06 bike vs new

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Nov 10, 2009 | 11:29 AM

#11

mtclassic

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 3,437

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I spend 10 hours a day on a new RK (get one every year for work). My personal bike is an 04EGC. A new bike always feels good for a few hundred miles until the new wears off and then no real difference. I keep thinking that one year there will be such a difference I have to trade up, but so far I would not trade my 04. Maybe when they come out with h2O cooling LOL. If I was in the market I would actually buy an 02 model with carb. 02 was last year of the better crank bearing. I also perfer my carb over the FI that is on the work bikes. Any body that does not think a carb starts and runs as good as an FI has not had the carb properly set up.

Last edited by mtclassic; Nov 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM.

Nov 10, 2009 | 11:48 AM

#12

Texas Fat Boy

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,045

Likes: 36

From: ST. Louis

Every year there is some kind of improvement. Buy what you can afford. You will love any year you buy.

Nov 10, 2009 | 12:38 PM

#13

ArizonaFalconer

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 273

Likes: 0

From: Coolidge AZ

First off, good choice in purchasing a Harley. My first motorcycle was a Harley, and I've never looked back.

I have 2002 Road King, and I really wish we could've afforded to buy new. If it is an option to buy a 2009 or later touring bike, do it.

They have a lot of great additions, almost too many to really list.. An entirely different frame even!

Nov 10, 2009 | 02:02 PM

#14

Badbagger

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 4,505

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillieC

Love my 2006 model and would not trade for one of the newer ones.
Zero problems so far.
I like the 06 because it is the last year before the excessive heat, trans
wine and inner primary bearing probs.

Ditto... love my 06, bought it for a literal song this past March and zero issues.

Nov 10, 2009 | 02:09 PM

#15

Markymannn

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 2,086

Likes: 154

From: Buffalo, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by njhonker

hello all....I currently ride a Honda VTX1300C. I do alot of 2 up riding as well as long days in the saddle. The last couple months I've lived on Ebay and Craigslist as well as local dealers within a couple hundred miles searching for best deal I can find on a used bike...prefer and Electra Glide...I really wanted an 07 or newer with the 96ci motor and the 6speed trans. I've found quite a few 06's that I really like with the 88ci motor. How good is this motor.....are any of them fuel injected or are they all carbs? Some have very low miles and are what I consider a good deal compared to spending 20k for a new one ...which is out of the question anyway...THANKS for any help.....spending 13k or so on a used bike is alot of money and just want to be sure what I'm doing.....

I went the same route as you recently. Went from a Shadow to an 2004 EGC. New for me was way more than I wanted to spend. And as poster Willie C said, reading about people with their 96ci and 6 speeds with heat and whine, I looked only at 06's and older. Found an 04 with only 3,700 miles, virtually new for $10,000 less than new. Absolutely love the bike!Great prices this time of the year.

Let me tell you too, coming from a water-cooled Honda like you. I got mine in the middle of summer and the first week or 2 sitting at traffic lights with that air-cooled furnace under the seat, I was like WTF!?!?!?!? I couldn't imagine what some of these guys were experiencing with the 96's. I'm sure that riders going from a 88 to 96 don't notice the extra heat, but when you make that jump from a Honda, be prepared

Nov 10, 2009 | 03:56 PM

#16

sonar_chris

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 2,780

Likes: 5

From: San Diego

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkingking

The brakes, suspension and frame were all radically changed in 09. The 09 is a very different bike to ride, it is firmer in the ride and handles better at high speed.

The earler twin cam 88s are all injected after about 2001 I think.

The 88ci has a weaker cam drive system which is higher maintenance and has caused a few engines to go south.

Get out there and ride both. Only you will know which bike suits you best.

Not exactly. 06 and older bikes all had the TC88 motor with the 5 speed transmission. With that being said, you could get all bikes (except Vrod) with a Carb up untill 06, so if you want a used bike you could get either. 06 model year, almost all bikes were EFI though, in 2007 all bikes were EFI. Touring bike specifically, in 07 they went to the TC96 / 6 speed, 2008 got a 6 gallon tank, throttle by wire and Brembo brakes, 2009 saw a frame, wheel and suspension change.

As comparing a VTX1300 to a TC88, they will be about the same in the HP and Tq department with a slight edge to the HD because of its extra 8cu in. TC88 does run cooler as it is a smaller displacement then the TC96.

Nov 11, 2009 | 07:57 AM

#17

njhonker

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 283

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From: Pittsfield, IL

THANKS SOO MUCH guys......you've all been more than helpful and have given me the information to make my decision with confidence....I will be sure to post pics of whatever I wind up with...lol the colder the weather gets maybe the more likely I'll find a deal on what I want...lol