Pre or Post Rushmore

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:14 AM

lucsvette

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 6

Likes: 5

From: Near Ottawa

Pre or Post Rushmore

HI all, i'm looking at buying my first Harley Davidson touring bike. Not sure if i'll get the Ultra Classic or Ultra Limited. But one thing I am not sure of is should I be looking at 2012/13 (pre-Rushmore) or 2014-15 (rushmore). I do understand the difference that was introduced with the Rushmore era, but not sure if its worth the extra cost given my budget.

are the 2012, 2013 bikes nice to ride, what are the benefits or disadvantage of not going to 2014+
are the 2014 plagued with issues or have they all been addressed by Harley

Can you shed some light on helping me decide. Thanks

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:17 AM

hbsoldier3

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 4,452

Likes: 798

From: Bear Flag, lower end

Ride both model years and my bet is you will like the Rushmore better, I did.

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:24 AM

Old Iron Man

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 477

Likes: 103

From: Nashua, NH

Post. Newer the better. Moco is always improving, adding, etc... each year. If you can afford ‘17+ M8, even better. Lots of deals out there on used touring bikes. Good luck.

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:38 AM

hd4evr2008

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 3,982

Likes: 2,141

From: Ohio

Personally, I like the old Twin Cam 96" engine. Simple and reliable.

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:42 AM

hbsoldier3

Elite HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 4,452

Likes: 798

From: Bear Flag, lower end

Quote:

Originally Posted by hd4evr2008

Personally, I like the old Twin Cam 96" engine. Simple and reliable.

That may be true; however, the models the OP is looking at are 103's.

Feb 20, 2019 | 11:53 AM

todd-67

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 6,899

Likes: 3,412

From: OH

The newer the better but all of them in those years are good reliable bikes. The 103 in the Rushmores has the newer cam that adds a bit more power.

Feb 20, 2019 | 12:18 PM

predatornut

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 461

Likes: 119

From: North Dakota

If I was in the market for a new bike I would be looking at ‘14+ just because of the saddle bag latches.

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Feb 20, 2019 | 03:21 PM

Brewmany

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 4,214

Likes: 661

From: Prior Lake, MN

Whatever bike you get just run it thru to see that any recall work was done. Depending on the bike and the build date, there were a few recalls on the 2014's. Mine was recalled 3 times. The really early built ones had a couple additional recalls.

My '14 Limited has been extremely reliable, one repair so far- splines on the shift shaft wore out a couple years ago- easy and relatively inexpensive fix. No other breakdowns, or problems.
Even my much feared water pump is still running

Feb 20, 2019 | 03:30 PM

#10

CyGlide

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 614

Likes: 79

From: Iowa

You can probably find a 12 or 13 ultra for 3-4k under what you could find a similar 14 or 15 for. For me, the upgrade wouldn't be worth 4k. But for 2k, it probably would be. I've looked at upgrading to a new bike a couple times, but having GPS isn't worth the cost of the upgrade. Having a paid off bike makes for a lot of room in the budget for upgrades and mods.