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[Diamondback]

 

I had both and love the 09 bikes.

 

[Grizzly]

So what changes were made to the 08 versus the 07?

 

This was the first year for the IDS and it made a big difference in the ride, at least I think so.

And just in reference to SBB's comments, I'm certainly not complaining, just very pleased with my '08  as I'm sure you are with your '09.

[bunt]

Like I said earlier I owned an 08 and loved it but there is definite improvement in the 09. I still have an 03 RK love the bike but have to say the 09 ride is night and day.

[Diamondback]

 

The IDS is not a part of the frame and can be retrofitted to the 07's for sure and maybe even earlier models.  The 09's and 010' have a "better" IDS and the 2010's hae the helical cut fifth gear (which should have been there from the start). 

Was there any frame changes.

 

[SBB]

Like I said earlier I owned an 08 and loved it but there is definite improvement in the 09. I still have an 03 RK love the bike but have to say the 09 ride is night and day.

Bunt

I'm with you there buddy on the 03.
I have an 03 Classic with traxxion on one end and Progressives on the other.
It was the best handling Harley I have ever ridden, till I rode my 09.

SBB

 

[Diamondback]

 

Seems odd that HD would redesign the basic frame for all there most successfull touring series to produce 2400 trikes.

I suspect the very old HD frame of more than 20 years was due a major overhaul. 

 

[grc]

Seems odd that HD would redesign the basic frame for all there most successfull touring series to produce 2400 trikes.

I suspect the very old HD frame of more than 20 years was due a major overhaul. 

 

Change that 20 to 30, and yes indeed the Touring frame was way past due for a major redesign.  The handling had done nothing but get more and more squirrelly as the power and weight was increased over all those years, and tweaking the swing arm a couple times wasn't the answer.

Before we get all mushy and give the MoCo too much credit for finally doing something about their obsolete frame, everyone needs to understand that other considerations were involved that probably counted more to H-D management than the improved stability.  The new frame design, which uses straight pipe attached to cast corner pieces, is much easier and therefore cheaper to produce than the old bent tubing and gusset plate design, and can result in much closer tolerances in the finished product.  Closer tolerances in the frame can mean reduced costs for other components that no longer have to be "adjusted" during assembly, like powertrain alignment.  And having that bolt-on rear section is much cheaper than having a separate frame just for the trikes.

I think this change, unlike many of those made in the drivetrain, was a good one even if it really was driven by cost savings and not quality and performance improvement.  Now if they could just find a way to eliminate the excessive weight and get these bikes under 800 pounds again, they might really have something.

Jerry

[Diamondback]

 

It would be very nice if they could get the weight under 800.  Where can they get a 100## reduction.

And for sure the frame is surely easier to build and less costly.  Didn't know the old one was over 30 years old.

In the end, I love the new frame.  Just wish my old 780# ultra would return.

I'm getting older and the 900# is pushing the limit.

 

[Hoist!]

It would be very nice if they could get the weight under 800.  Where can they get a 100## reduction.

And for sure the frame is surely easier to build and less costly.  Didn't know the old one was over 30 years old.

In the end, I love the new frame.  Just wish my old 780# ultra would return.

I'm getting older and the 900# is pushing the limit.

 

Actually it came out in '79 on the FLT, and the FLHT Electra-Glide was given this same platform in '83. But the FLT's were the 1st rubber-mounted Garbage Barges! Of course, they were both shovelheads back then!

Hoist!

[Diamondback]

 

I was still riding my BSA 650.

Big bike back then.

Oh those were the days.  Never mind, I'll stay with what I got.

Thinking about getting a CVE Fat Bob. in that new brown denim with the brown distressed leather seat.  Only issue is $28000.

Plus the $1,000 to get it to run like I like.

Better stay with what I got if I want to stay married.

 

[spydglide]

It would be very nice if they could get the weight under 800.  Where can they get a 100## reduction.

In the end, I love the new frame.  Just wish my old 780# ultra would return.

I'm getting older and the 900# is pushing the limit.

 

Weight reduction.......now there's a topic that I could get interested in, esp. if it didn't involve throwing away my chrome and other 'bling'.  har!  spyder

[SBB]

Weight reduction.......now there's a topic that I could get interested in, esp. if it didn't involve throwing away my chrome and other 'bling'.  har!  spyder

I agree with you Spyd.
I bought my first dresser in 1988, a 1988 Electra Glide Classic.
The brochure said it weighed 776 lbs.
The brochure on my 09 says it weighs 924 lbs.
148 lbs. is a bunch. (I know this is not a apples for apples comparison, 80 vs 110, classic vs ultra, etc)
Especially pushing it around in the garage.

SBB

[spydglide]

Question is:  Where to drill the holes that won't cause stress failure?  har!  spyder

[spydglide]

The wallet!

 

SBB

That would definitely cause ME stress failure.  har!  spyder

[DESERTBEAR54]

egultrac, I have the 08 SEUC white and silver and what you stated is exactly what happens when a rear tires gets to its limits. I put a new rear tire on it and it rides like a dream!! I did put the bagger brace on it and that somewhat tighned up things but all an all that 08 rides very sturdy and smooth with 37,000 miles on it.