I have thought about trading my bike for a newer used bike but there is just too much risk with a used bike. Who knows what problems you could be stuck with. Imagine getting one of these $15,000 plus bikes and finding out the flywheels are scissored, or it uses oil or blows it out the air filter. Or maybe the trans bearings are going or there is some electrical gremlin. Or maybe its a bike that was wrecked, repaired and then traded off. That "good deal" can become an expensive nightmare.

 

Besides the brakes and 6th gear you desire,not much else that matters to me except the 6 gallon tank.I ride an '08 Ultra,it's everything I need from a long haul touring bike and handles like a bat outta hell on crooked roads.

The new frame with the (imho) StreetGlide influenced larger diameter front wheel and fat rear tire that appears from '09 forward definitely has a different feel to it.Depends on personal preference....One rider's perception of greater stability can be seen by another as less responsiveness.

 

The more I read and think about it, I will just keep the 05 and a few more years maybe get something else. Would like to have the 6 gal tank and 6th gear. But at least mine is paid for and it just took me on a 3700 trip. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
Semper Fi

 

Enjoy your 05, I think you made a wise decision. Not all of us have the disposible income to trade often. I know some guys that trade bikes before they need their original tires replaced.

 

Doesn't it feel great to hold that clear title in your sweaty little hands??

FWIW, I wouldn't swap my '07 even for a brand new one.

 

Holding a clear title means a lot. I've had debt all my life and having a paid for truck and several motorcycles really makes me happy these days. Love my '07 Ultra, gets me anywhere a newer bike would with just as much fun. Don't upgrade until you come across a truly smokin' deal, and that would exclude dealers.

Ten days ago I passed up on a 2007 Ultra with 1,352 miles on it for 12k. I hemmed and hawed for several days because it was a two tone green color. Really strange color combo. Someone else snagged it and I'm kicking myself now. Moral of the story is wait for a good deal and be ready to jump on it when it comes along. Stay away from the dealer on used bikes.

 

Only sell yours privately...a trade in is a losing proposition. Otherwise...keep it...save enough cash over time to buy outright.

 

Most of the improvements from the 2009 and the 2014 versus the pre 2009 bikes CANNOT be noticed by the average rider, Most parrot what they hear from others and again MOST cannot even ride a pre 2009 anywhere near the limits of the machine capabilities.

Of course any new machine is going to "feel" better and who would ever admit they did not actually notice much difference after plopping down a bunch of money or signing a promise note to the bank???


Is the ABS safer= yes of course it is.
More power= yup.

 

I was in the same boat you were. I had a 2006 FLHR with 28k miles on it. It was paid for.

I traded it in on a 2008 UC with 18k miles on it. I got the deal down to 14.5k for the bike. They gave me 8k for my trade-in.

The 6 gal tank and 6 speed trans is something I wanted ever since I had the FLHR.

But that's all relative of what you want in a new bike and how you feel about taking on the debt.