Best year and model for Electra Glide
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
Hello. I bought used. When picking my bike I wanted certain features. As already stated the frame and engine from 2010 to 2013 are brothers if you will. If you get a 2011 limited to a 2013 limited or ultra. you get, the wider rear tire, ABS, 103, cruise control, FOB and security system, heated grips, 6 speed, newest compensater. On your own you can upgrade stereo,shocks, convert to LED's.Too much to name. Stock premium stereo is ok. But not gonna hear much at 75/80 mph. I have the 2011 stage two, totally upgraded to much to list and I love it. other than brakes and oil changes, no issues. At 42,000 miles..Good luck and ride safe!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
don't disagree - thats why I said my points probably are probably invalid for you guys in America.
Down here in Brazil... well to make that passing lamp thing work is trivial for me in my garage on the 2013, if I need to ask a dealer to flash it they will probably say NO claiming some liability bullshit, or charge me $200 for it... sigh.
and we don't have rushmore classics here... its either a street glide or a roadking if you dont want twin cooling. we don't get all the lineup.
finally... those things inside the control housings on the CAN bikes that cost $150 in the US will set you back like $500 here... need to take real good care of them. my 17 roadster has them and I already had to do some disassembly and cleaning on the left one because the high beam would turn on but not off.
Down here in Brazil... well to make that passing lamp thing work is trivial for me in my garage on the 2013, if I need to ask a dealer to flash it they will probably say NO claiming some liability bullshit, or charge me $200 for it... sigh.
and we don't have rushmore classics here... its either a street glide or a roadking if you dont want twin cooling. we don't get all the lineup.
finally... those things inside the control housings on the CAN bikes that cost $150 in the US will set you back like $500 here... need to take real good care of them. my 17 roadster has them and I already had to do some disassembly and cleaning on the left one because the high beam would turn on but not off.
Didn't realize you were in Brazil....
I can see how keeping it super simple would be good if the tech isn't readily available....
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: South Carolina
i ride a 2012 RoadGlide Ultra my only complaint is the stock radio. (in the process of fixing that) the 14 and up radio is better, i had a 15 streetglide and i did notice the chrome didn't seem to be quite as good as this 12RG
but that might have been just that one bike.
but that might have been just that one bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
and we don't have rushmore classics here... its either a street glide or a roadking if you dont want twin cooling. we don't get all the lineup.
finally... those things inside the control housings on the CAN bikes that cost $150 in the US will set you back like $500 here... need to take real good care of them. my 17 roadster has them and I already had to do some disassembly and cleaning on the left one because the high beam would turn on but not off.
finally... those things inside the control housings on the CAN bikes that cost $150 in the US will set you back like $500 here... need to take real good care of them. my 17 roadster has them and I already had to do some disassembly and cleaning on the left one because the high beam would turn on but not off.
Beary
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 740
Likes: 228
From: Lagoa - VNF
my reasoning to buy the limited (mind you, I'm a sportster guy... been riding sporties since 2008, first harley and still have it, along with a 2017 roadster - 'traded up' once to a dyna and ended up selling it to buy the roadster - yeah...) was along the lines 'if I'm going to buy a bigger bike, let it have everything and the kitchen sink'. I would have even bough a RG, but those we only got down here with the M8 - so expensive AF and with the electronics, etc... so I targeted a 103 ultra classic or limited and ended up with a yellow 2013 limited. its not bad, im in the process of tightening it up, changed handlebars and those rubbers that hold the riser with poly, fixed shocks (10w oil), etc... its a work in progress but so far I'm dealing with it... and the wife and kid LOVE riding on the back so I guess it will stay.
question - does removing the tour pack really make that much of a difference? I can live without it but don't like the idea of losing the rear speakers... so never tried.
question - does removing the tour pack really make that much of a difference? I can live without it but don't like the idea of losing the rear speakers... so never tried.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 1,821
From: Kalifornia
I moved up from a sportster to mu Ultra Classic, this April. While not quite as flickable in curvers as the sportster, its not far off enough to bother me. And that is with the tourpak. The only reason to take it off, for me, would be looks, but I use my tourpak all the time. When off the bike I keep my helmet and jacket in there, but often go for groceries, or hardware store, wherever, and it comes in handy. S street glide looks a little cooler, but thats it, to me. I have taken short rides on Street Glides, 5-10 miles, and cannot really tell a difference. Others may disagree, that have more seat time between the two.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 664
From: Central Texas
for a reliable bike that anyone can work on without a ton of $$$ tied up in software the last "good" year would be 2013
Once you go past 2013, you are at the mercy of the MoCo, Dealers, and software licenses.
My HD guru swears 2002 was the last good year though.
Cripes on the newer bikes you can't even add speakers to the factory radio without manufacturer software,
Once you go past 2013, you are at the mercy of the MoCo, Dealers, and software licenses.
My HD guru swears 2002 was the last good year though.
Cripes on the newer bikes you can't even add speakers to the factory radio without manufacturer software,
I agree about the 2013-earlier bikes and trikes being much simpler but I still want a 2019 or 2020.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 1,821
From: Kalifornia
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Nope....
Twin cam 88A engine introduced in 1999 models, and the Twin Cam 88B engine in the softail models in 2000.....
Twin cam 88A engine introduced in 1999 models, and the Twin Cam 88B engine in the softail models in 2000.....