Tail Light on 09 Street Glide
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From: Elizabeth, CO
Tail Light on 09 Street Glide
Was at the dealer today looking at the rear blinker, brake light conversion kit. Apparently the catalog states that the conversion kit is not intended for the 09 and up Street Glide because the blinkers are too close to the tail light (some DOT rule). The parts guy said this wouldn't matter because the 09 and later Street Glides didn't have a tail light, just the blinkers that lit up as brake lights (in the same way as with the conversion kit).
Hmmm...I found this interesting as I certainly have a tail light and it's certainly an 09 Street Glide. He showed me his bike (also an 09 SG) - no tail light, as well as one on the floor for sale, again, no tail light.
What gives? Did some 09's come with tail lights and some without? Do I have some freak of the MoCo? I have the fat rear tire and fat fender and the bike was sold new in April 09 - I'm the second owner. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I find it odd.
Thanks for any insight or information.
Ron
Hmmm...I found this interesting as I certainly have a tail light and it's certainly an 09 Street Glide. He showed me his bike (also an 09 SG) - no tail light, as well as one on the floor for sale, again, no tail light.
What gives? Did some 09's come with tail lights and some without? Do I have some freak of the MoCo? I have the fat rear tire and fat fender and the bike was sold new in April 09 - I'm the second owner. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I find it odd.
Thanks for any insight or information.
Ron
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: eastern oklahoma
the 09 was the last year for harleys real taillight on the touring models. i'm using the same module for my 08 streetglide, and it sure does light up the rear end of the bike at night. that along with the three stripes at the bottom of the rear fender. imagine if you had a 09 that only had the taillight, you're riding at night, and the taillight burns out. you'd be riding down the highway invisible to those who are following you. i feel that the turn signal/brake light module is a great investment in safety. it doesn't really matter the distance between the turn signals and taillight, unless you end up getting stopped by a cop who can't understand it's to improve your chances from getting rear ended. as far as some of the 09's coming out without a real taillght, i'm not aware of that. could be a mid year change? i highly recommend installing the module and red turn signal lenses to increase your nighttime visibility.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
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Im continually amazed at the lack of knowledge that some dealerships have. Its amazing to me that they work with these bikes daily and yet seem to know less about them then most owners do. I have a 2010 SG and my father-in-law has a 2009 SG. The 2009 was the last year that they used the large center dedicated brake light. In 2010 they went to the two bullet style lights that act as turn signals and a brake light. There was no mid-year change in 2009 on the brake lights. That being said, my father-in-law installed the kit that you are talking about and it does add more light at night. Problem is that during the day I dont notice when he has his turn signal on sometimes because the lights are grouped so closely together.
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From: Elizabeth, CO
Thanks for the info guys. I did go ahead and install the conversion kit and while I appreciate the greater rear visibility, I hope the blinkers are still noticeable. I usually use hand signals as well so that should help.
Both bikes I saw at the dealership were 09's and both had no tail light. The dealer seemed to think there was a midyear change. My concern was that I had some odd repair job. Still strange and not something I'd ever noticed before.
Ron
Both bikes I saw at the dealership were 09's and both had no tail light. The dealer seemed to think there was a midyear change. My concern was that I had some odd repair job. Still strange and not something I'd ever noticed before.
Ron
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 778
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From: Windsor Ontario
Was at the dealer today looking at the rear blinker, brake light conversion kit. Apparently the catalog states that the conversion kit is not intended for the 09 and up Street Glide because the blinkers are too close to the tail light (some DOT rule). The parts guy said this wouldn't matter because the 09 and later Street Glides didn't have a tail light, just the blinkers that lit up as brake lights (in the same way as with the conversion kit).
Hmmm...I found this interesting as I certainly have a tail light and it's certainly an 09 Street Glide. He showed me his bike (also an 09 SG) - no tail light, as well as one on the floor for sale, again, no tail light.
What gives? Did some 09's come with tail lights and some without? Do I have some freak of the MoCo? I have the fat rear tire and fat fender and the bike was sold new in April 09 - I'm the second owner. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I find it odd.
Thanks for any insight or information.
Ron
Hmmm...I found this interesting as I certainly have a tail light and it's certainly an 09 Street Glide. He showed me his bike (also an 09 SG) - no tail light, as well as one on the floor for sale, again, no tail light.
What gives? Did some 09's come with tail lights and some without? Do I have some freak of the MoCo? I have the fat rear tire and fat fender and the bike was sold new in April 09 - I'm the second owner. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I find it odd.
Thanks for any insight or information.
Ron
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From: Elizabeth, CO
I too am beginning to think he must have mixed his year models as every 09 I looked at on eBay last night had the tail light. Unfortunately, I was focusing on the lighting and failed to notice the exhaust. I simply took the dealer at his word and assumed he knew what he was selling. As far as your bulb, I haven't removed mine yet but will check it out.
My conclusion is: dealer wrong, 09's have tail lights, my bike is just as it should be
Thanks again for all the good info and responses. Ride safe!
Ron
My conclusion is: dealer wrong, 09's have tail lights, my bike is just as it should be
Thanks again for all the good info and responses. Ride safe!
Ron
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Port Orange, Fl
I bought my 07 flht standard and the only thing it had on it was the run/brake/stop module...someone on here pointed it. I had no idea. I thought they where all like that. Seemed to make sense to have all 3 lit.