It is no joke. get your mind right before taking a test ride of a 2009 touring bike because you will want to take it home with you. If you like your 07/08 ride and are happy with it, do yourself a favor and do not temp fate by riding an 09 model. There is a reason the MOCO told all it's dealers to get rid of the remaining 08 inventory before setting even one new 2009 on the floor. The improvements made to the frame, tires/wheels, transmission and exhaust are all huge improvements from earlier models. Like I say, have your financing in place before taking a demo ride because you will not be a happy rider unless you can ride it home.

It will cost you more to buy a new bike but the average lifespan is only 26,645 days, beginning to end. Ride more, worry less. We only go around the horn but once.

 

no doubt the 09 is a better ride than the 08....But.....the 2010 is WAAAAYYY better than the 2009....

 

The ride comparison between '09 and earlier is night and day. I have almost 2,000 on my '09 SG.

 

My 2 cents. If you can afford an '09 with ABS, go for it. It it's between an '09 without ABS or and '08 with ABS, I personally would opt for ABS.

 

I can't address the question as far as the 08s are concerned but I can tell you that I traded a very nice 07 with lots of goodies and a 103 for an 09 and I am happy as a pig in mud. I love the 09. It handles great, the heat issue is better, the 180 tire looks bitchin (IMHO), the new rear pulley created a gear ratio that makes 6th gear WAY more useable and the powerband is a little lower which is better for two up riding, my wife says the passenger floorboard vibration is gone......and on and on.

The only two downsides that I have found are that 5th gear still has an audible gear indicator and the 09 is a PITA to put gas in. I could fuel the 07 from 10 feet away and not spill a drop and with the new one, I can't find a way to put gas in it without having it spit fuel drops on the tank. The 5th gear issue is one that I wish the MOCO would fix, the fuel tank issue is just a minor nag.

Overall, from my experience, you won't regret the 09.

 

I'd say, just on what I've read, you'd end up being disappointed if you didn't go for the '09. Give it some thought. The joy getting a good deal is quickly diminished when the realization that you could have had something better for a little more sets in... or something like that.

 

DAMN... that sounds VERY familiar. (except I don't have the 5th gear whine)

 

Yup, here too, except I have the 5th gear whine. After the 1000 mile service, which the dealer throws in, I'll try some heavier weight gear lube and see if that will reduce the noise.

 

I didnt think I had it either until I got 500 miles on my 09 SG and started riding the he!! out of it on a hot day. I am not complaning though. Its a great bike, rides very true. I love it. Added 75/140 Royal Purple to the tranny Sunday and it made 5th way more quiet and the tranny overall more smooth and quiet. I love this bike!!

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/272386-08-vs-09-a.html

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/278792-08-rkc-rated-best-windshield-bagger-by-peter-egan-2nd-by-cycle-world.html

...search my friend, it's been discussed before, let's not go though all this again.