looking for electra glide
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
well you asked for it , I love my 07 but most say 09 and newer are better but if you don't ride one you will never know , from what has been posted on here if you don't ride real hard you will never notice the new frame
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
There have been a lot of changes since 1996--- most of them for the better. I must say though that with each upgrade, I was well satisfied with my old bike until I tried the new one. Find a bike that you like first. Be comfortable with the price, the looks and the whole package and then ask your questions about that specific bike. As your current question asks, Your responses are going to be all over the board. Find a Harley that you like and make it into something that you are going to be proud to own.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
The sweet spot for years is 02 & 09, the 02 was the last year for the timken bearing bottom end on the bottom end & the 09 was the first year of the new frame & last year without the cat converter. I always recommend to buy the newest that you can afford because the highest amount of depreciation is in the first few years. I'm in the process of replacing my 00 with a 09, the older frame is quite adequate, but I wouldn't have upgraded to anything lower than an 09, just my .02.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
buy a 2006 or earlier or a 2009 and later. 2007 is the guinea pig year. Harley should of cam clean and recalled that year to install heat management system, isolated drive system, new forward engine stabilizer link, and upgrade the cranks to a screamin eagle one, screamin eagle compensator, new stator windings, new inner primary bearings, a screen of the oil pump intake for all the metal chips this bike generates. The bike is a lemon and will burn your *****. I bought a 2007 bike cash in 2009 and had two years of misery on it. I finally got it running like a 2009 and later bike after dumping 3200 in parts into it. Did all the work myself. do some google searches.
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recently traded my beloved 05 eglide classic for 12 ultra. as said here, the 05 was and is a great ride, but the 12 really shines. very smooth and the handling is night and day different. you won't regret your purchase whatever you choose. good luck!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Had a Softail in 1991 - I waited 10 years for Harley to come out with a touring frame update. They didn't so I sold the old Softail and bought another. Speculation grew that surely Harley would fix their antiquated frame - it must be just around the corner. I waited and I waited. Finally in '09 they had a new design. I waited one more year for good measure and bought the 2010. Get the newest 2009 or later bike you can afford. Improvements (mostly) are constant (e.g. compensators, tranny etc.)