Harley Davidson Touring: Buying Guide
Harley offers such a broad array of Touring bikes that shopping online or walking into a dealer showroom can be pretty overwhelming. How do you choose which model? Luckily, most Harley big Touring bikes are mechanically similar, so your choice will boil down to how thick your wallet is, what strikes your fancy, and the number of must have features.
This article applies to the Harley Davidson Touring (1999-2013).
Between standard factory offerings, CVO Touring bikes, and optional features, there are nearly more than a dozen different Touring models offered each year. There is no way to cover them all, but let's look at some of the differences over the years, concentrating on the Twin Cam motor bikes, before the recent Project Rushmore update. We'll go over the major engine and frame differences, but leave the selection of minor options like paint, accessories, electronics and appearance modifications to you.
To the unfamiliar, Harley's Touring bikes all look very much alike since the advent of the rear swingarm Duo Glide in 1958. This, by the way, is purely intentional as above all, Harley values their heritage. We'll focus on the later model '09 to '13 models for this article, but all the Twin Cam motor equipped bikes are very similar. These bikes are new enough to avoid surprising you with too many unexpected adventures, while being a bit easier on the retirement account balance. These are the last of the strictly air-cooled models prior to the introduction of the Twin Cooled air/liquid cooled engine on some Rushmore models. Buying a used low mileage bike is a great way to save some change, but look for a bike as close to stock as you can find. Among Harley's this may be more difficult than it sounds, but Touring bikes get modded a lot less than Dynas and Softails. Poorly chosen or installed mods can be more trouble than they'e worth.
Year Model Differences
Engine
The 2009 models were delivered with a new Twin Cam 96 cubic inch engine, or 1,573cc for you metric heads. These engines were equipped with a 6-speed transmission, called "Cruise Drive" in Harley terminology. The 6-speed allowed Harley to reduce the final drive ratio for better acceleration in the lower five gears while preserving laid back cruising in 6th on the highway. This power train was introduced in 2007, but the 2009 bikes got a revised chassis and more. The Twin Cam 96 engine is fully rubber mounted and also came with a new two into one into 2 exhaust system in 2009.
In 2011, Harley ran a 1/8" larger boring bar through each cylinder, bumping displacement to 103 ci, making the engine almost 1.7L (1,688cc). This added a nice bit of extra torque.
Chassis
Although the larger displacement engine for 2011 was big news, it was not as big of a change as the all new chassis fitted starting in 2009. The frame was substantially upgraded with a fabricated rectangular single spar back bone design that lent an increase in load capacity of 70 pounds. The swingarm and engine mounting/isolation designs were also all new. Harley didn't stop there, fitting bigger wheels that were at the same time lighter. In the case of the front wheel diameter, it was increased one inch to 17" and the rear the wheel width was increased two inches to 5". These changes allow fitting wider, more modern, higher performance tires. The new chassis also offers a few more degrees lean angle before grinding hard parts on the tarmac, and the re-tuned suspension combined with the greatly increased rigidity and stability the new frame makes using that additional lean angle a thrill.
There are substantial enough improvements to the 2011 and later models to recommend them over the earlier ones. Depending on your budget though, an '09 to '11 model is a good choice, too. The important thing is to be aware of the trade off.
Brakes
Harley began offering anti-lock brakes on the Touring bikes in 2008, but it was still optional until recently. You probably want it on a bike this big and heavy, where you need all the help you can get getting it stopped in an emergency. Cruise control and ABS are standard on all of the Anniversary edition and CVO bikes, and optional on the rest.
Fairings
One of the biggest differences between all the Touring models is in the weather protection. The least expensive bikes have a simple curved clear windshield, usually quickly detachable for around town use when you want the wind in your face. Next up the list of wind protection is the "batwing" fork mounted fairing, which moves with the handlebar as you steer. The top of the line bikes have a new frame mounted "shark nose" fairing, which is frame mounted, and can have various height windshields mounted on it. The thing to remember is that the fully faired bikes are going to be heavier and not as much fun to ride through a curvy road, though the frame mounted fairing will make the bike steer lighter than the batwing type. It is also of note that the bikes without a fairing also give up infotainment systems, and other luxury features in the name of a more elemental experience.
Figure 4. 2013 Road King. 
Figure 5. 2013 Electra Glide. 
Figure 6. 2013 Road Glide.
The Rest
Above we have covered the major differences in the later model air-cooled Harley Electra Glide models. Harley's are probably among the most modified bikes out there, some dealer and aftermarket accessories and modifications can be a really nice improvements, but others can create nightmares. Harley also offers multiple trim levels from the factory and this can influence the price. Get familiar with the specifications of the model you are interested in, so you can recognize any modifications and make certain it was done properly. You may want to check with a reputable mechanic to get an evaluation of any mods. This isn't a bad idea even for a stock bike, however, just to be sure it wasn't modded or wrecked and slapped back together to look stock. For a used vehicle, you should always look of a documented service record. If you find a highly modified example with no service record and iffy looking installations, walk, maybe even run away!
Though Harley hasn't always had the most stellar reliability, the 96 and 103 models are pretty well worked out and will provide better service than their predecessors. There's nothing like an American adventure (but not too much) on an American bike.
Scheduled Maintenance
Maintaining a Harley Davidson is no more daunting than any other bike and, in fact, in many ways simpler. This in one of the attractions of the bike, they're not difficult to work on and there's no problem finding parts or the occasional special tool. You can look up, and keep track of your bikes maintenance by signing into the Harley Davidson website here, or just click over to this dealer's site for the general rundown here.
Common Issues
The Harley Twin cam motor has been relatively reliable since its introduction. On 1999 to 2006 motor, the cam chain tensioners are known to wear out much quicker than they should. The fix is either to go to gear driven cams, or retrofit the hydraulic tensioner that became standard in 2007. If you happen to be shopping this era bike, be sure the cam chain has been properly looked after. The primary drive chain tensioner can also have issues, but it is much less trouble than the cam chains. The fix for these is to replace the factory spring loaded, ratcheting auto adjuster, with an aftermarket version that is more forgiving.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
If you are interested in a certain bike, you can run the VIN on the Harley Davidson website to check out all the safety, other recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins here: Safety Recall Info.
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- Harley Road Glide Review - HDForums.com
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