So, I rode an '09 with the new frame and suspenders

[chornbe]

Specifically, I rode my brother's.

Here's Mike on his new '09 Street Glide in Vivid Black that he picked up this afternoon. This is Mike's first Harley and his first *new* bike, so that smile is genuine and so far it seems permanent.

(crappy cell-phone picture)


All I can say is WOW.

In pure stock trim, that bike is so much nicer than my '08 it's just amazing. The tracking is so much more planted, and the leaned-over feel is way better than my '08 was in stock trim. Gone is a lot of the "industrial" feel to the suspenders. It just feels like a heavier standard now, rather than a pickup truck that leans. Very nice incremental, evolutionary updates. I approve!  

It's also geared a little lower so it pulls better off the line and is a bit smoother in 6th gear at legal speeds. He pulled slightly ahead in every roll-on run we did. The difference there is in the secondary reduction. Per-gear ratios remain the same. Mine could do with being geared a hair lower and they listened to this feedback from previous year owners with the 6-speed.  

The new tires on it are much, much nicer than the rock-hard D404s on mine (as stock), too. They feel much more grippy and the profile lends itself to nicer turn-in, too. That's not much of an issue as I changed mine to Metzelers, however I tore up the rear tire in 6k miles, so the stock Dunlop is back on the rear. The Metzeler is still on the front and it's proving to be a good combination so far. The new model comes with a 17" tire up front and a slightly wider rear tire (new swingarm!). It might be a year until the aftermarket makes a matched set to fit it, which means going back to the stockers if they wear out quickly. Some of Dunlop's tires are pretty kick ass, just none of the OEMs I've ever had. Mike doesn't ride as aggressively as I do, so they'll be fine for him, in any case.

It sits a hair lower than mine does because I keep my air shocks more pumped up and since I rebuilt the forks on mine, they're no longer lowered. This results in mine having more lean angle, however I didn't scrape anything on his. But then, he was watching, so I probably wasn't trying as hard.  

The lighter '09 Road King (without the fairing and all that jazz) with the frame and suspension updates must be a seriously fun kick in the ass to ride.

[JReazor]

It's nice to hear that The Motor Company (tm) continues to move forward.

Man, that's a pretty bike.

[olderigetfasteriam]

You know, I love the look. I also love the look on your brother's face.  

Maybe someday.

[FizDog74]

Initially, I thought that was a dent in the tank in that first pic.  

Congrats to Mike!   What did he ride previously?

[chornbe]

His most recent mount was a Honda VT1100. Prior to that he had a ZX9, a CBR and way early in riding, he had a CB350 and a KZ440-LTD (my old one). I think there were a few others peppered in there that I'm not sure of.

[1KPerDay]

It's cool you got to compare the same models... have you ridden an FL with standard-length shocks? I'd be interested to hear your impressions. I can't imagine riding one with 'slammed' suspension... they drag boards pretty easily as is.

[scott-sts]

The one consistant complaint you seem to hear (And one I agree with based on riding two Road King rentals) is the crappy suspension.  
Glad to hear Harley addressed it.

[chornbe]

It's cool you got to compare the same models... have you ridden an FL with standard-length shocks? I'd be interested to hear your impressions. I can't imagine riding one with 'slammed' suspension... they drag boards pretty easily as is.

My FLHX got a full rebuild up front (race tech gold valves, new springs and damping rod replacements), and max-air in the rear shocks and sits up nice and high. I get on a stock Street Glide now and it feels small. I haven't dragged anything since the fork rebuild and since I now keep 25lbs of air in the rear.  

[1KPerDay]

My FLHX got a full rebuild up front (race tech gold valves, new springs and damping rod replacements), and max-air in the rear shocks and sits up nice and high.

Ah, cool.

[chornbe]

Ah, cool.

*smile* I'm fairly certain there's no way I could ride the road up to Alice's on the standard height 'Glide suspenders. Yikes! Not being able to keep up with the other guys, anyway.  

[sempervee]

 How is the heat factor from the engine between yours and his new 09?

[Sarchi]

It would be such a nice looking bike if they'd do something about that fairing.  I can handle the Road King with the clear windshield, all the other Harley baggers are gawd fugly IMO. (especially the electra-glide)

[atadaskew]

It would be such a nice looking bike if they'd do something about that fairing.  I can handle the Road King with the clear windshield, all the other Harley baggers are gawd fugly IMO. (especially the electra-glide)

Diffrent' strokes... I think they look sweet.  But if we all agreed on the same thing we would all be riding the same bikes, eating the same food, drinking the same beer...

[2006FJR]

The Electra Glide is the only one I would ever own. I like some of their other bikes and to be honest I have went from I will NEVER own and Harley to I might own a Harley and that is a big step for me. Mainly this is due to my size. I am a big guy and it is the only bike that will fit me.

[1KPerDay]

You sure about that? I'm a big guy too and the softails have way more room to move around. The FLH series is pretty tight in the seat/bar/boards area. The road glide is the roomiest I've tried, mostly because it doesn't have such an abrupt step in the seat.

YMMV of course...

[2006FJR]

You sure about that? I'm a big guy too and the softails have way more room to move around. The FLH series is pretty tight in the seat/bar/boards area. The road glide is the roomiest I've tried, mostly because it doesn't have such an abrupt step in the seat.

YMMV of course...

I will try it again this next weekend. I am 6'5" and about 300 pounds.