New frame ? That much better??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
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".
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".
Personally, NO bagger brace, traction device or other gimmick on mine. I ride with my wife and I ride it like it was meant to be ridden. H-D is building bikes for all the Yuppies, and H-D new-comers, so it's bowing to the newbies and wanna-be's to make these things fail-proof. How did we all survive before the new "MAGIC" frame? Not saying it doesn't ride different, but is it better for what WE bought them for? Touring? I don't buy the argument for 1 minute. Flame on!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
Hear Ye!
I don't think he's commenting on anyone's ability, but merely saying these are 800+ pound, 2 wheel "touring" bikes, not sport bikes. Of all the comments regarding "wobble" I've heard, they all pertain to pushing the machine to hard. My 4 wheeled Dodge Ram can be pushed to hard and will act accordingly, why? Because it's not a Ferrari!
Personally, NO bagger brace, traction device or other gimmick on mine. I ride with my wife and I ride it like it was meant to be ridden. H-D is building bikes for all the Yuppies, and H-D new-comers, so it's bowing to the newbies and wanna-be's to make these things fail-proof. How did we all survive before the new "MAGIC" frame? Not saying it doesn't ride different, but is it better for what WE bought them for? Touring? I don't buy the argument for 1 minute. Flame on!
I don't think he's commenting on anyone's ability, but merely saying these are 800+ pound, 2 wheel "touring" bikes, not sport bikes. Of all the comments regarding "wobble" I've heard, they all pertain to pushing the machine to hard. My 4 wheeled Dodge Ram can be pushed to hard and will act accordingly, why? Because it's not a Ferrari!
Personally, NO bagger brace, traction device or other gimmick on mine. I ride with my wife and I ride it like it was meant to be ridden. H-D is building bikes for all the Yuppies, and H-D new-comers, so it's bowing to the newbies and wanna-be's to make these things fail-proof. How did we all survive before the new "MAGIC" frame? Not saying it doesn't ride different, but is it better for what WE bought them for? Touring? I don't buy the argument for 1 minute. Flame on!
My '07 had over 34k miles on it, all over the western US and a little of Canada. There are several challenging roads locally that I ride often, and I've ridden the same roads with the '11 - and yes, it absolutely rides better in every respect. I've put 3700 miles on the '11 at this point, and am really looking forward to next summer's vacation. We're tentatively planning to haul tail from Bakersfield over to Nashville, then ride the Dragon and the BRP. From there, probably dip a toe in the Atlantic, then who knows? Maybe the Great Lakes and over to Chicago, then down Route 66 and back home.
Yes, I buy HDs to tour....
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, Florida
Hear Ye!
I don't think he's commenting on anyone's ability, but merely saying these are 800+ pound, 2 wheel "touring" bikes, not sport bikes. Of all the comments regarding "wobble" I've heard, they all pertain to pushing the machine to hard. My 4 wheeled Dodge Ram can be pushed to hard and will act accordingly, why? Because it's not a Ferrari!
Personally, NO bagger brace, traction device or other gimmick on mine. I ride with my wife and I ride it like it was meant to be ridden. H-D is building bikes for all the Yuppies, and H-D new-comers, so it's bowing to the newbies and wanna-be's to make these things fail-proof. How did we all survive before the new "MAGIC" frame? Not saying it doesn't ride different, but is it better for what WE bought them for? Touring? I don't buy the argument for 1 minute. Flame on!
I don't think he's commenting on anyone's ability, but merely saying these are 800+ pound, 2 wheel "touring" bikes, not sport bikes. Of all the comments regarding "wobble" I've heard, they all pertain to pushing the machine to hard. My 4 wheeled Dodge Ram can be pushed to hard and will act accordingly, why? Because it's not a Ferrari!
Personally, NO bagger brace, traction device or other gimmick on mine. I ride with my wife and I ride it like it was meant to be ridden. H-D is building bikes for all the Yuppies, and H-D new-comers, so it's bowing to the newbies and wanna-be's to make these things fail-proof. How did we all survive before the new "MAGIC" frame? Not saying it doesn't ride different, but is it better for what WE bought them for? Touring? I don't buy the argument for 1 minute. Flame on!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 1
the 2009 + bikes are awesome. they ride great and look good. Most guys can't tell the difference from the older bikes in looks. The soundis a different story though, the pre 2008 bikes, I think , do sound better. I recently rode a 2004 ultra and after 3 hours was very happy to get my 2010 classic back, I am 6'2 and find the 2004 cramped now. Both look great! Older ones I think sound better! Newer do ride better. Tryem and buy the one that suits you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
The way I see it is there are those that have new frame touring bikes and love them and those that don't and won't have anything good to say about the new ones until they eventually upgrade. I waited years before buying a touring bike because I expected that eventually H-D would get around to fixing the old frame which was almost 30 years old (fundamentally). Then I patiently waited one more year just to make sure they'd worked out the kinks. It was never much of a secret that the older frame was one of the components H-D most needed to address as they upgraded the fleet.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
GVWR
Old frame GVWR 1,259 lbs, Wet Weight: 851 lbs. Touring capacity 408 lbs
New frame GVWR 1,360 lbs, Wet Weight: 886 lbs. Touring capacity 474 lbs
Bag weight capacity
5lbs higher in each bag and in tourpak due to upgraded racks and brackets.
Component parts, old frame ~ 90 pieces, new frame ~ 40 pieces.
Old frame GVWR 1,259 lbs, Wet Weight: 851 lbs. Touring capacity 408 lbs
New frame GVWR 1,360 lbs, Wet Weight: 886 lbs. Touring capacity 474 lbs
Bag weight capacity
5lbs higher in each bag and in tourpak due to upgraded racks and brackets.
Component parts, old frame ~ 90 pieces, new frame ~ 40 pieces.
Last edited by davessworks; Oct 2, 2010 at 12:27 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: Victoria BC Canada
I've had goldwings, bmws etc and I'd say the frame on my 2010 feels
"normal". It seems responsive, precise and does what the high price
competition does. Now if we could get it to weight less and upgrade the suspension.... sigh.
"normal". It seems responsive, precise and does what the high price
competition does. Now if we could get it to weight less and upgrade the suspension.... sigh.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
They put a 180 tire on the rear of the new frames,of course it feels "grounded" and holds a straight line well... So did my Nightrain with that fat 200 on the back lol.... As mentioned earlier,how much of the preception is based on the new tires as opposed to the frame? When I rode a 2010 StreetGlide for a while last Summer I felt like the new tires had a major impact on it's handling characteristics.