There have been many threads on the differences going from a 2008 and earlier touring bike to a 2009-2010. I made the same comparison myself last year. Well just having gone back to a 2008 after logging around 8000 miles on a 2009 I thought it would be neat to compare the other way. Especially having forgot things about the 08's ride. Figured it may be helpful to some still on the fence about trading up.

-I will start with the height. Claimed seat height for a 2008 is 27.3". It is exactly the same for a 2009. But the 2009 sits you higher for some reason. It was believed it was the width of the frame under the seat. But forum member "lp" posted the results of measuring that area on his 2007 and 2009 and it is exactly the same. So that shoots that theory all to hell. So where does the added height come from?? Who knows. But I can tell you on my 2008 I can flat foot it with ease with sneakers. On my 2009 I could barely flat foot with my tallest boots. And this was with the same seat.

-Next I will cover suspension and ride quality. I did my 80 mile commute to work yesterday as well as a nice 1/2 lunch ride on some roads close to work. I took the same route and rode the same roads that I normally do. The 2008 has a softer ride. I purposely hit some of the bigger bumps that I hit every day and the ones that normally jarred my back and rattled my teeth on the 09 were alot softer on the 08. The suspension and the frame are that much stiffer now. It wasn't so bad hitting those bumps.

-I will cover handling and wobble/rear steer next. The 2009 does handle better period. Having owned a few pre-09 touring bikes I never encountered bagger wobble or rear steer. At least I didn't think I had. Apparently I was wrong. On the sweeping roads that I pushed my 09 through with ease I had to slow up a little more for on the 08. The feeling was like the front was going one way and the rear was going another. I was so used to riding the 09 that I was trying to push the 08 to the same extremes. So I guess I had probably experienced the wobble in the past. I just adjusted my riding until it wasn't there. This is nothing that a stabilizer won't cure. No biggie.

-Balance and weight. The 2009 is a little heavier. I think like 30-40lbs. But it feels so much more that that. And it also feels more top heavy. Pushing the 09 up off the stand feels alot harder to do than with the 08. Backing up and moving around while on the seat feels easier too.

-Finally I am going to cover wheel hop. I have never seen anything posted about it so I have no clue what the cause. There is a nice sweeping concrete off ramp on my way home from work. Every time I got on it I tried to challenge myself to go a little faster. Well the threshold on the 09 was around 66. Anything faster and the front wheel felt like it was hopping. Kinda like riding over those wake-up grooves. Well on the 08 I did it at 70 with ease. No hope. No instability. Smooth.

There it is. Take it for what it's worth. It is simply a comparison. Nothing more. Not downing the new frames and not saying the old one is better. Don't get me wrong the 2009-2010 are nice bikes. The new frame is and improvement and the ride is great. It just didn't work for me personally.

 

Thanks for the comparision Garemlin.

I'm not sure which models you are comparing but I guess that really does not matter. I own an 08 Street Glide and recently purchased a 2010 Ultra.

My experience is quite different than yours. I actually find the Ultra to feel lighter and lower. The center of gravity also feels lower and it is by far more nimble.

Like you I really did not know how bad the 08 really handled until I got on the new 2010.

I only have 350 miles on it but they have been really enjoyable miles and the Ultra feels like a sport bike compared to the SG.

I'm heading out to Daytona tomorrow morning so I get to put her to the real test out on the road for 500 miles.

Ride safe

 

Good comparison Steve...Now WHERE are the pictures of Coppertop?

 

I had an '08 Street Glide and now I have an '09 Street Glide. All I know is I am much happier now. I was happy then, but I am much happier now.

All I need now are the True Duel Headers like I had on my '08 (one pipe out each side)

 

Hi Garemlin,

I agree with Dock Holiday, nice write up overall. It's certainly a different way of comparing the two frames and offers a different perspective than most of us would consider. I'm not sure what the wheel hop is that you're talking about but the two sections of your post I quoted above seem to contradict each other. In the one you say the 09 definitely handles better (which I tend to agree with) yet in the second you can take a given corner faster on the 08.

What am I missing here? Can you clarify?

Thanks!

Ride Safe,
Steve R.

 

The '09 does have a firmer ride, but handles much better than previous models. I agree that I do seem to sit higher on the '09, but I don't notice a difference in overall height and it also feels like it has better balance. Bottom line, ride one and make sure you like it before you buy it.

 

I went from an 05 "Road King/Ultra" (tourpack, lowers, and DCC fairing) with a stabilizer on it to an 09 EGC. I can tell you that the 09 BLOWS AWAY the 05 in every aspect, hands down. I live in the mountains and can come up the hill 10mph faster with my wife on the back than I could with just me on the RK. I know that the 08 was a better bike than the 05 was, but the 09 is better than the 08 too.

 

Great write up garemlin, thanks for the incite

 

I guess I should have clarified that a little more. The road surface is concrete on this particular off ramp as I said. But the surface is not perfectly smooth. So when trying to take it at higher speeds on the 09 I felt what I best described as the front wheel hopping on the 09 when pushed to higher speeds. No rear wobble though. On my 08 I feel the rear wobble a tad but the front wheel is planted at the higher speeds. I just really notice this because this off ramp is always empty so I have free reign to push it as hard as I want. And it is a road I take every day so I know all of it's characteristics.

Yeah I know it sounds confusing. But it is what it is.


As I stated this thread was meant strictly as a comparison and 95% will disagree with me. All it was meant to do is give a real time comparison going the other way. Because everyone knows the new hotness makes what you had before feel old and busted.


Mike: I know I know. I'll get some pics up one of these days.

 

I'm sure the 09's and 10's are improved, but I'm still very happy with my 08. It's just like I want it, and I hope to have it for many more miles. In fact, instead of trading up I think I will just upgrade as I go through the miles and years.