I spent a good part of yesterday riding 2008 Harleys. Mostly 103's, but a couple of 96's as well. I have nothing bad to say about 07's and no first hand knowledge, but I will say these 2008 Harley Davidsons are pretty incredible! Some thoughts:

-Fit and finsish. Top notch. Once again same high HD standard. Whenever I'm tempted to knock HD for not completely finishing the bike out with bolts etc., I just have to sit on a new Honda or Yamaha and gaze at the acres of plastic.

-Power delivery on either the 96" or 103" was very strong, but even more so; VERY smooth! I was impressed with both motors but the 103" package was extremely impressive with the SE 255 cams. The bike had tons of torque and was smooth as silk. I know, famous last words, but I could see myself riding these bikes with just slip on mufflers for quite some time, setting aside my lust for power.

-The transmission was silent, even first gear engagement. Going through the gears on these bikes was almost an afterthought and I found myself cruising along at 3200 RPM in 4h gear several times before I looked down and shifted to 5th. Then I'drun it up to 75 and wonder when exactly one would select 6th gear

-The new drive by wire gave immediate throttle response and once again in a very smooth fashion. Outstanding improvement.

-Maybe anytime you get of a 20K mile bike you'd feel this, but something about these new bikes feels smoother and more solild than my 03 or my 06 ever felt new, (I think...hard to remember) I don't know if the IDS feature is it or again just perception at plan old coming off an older bike to a new one, but demo rides past, I've always gotten back on my bike and felt satisfied as I rode off that nothing I had ridden that day was an improvement over my current ride.

-Brembo brakes were awesome. Great move by Harley to put these well respected racing brakes on their bikes!

-The exhaust note on all bikes ridden, even the one with stock mufflers was very nice. The others had either V&H Basic cut or Oval slip ons. All seemed very brisk with the stock headers.

I've been looking to drop at least $1500 more into my 06 to tweak my current build, (95", SE Heads, Wood Tw6, SG, SERT), but after yesterday, I'm thinking that money may be best served going into an 08. Very dangerous day I spent yesterday according to my wife
The only thing that's hard to deal with is the need to start partially over making the bike "mine". I would remove as much of the add on's that I can like light trim rings, passenger floor boards, maybe even the Stealth luggage rack, but would still need to get it loaded up best I can before taking delivery. I'm not big on bringing a stock bike home and slowly getting her accessorized. The good news is that I'm pretty sure the bike will be another Street Glide. I like em a lot! I like the Silver Pewter a lot for something different than my current black, but I also LOVE my lower fairings on the SG, and if I got black again, I could just swap them out.

Also interesting were the bikes I rode. I had never ridden a Road Glide, so I had to see what all the fuss was about. It was a black 103" with the red stripe (wish they still had the black/silver), and pretty much stock otherwise. Having ridden a lowered SG for the last 20K miles, the first feel was sitting higher, but also cushier with the seat. The suspension was taut and I liked the way the shark nose hung out there away from the rider. I didn't notice a big difference yesterday on the frame vs bar mounted fairing issue. Maybe I would with more rides, but I've never felt like the fairing was heavy on the SG bars either. It was a very windy, even misting rain day, so hard to say whether I felt the shark nose offere

 

Nice report. Did you see or ride the Rocker?Chicago and Milwaukee area dealers still don't have the bike. This is a shame considering all of the attention it has received inmagazines, web,etc. Last I heard Rockerswon't be available until January.

 

I hear ya'. I have been doing the same kind of thing lately. Went out last weekend and sat the RG, not much chance of riding it ( temp was below 30 and some light snow on the ground ). I have dropped several hints and will start ratcheting up the pressure little by little. Kind of getting her used to the idea right now, just doing some recon of the beach right now you might say.
But I haven't committed yet to any model in particular I still can't dismiss the Ultra. I also have this nagging feeling about whatwill be seen from the MoCo in next years models. Oh, decisions decisions.

 

Go for it Mr. GliderXX, remember, it's better to get forgiveness than permission!!. It's good to see you RIDE the dang things, 20K miles on an 06, that's what they're for. I recently bought a Pewter Silver RKC and am trying to decide if I want to go with the exh/AC/Fuel mods, since it runs so sweet stock. (I probably will, though, after more miles). Git R Done.

 

Geoff...nope no Rockers....and I think those bikes are VERY cool and can't wait to ride one! I did get a good luck at the Fat Bob, and I really like the looks at that bike!

 

Like to see a pic of theat Pewter silver RKC...another one of my favorite bikes! It is true, especially with these 08's, the stock ride is VERY sweet. Now if I could only imlant that in my brain with a "don't adjust" chip

 

Sat on one of those Rockers at the Ft Worth bike show. It looks pretty good but I have to say it feels like a small bike to me for some reason. Maybe its just the low seat or the goofy handlebars. The tanks look nice on em.

 

Yeah...started the recon a few weeks ago and just starting the soft shelling this morning Somehow though trying to explain the difference of an 06 and an 08...6speed, bigger cubic inches, drive by wire, IDS, 6 gallon gas tanks blah blah blah doesn't work as well as it does on here

 

Glider what are your thoughts on the ABS, did the brakes have a normal feel to them? Great report by the way, great oppurtunity to ride the different models.

 

I love mine, first bike I have ever owned. I still look at it and say to myself "I can't belive I own a Harley Davidson"!