[Gus]

Talked with someone at the dealership, not a salesman, and he mentioned how much different the ride was with the 09 vs the other
2 yrs 07/08 (with the 96").

How it handled better and was more responsive....

Of course the difference primarily being the frame and larger wheels.

So has anyone had a chance to compare these ?
and if so, how much of a difference did you notice ?

Any other comments concerning the frame....

 

[arealinvestor]

Talked with someone at the dealership, not a salesman, and he mentioned how much different the ride was with the 09 vs the other
2 yrs 07/08 (with the 96").

How it handled better and was more responsive....

Of course the difference primarily being the frame and larger wheels.

So has anyone had a chance to compare these ?
and if so, how much of a difference did you notice ?

Any other comments concerning the frame....

The rear rim is still a 16in it's just a wider tire at 180mm.The front went to a 17in but i think its still a 130mm.With the bike having more of a contact patch it improves the ride quality ,as well as ,it's turning abilities!!!!!

 

[MilesToGo]

Talked with someone at the dealership, not a salesman, and he mentioned how much different the ride was with the 09 vs the other
2 yrs 07/08 (with the 96").

How it handled better and was more responsive....

Of course the difference primarily being the frame and larger wheels.

So has anyone had a chance to compare these ?
and if so, how much of a difference did you notice ?

Any other comments concerning the frame....

I came off an 02 Ultra and went to an 09 Street Glide. The SG definitely handles better and just seems more solid and planted in the turns. I use to get a slight wobble on the Ultra on uneven road surfaces but that's gone on the new SG. There is a noticable improvement but i wouldn't say there's a night and day difference. To be fair one should compare apples to apples, in other words Old Ultra to New Ultra.

 

[wichitagreg]

I got off an 07 Ultra onto an 09 Ultra.

Major difference to me. It is hard to describe, because I really liked the 07 ride.

I guess it's like going from a $60,000 BMW to a $100,000 Mercedes.

The ride is just more refined. Less wandering in the wind. Easier to hold a line through a corner. Brakes feel more responsive, less pressure on the lever.

The TBW is something that grows on you. At first it seems a bit twitchy, but after a few rides you never notice that, just the seemingly quicker acceleration.

I had Rinehearts, and they were loud, on this one I kept stock pipes and put in a 103 kit. 97TQ and 79HP without a dyno tune (TTS is on the way). That power and the two or three tooth larger rear sprocket make it feel much more responsive under power than my 07 with 89TQ and 74HP.

The seat is wider, due to wider frame, and the bike sits a little taller (you can tell by how far it leans over on the juffy stand). I'm 6-2, so no problem, but some report it is too tall a bike compared to pre-09's.

The exhaust is really nice, forming a neat 2-1-2. I will keep the stock exhaust as I got tired of the noise.

I got ABS, and hope to not ever need it. It does add complexity to tire changes.

The nice fat 180 rear tire now looks the right size for a full boat tourer. That old skinny MU90 or whatever just looked funny under such a big bike. But before my 07 Ultra I had a Vulcan 2000 that came with a 200 rear, and I put on a car tire because I was only getting 5000 miles out of that 135 TQ monster. Before that A Valkyrie with a 180 rear.

So far I am very happy with the 09, my second Harley, and my 15th motorcycle in about 40 years.

http://www.noller.net/greg

 

[Gus]

Thanks for the insight, I guess the thing that intrigued me was how the guy at the dealer (could have been bs'ing me, that's why I asked here) said it was like night/day....

So I was curious how just a frame could do that.... or was it more
the tires....

p.s. let keep this about Ultra's only

 

[wichitagreg]

Thanks for the insight, I guess the thing that intrigued me was how the guy at the dealer (could have been bs'ing me, that's why I asked here) said it was like night/day....

So I was curious how just a frame could do that.... or was it more
the tires....

p.s. let keep this about Ultra's only

It's a combination of three years maturity on the 96CI engine, 6 speed, two years of TBW, several of ABS, and the new frame.

 

[Gus]

What's the TWB ?

I understand what you're saying about maturing the engine, but not sure how that would help with the ride, particularly the cornering etc

 

[wichitagreg]

TBW, sorry Throttle By Wire.

The whole package seems to work together better. Synergy?

I put 20K miles on my 07 in just over a year. I've got 2100 miles on the 09, in 40 days. To me, it feels like night and day.

Sorta...

 

[strokerjlk]

GREG
Are you happy with the TBW? Most everyone else I have talked to would like to go back to the cable. The TBW doesnt let you go to WOT untill 3000 rpm. There are a couple companies working on a conversion back to the cable. Enjoy that new ride!

 

[Gus]

Any update on the TBW ?

Also, any more ride comparisons ?

 

[PR3VS56]

p.s. let keep this about Ultra's only

Ultras, Electra Glides, Road Glides, Street Glides, they're all on the same new frame & will experience the same feel of improvement.... and it's MAJOR.

The best I can describe it's like a cross between a Harley & a BMW (motorcycle).

 

[Flat Dog]

I'd like to ask Jerry Palladino what he thinks.

 

[wichitagreg]

GREG
Are you happy with the TBW? Most everyone else I have talked to would like to go back to the cable. The TBW doesnt let you go to WOT untill 3000 rpm. There are a couple companies working on a conversion back to the cable. Enjoy that new ride!

Sorry I didn't answer sooner.

With the TTS Mastertune, you can change the settings on the TBW to take out the delay.

 

[rawglide]

I owned a Road Glide 09, but does't has a chance to ride it yet, hope u write when u say its a totaly different ride.

 

[Harry 1]

First post here,
I am currently looking into the redesigned Electra for my next purchase. I have been told about the frame being redone and all of the upgrades, the question I have is how many bugs have the riders found in the Electra. My rule has always been to wait a year and buy the second year of a redo.

 

[strokerjlk]

Sorry I didn't answer sooner.

With the TTS Mastertune, you can change the settings on the TBW to take out the delay.

As I read back threw the post I noticed you have the master tune now. good to hear it cured the delay.

 

[MarkCrain]

Did you trade your 07 in? What kinda deal did they give ya? I have an 07 ans am thinking about trading in.

 

[BoomerBob]

First post here,
I am currently looking into the redesigned Electra for my next purchase. I have been told about the frame being redone and all of the upgrades, the question I have is how many bugs have the riders found in the Electra. My rule has always been to wait a year and buy the second year of a redo.

You might be waiting a long time then. It seems like HD is always changing something significant.

 

[thebreez]

"can a frame make a big improvment"
Ever ride a FXR?

 

[Gus]

I'm not that familiar with the FXR etc.

But essentially the Electra frame is the same except for less parts i.e., more pieces were welded vs bolted...... at least thats what I've been told.

Also, my question was in the sense of this, is the difference more due to the frame or the wheels....