I have owned an '03 Road King Classic and an '06 Ultra Classic. I now own an '08 Screamin' Eagle Ultra. I cannot comment on the new frame, but I have some strong opinions on what you should look for. I have done some long distance touring and put 16,000 miles on each of the first 2 tourers and have 34,000 miles on the '08. I found the hard bags far preferable to the RK Classic, which are not water proof. I am a big fan of ABS. However, the most critical difference I saw in the bikes (other than the 110's power) is the superior feel and stopping power of the Brembo brakes. If you can get a tourer with Brembo's and ABS, you will never regret it. Also, the lace wheels on the RK Classic require tubed tires. I'm not an expert, but much of what I have read on this site prefers tubeless tires. Good luck.

 

Couple more:
5th gear whine in 07-09 bikes - in 10 they changed the gear.
07 did not have the IDS standard - in 08 they made them standard.
08 was the first year for the Brembo brakes - Major improvement!
Some 05 bikes had oil consumption problems related to valve seals.

Excellent summary 89FLHT

lp

 

You're accepting a lot of advice here based on myths and false premisis regarding the '99-01 models. The twin-cam engine design is certainly the model you want, but it's your budget that will determine which year of design you can afford. Should that era be your budget constraint, keep in mind that virtually all of these have had since had their bearings upgraded in the '99-00 year bracket, yet they have the desireable forged crank. The upgraded swingarm on the '02 model is a plus if you planned on lowering your bike, losing bank angle clearance in turns and changing the handling geometry - I would never lower my rear end so an '01 wouldn't benefit from the new swingarm, other than upgrading my bushings to Stay-Bos once they show wear. Larger rear tire? Pingel sells the wheel disc spacer for $40 and I've run the 142 mm tire for many years now. Sure, the brakes are better with Brembo, but simply putting floaters up front and losing fade with a conversion to ss braided lines took any concerns out of quick stops, and the front brakes do most all of the work on a touring bike anyway. The older EFI system? Good grief, HD would still run MM EFI on all of their new bikes had the EPA not overhauled the emissions regulations. The Delphi was introduced on the '03 model and components were steadily added on with FEDERALLY MANDATED closed-loop EFI and throttle-by-wire systems that the MM EFI was never designed to use in the first place, thus the "new" EFI system. Some of the frame upgrades were to allow an even wider tire, and to reduce production costs with fewer weld points, calling them "improved" is in some cases (except the latest design that certainly improves high-speed handling) just puffery. There are drop-in 6-speed kits if that top gear works for your highways, but with the '01 sprocket gearing, and the CHP and SDPD using LIDAR, you won't be running in SoCal at 80 MPH for long on our freeways and the mountainous backroads are nothing but turns and sweepers here. I run over 100hp trouble-free through three plus stages of modifications, without having split my lower cases, so there's not a lot to "trade up" for, in my humble opinion. As mentioned above, hard bags and mag (non-spoke tubeless) wheels are definitely pluses. But let your budget be your guide! There are TONS of deals out there in this lousy economic environment, take advantage of one and make it YOUR hog!

 

- Yes, 6th gear is good to have for freeway & interstate cruising. If you stay on state hwy's & bwy's (55mph & below) - not necessary.
- Yes, big improvement w/09 & up frame.
- Pretty much after 2006 - most touring class HD's went to EFI.

Good luck w/your search. I say get a Street Glide, but I'm bias...

 

Was there major changes in 97-98 from 96, since you say parts are so hard to find?

The frame was changed - so seats, body panels, fenders and aftermarket things are bolt ons vs doing some work to make them fit A lot of parts can be "made to work" on bikes older than 97 though, just requires fabrication at times. On the older bikes things like a wiring harness or inner and outer fairing / gauge clusters are a bitch to locate new, most times it is off to ebay for that stuff or you make or retrofit your own stuff.


Is the torrington bottom end good or bad? -good

Throttle by wire would add another layer of complexity, but if dependable, may not be too bad. Anyone have issues with it?
Some have had problems - I do wish mine had cables and a carb in all honesty, just beacuse I'm familiar with them and they are simple to me, but I was willing to give it all up to get ABS brakes- it's the main reason I wanted a new bike.

I would prefer the 6 gallon. Can that tank be fitted on older models?
Can be done - GBrown on this site is retrofitting a 6 gallon to his 91 currently. It is not a bolt on, but it can be done with a mix of oem and aftermarket parts.

Have fun hunting !!!!

 

FOr my vote, if it's in your budget, I would look at 09 and up. So many changes in the newer generation that he wouls really like. HArd to believe but 08s and earlier, rear tire was 2 inches narrower than later touring bikes.

 

There are a ton of low mileage baggers out there, Personally I am partial to 02/03 bikes, but do not get fooled into paying a premium for a "limited edition 100th" anything. The market was FLOODED with 100th anniversary bikes, there is nothing special about them.

Find a low mileage o2/03, when the bike hits 25K have the cam tensioner upgrade done, there are slip in "cassettes" for a 6 speed for the bike, personally I have not found the need for a 6th gear on my 03, and trust me if I thought it needed one I'd spend the money without hesitation.

As with any used vehicle purchase it is buyer beware, service history, condition of the bike, attitude of the owner etc will give you clues. Look at what his other vehicles look like when you go to check the bike out. If the are neglected chances are the bike has been too.

 

I have an 2002 Electraglide Classic and it has the Delphi EFI not the MM one. I think the touring bikes got them in 02 and they made their way into the soft tail and Dyna's in 03. I agree, make sure if theres ~ 20K make sure the cam tensioners were done.

 

You might find a 09 FLHT STD. great bike but no radio. The last year for that bike

 

Yea, I forgot to mention that the first time... I'm sure the bigger rear tire does help the ride. My opinion; the bigger rear tire looks better. I have the bigger tires on my Jap bike too and it does look better.

BL, if you get the 10 or 11 Limited you will be well, you get the picture...