Comments on: 2009 Harley Davidson Touring Frame is All New

By: WildBillHarley

WildBillHarley — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:27:21 +0000

There are great bikes made by numerous manufacturers to suit anybodys needs. Been riding now for 30 years and on my 5th Harley(2009 Ultra) Have rode the rice burners and they are nice but just not Harleys. What amazes me is that the people who dont like Harleys always have to come to Harley sites to tell us why their bikes are better. I have never even looked at a bike site other than Harley. Do not really care what they are saying on their sites as it doesnt apply to me. If you are happy with whatever you ride…ride it! Its all about being in the wind, some just like it different than others. Ill just stick to my Harleys and quote Malcom Forbes” I have many nice different motorcycles and they are all fun to ride. But at the end of the day if I rode my Harley it feels like I have done something” Nuff Said

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:07:20 +0000

Calm down Harley riders. These metric guys with the “not being able to pass a semi” theory have obviously never ridden a Harley or have been listening too closely to their sales guy at their local rice dealer. If not, I have no idea where they’re getting their information. I’ve ridden many types of motorcycles, import and domestic but I’ve only owned two Harleys, with good reason. Harley makes motorcycles like no other manufacturer in the world and Harley has standards. Not just performance standards. At Harley, styling issues can outweigh the riders’ need to have the latest and greatest technology unlike some manufacturers that put anything and everything on your motorcycle, whether it looks like it was taken off of a lawn tractor or not. I would think a guy would have to own one or, at least, take a friend’s bike for a trip across their state to appreciate and speak intelligently about these motorcycles. Obviously, these people have done neither. Harley has continued to strike a great balance between rider comfort, new technology and something that looks like a work of art. That’s why they’re imitated by almost every bike maker in the world and that’s why people will keep riding them.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:38:43 +0000

I’ve been a metric rider for 40 years. Just bought a 2009 Road King. I like it !! Would not have bought it without the changes that H-D put in the ‘09 Touring models. Bike runs good, rides nice, looks great, it’s stable too. I sold a VTX 1800 then bought the Road King. The Road King will not run with the VTX but the Road King is no slouch either. It looks 10 times better than the VTX and handles better too. I use the Road King as my “cruiser”. Don’t liquid cool it H-D, it’s a beautiful engine just like it is. I also own a Honda ST 1300 and a Gold Wing. The ST 1300 is a REAL kick ! Best all around bike I’ve ever owned. The Wing is absolutely the all time best tourer ever made. Other bikes may look better but the Wing has the best engine in any motorcycle ever made. Ride one you’ll see. Hell I like ‘em all. I’m glad there is a Hartley and a Honda and a Yamaha and a……..

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:57:10 +0000

I am considering going back to Harley as I get older. The Road Glide fits well and would be a useful bike for the kind of long-distances ride I like to take. I want to be comfortable and sheltered and I like having big bike a front end out in front of me – if you get what I mean. I also like a motorcycle to be a motorcycle and not a plastic covered scooter. So I’m going to rent the 09 Road Glide for a day and see if I like it. Still, 60 horsepower pushing an 800 bike. My 72 FLH was so so slow. My 1989 FLSTC was peppy enough with a Series B S&S, an FLH cam and drag pipes. I have an 04 Rune I ride a lot now, but want something comfortable now. So, as a question, what would I do and how much would I pay to do a solid power upgrade that leaves the warranty in tact? I suspect Harley sells an underperforming bike knowing that most riders will shell out for up grades. I hate to get suckered, but don’t see myself riding a Goldwing – maybe. We’ll see.

By: Dennis Nelson

Dennis Nelson — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:28:19 +0000

HI To Every One, First off I have been ridding street for 20 years and dirt sence I was 6, and I am 43 now. I made my purchase on the 2009 FLHX StreetGlide on
April-15th-2009. My last 4 bikes have been harleys, My first was a hoem built Evo Chopper, the second was a 2001 Fatboy, 3rd 2007 FLHX StreetGlide, 4th 2008 FLHX Streetglide, and 5 th 2009 FLHX StreetGlide.
The 2009 performs ourperforms any prior bike I have had. Quicker response on the throtle, Better Braking. Smoother running when at idle. The rear swing arm sway that was noticable on the 07 and 08 when accelerating in corners is no longer a issue on the 09 as the true track unit that Harley now installs from the factory has fixed that issue. The rubber compound and tread design of the tires make a considerable differance with handling on dry and wet pavement.
The exhaust systems is trick for stock, A little more lounder in the area of sound, The relocation of the rear down tube kills the heat issue that I had with the 07 and 08. Its nice to not feel like my thyes are on fire while sitting at a stop lite. I stand 6″2 and I can actual notice the stretch of 1 inch plus n the frame.
The Harmen Karden sound system is nice, as it has not changed through the years.
But!, I would recomend that Harley use speakers with a high wattage output and a larger Amp. 40 watts of power does not realy cut it for crisp clear sound, I know Harley offers the upgrade kit, But the upgrade kit should already be installed and have other upgrades available.
The CD player is a great added feature, The down fall is that after running CD’s through it, they come out scratched and scipping.
The AV Jack is a great Idea, I plug my Zune into it and down the road I go, My CDs and now safe from damage.
The Down Fall To The AV Jack
The rubber gromet that covers the hole gets in the way when plugging in the jack, and if you are not careful you can break the orange support gromet that is scene on the front face of the unit. In turn what happens is your stereo gos from stereo to mono mode and cuts out your base. “NONE REPLACEABLE” Requiers the Stereo Unit To Be Replaced. $900.00 For the unit, plus install cost, This depends your location.
Spoke Or Mag?
Ok so I like the look of the spoke wheels, I had the spokes on the 07 and 08, the chrome looks great! Pain in the A$% to clean. Issues with them , they go flat and the wheel has to come, tube patched and then back on the bike. Spokes get loose and the wheel needs to be trudeI went with the mags on the 09.
The perks on the mags.
It gos flat, you stick in a plug, fill it back up with air and down the road you go. No taking the wheel off the bike. No loose spokes, so no down time in the shop getting the wheel trued.
Cruise controle is nice but I stay away from it
Keyless fobb
Great unit, I had it on the 07, Down fall, I lost the unit at a Gals house and had to over ride the code. Pain in the A%^, Great unit if you live in a high Theft Area.
Unless you lock the ignition, The bike can still be taken and striped!
LOW JACK,
Best idea ever for harley owners. Get it and have it installed. well worth the $700.00 extra money. A friend had his bike locked down and still had his bike taken. With in 3 hours he had his bike back and the thief was on his way to jail.
Fly By Wire Throtle
Wow!, The 07 was cable, The 08 went to fly by wire. It still feels like cable resistance when I hit the throtle. What I like is that there is no adjustments that need to be made.
If you drop your bike you could brke the unit, But if you are dropping one of these touring bikes then you should probaly not be ridding one. Not recomended for bar hoppers who drink alot.
Fixed Mirrors
No Vibration, clear view
Clutch Set Up
The 07 and 08 had tention on them, On the 09 I am not certain what they did to it, but when I pull the clutch handle, it is like a hot knife going through butter, VERY EASY, VERY SMOOTH.
Down Points that I see.
I beleave that the Mags need to have a new design that says Power, thrill, fun and excitement.
The Seat
I weigh in at 195 LBS, and feel that the seat needs a little more padding in it. After ridding 50 miles, it felt like I had been sitting on top of a towel with a piece of plywood under it
The Windshield
To Short! I road down the road on the 07 and had wind turbalance hitting me. My helmet shaked out of comtrole. I went on Ebay and found a company back East that offerd a 15 inch clear or smoked shield for $28.00 shipped to my door. I made the purchase, and receaved it here in Seattle Washington with in 4 days. It took 3 minutes to change out. Grated it took away from the cool look, But it saved on having my neck tweeked out.
So, I conclude it is the best bang for your buck. I road all the bikes that harley has for 09, depending on what you want and what feel you are going for. I was approved to purchase any bike on credit for up to $36k.
Gone are the days of oil leaks, unreliable start ups and faulty parts.
If I could rate the bike between 0 and 20, I would give it a 19.5.
The bike is not for every one, and Harley still has some small flaws to work out.But the bike is well worth the money. If you want fast then get the 1125R. If you want style comfort and pure enjoyment then the 09 FLHX StreetGlide is for you. May I remind every one that there was 450 modifications made to the touring bikes, a 2 piece frame, new swing arm, and 150 less welds on the frame