'08 Roadglide
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
with an 08 you have already suffered a year's depreciation out the door. also many parts on an 08 are that year specific and later part supply might be a problem. The original IDS is 08 only. the 09 is integrated into the rear wheel not a bolt on. would have to be a really strong deal for me. I'm really glad i waited for the 09s.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
I traded my 07 SG with a HQs 103 motor and custom paint on it for a 08 RG last friday all I can say is that you do not want a RG -- they are ugly, take corners to well, have to much storage, two headlights, elbow room to move around, yada, yada, yada--
I was going to attempt to convert my SG into a RG -- it was cost prohibitive because I'm not mechanically inclined --- decided I get the RG do a 107 this time around.
If you want the RG get it -- I like the 09 but nothing wrong with the 08
I was going to attempt to convert my SG into a RG -- it was cost prohibitive because I'm not mechanically inclined --- decided I get the RG do a 107 this time around.
If you want the RG get it -- I like the 09 but nothing wrong with the 08
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 651
From: Gettysburg, PA (For Now)
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.
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.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
Hey Chieffielding, If you're still reading this thread, let me add a little something to my post. I guess I ruffled some feathers (at least one) when I said that everyone was just trying to sell you an 09. What I should have said was that you asked for 08 and 09 Road Glide owners to tell you how they felt about their bikes, and what you got instead was everyone telling you about the 09 upgrades. I know that you are as capable as anyone on this forum of looking at a spec sheet, so I made an honest effort to tell you about my experiences with my 08 Road Glide. I tried to point out some areas where the 09 is improved, and some areas where I feel that there is still room for improvement. There's always room for improvement somewhere. I know that the 09 is an improved bike. I also assumed that you know that the 09 is an improved bike. I was just trying to provide an opinion from the point of view of an 08 RG owner.
I see from your last post that you have made your decision. I don't blame you for opting for the 09. I have checked them out myself. As a matter of fact, if they would come out with one in Ultra dress, I would probably take a beating on my 08 and trade up tomorrow. I feel sure that you will be happy with your decision. Good luck with your purchase.
I see from your last post that you have made your decision. I don't blame you for opting for the 09. I have checked them out myself. As a matter of fact, if they would come out with one in Ultra dress, I would probably take a beating on my 08 and trade up tomorrow. I feel sure that you will be happy with your decision. Good luck with your purchase.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
My 09 road Glide was delivered last week. I had concerns with it drifting left, so with the turnpike a block from the dealer, to compare, I road my Dyna T-Sport, then my 09 Road Glide, then the dealer's demo 08 road glide. All three times I hit the entrance loop hard. T-sport always sticks like glue, 09 roadie was also griping well, 08 roady had a little wiggle at the top of the loop, nothing to make you loose it, but there non the less. i've read here about the difference between the 08 & 09, although not looking for it, I can confirm the 08 wiggle.
By the way, the drift left while not holding the bars is there on all three bikes, even the 01 Dyna T-Sport I've been riding for over 50K miles, just never noticed it. Factory, dealer I trust and very experienced friends all told me not to be concerned with the left drift. I've ridden the 09 roadie 500 miles this weekend, I'm no longer concerned with the drift, not so pronounced and I can move my position over to compensate.Wish it wasn't there,but still love the bike.
By the way, the drift left while not holding the bars is there on all three bikes, even the 01 Dyna T-Sport I've been riding for over 50K miles, just never noticed it. Factory, dealer I trust and very experienced friends all told me not to be concerned with the left drift. I've ridden the 09 roadie 500 miles this weekend, I'm no longer concerned with the drift, not so pronounced and I can move my position over to compensate.Wish it wasn't there,but still love the bike.
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