Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 02:24 AM
  #1  
VARDR's Avatar
VARDR
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

Here I sit waiting to return to the states from this desert vaction so I can pick up my ordered 08 SG. I stop by the military sales rep and they start talking about the 09's being available for order in July with a delivery date of Oct. Well since I don't return until the beginning of Sept, I am wondering if I should just go ahead and order an '09 SG. Sales rep it will cost about $800 more but they don't know for sure. They say that the '09s will probably have ABS as a standard feature. So what do you all think, do I switch my order to an 09' and forefo riding the bike for a month or stick with the 08' and be able to ride when I return. The only other concern is that the "add ons" exhaust, A/C and fuel management might not be available until the 09' riding season, which i guess is OK. What do you all think...

thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 02:30 AM
  #2  
SoCal_Pappy's Avatar
SoCal_Pappy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

You have a wait the dealer show is I think in June & NOBODY know's what the '09s may bring... EPA is getting harder then ever...
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:09 AM
  #3  
MarkandMary's Avatar
MarkandMary
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

08 and enjoy, you never know what tomorrow brings!
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:33 AM
  #4  
Peppa1's Avatar
Peppa1
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee, Fl
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

I know for a fact that the overseas military sales guys get info on the upcoming models before the dealers in the states do. I had a friend buy a bike that way. If he doesn't have the info on the 09's yet he should have it soon. Your guy will even know the color options before the dealers in the states. Ask him when he is going to get his 09 info. I'd wait if I were you, what's 1 month.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:33 AM
  #5  
kry226's Avatar
kry226
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

I was in the same boat back in Iraq in 2006. No one had any idea that 2007 would bring the 96. As it was, I bought the last Black Pearl Fatboy in their inventory. Now here I sit with a new 08 Street Glide and much happier.

Having said all of that, I would stay with the 08. Although, no one knows for sure what the 09s will bring, to me, the possibility of further governmental neutering is way greater than a new kick **** feature like bigger displacement, etc.

In my case the unknown bit me, but in your's, I think the unknown is too scary to chance it. The 08s are great.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:48 AM
  #6  
smokin's Avatar
smokin
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

Wait---Harley's get a little better every year. From Tranny to Cubic Inch to Brakes, etc. I'd bet the 09's will have a little something to make them stand out. If it was a 6 month difference - No. But for a couple of months, I'd hang in.
Ask guys that bought the last of the 88CI / 5 speed bikes How they feel?
I still keep a 11 year old Springer with 40,000 but really like the 08SG I bought last fall.
Just come back safe and sound
-Smokin
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:42 AM
  #7  
Crusher's Avatar
Crusher
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

I would absolutely wait if it's only a month. If you buy the 08 and the 09's come out a month later that will make your 08 a year old and you only had it a month. Plus I also believe that very year gets a little better.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:59 AM
  #8  
lp's Avatar
lp
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

Wait.. larger rear tire for 09 Touring coming... (I hope anyway).

lp
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:59 AM
  #9  
Ultra007's Avatar
Ultra007
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

First of all ... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! You are doing something that most of us either can't or won't do, I respect that.

Here's how I look at it - If there are enough changes to make it worth waiting for, there are enough changes to worry about how they will perform.
If there are enough changes to wait for, there's enough changes that aftermarket will lag behind.
It's natural to second guess any decision, but we have to get over it.
I bought a 2007 towards the end of 2006, now there was a case that some great changes were promised. 96 motor with more power, the long awaited 6 speed, better tensioners for the cams and primary and a few other little neaties.
I will still say that if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the 2006. Safe bet, proven reliability and tons of aftermarket parts.
I say even if they had both sitting side by side in the showroom, buy the '08.
Get out and ride and don't look back.

Again, thanks for your sacrifices. You and the others that have served deserve the very best so get it on it and GO man!

U
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:44 AM
  #10  
drrandall1's Avatar
drrandall1
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,166
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: SG 08 VS SG 09 (which one do I get??)

You really have to wait. I was going to get an 07 SG but I waited for the 08 now I have a 6 gallon gas tank. Just wait and have a brand new bike.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:38 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE