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[Robmay]

Completely agree, Don.  My pre-09 frame bikes were all much more comfortable to ride than the current one - and so what if they did that wallow thing on long fast bends?  Once you got used to the fact that they did, and you knew that it wasn't going to make you fall off, it didn't matter.  My 09 batters me through every bone in my body on every little bump.

Jim

Mine did too.........until I upgraded the suspension front and rear!

Mine did (2010 Reg Ultra) and still does even with progressives on the rear (440 long). Can't seem to get it right. Either too soft or too firm.

[HOGMIKE]

FWIW:

I've an "old" '95 EVO with elite 3 tires, stock frame, 440's on the rear, 15wt oil in the forks. We ride 2-up most of the time on this bike, and it tracks like on rails.
No wallowing in the curves, no wiggling of the forks. It behaves as well as my '09 and '10 did.
There seems to be a problem with the later frame combinations up to the '09's, say 2003 to 2008.
Some of these "mid-year" bikes handle fine, according to the owners, others are a handful.
Maybe we can get some feedback to what years are fine, and what years there seems to be a problem? And what was done to try to correct them?
Just wondering.
 

[mjb765]

My 04 RK handled fine, but my 06 SG was horrible...go figure

[kb]

I had a 2005 Ultra not a cvo. I dreaded riding it . My back was killing me after 20 miles. For a bike that was designed to do long distance it didn't impress me.

[LRebel]

Two Ultras: 

02 Non-CVO - the bike rode great... scrapped the footboards on a regular basis with no wallowing in the turns.

08 CVO Ultra- the bike rides like an Iron-Wheeled Wagon.  With the wife on back and the Bushtec hooked up, it's not too bad.  One up, it will beat your kidneys out on these rough Oklahoma roads.  Drag the footboards on this one regularly too... no wallow.

[michaelbmenaker]

My 09 batters me through every bone in my body on every little bump.

I've got to say, my '10 SESG is the most comfortable Harley I've ridden in the 20 years I've had Harleys. Fork is very compliant and the hydraulic shock is superb. Just back from a 3,000 mile tour and couldn't be happier with the ride, performance, fit and finish. And, with the ABS brakes, it's even safer than older HDs.

Great bike, good dealer (High Country HD in Colorado)...I'm a very happy camper.

[J-Carr]

One disadvantage to the new (09) frames is that it makes it tough for the inseam challenged to ride one comfortably.  My wife is 5'2".  She'd love a Touring Bike with ABS, and preferes the Road Glide.  However, her only option to get one to fit her right is an '08.  My guess is if that Ultra RG fit her better we'd be in the market.  Since it doesn't, and an '08 would require a fortune to "ultra-ize" she'll keep the 'ol Street Bob.

So I guess I'm biased that for us the new frame was a change as Scott and Don have indicated, rather then an improvement.  And I've yet to have anyone loose me on a '09 at anything under ludicris speed.  Since I don't ride at that speed it's all good.

Ride Safe,
JC

[Twolanerider]

One disadvantage to the new (09) frames is that it makes it tough for the inseam challenged to ride one comfortably.  My wife is 5'2".  She'd love a Touring Bike with ABS, and preferes the Road Glide.  However, her only option to get one to fit her right is an '08.  My guess is if that Ultra RG fit her better we'd be in the market.  Since it doesn't, and an '08 would require a fortune to "ultra-ize" she'll keep the 'ol Street Bob.

So I guess I'm biased that for us the new frame was a change as Scott and Don have indicated, rather then an improvement.  And I've yet to have anyone loose me on a '09 at anything under ludicris speed.  Since I don't ride at that speed it's all good.

Ride Safe,
JC

New Softails can have ABS.  So she's got options.

[Billy]

I think only the deluxe and Heritage can have ABS not the Fatboy or the rest of the Softails. Billy

[grc]

I think only the deluxe and Heritage can have ABS not the Fatboy or the rest of the Softails. Billy

According to the spec pages on the Harley site, the only Softy that can't be ordered with ABS (as part of a Security Package) is the Cross Bones.


Jerry

[Billy]

Thanks YOu are right I looked the first day and I thought that it was only 2 bikes.  Glad that it is most of the softails. My wife is looking at the Deluxe. Billy

[Banana man]

Like this?


 

SBB



click on pictures to enlarge

Exactly like that!!!


Now the only thing better than 4 touring bikes would be having 5 touring bikes.
I know that having 4 bikes for 2 riders is probably enough, but I think I can see
room for a 5th bike in there. Maybe a new 11 Street Glide? Kryptonite maybe?

[Banana man]

Thanks

There's the coated Fatcat on the shelf on the left.
The stock 01 Sharkfin set hanging from the ceiling above the 03.
The stock 09 SEUC system above the 09.
And the Fatcat ghost pipe hanging above the 05 finishes the decor.

Hanging all those pipes was exhausting!

                                               

SBB

You should be an interior decorator. I like your style!!!!

[J-Carr]

New Softails can have ABS.  So she's got options.

True, but then again, we both think the Dyna platform is a much better bike than a Softail.  Maybe not as cool looking depending on your taste, but still a better riding and handling bike.  A more likely option based on what she's seen that she likes would be to get a V-Rod with ABS and add the RG fairing kit with all the electronics and some better suspension parts.

Ride Safe,
JC

[Twolanerider]

True, but then again, we both think the Dyna platform is a much better bike than a Softail.  Maybe not as cool looking depending on your taste, but still a better riding and handling bike.  A more likely option based on what she's seen that she likes would be to get a V-Rod with ABS and add the RG fairing kit with all the electronics and some better suspension parts.

Ride Safe,
JC

For that expense and effort might be worth waiting until the 2012 EPA regs kick in and see if the 2013 models see the 110th Anniversary models finally bring in water cooling.  Then just get a Road Glide.