A buddy of mine had a 08 Street Glide. Went and test rode a 2010 Classic and 1 hour later he had his bike home taking off all the accessories that would fit on his new classic. I think there is no compairson between the two when it comes to how they handle.

 

Well, now that there is five pages of opinons, I will give mine. Pre '09 riders don't bite my head off but here is my experience. I bought a new '08 Ultra. I had problems with the handling from day one. I tried heavy fork oil, helped but still sucked. I added a bagger brace, helped but still sucked. I played around with rear shock pressure and tire pressure constantly trying to find the magical combination. After coming home from Sturgis and being embarassed that I could not keep up with my buddies, I went to the dealer and test rode a 2010 Ultra. My '08 did not feel stable in corners and felt like it always wanted to slide out from under me. Any type of grove or tar snake would make the '08 wobble (I know there is no such thing). I never did replace the tires and that was going to be my next step (Metzlers 880ME). But after my test ride on the 2010 Ultra, I traded in that POS '08. I could not be happier with the "new frame". The bike handles like a dream, does not wobble, and is not effected by pavement imperfections. I have just a little over 1,500 miles on the new bike and I still love it. Also, the 2010 rides great with no modifications. No bagger braces, no new rear swing arm bushings, no new front fork springs, no new rear shocks.

One thing to keep in mind is comparing apples to apples. Some people are compairing Ultras to Street Glides. There is a difference in ride height and set up. Ultra's are their own animals. One of my riding buddies has a '08 Street Glide and has none of the issues I had with my Ultra. I have ridden his Street Glide and felt none of the issues I discribed earlier.

So there is my $0.02. Don't hang me but I really like the 2010 Ultra. Also, I did not have as much heat off of the motor on the 2010 as I did on the '08 as the pipes are different stock. I also think that they changed the cut on the 5th gear to reduce whine and my six gear seems to have a little more kick on the 2010.

 

I recently purchased a 2011 RG Ultra. I was initially looking at a 2007 Ultra Classic. Many issues sold the RGU for me, the biggest being a noticeable amount of extra room for both the rider and the passenger. I am large (6' 4" 350lb) and the RGU was almost comfortable. I felt cramped and the wife barely fit behind me on the 07 Ultra.

I have since upgraded to the Road Zeppelin seat and am in Hog heaven.

 

Well I can assume a couple of things so far. #1- The weight on the new frame is alot!!! 70 lbs is something I think might not be so good in moving it around? What about gas mileage it may take away a few miles?. #2- The old frame wallows in the turns ? this may be a problem if you go fast into them? I take turns carefully , so if it is a panic turn it may be an issue. There seems to be a few things you can do to make the old pretty close to the new. New tires , Pro glide Parts for the Swingarm and Motor mounts, Frame box(I think thats it?) The old frame is smaller and lower and seems to handle better at low speeds ? If you have a semi new bike 2005 and up I think most people would just hold on to their mounts and wait until they want a new bike , no rushing out to buy the new frame and getting that much more in performence or handling??

 

I is apparent that it boils down to how you ride. If you ride as a motorcycle "passenger" you will never feel the spaghetti frame of the old bike twist and turn on you through corners. If you actively drive the motorcycle to it's performance potential, you will definitely want the new frame.

I compare this to 80% of Corvette owners who prefer to use their high performance car as a boulevard cruiser on Sunday evenings. If you fall into this group and like to drone around at slow speed on a bike, get the old frame. If you are a more active rider or prefer more involvement in your motorcyle riding, you will want and need the new frame as well as all the other upgrades.

I believe the old frame was developed in the mid 80's? Since then, speeds have increased, the speed and distances we ride has changed. And the horsepower we put into these engines has doubled. That old frame just cannot take it any more.

 

here's my story.

I bought a brand new 08 standard. LOVED the bike. I noticed that the vibration at idle or cruising to a stop was excessive. I also noticed that riding over a grated bridge or grooved pavement was a disaster. I am comparing the ride to the several metric bikes that I've owned and a very LOVED modern triumph i traded for the H-D. I also have a "hey, can I take your bike for a spin" fetish that all my riding friends seem to accommodate so I think i can fairly make an educated opinion.

I KNEW of the bagger wobble and was ok with it because I heard so much positive things about bagger braces. The deal was so good that I could not pass on it. they had 2009 bikes on the floor and they "needed" to move the 08's.

I was going to live with the short comings because it wasn't THAT bad. so I thought. I was in the twisties at a moderate speed and hit a bump and i almost lost it. I decided to add a bagger brace. the ride was head and shoulders above the stock version with out question.

With the bagger brace, THE PRE 09'S RIDES BETTER THEN THE NEW ONES IF YOU ARE NOT RIDING AGGRESSIVE. GRATED BRIDGES AND GROOVED PAVEMENT IS NOT AN ISSUE ANYMORE. THE PLUSHY RIDE COMBINED WITH ADDED STABILITY WAS AN EXCELLENT IMPROVEMENT. however, I found that if you are riding aggressively in any twistiest the bike still isn't confident inspiring as the new ones. regardless of adding a bagger brace, the bike still didn't hold lines or track straight on the highway. it still isn't as "planted" as the new bikes.

I traded the 08 in and bought a 2010 ultra classic. I've had it for 2 months and have 2500 miles on it. the ride is different. it is NOT as plushy and comfy feeling like the 08 but IT TRACKS MUCH STRAIGHTER ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOU CAN KICK THE SNOT OUT OF IT IN THE TWISTIES. also, there is NOT vibration at the bars during idle or when coasting to a stop!!!!

You can easily set the cruise control and take your hands off the bars and the bike will track BONE STRAIGHT. you can be on the highway during the windiest day known to man and the bike is STILL going to track straight. YOU might get your *** kicked by the wind but the bike stay happy as a clam.

all and all, I can NOT see myself wanting any other bike. it handles far better then any bike I have ever ridden. (that is truthfully saying something)

now, if I can get my compensator noises taken care of, I'll be in absolute love with the bike!!

 

I'd agree wholeheartedly with the above statement. I've ridden a wide variety of bikes and owned several, I couldn't be happier with the handling of my 11 RKC. It honestly is better at low and moderate cornering than several sportbikes I've had, and the best I've ever ridden for a cruiser.

 

I have an '05 Ultra with Michelins and a bagger brace and I will be keeping it forever. I have never had any issues with wobbling or not being able to control it. These are 2 wheeled machines and when you ride above your ability, (even on a 2011), you will get yourself into trouble. Slow down and enjoy the ride and if you want to drag your knee, get a crotch rocket and hit the track.

 

lol

sort of silly trying to comment on someone's "ability" over the internet wouldn't you say? and there are plenty who claim to never have any wobbling. that's great. but MOST ABSOLUTELY DO.

the fact is, the post 09 frame/wheels are spectacular. Believe it or not, H-D is catering to their customers. they saw that guys don't always ride their tourers like they are driving miss daisy and they responded with one of the best touring frames in motorcycling. AND they did it with out a boxed aluminum design that would have taken the style away from our "classic shell wrapped up around a modern soul".

 

Interesting. Other than the internet I don't know anyone that has the "wobbling" problem
with pre-09's. Ride with a fair amount of people and sometimes do "spirited" rides. Not saying it doesn't happen.