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[Harleyjohn59]

This is going to be short, I will elaborate at another time.  Truth be known, I'm at work so can't spend a lot of time writing about this although I could describe in excruciating detail the ride to an from Milwaukee but I won't at this time.  I will say that if you are looking for a Screaming Eagle roadbike then you better stay with the Ultra because truthfully, this ain't no roadbike!  The suspension on this bike is terrible, the shorter shocks, new frame and larger wheels and tires take a lot of the cushion away from this ride.  It was down right uncomfortable at times and it had very little to do with the seat. I would never in a hundred years consider riding this bike to Sturgis and I'm no p*ssy, I ride to all the events but the thought of doing a thousand miles in one day on this bike makes me whimper!
I'm not kidding guys, my membership in this elite club could be short lived, I want my old bike back.  This is a great short run bike but that's it unless you happen to find 900 miles of very flat road then I would consider it, otherwise, give me my old FLTR back and now.
I am having the suspension checked as we speak but the jury is still out on this one.  Maybe this on is for you younger bucks but my old butt needs some additional padding. 
Anyone else have a comment about the ride, I would love to hear about your experience.

[Fired00d]

Have you checked the shocks to see how much (if they had any) air is in them?

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[bbrown]

Wow

That is not a good report.   Do you have on the original wind deflector ?? or did you change to a windshield

[jcd520]

Generally speaking --------- if you are a serious rider ------lowered bikes just simply don't do the job the standard suspension ones do. I realize not everyone is the same height and all but if you lower your suspension to get that slammed look , and then do the 18" tires on top of that ----well you just ain't gonna get that nice smooth ride. Expansion joints on freeways will throw you over the bars at 75 and thats all there is to it. I've ridden several lowered bikes like the flhx etc and they just don't do it for me. The new SERG is beautiful and I am considering one , but the first thing I would do is put stock suspension on it and a touring windshield--------if your going further than the bar its a necessity! CD

[rasmusmi]

Hmmm...interesting. However, current issues from several national motorcycle magazines have given the 2009 SERG rave reviews.

I rode an '08 stock Roadglide last week and compared to my 2003 SERK it rode like a dream. They correctly named it road "glide", as glide it does..IMO.

Like Ricky Nelson once sang.."You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself". I'm staying on my dealer's list for a 2009 SERG in orange & black!

[weamdog]

I have the ultra and coming from a soft tail i too noticed "a stiffer ride".  As far as comparison, I'd say it would be like going from a sedan to a vette.  Wish I would have ridden an 08 tourer just to have a better idea of the change, but all in all I'm not complaining and love the feel.  I did hit a small dip today unexpectedly which probably made me 1/4" shorter, i survived, but it was quite an awakening.  I know my soft tail would have handled this dip much better.  I haven't checked the air pressure, but I was told at delivery that it was set for my weight.  Guess I'll have to check it now because the suspension doesn't budge when i get on.  The only thing that budges when i hop on is the seat.

[MikeD]

I came from a SEEG to the SERG and I can say the exact opposite!  Check your shocks for air. The bike rides true to me and my wife and I both love the suspension.  I though it was a huge improvement from my SEEG.

[IRyde]

jcd520,

With the way my bike ended up by having an 18" on the back and the badlander seat it definitely affected the ride comfort level.  I put up with it for quite a while.  If your shocks end up being OK and you still do not like the ride still consider the Arnott air shocks.  It ended "for me" being the best of both worlds.  Slammed when I want it or hit the switch and bring the rear up for comfort.  Even when the bike is about 1/2" up I have found it more comfortable than the stock shocks.

[MikeD]

Iryde,
I had the same set up on the same bike, 05 nana SEEG with a 21 and an 18.  Definitely felt the bumps.  The 18 and the set up on the SERG is like butter!

[customryder]

felt the same back braking ride ... I ck rear air in shocks... zero... I put 20psi in it & felt better... Im with you this bike is not as smooth as my 07 R G .. more vibration & less sysp travel.. & the seat it like a brick... I guess I will go with the 440s like I did on my 05 banana .. they may help..

 it does take the curves better & is more fun to ride...   I have build many bikes & the prettier they are the less useable\ comfortable they are..

 

[Hoist!]

Sounds like they need 1" taller Traxxion AK-20's up front and 330 (13") bitubos in the rear! Did the trick for my SERK3 with an 18 up front and 17 in the rear!!! !!!

Guaranteed it will feel much more like a road bike, even with those wheels!

Hoist!

[Screamin]

WOW. Just shocked and amazed by #1. Just did 11 hrs. and I'm very pleased w/ the ride. 40# in the shocks w/ the BSR and loaded and the comparison to the SEEG is very pos. For a stock seat I was very pleased. Back rest helped and did some squirmin around but I'd give the seat a B. As for the suspension, yep, felt the big bumps but that's expected. Areas of road grinding were smooth as butter. Boogied through the ramps and curves w/ no issues. Passed everything on the road and just flat enjoyed the ride. Sorry your not happy w/ the bike but put a for sale sign on it and you'll probably make a couple grand.

[sblair]

I think its the new frame and suspension on all the 09's.  I was at the dealer yesterday and sat on a 09 standard RoadGlide and its at least an inch taller than my 06 RG and the supension did not budge! Front forks did not compress at all.  It felt solid.   Having the SERG slammed (per say!) has removed 3/4 inche from the height.  And going into it we all should know that low profile tires will make the ride a little stiffer.

  If you having some issues then air up the shocks and air down the tires!  Harley seat is a harley seat!

[tdowell65]

I have to agree with some of the comments here.  My Rg is a little stiffer than my 06 SE Ultra but it makes up for it in the corners and on the bad highways.  I noticed it doesn't give as much on the bumps as the 06 ultra.  But I can go into corners and out of them with the rg that I wouldn't even try on on my ultra.  I can ride the bike as opposed to sitting on the bike.  I bet with some adjustments and some add on's You could make that bike ride as good as the ultra. 
What air pressure are you guys running in the shocks with one up?
I may try putting on the aftermarket shocks as everybody that does that say's it makes a world of difference on any bike.

[harleyman]

i agree with you on the stiff suspension, just finished 1700 mile  ride to durango co. i had`15lbs on suspencion maybe needed more, however i really love the bike  how rides so smooth, like the way it handles in curves and the high speed stability. i think its alot better bike than my last seuc 2008. i did not feel any wobbling at 80 plus miles like i used to feel on my se ultras. like the power and the torque.i am so pleased with the bike that i will like to make it into an ultra classic with the touring package and radio system. i wanted to test ride the seuc 09 at the dealer but it was raining. hopefully it rides as good as the rg because i have one on order the red one.

[Harleyjohn59]

WOW, thanks for the responses.  On the way home I had 30# in the shocks, it was better but it was still extremely firm.  MikeD, can't imagine how it didn't rattle your eye-teeth with the two of you on the bike.  I was riding two up and my passenger didn't notice it as much as I did which leads me to believe the seat had a lot to do with the transfer of the vibrations.  I did look at the Arnott shocks, a very interesting option. 
Don't get me wrong, I love the bike and I love the way it handles but as far as the total comfort on the road, gotta give it a low grade.  Who was it that made the comparison that it was like going from a sedan to a corvette, that is a great comparison.  By the way, I changed the wind deflector, I put an 8" Klock Werks wind deflector on it........don't do it guys, it didn't work.  I think I have permanent hearing damage from the ride home.  The air hit me right on the top and side of my head, right in the ears and it hurt. 
I did talk to the dealer today, they are checking things out but I think it's evident that I'm going to have to change a few things in order to get this bike road ready. 

[MikeD]

WOW, thanks for the responses.  On the way home I had 30# in the shocks, it was better but it was still extremely firm.  MikeD, can't imagine how it didn't rattle your eye-teeth with the two of you on the bike.  I was riding two up and my passenger didn't notice it as much as I did which leads me to believe the seat had a lot to do with the transfer of the vibrations.  I did look at the Arnott shocks, a very interesting option. 
Don't get me wrong, I love the bike and I love the way it handles but as far as the total comfort on the road, gotta give it a low grade.  Who was it that made the comparison that it was like going from a sedan to a corvette, that is a great comparison.  By the way, I changed the wind deflector, I put an 8" Klock Werks wind deflector on it........don't do it guys, it didn't work.  I think I have permanent hearing damage from the ride home.  The air hit me right on the top and side of my head, right in the ears and it hurt. 
I did talk to the dealer today, they are checking things out but I think it's evident that I'm going to have to change a few things in order to get this bike road ready. 

Yea the 8" pretty much sux!  I ordered the 12" and TDowell I think reported that he had the 12 on there and it did well.  I will let  you know soon. 

[tdowell65]

12" KW windshield does okay.  It sends the wind up over me but does go past the ears pretty hard.  It looks great and It's not a miserable ride so will probably leave that one on for a while.  Girlfriend rides with her head out to side and she said it was like not having a sheild at all.   Sherry from Danny Gray seats emailed me back that 08 seats and 09 seats will work.  I might try a different seat but I've got to get the mufflers sounding better first.

[9 1/2 Beers]

how's the heat ?, i hope it's better

[SilverDawg]

Want to trade it for a 2008 Rocker C?   

[MikeD]

12" KW windshield does okay.  It sends the wind up over me but does go past the ears pretty hard.  It looks great and It's not a miserable ride so will probably leave that one on for a while.  Girlfriend rides with her head out to side and she said it was like not having a sheild at all.   Sherry from Danny Gray seats emailed me back that 08 seats and 09 seats will work.  I might try a different seat but I've got to get the mufflers sounding better first.

AMEN BROTHER!

[2-oranges]

I would check the air pressure in the shocks. I have never been on a smoother ride then my new 09 SERG. I have about 10 PSI in mine and it rides like a dream.

[Harleyjohn59]

Welp, did a little riding around town today after I picked my SERG up from the dealer for it's 1000 mile.  The Service Mgr. said that they looked at the suspension and everything is OK so it looks like I will either have to make some changes or live with it.
Before I left the dealer I put 30lbs of air in the shocks, seemed to be OK but still stiff, I guess I will get use to it.  I'm looking at a Sundowner seat, had one on my '07 FLTR and really liked the feel.  I think that it may add just enough cushion to take some of that "bite" out.
Tonight I rode my bike to a local "Bike Night" at one of the bars.  It usually draws about 3 to 4 hundred bikes, a pretty good gathering.  Wow, I sure got a lot of attention tonight.  I parked the bike and it immediately drew a crowd. I did a lot of talking tonight and some explaining, a lot of people didn't know what it was, go figure and this is mostly a Harley crowd.
Got lots of praise, everyone liked it and thought it was a great looking bike.  I think the thing that they liked most about the bike was the rear end, the fat fender and the lights.
Still don't have my old windshield back, anyone seen the UPS truck?

[MikeD]

Glad to see you enjoying it more John.  What kind of windshield did you end up with?

[roadrunner]

I test drove the 09 orange and black at the 105th and liked it (not the price tag without lowers and tour pak).  Rides much smoother than my 04 flhtcse and has more pull (that may be due to lack of passenger).  Stock windshield and handle bars would have to be changed.  The fairing seems to set out further that the ultra, cant see in front. But riding on the local roads which were a killer on my bike were actually comfortable.  My 2 cents!

[sblair]

Not sure if they changed the pressure in the rear shockd but 30psi is way too much for an older model.  I thought over 20 and you would start blowing seals.  I run 8-10 solo and 14 with passenger and luggage on my 06.  Everyone is complaining about the handlebars..are they that bad a position?  Had abuddy that did not like his 06 bars and used Heritage bars.  I rode it and did not like the bars so close.  Felt really awkward in the turns.

[tdowell65]

I'm actually pretty happy with the handle bars.  Makes for a great cornering bike.   

[Harleyjohn59]

MikeD, have the 8" Klock Werks on it right now, just waiting for my original windshield to show up and it will go right back on for around town.  I have an extra stock FLTR windshield that I might cut down a bit and put some tint on it for the road. 

I have a question.  I got on HD to look at the Tour Paks, the chopped box.  I noticed that they were $1,195.00, kinda hard not to notice don't you think?  Anyway, when I was in Sturgis I talked to an Engineer who worked on the RG and I asked him about the Tour Paks for the bike, he told me that they were having some difficulty with the docking systems but that he was confident that they would have all that worked out shortly.  Anyway, my question is, why so much?  I think the guy told me that the Tour Paks were coming as a kit, with backrest, docking hardware and mounting bracket.  Does anyone know the facts?  Let me know.  The guy at the parts counter didn't know jack!

[weamdog]

I put an 8" Klock Werks wind deflector on it........don't do it guys, it didn't work.  I think I have permanent hearing damage from the ride home.  

Thanks for the feedback on the klock werks, i've been looking at them so I guess i can stop now.  I checked my air pressure in mine and it is set at 20lbs which is a couple lbs more then what it should be, but then again the temp was hotter also.  I remember back when the vetts came out with the new magnetic shocks the cars were shipped with shims in the shocks to keep them from being damaged during transport.  Several of the dealers were forgetting to take these things out and people were complaining about very rough rides (remember steel rollerskates?).  This shouldn't be the case, but I wonder if they changed the shocks due to the wheel/frame change and now the air pressure needs to be lowered.  Going through the manual the pressures don't appear to have changed so i guess i'll try lowering it to 15 and then 10 to see how things feel.  My lower back is hurting just thinking about this subject.

[MikeD]

MikeD, have the 8" Klock Werks on it right now, just waiting for my original windshield to show up and it will go right back on for around town.  I have an extra stock FLTR windshield that I might cut down a bit and put some tint on it for the road. 

I have a question.  I got on HD to look at the Tour Paks, the chopped box.  I noticed that they were $1,195.00, kinda hard not to notice don't you think?  Anyway, when I was in Sturgis I talked to an Engineer who worked on the RG and I asked him about the Tour Paks for the bike, he told me that they were having some difficulty with the docking systems but that he was confident that they would have all that worked out shortly.  Anyway, my question is, why so much?  I think the guy told me that the Tour Paks were coming as a kit, with backrest, docking hardware and mounting bracket.  Does anyone know the facts?  Let me know.  The guy at the parts counter didn't know jack!

Hey John,
I had heard that the paint is the reason why it's so expensive.  Someone on the site mentioned that it's an 11 stage painting process.  I don't know what it is for the standard or pearl sets.  But my theory is, some bean counter in the back corner office is saying the following, "hey, these people are paying a boat load for their bikes, lets offer them matching accessories at an increase of 43%." 

I dont know if it's 43%, I made that up, and I don't now if the bean counters have corner offices'.  But I did order a chopped tour pack, and matching wing with leds. The docking hardware is sitting in my garage.  Along with the highway peg brackets, they waiting on the matching passenger floor boards to be released so I can move the pegs from the back to the front and put the matching floor boards on the rear for my wife.   

[customryder]

 I pulled the handle bars back about 1/2'' feel better.. at the same time you need to adjust the levers down..

 The paint is not that complated .. the flake is called 'emberglow' you spray it over the orange base coat.. then clear coat..
 the paint on these bikes are very "orange peel" you would think on a bike that over 30k they would put a slick paint job on.. I have already color- sanded & buffed the fairing.. it looks MUCH better.. the tank & saddle bags are next..

[sblair]

I saw the dealer price for the chopped tour pack.  They pay under $900.  So they are getting a $300 profit!

[Texas 103]

I saw the dealer price for the chopped tour pack.  They pay under $900.  So they are getting a $300 profit!

Buy it from Jenni>>>> Less 20%

[bbrown]

MikeD, have the 8" Klock Werks on it right now, just waiting for my original windshield to show up and it will go right back on for around town.  I have an extra stock FLTR windshield that I might cut down a bit and put some tint on it for the road. 

I have a question.  I got on HD to look at the Tour Paks, the chopped box.  I noticed that they were $1,195.00, kinda hard not to notice don't you think?  Anyway, when I was in Sturgis I talked to an Engineer who worked on the RG and I asked him about the Tour Paks for the bike, he told me that they were having some difficulty with the docking systems but that he was confident that they would have all that worked out shortly.  Anyway, my question is, why so much?  I think the guy told me that the Tour Paks were coming as a kit, with backrest, docking hardware and mounting bracket.  Does anyone know the facts?  Let me know.  The guy at the parts counter didn't know jack!

Have you thought about the 12" Klock Werks?? Anybody else tried it???

[GregKhougaz]

tdowell65 likes his:  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=27262.0;all    There is also talk about a 16" coming out.  I've got a 12" and am waiting on the SERG!  I've held it up to the stock bike and it seems like it will be perfect.  I had a 12" HD shield on an 04 RG and it was perfect.  I'm 5'11".  If your over 6'1", you may want to hold out for the 16"er.

Sierramadre has one too and likes it:   http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=27217.0;all

I'd use the stock rubber gasket / liner though so as not to scratch the paint.

GK

[tdowell65]

12" Klockwerks shield is OK.  Looks dang good though.  I'm 6'2" and it does smack the top of my head but it's not to bad.  It's a littly noisy around the ears.  I defintately will go with the 16" for sure I think it would be the perfect size for me.

[bbrown]

12" Klockwerks shield is OK.  Looks dang good though.  I'm 6'2" and it does smack the top of my head but it's not to bad.  It's a littly noisy around the ears.  I defintately will go with the 16" for sure I think it would be the perfect size for me.

Will be interested in seeing the 16"   I am 5'9' so th e12 " may be ok???

[bribe36]

16" might be perfect. Any idea when?

[tdowell65]

16" might be perfect. Any idea when?

Late November.  Imagine that just when riding season is over... but does sounds like it will make a great xmas gift.