I finally got to see a 2019 HD Tri Glide Ultra at a relatively local dealer. I was wondering about numerous new little things on the 2019 and if it might be worth a jump from my 2017 M8 TGU with 7500 miles. The answer in a nutshell is "Meh". For someone upgrading to the newer M8 engine, it would be a different story but for existing customers such as myself, I did not see enough improvements to warrant current consideration of the new trike and I will explain by listing my concerns and appreciations of the new ride:
1. The new coil over single source adjustable shocks and shock connections raise the new trike to the same rear muffler height as my 2017 with DK Customs Lift Kit (7" from the ground at the bottom of the muffler tip) which keeps the trike from looking like it is sagging in the rear. The seat now removes with one hand twist knurled bolt.
2. New front fork rates that likely improve the ride.
3. The Infotainment system has a new look but do not know if it has increased functionality?
4. The 107 ci M8's run hot and I am wondering if the new 114's run even hotter? I also could not get any explanation if there have been internal changes in the engine to ameliorate some of the problems that some M8's are experiencing such as loss of trans fluid into the primary, failed oil pumps, etc.
5. What do we need traction control for? I just don't get it?
6.Some of the new trike colors are not that appealing.
I realized today that I have everything I like on my 2017 and so do not see appreciable changes to the new trike that are compelling enough to contemplate a change to the MY2019. The salesman asked if I would like to demo the trike and I told him that I was not interested but thanked him for his generosity but said to him that demo rides are not "free".
He said that they are "free" but I explained to him that test rides sometimes end up in purchases that do cost money Since I did not see enough compelling changes, I didn't want to waste the dealership's generosity and test ride the new trike out of curiosity although I really was curious if the suspension and/or engine made much difference in the feel of the trike?
I guess I will happily rack up the miles on the 2017 and see what 2020 brings and how the new 114 performs from a reliability standpoint?
1. The new coil over single source adjustable shocks and shock connections raise the new trike to the same rear muffler height as my 2017 with DK Customs Lift Kit (7" from the ground at the bottom of the muffler tip) which keeps the trike from looking like it is sagging in the rear. The seat now removes with one hand twist knurled bolt.
2. New front fork rates that likely improve the ride.
3. The Infotainment system has a new look but do not know if it has increased functionality?
4. The 107 ci M8's run hot and I am wondering if the new 114's run even hotter? I also could not get any explanation if there have been internal changes in the engine to ameliorate some of the problems that some M8's are experiencing such as loss of trans fluid into the primary, failed oil pumps, etc.
5. What do we need traction control for? I just don't get it?
6.Some of the new trike colors are not that appealing.
I realized today that I have everything I like on my 2017 and so do not see appreciable changes to the new trike that are compelling enough to contemplate a change to the MY2019. The salesman asked if I would like to demo the trike and I told him that I was not interested but thanked him for his generosity but said to him that demo rides are not "free".
He said that they are "free" but I explained to him that test rides sometimes end up in purchases that do cost money Since I did not see enough compelling changes, I didn't want to waste the dealership's generosity and test ride the new trike out of curiosity although I really was curious if the suspension and/or engine made much difference in the feel of the trike?
I guess I will happily rack up the miles on the 2017 and see what 2020 brings and how the new 114 performs from a reliability standpoint?