Touring Frame Upgrade
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I have a 07 flht with Progressive, fork springs, 416 shocks, stabilizer brace. I have never rode a 09 or 10 model tourer but I would be very surprised if one could get around me through the mountain rangers. I believe the 09 & 10 still have the same forks and triple tree's as the early touring bikes making them prone to a fork flex. Maybe the 2011 bikes will have stronger forks, triple trees, fork brace and damper. With the changers over the last few years anything is possible.
My vote is to hang on to your 07 and wait for the 2011 bikes ?
My vote is to hang on to your 07 and wait for the 2011 bikes ?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
I have an 08 Road Glide and recently put on the Throttle up brace. To make a long story short.... it eliminated the wallow in the twisties and is well worth the price for instilation.
Subsequet to this intall, I replace back tire with an E3. Also a noticible improvment.
As others have said. 09 and up are improved but you can get most of this improvment with minor mods for cheap on your existing bike.
but to each his own
R. Todd
Subsequet to this intall, I replace back tire with an E3. Also a noticible improvment.
As others have said. 09 and up are improved but you can get most of this improvment with minor mods for cheap on your existing bike.
but to each his own
R. Todd
Last edited by Kumite; Mar 28, 2010 at 12:54 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 14
From: connecticut
I went from a 08 flhx to a 10 flhx and all i can say is that there is no comparision between the two. My 08 had 16000 miles on it. Bagger brace,new tires still a wallowing bike that did not give me confidence in turns or the highway at speeds over 80 mph.
The 2010 has great high speed handling. No more backend following every grove in the road.This bike is the way they should handle,brake,and accel from the factory. The only complaint is why put such a crappy seat on a touring bike.
The 2010 has great high speed handling. No more backend following every grove in the road.This bike is the way they should handle,brake,and accel from the factory. The only complaint is why put such a crappy seat on a touring bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
I have only been riding for about 1.5 years after a twenty five year absense and I got the '09 UC without knowing much about the frame and all of the differences between the pre '09 bikes. That being said I feel very confident on my UC, I have 16,000 miles on her and now that my riding skills have improved alot I challenge the bike a little more on each ride. To me this thing is like it is hooked to the road and I love the ride.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Novice
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Maine
My last bike was an 08 Ultra and the improvement in that overall from my 05 Classic was significant. When the MOCO came out with the new frame and wheel configuration in 09 I really didn't like the look of the bigger narrower wheels and discounted, without good reason, the claims of better handling. I was real happy with the Ultra.
WELL, then I spotted a 10 Ultra Limited in red and black at the dealer I do business with and a deal was made. The difference between the 08 and the 2010 is readily obvious within just a few minutes on the bike. Test ride one and you'll be sold. I am extremely happy and impressed with the way this Limited goes and handles.
WELL, then I spotted a 10 Ultra Limited in red and black at the dealer I do business with and a deal was made. The difference between the 08 and the 2010 is readily obvious within just a few minutes on the bike. Test ride one and you'll be sold. I am extremely happy and impressed with the way this Limited goes and handles.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
They are better handling but not better riding. They have a tighter more unified feel to them, although they feel higher from the seat and rougher over bumpy surfaces. I have a progressive touring link on my 08 RKC and consider that bike ideal now. It has the comfortable feel of the pre-09 with tight handling closer to a post-09. For how I ride my HD, the extra stiffness of the 09 that allows the better handling isn't enough to offset the smoother ride of the 08. There are much better go-fast bikes than a HD touring bike, HDs included, so consider your riding usage. Even when a HD touring bike "handles" its a very relative term as you start dragging hard parts way before you run out of "handling" Get rid of the stock Dunlops btw, what most people think is the frame making it wonder is really the vertical groove in the front tread pattern on the pre-09 bikes. If I were in the market for a new bike, I would buy a new bike, but I wouldn't trade just to get better handling. Put a $200 brace (Progressive here) and a decent set of tires and ride the 07 until you are really ready for a new bike, and then I would drop the dough to upgrade. Progress marches on, pick your timing. BTW, nothing to do with handling but I LOVE the extra shake at idle of the pre-09 models....it adds nostalgic character.
Last edited by mile high king; Mar 28, 2010 at 10:33 AM.