new frame vs old

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Jun 20, 2010 | 08:35 PM

#21

Mike

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From: Centralia, Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingace

ALL of the guys I know who have ANY bike (or car, or house or....) are making payments on them. Somehow, I suspect the OP will be financing whatever bike he chooses.

Glad you were able to pay cash for yours.

Well thank you.

Hey, you're the one who brought up finances, suggesting that people bought the older bikes because they couldn't afford the newer ones.

About 15 years ago I was buried in consumer debt. I was literally living paycheck to paycheck. I hired an expensive financial counselor who told me basically what I'm gonna tell you for free: Pay yourself, not the bank.

Do without until you can pay cash. Make the payments to yourself that you'd be paying to the bank. The interest you'll earn can be applied against whatever you buy, and you'll wind up buying things at a discount instead of paying more. I'm not a weathy man. Just a working stiff like almost everybody I know.

I lived with a crappy old British bike for several years, not doing a dang thing to it other than riding it. I put over 250 thousand miles on the car I was driving. (My wife's car right now has over 165K miles on it.) I went without a lot of things until I paid off my credit cards and other loans. And I never bought a car or bike on payments again. Not everybody who buys a bike makes payments. I won't buy a new one until I can afford to write a check. Meantime, I'll enjoy my floppy framed '07.

I bought my current ride last year, after I'd looked at and ridden the 09's. And I could have bought a brand new ultra on payments. But payments are like poison to me, having gone through what I did to get out of debt.

back to the thread................

Last edited by Mike; Jun 20, 2010 at 10:38 PM.

Jun 20, 2010 | 09:47 PM

#22

rdkc01

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THe new frames are fantastic. This was the main reason I traded my 01 Road King in for a 10 Ultra.

Jun 20, 2010 | 09:50 PM

#23

flyingace

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Quote:

Originally Posted by boogaloodude

Well thank you.

Hey, you're the one who brought up finances, suggesting that people bought the older bikes because they couldn't afford the newer ones.

Actually, I did not suggest anything regarding what anyone may have bought in the PAST. My statement was directed towards someone (the OP) CURRENTLY looking to make a purchase.

And I stand by that statement. IF you can afford an 09-10-11 bagger, based on the technical merits and improvements to the design, I would not buy an older model. The new platform (to me and others) is worth the higher price, IF you can afford it. (that is a WHOLE nuther topic) Thats just my opinion, based on the advances to the platform, not based on personal money management strategies.

In a nutshell, with the introduction of the 09 models, you are NOT getting the same bike if you buy a year or two older. Its not like buying an 03 vs 05 to save some money, where you are essentially getting the same bike for cheaper because its a bit older. If someone would have asked me when the 06s came out, if I thought it was a good idea to buy a leftover 05, or a used 04, I would have said sure. Because you were getting essentially the same bike for a bit less money. That changed in 07, and it changed BIG TIIME in 09.

If you CANT (or are unwilling) to spend the money on a 09-10, buy what you feel comfortable with (spending and otherwise) and ride the crap out of it.

Thats a bit different than "don't buy anything if you cant pay cash".

Like you said, back to the topic at hand.

Last edited by flyingace; Jun 20, 2010 at 11:31 PM.

Jun 20, 2010 | 10:43 PM

#24

Daddio

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i sold my 2005 ultra with 10,000 miles on it for a 2010 limited. the differances between the two go well beyond the "changes" to the frame.
I dont know about anybody else on the finances or money situation...that is not the point here....
if you can swing it, go for it. You will not end up disappointed or regret it because of the newer bike not being able to live up to your expectations...it has been very nicely engineered and refined...as a complete package all the way around...sure the price tag can be a shocker but, you only live once (as far as i can tell?) and enjoy it while you can if you're able... especially if you do any open road/longer distance riding, it is a wonderful cruising machine and it truly comes into its own element at freeway speeds. Solid...strong...and really sturdy, with one or two people aboard. 6th gear is great and there is plenty of power to get around things when need be.

i will definately give the new "wide bodies" the thumbs up.

Jun 20, 2010 | 11:03 PM

#25

leohd

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Joined: Nov 2007

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I rode the newer frames...there are some positives, also there are negatives like a rougher ride and they sit a lil higher...people should ride a rigid with no rubber mounts like I have then you can notice a BIG difference..it's the harley hype and koolaide..glad I can handle a pre 09 and love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Jun 20, 2010 | 11:16 PM

#26

1931jamesw

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Quote:

Originally Posted by leohd

You are the only person I know of to EVER say the new frames ride rougher. Sit higher, yes, but that can be remedied with a seat change (which most people do anyway) to fit guys who are only 5'8" or so tall. Maybe the one you rode didn't have the right amount of air pressure in the shocks, which IMO makes a world of difference.

Jun 20, 2010 | 11:27 PM

#27

flyingace

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931jamesw

I very much agree with you on the shock pressure. You cannot put the same amount of air into an 09 shock as you would have put in the older bikes, and expect it to ride the same.

I for one run significantly less air in my 09 when riding solo than I did in my older bikes. Pump them up too high, (same amounts you might run in an older model) and they DO ride stiffer. I about launched myself off the bike on the ride home from the dealer, because I put 25 lbs in the shocks before I left, which is what I would have put in my 07 for solo riding.

I've also found that after a few thousand miles, they do soften up a bit and seem less stiff.

It stands to reason, they beefed the shocks up in 09 for a higher load rating. I think people just pump them up too high, based on their experiences with older bikes.