'06 or '12 FLHX
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
If you think the 103 is gonna be a rocket compaired to your 88 or old 96, there won't be a lot of difference. Some improvemnet, but not a lot.
It will be better and have a little more torque, but it's not gonna rip your hands off the bars.
I wouldn't buy it for the motor, but for all the other imrovements HD has done.
It will be better and have a little more torque, but it's not gonna rip your hands off the bars.
I wouldn't buy it for the motor, but for all the other imrovements HD has done.
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From: ST. Louis
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Thanks guys for all the input. The "used" 2012 I was looking at didn't fly. The stealer-dealer tried to roll me over, and I don't have a lot of tolerance for bu!!$hit. Anyway, as they say, things happen for a reason. Called around, lo-and-behold, found one of those custom purple and flame painted '12 SG's. Shocking as it is, brand new, with ABS, Security, and Cruise, only about $1500 over the used one I walked away from with 13k miles on it, and no mods, plain stock except for quick-detach kit, sissy bar and luggage rack. Not sure if anyone ever gets a "smoking-deal" from a dealer on a new ride, but this one seems to be pretty damned warm to me. About $2k off MSRP, giving me what I want for my '06, and adding the QD kit with passenger setup. It almost seems good enough to make me nervous....... I guess you could say it's a "year-end close out" hehehehehe.
I'm hungry now....... I've thought long and hard over trading the '06 in. I've been happy with it, but IMO, it never really has had the juice my '07 had with the same mods, and 96" engine. Yeah, I know there is a difference between 88" and 96".....hehehehe. Soooo.....I'm taking a leap of faith, and hoping the Motor Company won't let me down. I'm headed on a road trip Monday to pick it up, or at least go with the intention of bringing it home, unless there are some gremlins in the works. Wish me luck and I'll let ya know how it turns out.
I'm hungry now....... I've thought long and hard over trading the '06 in. I've been happy with it, but IMO, it never really has had the juice my '07 had with the same mods, and 96" engine. Yeah, I know there is a difference between 88" and 96".....hehehehe. Soooo.....I'm taking a leap of faith, and hoping the Motor Company won't let me down. I'm headed on a road trip Monday to pick it up, or at least go with the intention of bringing it home, unless there are some gremlins in the works. Wish me luck and I'll let ya know how it turns out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
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From: Oxford, Nc
Absolutely! My 95" 2000 95" with Andrews 26 cams and a Stage II download puts out more power than either the 96" or 103" Stage I's.
That's almost 30% more power than you're getting now. And you can have it without all the problems ( heat issues, throttle by wire, weak wheel bearings, cast cranks, clink clank grind hot starts, etc ) of so many of the newer bikes.
That's almost 30% more power than you're getting now. And you can have it without all the problems ( heat issues, throttle by wire, weak wheel bearings, cast cranks, clink clank grind hot starts, etc ) of so many of the newer bikes.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Thanks guys for all the input. The "used" 2012 I was looking at didn't fly. The stealer-dealer tried to roll me over, and I don't have a lot of tolerance for bu!!$hit. Anyway, as they say, things happen for a reason. Called around, lo-and-behold, found one of those custom purple and flame painted '12 SG's. Shocking as it is, brand new, with ABS, Security, and Cruise, only about $1500 over the used one I walked away from with 13k miles on it, and no mods, plain stock except for quick-detach kit, sissy bar and luggage rack. Not sure if anyone ever gets a "smoking-deal" from a dealer on a new ride, but this one seems to be pretty damned warm to me. About $2k off MSRP, giving me what I want for my '06, and adding the QD kit with passenger setup. It almost seems good enough to make me nervous....... I guess you could say it's a "year-end close out" hehehehehe.
I'm hungry now....... I've thought long and hard over trading the '06 in. I've been happy with it, but IMO, it never really has had the juice my '07 had with the same mods, and 96" engine. Yeah, I know there is a difference between 88" and 96".....hehehehe. Soooo.....I'm taking a leap of faith, and hoping the Motor Company won't let me down. I'm headed on a road trip Monday to pick it up, or at least go with the intention of bringing it home, unless there are some gremlins in the works. Wish me luck and I'll let ya know how it turns out.
I'm hungry now....... I've thought long and hard over trading the '06 in. I've been happy with it, but IMO, it never really has had the juice my '07 had with the same mods, and 96" engine. Yeah, I know there is a difference between 88" and 96".....hehehehe. Soooo.....I'm taking a leap of faith, and hoping the Motor Company won't let me down. I'm headed on a road trip Monday to pick it up, or at least go with the intention of bringing it home, unless there are some gremlins in the works. Wish me luck and I'll let ya know how it turns out.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
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From: Mass
..personally, I think you are making a BIG mistake...why?..because there was VERY little difference between 2011 and 2012...ESPECIALLY in the motor category...that means odds are greater that next year will have some kind of significant improvement..it's the natural rhythm of HD that we all get used to over the years...no big changes for a few years..then..BAM!...something major comes..(like the frame in 09)...I would not be chasing a 2012..instead..looking for a good deal on an 09...or better yet..I would wait till next summer and bet on something worth buying new for from the factory... good luck with whatever way you go..
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 317
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
I had a sweet '06 FLHX that I, too, was stupid enough to sell - after setting it up just right for me.
Now, I'm on a recently purchased Ultra. I've got the removable tour pak and a Road Glide seat I scored from eBay to sort of Street Glide it.
To me, with the tour pak off and the Road Glide seat (identical, I think, to the ergos of the FLHX stocker), the ride is very, very familiar.
My new bike has ABS, though, which is a huge plus, as well as the stiffened-up swing arm and improved frame, an oil cooler, and a better way to attach the seats, without the paint scratcher insert.
Unfortunately, there lurks a CATALYTIC CONVERTER in the header.
I do think it has improved performance all the way around. I used the XIED from Nightrider to cut down what little ping there was in stock configuration, and only noted that at higher altitudes pushing uphill, when the motor got hot. The XIED rewarded me with better throttle response (snappier) from the fly-by-wire throttle.
Another big plus, in my humble opinion, is the fact that you can do a stage 1 with XIED, air cleaner and pipes, without needing the dealer to flash the ECM or adding a fuel controller. Everything I've said in this paragraph is open for debate, but it seems to be the consensus gathered right here from other forum members. That's where I'm going next, as we have to put our bikes through emissions testing here...and this time I plan on having it that long!
Planning on a big sucker and Bassani fishtails next. And a lower windshield. I don't mind the Ultra's extra chrome and lowers, and I would have added the passing lamps again (had 'em on my FLHX).
Having said all of this, it would have been a lot cheaper to keep the '06. But I spend all my money on women and motorcycles...the rest I just waste.
Now, I'm on a recently purchased Ultra. I've got the removable tour pak and a Road Glide seat I scored from eBay to sort of Street Glide it.
To me, with the tour pak off and the Road Glide seat (identical, I think, to the ergos of the FLHX stocker), the ride is very, very familiar.
My new bike has ABS, though, which is a huge plus, as well as the stiffened-up swing arm and improved frame, an oil cooler, and a better way to attach the seats, without the paint scratcher insert.
Unfortunately, there lurks a CATALYTIC CONVERTER in the header.
I do think it has improved performance all the way around. I used the XIED from Nightrider to cut down what little ping there was in stock configuration, and only noted that at higher altitudes pushing uphill, when the motor got hot. The XIED rewarded me with better throttle response (snappier) from the fly-by-wire throttle.
Another big plus, in my humble opinion, is the fact that you can do a stage 1 with XIED, air cleaner and pipes, without needing the dealer to flash the ECM or adding a fuel controller. Everything I've said in this paragraph is open for debate, but it seems to be the consensus gathered right here from other forum members. That's where I'm going next, as we have to put our bikes through emissions testing here...and this time I plan on having it that long!
Planning on a big sucker and Bassani fishtails next. And a lower windshield. I don't mind the Ultra's extra chrome and lowers, and I would have added the passing lamps again (had 'em on my FLHX).
Having said all of this, it would have been a lot cheaper to keep the '06. But I spend all my money on women and motorcycles...the rest I just waste.
Last edited by rnothog; Sep 29, 2012 at 11:54 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I appreciate the perspectives. I looked around for a '09 or '10, and the few that I found, well, someone was quite proud of them and I didn't see the ~$3000 difference for a 2-3yo bike with 20k+ miles over a new ride. Maybe I'm in the wrong part of the Country.
HD is no different that anyone else who makes a product that people actually want......a constant state of change and improvement (usually) to the product. If you chase the new and best-ever.....you'll always be running and never find it....not to mention never enjoy it. I know that sounds a bit contrite and maybe pie-in-the-sky, but I AM keeping my numbers matching '73 Dodge Rally Challenger rather than trading it for a new one, and loving EVERY minute I'm behind the wheel too!!!!!
In retrospect, I SHOULD have kept my '07 SG and sucked it up (life issues), painted it, and rolled on down the highway. But...I didn't, and so here I am. Maybe I am finally getting some good mojo, because I would have been PI$$ED if I had swallowed the BS, bought the used one, then "discovered" this one. Of course, following my own advice (NO hypocrite here), if I was happy, I wouldn't have kept looking and just smiled on down the highway.....things happen for a reason.
BTW rnothog....I'm keeping my detachable tourpack......no way I could just give it away, we actually use it from time to time, and it comes off so damned easy, a 30 second transformation, although I will have to change the mounting base. I can "name that tune" in 100 bucks or less too.....wine, women, and things that go fast.......
HD is no different that anyone else who makes a product that people actually want......a constant state of change and improvement (usually) to the product. If you chase the new and best-ever.....you'll always be running and never find it....not to mention never enjoy it. I know that sounds a bit contrite and maybe pie-in-the-sky, but I AM keeping my numbers matching '73 Dodge Rally Challenger rather than trading it for a new one, and loving EVERY minute I'm behind the wheel too!!!!!
In retrospect, I SHOULD have kept my '07 SG and sucked it up (life issues), painted it, and rolled on down the highway. But...I didn't, and so here I am. Maybe I am finally getting some good mojo, because I would have been PI$$ED if I had swallowed the BS, bought the used one, then "discovered" this one. Of course, following my own advice (NO hypocrite here), if I was happy, I wouldn't have kept looking and just smiled on down the highway.....things happen for a reason.
BTW rnothog....I'm keeping my detachable tourpack......no way I could just give it away, we actually use it from time to time, and it comes off so damned easy, a 30 second transformation, although I will have to change the mounting base. I can "name that tune" in 100 bucks or less too.....wine, women, and things that go fast.......
