Harley bagger model years

[HardDrive]

I've been kicking around getting a bigger bike for long distances. The number of candidates in mind numbing. I've been looking at used Harley's, mainly Glides and Road Kings. Wide range of prices on these.

Curious if there are any years where it is absolutely worth spending more $ for later bike. Is a 98 twin cam WAY better than an 88? If my research is correct, they updated the frame in 2009. Worth it?

Any general advice appreciated.

[otto_kretschmer]

Are you committed to getting a Harley?

If so I would look at Road Kings and full dressers

if you want the most bang-for-the-buck, maybe a Evo Road King with a carb

If you want top of the line with more doo dads and low miles then you need something newer.

The full dressers will have more wind protection and more baggage space and the Road King will be more stripped down and lighter.

There are so many good bikes available from Goldwings to BMW R1200GSA

[otto_kretschmer]

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/d/south-lebanon-2007-harley-davidson-road/7531283582.html

Cincinnati..

[Jeff Higgins]

I have owned, and ridden extensively, several generations of Harley baggers. Shovelhead Tour Glide, Evo Electra Glide, and two Twin Cam Road Kings, an 88" and now a 103".

After having now put 40,000+ miles on the 103" (and far more than that on the previous bikes) I can say I would never look back. The handling and general manners of the "new" frame are that much better than the previous models it's not even a fair comparison. Mind you, my 80" Shovel, my Evo, and my first "Twinkie" all shared the same frame. 20+ years, unchanged. And it showed. The 103" Twinkie handles so, so much better. And it has a much more useable power band, essentially idle to "who cares". Coupled with its six speed gearbox, having finally beat the infamous rear cam bearing issue, essentially leaves no choice. Good handling, good power, and bullet proof. And very reasonable in today's market.

[911boost]

While I have not had as many as Jeff, I put 30k on my 2006 88” Electra Glide and have close to 13k on my 2018 117” Road Glide with more miles going on as my kids grow up and there are less sports on the weekends….

I’d say anything with a 103” is a win, you don’t need the power my 117” has but I like it for altitude. The handling and braking are excellent and between the Electra and Road Glides it’s a tough call but I’d go with the RG but that could just be because of the power. I have enjoyed 2 up riding on both. My RG handles the wind better than my EG did. My longest day with mountain riding has been 600 miles and it handled it with ease.

And before everyone thinks I am a HD fan boy, I sold my 1150GS to get the ‘07. The GS was a bike that was trying too hard to be two things and did not do either great, so I got the HD and a dirt bike and have never looked back for street riding. For a big touring motorcycle I don’t think you can beat a HD, mine have been dead nuts reliable.

[Rot 911]

Used Harley prices have dropped so much that I would not look at anything more than 10 years old. And I think that 103 6-speed engine is the best they have made.

[otto_kretschmer]

Louisville KY

https://louisville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/louisville-2019-harley-roadking/7527961127.html

2019 Roadking for $16.5

I did a 1000 mile weekend on my 1970 BMW R50/5 a few years ago. 32 hp so the bike isn't fast and I had to keep an eye on my mirror. The bike is comfortable for me at 6'-4".

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by 911boost

While I have not had as many as Jeff, I put 30k on my 2006 88” Electra Glide and have close to 13k on my 2018 117” Road Glide with more miles going on as my kids grow up and there are less sports on the weekends….

I’d say anything with a 103” is a win, you don’t need the power my 117” has but I like it for altitude. The handling and braking are excellent and between the Electra and Road Glides it’s a tough call but I’d go with the RG but that could just be because of the power. I have enjoyed 2 up riding on both. My RG handles the wind better than my EG did. My longest day with mountain riding has been 600 miles and it handled it with ease.

And before everyone thinks I am a HD fan boy, I sold my 1150GS to get the ‘07. The GS was a bike that was trying too hard to be two things and did not do either great, so I got the HD and a dirt bike and have never looked back for street riding. For a big touring motorcycle I don’t think you can beat a HD, mine have been dead nuts reliable.

Very limited H-D experience myself. But I agree, if I wanted a mile munching big tourer, I'd buy some newer version of Road Glide. 100%. In fact, that will probably be my next bike after the next one. Not quite ready for that much of a relaxed style of riding yet.

Gotta say being forced to put several hundred thousand miles on BMWs, I didn't care for them till about 2010. I thought the 1150 sucked and i put 115K on one of those. I literally wondered the whole time why anyone would buy one of those....When the LC models came out, I actually spent my own money on one and I still think it's the best all around bike you can buy. In fact another new one is actually going to be my next bike.

[Jeff Higgins]

The rest of you may have noticed over the years that while we have a great deal of respect for one another, afterburn and I do not see eye to eye on the rightful place of the Twin Cam, otherwise known as the Twinkie, in the H-D hierarchy.

I now have over 160,000 trouble free miles on that platform. 120k on my 2000 Road King, before it was rather unceremoniously taken from me by a distracted driver in an F250. Not one single mechanical issue, ever. It's replacement, my 2013 Road King, has now gone over 40,000 miles. As an aside, I should ride it more, but I'm splitting my time between four bikes these days. Anyway - like its predecessor, zero issues. Ever.

Evos are great bikes. I see them more as a "hobby" level bike these days, for guys like afterburn who like hot-rodding them. Twinkies are not as well suited to that, and more expensive to do it with as well. But that wasn't the question - if you want a turn-key, get on and ride, "stone axe reliable" bike with better handling, more power, and better brakes, well then, the Twinkie has it head and shoulders over the Evo. Plus, let's not forget, the newest Evo out there is now 23 years old...

[HardDrive]

@afterburn, I've looked at Gold Wings to be sure. More interested in the ST1300s, I'm going to see one tomorrow. Also looked at Yamaha FJRs. Not set on an HD, but I've never owned one, and was thinking its time to try one out. I have tried to make myself love BMW GS bikes, I know guys put in huge miles on them...just not my jam.

I've done 225 mile days on my Royal Enfield this summer, it will hum along at 80 on the freeway just fine. But you are out in the wind, and even with an aftermarket seat, this bike is short on creature comforts. Highway riding gets old pretty quickly.

[Rot 911]

I’m with Jeff on the reliability of any Harley Davidson newer than 15 years old. While any single bike may have a problem, in general the last two generations of Harleys are is reliable as any other bike on the road. I do a lot of riding on my motorcycles and for every Japanese or BMW bike you see doing some long distance travel, You will see at least 20 Harleys. That should tell you something.

[911boost]

I agree Michael, I wanted to like the GS and even rode a 1200 before getting the HD, maybe it’s my goofy 6-4 body type but I just couldn’t get a windshield that did anything than direct the air into my face. I finally found a Givi but by then I was over it and sent it to someone here on Pelican. I even rode my GS up Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National park with a bunch guys on smaller GS’s and in he snow a few times when the weather abruptly changed here in CO and still have my Sidi boots and riding gear. So I really tried to love it.

I loved my batwing Afterburner, but the RG is so much better in the wind and with a lot of my riding in Wyoming that’s important because dang can the wind blow there.

[Chocaholic]

One side note that may or may not be important to you. On the Road King (and also my Guzzi), the windshield goes on and off in mere seconds. For regional hot weather rides it’s nice to have the flexibility to remove it.

Having owned many HD’s over the years, the only one that I actually kept for any period of time was an 06 Road King. The rest never did anything exceptionally well IMO. Do consider others...there are lots of options as you know.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

@afterburn, I've looked at Gold Wings to be sure. More interested in the ST1300s, I'm going to see one tomorrow. Also looked at Yamaha FJRs. Not set on an HD, but I've never owned one, and was thinking its time to try one out. I have tried to make myself love BMW GS bikes, I know guys put in huge miles on them...just not my jam.

I've done 225 mile days on my Royal Enfield this summer, it will hum along at 80 on the freeway just fine. But you are out in the wind, and even with an aftermarket seat, this bike is short on creature comforts. Highway riding gets old pretty quickly

.

I had a Yamaha FJR1300. Put 100K trouble free miles on that before trading it in on a LC/GS. Have nothing negative to say about the FJR except its lack of sixth gear. The ST1300 are good bikes too..lots of good choices out there. Just gotta match the bike up with your style of riding.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

One side note that may or may not be important to you. On the Road King (and also my Guzzi), the windshield goes on and off in mere seconds. For regional hot weather rides it’s nice to have the flexibility to remove it.

Having owned many HD’s over the years, the only one that I actually kept for any period of time was an 06 Road King. The rest never did anything exceptionally well IMO. Do consider others...there are lots of options as you know.

Yup, one of my favorite aspects of the Road King that sets it apart from the other touring models. The Electra Glide and Road Glide both have "permanent" fairings, with all of the instruments mounted in those fairings. The Road King has the old style gas tank mounted speedometer and just a simple, easily removable windshield.

I ride as often as not without that windshield during our summer months. My only complaint without it in place is that the bolt upright riding position, with feet forward, can be fatiguing at higher speeds. My chest just catches a lot of wind. Cruising those mid-speed backroads, however (like 45 mph or so), it's no trouble at all. Very, very enjoyable.

[911boost]

On both the EG and RG the correct height windshield is important. The stupid little small ones are for people that ride to the bar or just around the block. I have a custom ordered one on mine.

Also the newer RG’s gave vents you can open and close depending on the weather, it’s a slick feature.

[911boost]

Your pieces look like they are off a new "Project Rushmore" or whatever odd name HD called it Afterburn as you have the vent at the top of your batwing, they make a big difference. There is a guy here in CO that will custom build and tint windshields and I have had two from him, great quality work.

Here are a few pictures showing my bug covered one, you can see the vents around the headlights and just under the windshield as well, they make a huge difference in hot weather.

[Jeff Higgins]

Nice pair of bikes! Great minds must think alike - here are two of mine. I read somewhere that there is a substantial crossover between Harley and Ducati ownership. They do compliment each other rather well...





And yes, I believe it was "Project Rushmore". The vent was meant to combat "beard lift", a design consideration few motorcycle manufacturers feel the need to consider.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Your pieces look like they are off a new "Project Rushmore" or whatever odd name HD called it Afterburn as you have the vent at the top of your batwing, they make a big difference. There is a guy here in CO that will custom build and tint windshields and I have had two from him, great quality work.

Here are a few pictures showing my bug covered one, you can see the vents around the headlights and just under the windshield as well, they make a huge difference in hot weather.

That is the Harley I can see parked in my garage. Wouldn't want the windshield any higher then it is. Looks Kool to me....

[Racerbvd]