+1 on the '09 - the improvements are significant and very desirable. On a $20k bike, if I couldn't save $4k or so on the '08 it would be worth the extra cash for the '09.

 

just curious,are they using the same motor as the 08. how have the new engines been ? problems ? recalls ? Might have to upgrade next year.

 

I bought my 08 FLTR in March and now have 10K. I love the bike. I have looked at the differences between 08 and 09 and i have to tell ya, aside fromt the exhaust design and the chassis overhaul, there is not that much difference. You basically have to ask yourself, "Why are you buying the bike?" Is it for interstate road trips or to make a cool custom? Is it for bar runs or just around a city. For the 08s, the exhaust heat is not a problem; but I don't live in a city with real traffic to speak of. The chassis design factor for me might mean something if I live in an area that doesn't maintain their roads very well. As far as the maintenance of the 2008s, there have been some spectulation that there are problems. I personnaly have not had a single problem with my profile laced wheels at the 500, 1K, 5K and 10K services. I just had the last one done two days ago.

I did buy HOGTUNES and they do make all the difference in the world. Always remember, anyone who like the style of the RG is a different breed of rider. Nevertheless, they are also some of the most devoted.

 

Another vote for the 09 here, and heat has been an non issue for me so far, even with humid florida and hard lowers

 

09, If you have the money.

 

Well, the 08 has a recall on it for the fuel filter canister failing. The 08 puts out alot of heat under the seat. The 09 has an automatic idle sensor that shuts down the rear cylinder to keep you cooler at idle and parade speeds. The 09 has re-routed the exhaust pipe under the frame unlike the 08 that has it 'through' the frame under the seat. The 08has the 105th anniversary copper paint scheme. The 09 CVO models have the 110 engine. The 08 has the 96 cui engine. The 09 has eliminated the traditional rear taillights and moved them by filled the gap between the saddlebags. The 09 has a larger wider rear tire and wider longer rear swingarm. The 09 has a new frame design. The 09 has 2 rubber bushings on the front of the engine for anti-vibration, the 08 has 1. The 09 has an up-graded suspension from the 08. The 09 has an up-graded drive system from the 08. In my opinion, wait another 6 months and see what Harley puts out. Hope this helps.

 

jumping in on the '09 bandwagon.... but then again, I'm keeping my '05 so maybe what I think, doesn't count

 

Since everyone else is just trying to sell you an 09, I'll try to adress some of your concerns about an 08. I got mine in March and have put 10,200 comfortable, fun filled miles on it so far. I kept my Dyna just in case I wanted to ride a barhopper sometime, but it is now very dusty.
I never rode my RG stock. I had the 103" kit installed before delivery. But, even with the 103" jugs, I don't really get the fried thighs that everyone talks about. I live in Northeast Florida and it has been plenty hot this year. I guess either I'm lucky and mine runs cool, or I understand that an air cooled motor is gonna have to put out some heat and I accept it for what it is.
I felt like I was riding a time bomb until I got mine in for the recall to change the fuel filter shell. I never broke down because of it. I just worried about it a lot. You won't have to worry about that issue on a late model year bike.
In addition to the 103" kit, I added a PCIII and Rush 2 1/2 inch slipons. Had the bike dyno tuned and got 94 horses and 110 lbft of torque. Good numbers for what I have on it, I think.
One thing that I don't like about the bike is the throttle-by-wire system. I haven't had the fast idle problem, because I don't rev my engine during shutdown (and don't understand those that do). What I don't like is that the system is designed to limit low end accelleration for some reason. The bike makes good torque, but the throttle system won't let it all in until about 2400 RPM. I think it would be much more responsive with good old throttle cables. The absolute bottom end of the torque curve is lousy, and I haven't found a way to wake it up yet. I don't believe that this has changed much on the 09 bikes. Just a guess; I could be mistaken here.
I recently took off the Rush pipes and put the 4" Harley pipes back on. They are the ones that the shop put on with the 103" kit. The bike is too quiet again, but it's running better. I think that the wide open 2 1/2 inch Rush pipes are just too free flowing for this bike. Even with the 103" kit and the PC, it never seemed right with the Rush pipes. On the up-side, my stereo sure does sound better now.
On the way back from Myrtle Beach in May, I rode in some strong crosswinds and experienced the uneasy feeling that the front and rear wheels were going to go in different directions in high speed sweepers and on the bridges coming through Charleston. They call this the wobble. I'm going to try the "Ride Straight" cure for this. I'll be going to Tennessee in October to ride some twisties and will post about my results then. I believe that the 09 frame is supposed to take care of this problem though. I'm not trying to sell you an 09, but this may save you a few hundred bucks down the road.
I owned some metric baggers before I graduated to a Harley, and I prefer the feel of the frame mounted fairing. The batwing feels heavy to me and seems to transmit some of the wind load to my arms. I don't get that at all with the RG. I did add a "Clearview" windshield because the stock one sucks. Just my opinion I guess. The stock shield shook a lot and did very little to create a calm "bubble" for the rider and passenger. It was a total fix with the Clearview.
Those are the only issues that I can think of to address right now. As previously stated, I have been very pleased with mine. But what do I know, I haven't even worn out a set of tires yet.

 

Thanks guys! I think I'll go with the '09. As I said in my earlier post this will be my 2nd Roadglide so I'm very familiar with the model. I've called every dealer within a 250 mile radius of my location and none has an '09 RG on the floor so I'll wait until one shows up.

 

There's an 09 RG in Nashville at Bumpus HD as we speak. I think it was Black pearl or dark gray. I dont recall. Best of luck. I'll stick with my 06. BTW, I also have a nice dusty Dyna in my garage.