2008 Street Glide - considering purchase - asking advice :D
Rather than upgrading my very pretty Dyna, I've found a low mileage 2008 Street Glide (96 engine) that I'm thinking of buying.
Appreciate any advice you can offer about the 2008 Street Glide specifically. From what I read, the 2009 introduced a new and improved chassis. There is also something about the new 6 speed transmission that was causing problems (noise?) on the 2008 that was rectified in 2009. Would like more info on that. Does it need fixing? Can it be? How much to fix it? What about the fuel injection system. I understand there are some issues there, but not sure which years it affected. My 2003 Dyna had the "Harley death wobble" when I bought it. I knew there was a problem, thought it was tires, but ended up installing True Track engine stabilizers that fixed everything (expensive, but excellent!). Is this something that affects the 2008? Maybe it's something the 2009 fixed? Did all the 2008 models have the Brembo calipers? I don't see the name on the caliper. Don't think this is a big issue to me anyway, but would be good to check. Anything else I need to be aware of with the this particular 2008 model year? Appreciate your advice! |
I owned a 2008 Street Glide for 27,000 miles. Never had ONE problem. Great bike. Yes.... to Brembo calipers. throttle by wire, 6 gallon tank, extra engine stabilizer in top of front cylinder.. No fuel injection problems that I've heard of. I had cruise control on mine. Some people complained about a 5th gear whine on the first year 6 speed tranny (2006), I never noticed anything about mine. Seems they "fixed" it on the 2008s, anyway, I never noticed any noise. No other problems in all the time I owned it. I loved mine, had a ton of $$$$ in it, kinda wish I'd kept it.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...c495473604.jpg |
I always steer folks away from ‘07-‘08 touring bikes. They just have some special wierdness. |
I had an 07 EGU and finally got it lemoned lawed after a terrible year and a half and got most of my money back after paying a lawyer. Problems with the 5th gear whine that was louder than a ambulance going down the road. It dry sumped, and the oil pump went out before 10K miles.I bought an 08 EGU and I haven't had to many problems out of it, but the 5th gear is just a bit louder than the rest. I did put a true track on it to minimize the death wobble. It was recalled for the ABS brakes, and the break fluid must be changed every 2 years or you may destroy the ABS module which will wind up cost you around 1K.
The biggest problem you may face is parts. 07 & 08 were (loner) new models and even part off them will not fit each other. 09 they came out with a new frame, so from them none of the parts will now work on either the 07 or 08. Be careful and check it out. If I'm not mistaken there were 2 recalls on the 08. One was the ABS, but can't remember the other. Good luck with your decision. |
The 6 speed was new in 07 and the complaining about transmission noise was still going on in 08. The noise, which was hardly noticeable was caused by the addition of square cut gears for (I think) 6th gear. It's a non issue.
With the intro of the 96" engine along with ever increasing EPA restrictions, the tune of the 07s and the 08s had the engines running extremely hot. I had an 07 and it was ridiculously hot in stock form especially when idling in traffic. A friend had an 08 and the pipes would glow at night at the exhaust port. Added to that, HD was still experimenting with the gearing and 6th gear was a joke unless you had the engine up over 2500rpm, 2700 it might run okay on 6th. Otherwise there was just not enough power there to run without lots of engine knock. However, with the addition of a stage 1 with a Power Commander or some other EFI Mgmt device to enable a better tune, this issue was quickly resolved. There were some other issues around the throttle by wire, but I know little about that as the 07 I owned didn't have it. The other usual weak points in HD Tours apply as usual, problematic compensators, cracked Y pipe just off the rear cylinder and high speed death wobble issues. etc. Unless this is a price too good to beat, it's a real clean ride, you know the history/owner, it's a rick free bike, etc etc. I'd strongly suggest you consider an 09 or 2010. By then, Harley was finally getting the tune dialed in and lots of major improvements with the new frame. |
I had shithouse luck when I bought my first HD in November 2008. I didn't know about the problems. I know [now] the pre 09's can be had for close to a song. That said, for what I've read, they can be worked on, made better. There were apparently primary gearing issues in 07 & 08. Too high of gearing made the 6th gear too high. The frame flexed, and a true track was needed as it had some weird harmonics [drivetrain to frame wobble]. The rear tire was narrower, which maybe cornered better, but the suspension countered that. 09+ tires last longer. The exhaust was re-routed to be further away from passenger legs on the RH side.
The difference is, if you're taking it easy, or trying to go 100+ mph from what I can gather. Take it easy, and the 07 & 08's can be great. That said, I've upgraded a lot of stuff on my 09. Just trying to make it better... Good luck, and enjoy the ride regardless. I think 09+ are starting to price drop with the Rushmores, and now M8's out there. H |
Originally Posted by oldhippie
(Post 17953813)
The 6 speed was new in 07 and the complaining about transmission noise was still going on in 08. The noise, which was hardly noticeable was caused by the addition of square cut gears for (I think) 6th gear. It's a non issue.
With the intro of the 96" engine along with ever increasing EPA restrictions, the tune of the 07s and the 08s had the engines running extremely hot. I had an 07 and it was ridiculously hot in stock form especially when idling in traffic. A friend had an 08 and the pipes would glow at night at the exhaust port. Added to that, HD was still experimenting with the gearing and 6th gear was a joke unless you had the engine up over 2500rpm, 2700 it might run okay on 6th. Otherwise there was just not enough power there to run without lots of engine knock. However, with the addition of a stage 1 with a Power Commander or some other EFI Mgmt device to enable a better tune, this issue was quickly resolved. There were some other issues around the throttle by wire, but I know little about that as the 07 I owned didn't have it. The other usual weak points in HD Tours apply as usual, problematic compensators, cracked Y pipe just off the rear cylinder and high speed death wobble issues. etc. Unless this is a price too good to beat, it's a real clean ride, you know the history/owner, it's a rick free bike, etc etc. I'd strongly suggest you consider an 09 or 2010. By then, Harley was finally getting the tune dialed in and lots of major improvements with the new frame. The 08's were geared a little tall but if your riding any touring bike in 6th gear below 2500 RPM you should reconsider your choice of gears. Even after changing the transmission pulley for a better final drive ratio and building a strong 124" motor I would never shift into 6th below 2500 rpms unless maybe I was coasting down a long grade. |
No experience with an ‘07 or ‘08 touring bike but a guy I ride with a lot has an ‘07 SG and loves it. He hasn’t had any issues at all and it has 40k+ miles. His motor is stock and runs Rinehart slipons. He normally gets about 50 mpg and can run as long on his 5 gallon tank as most of us can run on a 6 gallon tank. Everything he’s done has been cosmetic not mechanical. I would say if it fits your budget, is in good shape and has good maintenance records go for it. Good Luck |
Wow! Like I said in my first post, I owned a 2008 and put 27,000 trouble free miles on mine. Glad I didn't know about all the problems I was supposed to be having with an '08. I had NONE.
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Nothing wrong with the 08s if the price is right. I've had 2 of them. They are a mix of 07 and down parts and 09 and up parts. Brakes, front wheel, tank, seat are like the 09. Rear wheel, frame, fenders are the 07 style. Hot ticket on gearing is to replace the 66 tooth IDS rear pulley with a 68 tooth IDS sportster pulley. No belt change required. Put 42k on my 08 SG and the only issue I had was the original IDS pulley bearing was starting to fail. Caught it on a tire change.
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