08 ride compared to 09/10
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Twinrider, you do much touring with a carbed bike? We ride from sea level to 10000 feet in one day and the guys we ride with who have carbed bikes gas mileage goes in the tank and their bikes start loading up and running like crap, way rich. The efi and o2 sensors constantly adjusting at different altitudes and temps. You can keep your old carb technology.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From:
The new frame is made up of about 50 percent of the parts needed to build the old one. It takes 50 percent fewer welds to make the new frame. All in all there are more than 450 new parts that went into the chassis redesign. The single spar, rigid backbone frame supports a 70 pound increase in load capacity that allows each of the saddlebags and tour pack to hold 5 more pounds each. By relocating the coil box from behind the steering head to the rear crossmember, theres room at the neck area for larger gusseting therefore more strength. fender struts are stronger, beefier and oval shaped swingarm. New frame is 20 percent stiffer than before. The 2009 frame doesnt have a single bent tube on it, only straight ones and they are larger in diameter and stronger.
Lastly, I'll leave you with the words from Iron Works magazine November 2008 review of the then new 2009 baggers "Indeed, if you own an 08 or earlier model, consider your bike obsolete when measuring its performance on the highway or, more precisely, through the turns" Thats qoute, unquote.
Whew, convinced? Probably not. Keep telling yourself -my 08 is superior, my 08 is superior.
Not trying to make enemies or take sides, just stating facts.
I'm done.
Gary D.
Lastly, I'll leave you with the words from Iron Works magazine November 2008 review of the then new 2009 baggers "Indeed, if you own an 08 or earlier model, consider your bike obsolete when measuring its performance on the highway or, more precisely, through the turns" Thats qoute, unquote.
Whew, convinced? Probably not. Keep telling yourself -my 08 is superior, my 08 is superior.
Not trying to make enemies or take sides, just stating facts.
I'm done.
Gary D.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
Twinrider, you do much touring with a carbed bike? We ride from sea level to 10000 feet in one day and the guys we ride with who have carbed bikes gas mileage goes in the tank and their bikes start loading up and running like crap, way rich. The efi and o2 sensors constantly adjusting at different altitudes and temps. You can keep your old carb technology.
But detonation's been an issue with my '09 RK since I switched to the US spec stock cans from the much greater restricted Japan-spec stock cans. The injection can't even compensate for that minor change. I bought a PCV and the maps that work great for everyone stateside don't seem to work well for me. I'm guessing the ECU mapping is different for my Japan-market RK. Will likely switch to a SEPST and get it dialed in locally.
That said, I'm a big FI fan on my non-HD bikes. Never had an issue with them pinging even when I swapped aftermarket pipes on.
Last edited by Twinrider; Dec 9, 2009 at 06:12 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Twin, whats the fuel quality like there, maybe thats an issue too? Interesting that you think they may be running an even leaner map due to emissions constraints in Japan? I swapped Rineharts slipons on my 09 without a download and ran just fine without it. Beautiful Country over there, bet you find some nice riding.
Last edited by bmaier; Dec 9, 2009 at 06:33 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
Twin, whats the fuel quality like there, maybe thats an issue too? Interesting that you think they may be running an even leaner map due to emissions constraints in Japan? I swapped Rineharts slipons on my 09 without a download and ran just fine without it. Beautiful Country over there, bet you find some nice riding.
Given your experience with the Rineharts I wouldn't mind getting hold of a US-spec stock ECU, that might solve my issues.
With 70% mountains the riding is great here once out of the cities, no leos lurking around out there either
Last edited by Twinrider; Dec 9, 2009 at 11:56 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
I love my '09. I would probably love my '08 if that is what I had. I put about 20K miles per year on my bike. I don't feel that the ride on my '09 is harsh. Handling is great. I do ride fairly hard often, usually at least double the suggested speed through corners (50mph sweepers at 100+). The bike is very stable. Good, fresh tires make a difference on any bike. I have a friend who has an '08 and he rides with me at the same pace and has no issues. Be happy with what you have. I miss my 1962 FLH that I owned 20 years ago. Not as much fun to ride but very cool.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
The absolute without a doubt, no way to argue about it, hands down in anybodies mind, very best HD touring bike is the the one that is PAID FOR!!!!
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
After the loss of my 99RK my wife and I got an 08 ultra. After the break in we added Rineharts, SERT, and a stage 1 intake. It worked well for us after these mods we did not have to downshift to ride over the mountains and when on Maui we rode from sealevel to 10,000 feet with out a hiccup. The one issue I have is that I want ABS after losing the RK and now i know the dealers can't install it. The only ABS bike our dealer had was a CVO when I needed the replacement bike and I could not swing those payments (when I grow up....).
GOOD NEWS: last June we went to San Diego for a business trip and I had a chance to rent an 09 EGC (Thanks HOG FLY AND RIDE). We took a little road trip to UTAH! At first we were Jealous of how SMOOTH the HIGHWAYS are on the MAINLAND. Once Back in Honolulu we rented for a day and discovered that our roads got smoother too.
I guess the moral is that some great things can be improved or else there would probably be a lot more model "T"s on the roads!?! I am not the type of person to go through replacing new things often. The last new vehicle I bought was a Jeep in 1992 in now has over 200,000 miles on it. Our current 08 only has 27,000 miles but, maybe a bike upgrade is in the works though.
GOOD NEWS: last June we went to San Diego for a business trip and I had a chance to rent an 09 EGC (Thanks HOG FLY AND RIDE). We took a little road trip to UTAH! At first we were Jealous of how SMOOTH the HIGHWAYS are on the MAINLAND. Once Back in Honolulu we rented for a day and discovered that our roads got smoother too.
I guess the moral is that some great things can be improved or else there would probably be a lot more model "T"s on the roads!?! I am not the type of person to go through replacing new things often. The last new vehicle I bought was a Jeep in 1992 in now has over 200,000 miles on it. Our current 08 only has 27,000 miles but, maybe a bike upgrade is in the works though.