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So this is the thred where everybody with an 09 convinces themselves and each other that they are better than 08's. My opinion is that the 09's corner a little better due to a stiffer frame, but that is about it!
No, this is the thread that everybody who has an 08 and wishes they had an 09 or 10 and tries to convince themselves and us that their 08 is just as good, (which it is not) as that 09 or 10. Its like having an old ugly girlfirend for a couple of years and when you see a real knockout you say to her "yea honey you look and feel just as good", then you try to convince your friends that she is just as good as that knockout. IT JUST AINT WORKING! The 09's and 10's are far superior in every respect to the 08's. End of story!
Gary D.
So this is the thred where everybody with an 09 convinces themselves and each other that they are better than 08's. My opinion is that the 09's corner a little better due to a stiffer frame, but that is about it!
"Better" is a subjective thing.
You know... Harley ain't stupid. The changes to the fuel system, brakes, tranny, motor, and frame were no doubt planned a long time ago; and Harley has just implemented the changes incrementally to avoid destroying a pretty strong used bike market. I do not think that it is an accident that it has taken 5 years to roll out all of the new features. If Harley had rolled out a brand new tourer in '06 with fuel injection, 96" motor, 6-speed helical cut tranny, and tighter better handling frame at that time, the used bike market would have been flooded with trade-ins that would have driven the prices way down.
By the time Harley comes out with the '11, which will no doubt address some of the ride issues with a new and improved rear shock, '05 owners will be already to trade in anyway.
Sounds like you have succesfully convinced yourself!
Lets see, off the top of my head;
All new frame and swingarm
Four point engine isolation system
Re-tuned suspension
Re-routed exhaust
180mm multi tread rear tire
17 inch front wheel and tire
Wide contoured rear fender
Increased passenger legroom
Increased trail and lean angle
Increased wheelbase
More carrying capacity
Redesigned isolated drive system
Shorter final gearing for better acceleration
Shorter radio antennae
Yea boy! I wish I would've went with you and got that 08. What was I thinking buying a crappy 09!
The '09 antenna was the perfect height and angle to poke me in the eye every time I walked behind my bike and was the first thing I changed on the bike.
The '09 antenna was the perfect height and angle to poke me in the eye every time I walked behind my bike and was the first thing I changed on the bike.
lol
Actually, the antenna thing was kind of a stretch, but I threw it in there anyway because the moco did.
Gary D.
I don't think everyone is trying to say that the 09/10's are worse or their older models are better. That would be idiotic. MOCO keeps up with their R&D and it transfers to the bikes that come out every year.
Ride and handling is subjective to the type of riding each person does. Not a lot unlike what color and what type of pipes are better.
I think the OP's coments were a fair assesment of what he felt. Some will agree and some won't. Then again it could be the way the dealer set it up, but when you go through that first impression... flip a coin. I'm sure that MOCO will tweek the new frame as the years go on.
I'm pretty sure that the original thread wasn't ment to be a "Mine Is better Than Yours" type of thread. More like a "Are the changes enough to trade up" type.
No, this is the thread that everybody who has an 08 and wishes they had an 09 or 10 and tries to convince themselves and us that their 08 is just as good, (which it is not) as that 09 or 10. Its like having an old ugly girlfirend for a couple of years and when you see a real knockout you say to her "yea honey you look and feel just as good", then you try to convince your friends that she is just as good as that knockout. IT JUST AINT WORKING! The 09's and 10's are far superior in every respect to the 08's. End of story!
Gary D.
Youv'e drank to much HD Kool-aid and it is making you goofy
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