Keep in mind also that HD just reported a 10% drop in sales and is hurting. More ammo for you to negotiate on whatever year you choose. Good luck.

 

I had an '09 Electraglide and a '15 Limited. '15 was vast improvement over the '09. I would not consider a pre-2014 touring bike.

 

Torque and look at the riding rpm range difference. Cant just focus on max ratings.

 

ok, so 5hp and tq at one point in the rpm range? Ive riden ikes with both motors. The difference is barely noticeable. Its the same bike with a tiny bit more power. Go back to 2014 and people were saying the 1 hp difference between the 103 and 103ho was huge. Is it more? Yes, but theres no reason to act like its huge. Dynos dont lie.

 

5 hp and tq on a bike is noticeable imho just like the 103 to 103 ho. I have had the 88,96,103,103ho and the 107 and with each one, I have noticed a difference,js. On a touring hp isnt crap torque is where it is and the m8 with more valves will produce more torque

 

I didnt say there wasnt a difference. I said there was barely any difference. I dont have a need to justify a new bike every 3 years so im not going to try. 5hp/tq is hardly noticeable. According to you then the 107 should do better than what it does consodering its so much improved. More displacement, more valves, more spark plugs. Honestly id say its an underachiever.

 

You're quite right, however it is torque not HP that really gets us all moving and the difference between the two TQ curves in that FM graph is around 10% in the common riding range.

 

If you want to round like that i could say its a little more than 5%. Im really not putting the m8 down, i am saying that some people on here over exaggerate a minimal difference. Theyre the same bike with a little wee bit more *** to them, as they should have considering its 4cid bigger. For minimal price difference id pick the m8. I wouldnt pay much more than maybe 1500-2000 more for one though and thats if i really liked the bike.

 

It felt like a completely different bike to me. While I can never get enough power, the power in my 2014 Rushmore feels adequate for the job. My 2009 Ultra always struggled. Also, the handling is noticeably better on the Rushmore Ultras. The pre Rushmore RKs aren't so bad because they are lighter.

If I found myself looking for an older Ultra, it would have to be a CVO to get the extra power. But even at that, the weak front end would make me pause.

I was looking to trade my 2014 in for a 2018, but I admit the trans oil issue has held me back. For the price, I'm thinking maybe a Goldwing until the issue is fixed. From my experience of owning a couple of Sport Touring bikes, a couple of years is about all I could stand without a V-twin. That should give MOCO enough time to put a fixed M8 on a new frame.

Beary

 

I mostly upgraded for the 49mm front end, but once I got the '16 I found a Stage I on the '16 is as good as the Stage II on the '12... Still gonna go Stage III or IV on the '16, it's a sickness.

I do all my own work on my bikes and I have found many little things that are just so much nicer/better done on the Rushmore... (ie: the passenger intercom plug mount, the mount for the tour pack, the switch paks on the handle bars have plug-in wires, etc, etc, etc)

I believe it was a worthwhile upgrade....