Thinking about trading in my 09 for a new 12

[wiltat2]

Well I'm thinking about trading my 09 for a 12 that is on the dealers showroom floor.

What do you guys think?

Should I trade or just keep the 09?

[Gorilla]

Are you trading just to trade? IMO there is not enough differences to make it worth while. I would take the money and upgrade the present ride. Nice set of cams, 30T pulley, Good Luck

[eagle1]

the '09 doesn't have a CAT (10 and above do) some time the epa is gonna make ya have a annual insp. which means you have to reinstall the old equip.
i hear on this site that the trans. bearings on the '11's are going out. in my opinion (i run red line shockproof gear oil) syn 3 is too thin for a transmission of any kind. r/l also makes a 20x60 motorcycle oil. only 60 top end oil i can fine. h-d use to make a 60 wt. oil but not syn. put a S&S gear 511 cam in it. you will really like the performance in it. i ride solo and i like it and if 2 up & heavy with luggage its a must if you can afford it. if you do you should install new lifters and adj. pushrods. hyd lifters should be changed every 20k, so you dont ever have a problem. i know that seems a waste to some but preventative maint is a must on h-d's. some install the fueling oil pump at the same time
. i didn't cause i didn't know there was a better one out there. roll-om and throttle-up.also check out KILLER RECIPES ON H D TALKING,COM PAGE 4

[10rhrk]

We traded my wife's 2010 SG Trike for a 2012 Triglide. Couldn't be happier!
Leaving it stock except Stage 1 A/F and slipon's. Using the FL-Xied's I took off my wife's 2010 to enrich the closed loop. She ran the same setup 20K miles. I don't need cams or anything else. The Trike runs and pulls great. I run Mobile 1 15W50 Synthetic Oil from Walmart in the engine. Redline V-twin in the tranny and Shell Rotella-T 15W40 in the primary. Same in the last three bikes with great result's. 09 is a great Trike. So is the 2012. I say you only live once, go for it!

[Boom]

Are you trading just to trade? IMO there is not enough differences to make it worth while. I would take the money and upgrade the present ride. Nice set of cams, 30T pulley, Good Luck

What he said! Don't forget a good set of lifters!

[Lakeman]

What ever makes your boat float, it's your money, or BUY IT, see how easy it is for me to spent your money!

[wiltat2]

OK I have talked the Boss (She who cashes my pay checks) into Upgrades on the 09.

I figure for the $10,769.38 we would spent on the new one we can do a nice customization on the 09.

So the Upgrades shall begin!

[mvengineer]

Good decision..........The 09 triglides are wonderful bikes and was first year Harley made the trike.

[10rhrk]

Not trying to sway your decision, it's your money! You can put thousands of dollars in upgrades, but it's still an 09! Dealer's don't allow any more on upgrades. I also did some research and talked to a few in the know. When Harley stopped production on the FLHXXX, they put a lot of upgrades in the 2012 Triglides. some upgraded diagnostic's capabilities in the ECM and much more. The 2012 Triglide IMO is a sweet machine. I've just rolled over 2500 miles on our's without a single problem. I've been checking the known problem area's like oil pan bolt's and other bolt's vibrating loose. So far, not one problem. I think I made the right choice to go 2012.

[msocko3]

Not trying to sway your decision, it's your money! You can put thousands of dollars in upgrades, but it's still an 09! Dealer's don't allow any more on upgrades. I also did some research and talked to a few in the know. When Harley stopped production on the FLHXXX, they put a lot of upgrades in the 2012 Triglides. some upgraded diagnostic's capabilities in the ECM and much more. The 2012 Triglide IMO is a sweet machine. I've just rolled over 2500 miles on our's without a single problem. I've been checking the known problem area's like oil pan bolt's and other bolt's vibrating loose. So far, not one problem. I think I made the right choice to go 2012.

Actually 2012 was pretty much a ho hum model year for the touring and trike platforms, little to no earth shattering changes. Here are applicable snippets from the Tech document given to the dealers outlining the changes.

[Oldmsocko]

Not trying to sway your decision, it's your money! You can put thousands of dollars in upgrades, but it's still an 09! Dealer's don't allow any more on upgrades. I also did some research and talked to a few in the know. When Harley stopped production on the FLHXXX, they put a lot of upgrades in the 2012 Triglides. some upgraded diagnostic's capabilities in the ECM and much more. The 2012 Triglide IMO is a sweet machine. I've just rolled over 2500 miles on our's without a single problem. I've been checking the known problem area's like oil pan bolt's and other bolt's vibrating loose. So far, not one problem.

I think I made the right choice to go 2012.

The only way I would consider selling is if HD came out with a TG that would be worth selling my present 09 for. At this present time I am completely satisfied with my trike. What it would take for me to get rid of my present ride is a CVO TG with at least a 110 engine ( preferably a 120 would be perfect ) in it that is liquid cooled. There is not enough differences in the later model years.

[10rhrk]

The only way I would consider selling is if HD came out with a TG that would be worth selling my present 09 for. At this present time I am completely satisfied with my trike. What it would take for me to get rid of my present ride is a CVO TG with at least a 110 engine ( preferably a 120 would be perfect ) in it that is liquid cooled. There is not enough differences in the later model years.

Respect your opinion completely. As with any bike manufacturer, they make slight changes and improvements each year. I happen to know a guy who's been in the racing circuit with harley since the mid 60's. Also know a guy going to Mechanics school with harley. Plus a few well qualified HD tech's. All of them say the 103 is the best engine to date. I don't toot my own horn on these forums, but I've owned, built and raced bikes since 1967.

Not too familier with EFI, but getting there. I don't agree the stock 103 being just ho-hum. If you know how to use the engine power, it's more than adequate. I don't race anymore. I just love to get out for a nice ride in the fresh air and listen to the sweet rumble of the harley engine. Don't need or want a 110 or 120. Fact is if a guy don't know how to ride, I can take a 103 and run all over a 110. I did just that with my 96 to a 103.

As for the water cooled engines, With EPA mandates, the other manufacturers have to run those water cooled engines hotter too. The fact is, Harley Volunteered for the EPA Guidelines to put pressure on the competition, because HD knows it's air cooled engines will take it.

[msocko3]

Respect your opinion completely. As with any bike manufacturer, they make slight changes and improvements each year. I happen to know a guy who's been in the racing circuit with harley since the mid 60's. Also know a guy going to Mechanics school with harley. Plus a few well qualified HD tech's. All of them say the 103 is the best engine to date. I don't toot my own horn on these forums, but I've owned, built and raced bikes since 1967. Not too familier with EFI, but getting there. I don't agree the stock 103 being just ho-hum. If you know how to use the engine power, it's more than adequate.

I don't race anymore. I just love to get out for a nice ride in the fresh air and listen to the sweet rumble of the harley engine. Don't need or want a 110 or 120. Fact is if a guy don't know how to ride, I can take a 103 and run all over a 110. I did just that with my 96 to a 103.

As for the water cooled engines, With EPA mandates, the other manufacturers have to run those water cooled engines hotter too. The fact is, Harley Volunteered for the EPA Guidelines to put pressure on the competition, because HD knows it's air cooled engines will take it.

Compare the present 103 to the old CVO 103 and you'd be surprised. The old CVO 103 would go 100/100 with a stage 1 air cleaner and good exhaust. The present 103 can't go there without a cam change to help it along. When I took delivery of my 2010 Triglide I found the power underwhelming, it wouldn't pull a hill at 75 mph in 6th gear. After ditching the catalytic converter infested head pipe installing the Woods TW555 cams and switching to a 30 tooth transmission sprocket and getting a good tune on it I can now pull the same hills at 75 mph in 6th gear while pulling a loaded trailer with power to spare.

Water cooled engines don't run as hot as an air cooled V-Twin, you won't see external cylinder head temps of 300+ degrees with a water cooled engine, however a V-Twin will hit that in a blink of an eye.

With water cooled you can run more compression and timing on lower octane gas, you can't do that with an air cooled engine. Right now I'm watching with interest how many miles folks will be able to roll up on a smog tuned V-Twin. With the older 88" twin cams its not unheard of for folks to hit 100,000+ miles. The present V-twins will have a rough time making that mileage in stock tune and form, head porters are already finding heads with gulled exhaust valve stems with some having to be beat out of the heads. Harley Davidson wants the Twin Cam to be a disposable engine, they don't want a person to be able to keep rebuilding everything like old flat heads, shovels, pans and even EVO's.

[Oldmsocko]

I don't agree the stock 103 being just ho-hum. If you know how to use the engine power, it's more than adequate. it.

I never said that the 103 was a ho-hum engine but now that you mention it I do believe that it is a ho-hum engine in stock form in a TG. In a 2 wheeler which weighs less it might be OK. With the mods that I have done it now is a good running engine in my opinion.

I am not interseted in racing but 90% of the time I ride 2 up with a full compilment of cloths. Be fore I did the mods I found the 6th gasr to be useless. I had to be doing at least 70mph to use 6th gear. If I would twist the throttle it had no power regardless of the mph you were traveling. Probably one of the best mods I did was the 30 tooth sprocket.HD should be ashamed that they used the 32 tooth sprocket in the 2009 and 2010 TG. I feel they shoulh have made the upgrade on their nickle.

As I said before I am very happy with my TG now but id did cost me money that I shouldn't have had to spend.

It rides and handles GREAT and now it has the torque that it should have had in the first place..

[10rhrk]

I never said that the 103 was a ho-hum engine but now that you mention it I do believe that it is a ho-hum engine in stock form in a TG. In a 2 wheeler which weighs less it might be OK. With the mods that I have done it now is a good running engine in my opinion.

I am not interseted in racing but 90% of the time I ride 2 up with a full compilment of cloths. Be fore I did the mods I found the 6th gasr to be useless. I had to be doing at least 70mph to use 6th gear. If I would twist the throttle it had no power regardless of the mph you were traveling. Probably one of the best mods I did was the 30 tooth sprocket.HD should be ashamed that they used the 32 tooth sprocket in the 2009 and 2010 TG. I feel they shoulh have made the upgrade on their nickle.

As I said before I am very happy with my TG now but id did cost me money that I shouldn't have had to spend. It rides and handles GREAT and now it has the torque that it should have had in the first place..

Now that I look back, I see it was the young msocko that said the 103 was ho hum...sorry! Let's just end this with the fact some people love to tinker and some don't.

I love doing my own service and adding stuff like stage1 and tires..ect. as far as cams and big bore kit's, I'm out of that stage.

I just yesterday went over some of the roughest mtn's here in Arizona. Riding two up and carrying rear luggage compartment and tourpak full. I had no problems pulling the hills. I think you are wrong about the stock engine not lasting. Thousands buy and leave stock with good results. Otherwise why would harley warranty them for two years unlimited mileage and offer additional years warranty as well. If I didn't know better and came on one of these forums looking for advice, I probably wouldn't buy a harley. I bet if you took an honest poll, you would find most of the problems owner's have are with upgrades they do or have done.

JMO

[Bikerbozo]

As far as engine mileage. I suspect I will be testing the limits of that. My last H-D did 108,000 miles in 6 years before I took it off the road (still running great). After 15 months I have over 24,000 miles on my '10 TG. I have the 7-year unlimited miles warranty. It is gold for me.

[msocko3]

As far as engine mileage. I suspect I will be testing the limits of that. My last H-D did 108,000 miles in 6 years before I took it off the road (still running great). After 15 months I have over 24,000 miles on my '10 TG. I have the 7-year unlimited miles warranty. It is gold for me.

You'll have to keep us up to date on how trouble free the mileage piles up for you. You experienced the mileage lots of folks have gotten with their older Twin Cams. The only issue the older Twin Cam had was the old style cam chain tensioners, the new hydraulic tensioner system seems to have solved that.

[10rhrk]

You'll have to keep us up to date on how trouble free the mileage piles up for you. You experienced the mileage lots of folks have gotten with their older Twin Cams. The only issue the older Twin Cam had was the old style cam chain tensioners, the new hydraulic tensioner system seems to have solved that.

Yes, I would interested in that as well BikerBozo. I don't see why you can't do the same with your present bike. I believe the secret is keeping up the service and leaving it alone. Ride and enjoy!

[screwball]

I ditto the feelings! I had 98,000 on my Softail Springer when the speedo broke, sold it 2 years later and I hear it is still going strong. Have 22,000 on the '09. Only problems we have had is the radio, we are on the 3rd one now. Thank God for extended warranties. Other than the additional weight, the drive train SHOULD last as long as any 2 wheeler if maintained.