its not the frame. You have another problem going on there...
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: The Wasteland
Good point, Bubba...I came off of a 2006 FLHX with the smaller rear wheel, and onto a 2011 FLHX...I do like the thought put into the later frame in terms of how the various components bolt onto it...much better thought out.
But, I too, have noticed how it doesn't track thru the turns as well as the older one. Call me crazy and irresponsible, but from time to time, I go hands free and ride the bike that way...and I just can't get it to track thru the turns as easy hands off. I wondered why that was, and you just made it real!
I rarely push the bike to it's cornering limits, so I can't really comment on that. All and all, the newer frame is fine...is it that much better than the older one? Not really, to be quite honest. Not enough to recommend a bike with the updated frame over an earlier one, for that one reason alone.
But, I too, have noticed how it doesn't track thru the turns as well as the older one. Call me crazy and irresponsible, but from time to time, I go hands free and ride the bike that way...and I just can't get it to track thru the turns as easy hands off. I wondered why that was, and you just made it real!
I rarely push the bike to it's cornering limits, so I can't really comment on that. All and all, the newer frame is fine...is it that much better than the older one? Not really, to be quite honest. Not enough to recommend a bike with the updated frame over an earlier one, for that one reason alone.
Agreed, the price for a brand new bike is ridiculous when you consider what you're getting. And is it just me or do the seats seem like they are a hell of a lot stiffer on the newer bikes. For $25 grand or more you would think you would at least get a comfortable seat. Nope- drop another $500-$1000 to get that. And yet here we are buying them- some of us buying them over and over again. Must be something good about them. LOL. I do love my HDs but it's kind of a love-hate relationship. Once you get them dialed in and set up the way you like them they are some great bikes- it just takes a lot to get them there sometimes.