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Hello I am in the market for a new bike I currently have a suzuki hayabusa and plan on keeping it but I am looking at getting a touring bike, I have really changed up my style of riding my question is this
I am love the look of the street glide and think that is what I am going to go with but I can't decide on new or used I really don't want to spend 20k+ on a bike but I don't know if there is a big enough differnce to justify the cost. What are the major differences in the years and what year used would be the best in the opinion of the members
I would buy the newest bike that you can afford, that being said the street glide is a very nice bike and can make an excellent touring bike. The Harley touring platform as a whole can be made into just about anything that you want it to do. I am probably a bit older than you and would have different wants and needs. 3 years ago when I was 55 I went to the dealer with buying a StreetGlide in mind and after my wife saw and felt the comfort of the UltraClassic we walked away with an 08 UltraClassic. My best advice would be to spend at least a day on each model you are interested in via a dealer rental and take the misses with you on each test ride.
Sounds like you are 99% sure you want the Street Glide. Decide on the max you are willing to spend, then as stated above, buy the newest one you can afford. If you're good with a used bike there should be some 2009-2010 SG's floating around with low miles for a good price. If look hard, and have a little luck on your side, you may be able to walk away with a nice used one with a few upgrades for $15k. If you have the money now, start looking now, before the weather gets any nicer, and more people are looking. April/May is probably the start of the riding season.
I would stay with 09 & up. It's all about the money. You can't go wrong with the "Power Pack". Do yourself a favor & test ride a couple different bikes.
+1 Tek74, I have seen a couple of real good buys on e-bay on 09's, I would recommend you get one with the new frame and ABS, if you can afford it, its only going to be a grand or two difference. Rent one for a day or weekend to get to know it, I rented a StreetGlide and rode it around Sturgis for a week it is the perfect touring bike for 1 person.
thanks for all the replies but my real question is about the difference in model years pros and cons to each year, I could do a 11 but if there is only a matter of the power pack between the 10 and 11 that wouldn't sway me to spend an extra 4 grand so I am more interested in the model year comparison and actual rider reviews
Only issue with the 2010 is that it's a 2 into 1. I know some people get huge stiffies over that, but I personally am not a fan of a 2 to 1 on a bagger, which is why I'm doing a true dual on it. However, if you can get over that there are no issues with the 2010 from me. I've rode a 2009 and it's essentially the same bike.
for 09 the frame was redesinged and improved in handling department, 09 tranny had a slight noise in 5th gear they changed the cut on a gear for 10 and fixed that but other than that I think they are pretty much the same year to year. 96 inch motor has good torque stock, I would get ABS for sure but that is about it, the basic bike is solid, hope this helps
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