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:

08 or 09 Ultra?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:22 AM
  #11  
Lightngsvt2's Avatar
Lightngsvt2
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Belleville, MI
Default

I rented an 08 before I bought my 09 SG, both a great bikes no doubt. But there is a difference in the 09's. If both were brand new for $3k Id go for the 09, for $4k it'd be a toss up but for $5k I think I would go for the 08.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #12  
Twinrider's Avatar
Twinrider
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
Default

Originally Posted by hdbe
At a 4 to 5 k difference, would you spend the extra $ to get the 09 Ultra over the 08 Ultra considering the differences between the 2 bikes??
I would, both because of the improvements and because that $4-5K gap is going to dramatically shrink once you consider resale value.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:26 AM
  #13  
bksmoky's Avatar
bksmoky
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 5
From: Wisconsin
Default

I bought an 09 Ultra to replace another make that was 10 years old. When I go on trips I usually put on 3 to 4 thousand miles round trip. For serious long distance trippers the changes made to the 09 Touring were considerable.
Between my trade in and $1000.00 free accessories I was more than happy with the deal I got.
It's all about what you want in a bike and how much you can afford to pay!
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:47 AM
  #14  
jjohnson77536's Avatar
jjohnson77536
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

4 to 5 k savings?! 08.. Bought an 08 anniversary - fantastic ride!!!!!!!!
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:48 AM
  #15  
mphamrick's Avatar
mphamrick
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: Wagoner, Oklahoma
Default

I have no regrets with what I have but if you the latest changes then go with the 09. With the frame changes along with moving the exhaust around off the back cylinder it is pretty much up to you. You can't go wronge but make a choice and don't look back.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 09:50 AM
  #16  
hdbe's Avatar
hdbe
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 927
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Default

the 08 has 2,800 miles, a few extras, and i fit the bike so no need for any height changes. for the 09, i'd have to lower, change to a reach seat, or maybe both
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #17  
Twinrider's Avatar
Twinrider
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
Default

Originally Posted by hdbe
the 08 has 2,800 miles, a few extras, and i fit the bike so no need for any height changes. for the 09, i'd have to lower, change to a reach seat, or maybe both
If the '08 fits you I think you'd have no problem on the '09 if you gave yourself a little time. It's very well balanced and even with my stubby 30'' inseam I have no problem commuting through stop and go traffic.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 10:06 AM
  #18  
Texas Fat Boy's Avatar
Texas Fat Boy
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Default

If money is tight buy the ‘08 and save some cash. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the ‘08.

But if you can afford it though, buy the ‘09. Why ride 27 year old technology. I do love my ‘08 but I just love the newest technology available.

27 years ago was 1982, most of the country still had rotary phones and no home computers, no cell phones and American cars would fall apart after 100,000 miles (or before)….and let’s not forget in 1982 the Mullet was a great hair style too. LOL

A lot can happen in 27 years just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger 1980 – 2007

 
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 Jan 18, 2009 | 10:09 AM
  #19  
Twinrider's Avatar
Twinrider
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
Default

Originally Posted by Texas Fat Boy

That's pretty funny. Glad no one's putting my before and after pics up
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 10:38 AM
  #20  
Gumby256's Avatar
Gumby256
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City, NY
Default

Well that is a tough decision, mine was a little easier since the price difference between an 08 and 09 was almost nothing I went with the 09. 5K I'd look pretty close at those 08's! Although you are already spending over 20k, what's a little more... It's just money, you can always make more!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:30 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