2009 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard Review

[Admin]

With the Sturgis Rally now over and done with, I can settle in and report on the Flame Blue Pearl 2009 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Standard that carried me there and back again. Many bikes that are tested by magazines are ridden a few times over a few miles, but this bike was ridden over 2500 miles and 9 days, so I didn't just test this one, I lived with it. When you spend that much time on a bike the good, bad, and ugly really stand out.

The Electra-Glide Standard is a base model for the touring lineup. As such, with a beginning MSRP of $16,999 it and the Road King are the lowest priced FL models.

Let's get the technical items listed first. As we now know from the press launch reports on the 2009 OE and CVO models, the entire touring line received an all-new chassis for better stability and handling.

More: 2009 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard Review on Motorcycle.com

[mungo]

It's a fair write up. Fairly accurate across the board to my experiences.

[hotroddon]

One of my biggest complaints about the FLH chassis, and my 06 Street Glide is my 4th different one going back to 86, is the wander and wobble on rain grooves and expansion joints. I find it to be very unsettling and the reason I many times take my BMW R1200RT on longer rides instead of the glide. So my question is, how was the 09 in these situations?

[mungo]

I have a stretch of highway they are resurfacing. About 20 miles of it. Went down this stretch of highway on my '06 Ultra Classic and yes, that bike was all over the place. I thought I was going to lose it.

Went down the stretch on my '04 Night Train and it was as steady as if I were on plain pavement. Really ticked me off and was my first clue I'd have to do something to stabilize it.

Traded the '06 Ultra on my '09 Street Glide and rode down the same patch of rough highway. It rode just as true as the Night Train. I was impressed. Very much so.

I think the resurfacing of the road is as bad if not worse than the rain grooves and expansion joints you speak of. She rode excellent. Better than I had expected.

[Ridewv]

"Now, I am no lightweight at 250 lbs, but for even me to think the suspension was too stiff is a first for me."

Just wondering what air pressure he had it set? I've heard the new suspension is heavier sprung, consequently you must use much less air than prior models. You'd have thought he'd have tried different pressures but he didn't mention that in his review.

[djd]

I put 45,000 miles on my '04 Ultra (bought used) in a year, 45,000 on my '08 (bought new) in a year, and just picked up my '09 Ultra last Friday. I put 800 miles on it last weekend, so haven't had it in every situation yet, but I liked it from the start, and like it even better with every mile.

Cornering is fantastic. I used to scrape floorboard brackets frequently with the '08. Not anymore. It handles the same curves at higher speed, with ease, and since it's taller, no scraping.

Suspension is a bit stiff, but it's new. The air shocks can run 50 lbs max versus the old ones at 35 lbs max. I carry a passenger and have them set to 45, which is about right. I heard the amount of travel on the rear suspension has doubled from 3 inches to 6.

Getting locked in grooves seems to be more a function of tires than the bike. Stock Dunlops on the '08 would find the grooves while Metzlers totally ignored them until they got flattened out at around 11,000 miles or so. The 180mm tire on the '09 ignores grooves. It'll take 2-3 months to find out how they do with some miles on them.

The '09 frame got rid of the annoying frame flex you could feel doing full-lock u-turns.

Another thing I notice is that the exhaust sounds equal on both sides rather than being right-side dominant as it was on past models. It's a very deep tone, well balanced, and the color of the outputs of the pipes is telling me both sides work. In the past, the right was black, left mostly silver. The '09s are running about even.

The '09 seems to have more torque. Could be the changed final drive ratio or the 2-1-2 exhaust.

I like this bike!

Dave

[Ridewv]

Ah, I found the post from another forum regarding the 2009 suspension..

"First, the rear shocks are a WHOLE new animal. They are MUCH stronger. On all my other bikes, I would run 1/2 - 2/3 of full capacity of air, just when riding solo. Two Up I had them maxed out, and they will still be sagging and bottoming and have me wishing I could add more air. (Im 210 and the wife is 140)

The new shocks, I am running 5-10 lbs solo, and 25-30 two up, which leaves a full 20 lbs more air that can be added if needed! They are no longer maxed out at the limit all the time. Also note that now the 12" low profile AND the 13" standard shocks BOTH max out at 50 lbs, whereas before, the 13" shocks topped out at 33 lbs. They are MUCH more beefy shocks, and no longer have you running air at the upper limit all the time to get a decent ride. "

[socalchop]

Glad to hear all the good stuff about the touring models,
I just bought a 09 road glide and put 650 miles on it to and from work.
Every thing is great except the kick and or knock they make when you first start it.
They even told me at the dealer about it and not to be alarmed.
Have any of you guys experienced this.
Thanks,
Kevin.
other rides : 03 custom 06 e-glide.

[texaswiz]

The "crack" noise is normal. It is centrifical force throwing something in the starter I believe. Not to worry. I hate to sound like a broken record but "they all do it". And yes my 09 touring model is the best motorcycle I have ever owned or riden since 1963. Most motorcycles leave you feeling like you have been riding a horse after 3 or 4 hours, you know, kind of sore all over. Not the new 09. I actually look forward to riding it every day. The only road I have not been on is an old fashioned dirt rub board one. Everything else it handles in its stride. I don't do dirt any more so that is not likely to happen.

[jesus408]

Hey guys im new to this i dont know how to post but i had a question about exhausts,, im gettting a H-D nightster and i wanna know which exhaust is better and louder, still keeping a nice tone?

Vance and Hines?
or
Thunderheader?

[socalchop]

jesus408,

I can't speak for everyone, but I say louder is better but you are the one listening to it mile after mile, It can get old after a while. I commute daily and loud pipes do save lives.
I have stories just like anyone about close calls. As performance I have straight pipes on my custom and all I have to do is blip the throttle and its instant attention to drivers.
I am some what of a motor head and prefer the thunder header and its sound.
My friend has one and it has a real nice rapp when he jumps on it.
Another pipe to consider is a bassani excellent sounding and a tuned header to boot.

Kevin.