96 inches
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Its amazing how many people go on and on about these 09 and later frames, lol.
I havent head anything good about them at all, more trouble in some cases.
A couple of Harley techs I used to work with have told me they are crappy and they dont like them at all.
The only "improvement is a better rear motor mount for some stability.
Unless you can name a few specific reasons that the 09 and up frames are "better" why keep telling people to buy one and stay away from 08 and later years?
I havent head anything good about them at all, more trouble in some cases.
A couple of Harley techs I used to work with have told me they are crappy and they dont like them at all.
The only "improvement is a better rear motor mount for some stability.
Unless you can name a few specific reasons that the 09 and up frames are "better" why keep telling people to buy one and stay away from 08 and later years?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Ct
If all I cared about was resale I wouldn't have bought a Harley.
Most of what you just said has nothing to do with this new frame, lol.
ok ok just relax, your bike is the best, your decisions are the smartest you are better than me, you win, oh no another internet poster is upset with my opinion, lol, too funny dude.
I am sure going from a 4 year old bike to a brand new bike will feel like a nice tight ride regardless.
So you are saying all the bikes pre 09 are crap I guess then?
Listen we all have opinions, I shared mine, if you dont agree get over it, its my opinion based on my experience, you do what you want.
Lump
let me see. 70 pounds more weight on the bike overall, tires that lasts 25% longer than the older tires, improved handling and stability due to less welds and more rigid backbone, and also, much better aesthetics from the fatter rear tire instead of the skinny chicken noodle old tire.
ok ok just relax, your bike is the best, your decisions are the smartest you are better than me, you win, oh no another internet poster is upset with my opinion, lol, too funny dude.
I am sure going from a 4 year old bike to a brand new bike will feel like a nice tight ride regardless.
So you are saying all the bikes pre 09 are crap I guess then?
Listen we all have opinions, I shared mine, if you dont agree get over it, its my opinion based on my experience, you do what you want.
Lump
Last edited by lumper; Oct 15, 2012 at 02:47 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
My '07 handles just fine - never has wobbled, handles me and the old lady without a hitch and combined we are pushing 400 pounds. I ride my bike like the touring bike it is, not a crotch rocket, which it ain't. I doubt very seriously I could tell the difference between my '07 and a new bike, given my laid back riding style. It sure isn't worth the extra $ I would need to lay out to get the supposed advantages.
To me, the 6th speed is a slight improvement over the 5 speed, but only at freeway cruising speeds because the motor is working less. The ratios are not ideal though: 1st is too tall, the gap between 3rd and 4th is too wide and 6th is all but useless under 75. I am used to the 6 speed now and wouldn't want to go back but it has taken a while to get used to.
The 96 makes a little more power but way more heat than the 88. Not sure the trade off is good. I still don't see the advantage to going bigger and bigger on the displacement, but I am what folks would consider a slower rider so power isn't a big issue to me unless the wife is along, then I need a little more when pulling big hills. Downshifting works in this case.
Overall, I like the improvements on my '07 over my '04. I do miss my carb from time to time though, only because I am having a heck of a time tuning out detonation. I do like the consistency of FI though: easy starts, smooth idle, etc. Having read horror stories about newer wheel bearings failing, inner primary bearings failing, "limp mode" problems with the fly-by-wire, not sure I'd get a newer bike but that's just me. Obviously there are a bunch of people with new Harleys that love them.
To me, the 6th speed is a slight improvement over the 5 speed, but only at freeway cruising speeds because the motor is working less. The ratios are not ideal though: 1st is too tall, the gap between 3rd and 4th is too wide and 6th is all but useless under 75. I am used to the 6 speed now and wouldn't want to go back but it has taken a while to get used to.
The 96 makes a little more power but way more heat than the 88. Not sure the trade off is good. I still don't see the advantage to going bigger and bigger on the displacement, but I am what folks would consider a slower rider so power isn't a big issue to me unless the wife is along, then I need a little more when pulling big hills. Downshifting works in this case.
Overall, I like the improvements on my '07 over my '04. I do miss my carb from time to time though, only because I am having a heck of a time tuning out detonation. I do like the consistency of FI though: easy starts, smooth idle, etc. Having read horror stories about newer wheel bearings failing, inner primary bearings failing, "limp mode" problems with the fly-by-wire, not sure I'd get a newer bike but that's just me. Obviously there are a bunch of people with new Harleys that love them.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 223
Rode an 89 glide for many years... Had the great chance to ride an 07 for 2 weeks straight on a vacation. It was a highly refined version of the 89 in every single way, it still felt like the 89 since the frame was so very similar, but every other aspect of the bike was so much better.
Was on the fence for getting a new bike for a long time.. Sure, the wheelbearings, the bearing in the early 6 speeds, the TBW, giving up my carb and a single gear driven cam, all of those things were concerns.
Spent the last 2 years on a '11 SG with abs, the 103 motor, cruise and security. I've had zero problems with the bike and the one recall it had was for the rear brake switch that they took care of within 1 hr at the dealership.
After having a lot of seat time and getting the chance to ride some of my friends glides that range from 95 to 2007, all I can say is that 'to me", I would not want to go back. The newer frame is longer and a little taller than the older frames, but it really is stiffer and a cleaner handeling ride when combined with the new swingarm, rims, tires, etc...
Was on the fence for getting a new bike for a long time.. Sure, the wheelbearings, the bearing in the early 6 speeds, the TBW, giving up my carb and a single gear driven cam, all of those things were concerns.
Spent the last 2 years on a '11 SG with abs, the 103 motor, cruise and security. I've had zero problems with the bike and the one recall it had was for the rear brake switch that they took care of within 1 hr at the dealership.
After having a lot of seat time and getting the chance to ride some of my friends glides that range from 95 to 2007, all I can say is that 'to me", I would not want to go back. The newer frame is longer and a little taller than the older frames, but it really is stiffer and a cleaner handeling ride when combined with the new swingarm, rims, tires, etc...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
You will never convince Lump that he is wrong.
He loves his '07 and does not want to buy a newer bike.
He has that right. He will continue to knock he new frame to make the point.
From his postings he has not felt the spongy frame.
He will not find any problems that may prove him wrong.
So let him rant and knock the new frame.
We that ride hard and found the older frame to be lacking post to his error.
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