Definately trading up ;-)

 

If there's any way you can swing on 09, you'll be more than pleasantly surprised. The 09 made some great changes in frame, tire size, exhaust, heat mgmt, etc... You'll love the touring family, I'm just sayin' if there's a way you can pull it off, go for it. I seriously wish I could swing getting a new 09. Just not in the cards right now. I realize there are a lot of us in that situation, but you really ought to look at the numbers anyway. Just a thought. I'm sure you'd be happy with an 05, but there's some screamin' deals right now, certainly a buyers market.

 

Like others have posted, it is not up or down, just a change. Having an 07 myself I would strongly suggest that you look for an 07 or newer. Nothing bad about the TC88, 5 speed but the 96, six speed is really sweet. Good luck.

 

Late last year, I bought an 09 Electra Glide Standard to replace my 07 Heritage Softail Classic. I had just finished with all of the changes I needed to the Softail to make it fit me really well. But I was a bit unhappy dragging the floorboards all the time because of the low lean angle. I've now made almost all of the changes to the EGS so it fits me good. Some things I noticed with the EGS is that there is a lot less vibration (from the engine I think) at highway speeds, it seems more stable, the hard bags are a definite plus, it's really nice being able to see the speedometer without having to look down, and of course, it leans a lot better in the corners. Now that the new bike fits me well, I won't be looking back and will be selling the Softail once the weather improves.

 

I went to the Ultra and unless real hard times hit I could not go back to less. But mine is paid for so I don't think there is much to worry about.

 

years don't make much difference in pricing on Tour Bikes. I'd think your best trade right now would be from a stocked up dealer. You get new and 2 year warranty. I got a grand more trade last fall than I was offered over a year before.

 

Sorry, but trading in a 96ci for an 88ci IS trading down whether it's a tourer or not. The only way I'd ever buy a bike today with an 88ci is if is was an '03 anniv with super low miles.

If your "hot" about getting a bagger there are alot of great deals to be found on Ebay, Craigslist...etc where you could find yourself a really nice touring scoot that has a 96ci engine for probabaly right around what you'd be paying for that '05. Shop around & get yourself a 96, you'll appreciate the difference in power.

 

Stock 88" to a stock 96", unless you get the 09' dresser, I would save
the $$ and would perfer a low mile 88".

The 09' dressers now have the drivetrain short comings worked out.

 

Possibly look for a good deal on an 09 Road King, they have a real good price, which is lower than last year.

 

Ive had 2 friends buy a softail and a dyna. they are both pissed that they are stuck with them and not able to get out of thier bikes $$$ to get a touring rig.