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Yep, the 09 front is 17". The rear is still 16" but its 2 inches wider (180). The rear fender is wider and looks beefier (except for the 09 Road King Classic - for some reason the front is still 16") . I love the look. Comparing my 09 Electra Glide to my 07 Road King classic (that I traded in) its a different bike. I don't necessarily feel the 1" taller front wheel on the 09 but I can't say enough about the ride. Once you get going the bike just feels light. My 09 EG weighs 100lbs more than the 07 Road King but I didn't feel it. On the mountain roads it leans effortlessly. I haven't felt any sidesway (porpusing) on the back roads. On the freeway the bike easily absorbs the bumps. It is smoother to me than the 07 RK. HD got rid of most of the shake rattle and roll when you are at a light. The bike is much quieter at a light then my 07 Road King (less vibration) but it still has some shake to it. Not as quiet as my 00 softail however with the counterbalance. I am looking forward to breaking it in more this wekend. Driving less than 55mph and varying the speed for the first 500 miles is boaring but thats what they suggest. Rich
How do you guys stand it up there in the cold country? Packin away your babies for 4-5 months and not being able to ride everyday would drive us warm weather boys crazy. A day without riding is like a day without sunshine. Yikes!
Rode mid Nov. trailer to Florida in Jan. back again for Bike Week riding around home by end of March...Just bearable.
Lovin the 09 over the 07 so much so that my 07 went on eBay tonight. The 09 is smoother, corner better, and flat out looks better. Sorry but the new frame really is that good. Ordered custom wheels for mine this afternoon. Can't wait now.
traded my 08 eg classic for a new 09 rg. there is no comparison. #1 the rg just handles more like a sport bike in the corners because steering is so much lighter due to fixed fairing and less weight on the forks. add in the new frame, bigger rear tire, etc. it really gets after it. i think the best thing is the new gearing. as someone else said, you can cruise 6th @ 60 but roll the throttle and just cruise down the road. i love it. just need to get it paid for before the new improved 2010 models come out...lol...ride safe
The entire bike seems better to me I especially like the change in the gearing I can run in 6th at 50 and walk right past all of my buds stock 07 and 08 baggers at top end. The best way to answer all your questions about the 09's is to go to your nearest dealer and take one for a test ride.
Don't do it! I was scheduling my '08 Ultra in for a 103" install and the sales guy asked if I wanted to try an '09 while I was there. Long story short, I traded my '08 for the '09... there really is that much difference.
How do you guys stand it up there in the cold country? Packin away your babies for 4-5 months and not being able to ride everyday would drive us warm weather boys crazy. A day without riding is like a day without sunshine. Yikes!
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.