Impressed with new frame???
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 10
From: Knoxville, TN
Impressed with new frame???
I've read several posts this morning, and in a few of them someone mentions how much better the new frame on the touring bikes is. What is so much different? Last month I test rode several new Harleys at the Wing Ding here in Knoxville, and I couldn't tell any difference. I don't have any complaints about the handling on my '08 since I changed to E3 tires, and the ride is great. I just couldn't tell a nickle's worth of difference.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
I noticed a tremendous difference! The bike takes the turns much more securely, there is no wiggle up front deep into the curve. When my wife and I are loaded for touring, the bike shoulders the load and goes where I point it. At high speeds there is no more flexing through the frame members. At idle the 4 motor mounts isolate the engine vibrations much better. Other than those reasons, not much different.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 533
Likes: 1
From:
I don't know how hard you pushed it but the new frame makes a world of difference when doing 2 up curvy roads! Much more stable, no flex, the bike just sets it's self up and runs smooth through the corners. Combine that with the nicer brakes and it really makes for a great set up. I am hoping that with a True Track and a few other upgrades I can get my 02 to corner similar to my previous 09.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Definitely got to get out on the open road to feel the difference - did you take the new scoots on curvy mountainous terrain? If not - do so & you'll see...
Last edited by Iceman24; Aug 5, 2011 at 06:20 AM. Reason: sp
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
AS with opther posters there is a huge difference. The larger tires are less problem with bridges, grates, grooves in the road, tires last longer. Frame feels more responsive due to increased rake. Both my 09 and my 12 feel like sports cars. There is also the increased load capacity. Give it a longer ride, you'll like it.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Agree with the above...I had one of the last frames in a RK and here in the UK it handled like a bag of marshmellow.I bought a new SG and noticed the change the moment i rode out of the gates of the dealer it cornered so much better and far more stable in a line. I was talking to the stealer who was selling my old bike and he said..he made the mistake of letting some one ride a new bike just after riding mine NO sale. That says it all
For me the new frame has put the fun back
For me the new frame has put the fun back
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,503
From: Western South Dakota
I think that their touring line sells more than does any other of their bikes these days and the frame change could be one of the reasons I'm thinking.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
It's funny but I have two friends who bought Roadglides with the new frame. One is a S.E. and the other is a R.G. custom. Both are long time riders and both kept their old touring bikes. Neither one likes the new bikes saying they ride rougher and oddly that they don't handle as well. Now I know for a fact that two things make the earlier frame handle poorly. One is the lousy Dunlop 402 tires, the other is that a lot of earlier bikes engines and trannies are mis aligned. Since the swingarm attaches to the tranny is critical that the bike be aligned properly. The '09 and later bikes come with different tires and that helps handling some. The new motor mounts keep alignment right so that helps too. My '07 with Metzlers and a properly aligned motor and tranny handles very well. A third friend who bought an '09 Standard a couple of years back was impresssed by the handling and ride of my '07. I didn't think his '09 felt any different than my bike but I didn't push it really hard either. I thought the '09 felt wider when I sat on it.
There is no doubt that the later frame is stiffer and the swing arm less prone to flex. I live in Colorado so I know a little about twisties. I know a properly set up '02 to '08 tourer can handle very well and ride like a Cadillac.
I just find it interesting that some guys say it's night and day improvement and a few others don't like the new frame. If these guys were mid life crisis riders I blow it off as them not knowing what they were talking about, but they are long time hard riders and one is rather well known for wheelies on his old hot rod bagger.
There is no doubt that the later frame is stiffer and the swing arm less prone to flex. I live in Colorado so I know a little about twisties. I know a properly set up '02 to '08 tourer can handle very well and ride like a Cadillac.
I just find it interesting that some guys say it's night and day improvement and a few others don't like the new frame. If these guys were mid life crisis riders I blow it off as them not knowing what they were talking about, but they are long time hard riders and one is rather well known for wheelies on his old hot rod bagger.
Last edited by Northside; Aug 5, 2011 at 08:36 AM.