[Red Rider]

Lucifer, you're a man of wealth and taste, we want to hear your opinions. And I still want to play with my shiny new cattle prod! Just don't lay my soul to waste..........

[Lucifer]

Sure thing RedRider Prod away.JMHO

[skull2007]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

I thought the technical difference between model years was worth discussing, or am I mistaken? The wealth of experience here could make all the difference when making a bike decision. I may be speculating, or I might just buy one of these things and thought this was a great place to get some help and advice. Certainly not an emergency, but thread worthy, I think. It was only after I bought my 2003 Sporty and began researching here that I learned how in 04 Harley changed everything. I didn't want to make the same mistake again. If a few members here happened to be familiar with the new Harley Rocker, the answers might have indeed been both technical and of value to all. Sorry 'bout that Skull, but just because the question isn't about a repair dilemma doesn't make it unworthy. Cheer up there bro!

sorry hellboy never meant to imply that any concerns or questions you have in any way assend to a level of being unworthy. merely meant to make a point and really ended up unfairly singling you out; for that i'm truely sorry, you didn't deserve it and i really didn't mean for it to end up that way. as far as opinions go certainly we as americans are certainly entitled to them. i think you will note over time on this forum some of these members only have that to offer(opinions, or jokes) and not much else. there are sections on this forum for that. as chuck noted you did start with a truely tech ? which some chose to make a joke of. again i'm sorry i unfairly blamed you for this you deserved better responces. and certainly not mine

[HellBoy]

Thanks Skull, I've always enjoyed your posts. I have a friend whose opinion I trust that has very long term riding experience on numerous types of bikes. Currently he's riding the Blackout Dyna wideglide AND the Screaming Eagle fatboy. He test rode the Rocker this weekend and had some interesting comments to make. He felt it was very strong and would make a good highway ride, but when cornering it took a lot to control because of the wide rear tire. He said that he thought anyone with less than five years experience might kill themselves on it, and that I should be patient and work my way up a bit slower. He felt I should at least keep the Sporty for this year and perhaps go with a Dyna next season if I still want to move to a bigger bike.

Those 05 Dyna's do look nice, hmmm...

[chucktx]

you have a wise friend there sportsterboy,,,,,,to bad that all new riders dont have a mentor like you do, would be less crosses on the hiways and byways.............

[skull2007]

no bike ever feels or looks right from the steelership. we're the ones who always turns them into real harleys. we the rider are the last man on the assem. line. don't be afraid of the bigger bikes, in alot of ways they handle better, but will never corner like a smaller one. i looked at a couple of rockers looked like they have alot of promise. imo i'd stay clear of the newer bikes, thinking there's going to be alot of bugs to work out. interchangability of parts would be very important to me. good luck with your choices. good to see you're considering things before rather than after the sale

[VYBR8ER]

Interchangability of parts has pretty much gone out the window other than cranks, barrells, pistons and heads. The bikes are set to a basic program due to the EFI and every two years lately there have been some wholesale changes in parts that keep them from being able to down rev to the older bikes without going to a different efi controllers (ECM) or going to alot of expense. As for the 09 Rocker, get a copy of the new model brochure and it gives a pretty good breakdown of what's new. From what I've seen in setup. the bikes that changed the least was the Dyna and the softails weren't messaged very much. The baggers are a different story but I can tell you that they do handle quite well with the wide tire in back and the 17 in front. Now when HD realizes that every baggers could use the 110 motor we'll be getting somewhere. Sorry guys for giving my opinion

[hotroadking]

From HD's Bulleting on changes


Softail® Model specific– Technical changes
All Models
New exhaust Torca® clamps
Common exhaust mounting studs – frame to support tube
New main wiring harness – retro as a complete assembly
New negative battery cable – new ends – retro to ‘08
New common ECM
New jiffy stand sensor

FXCWC Softail® Rocker™ Custom model
•New low profile front fender•
•New tire tread direction
•New rear shocks and bumpers
•New seat post/grommet design
•New seat with “collapsing” sides

FXCW Softail® Rocker™ model
•New low profile front fender
•New tire tread direction
•New rear shocks and bumpers
•New seat post/grommet design

[HellBoy]

Thanks HRK, I followed the link on your post and it was great to see. It looks like Harley hasn't changed much on the new Rocker, but new rear shocks might improve the ride a bit. I'm curious about the new tire tread direction. I wonder if the 08 tires affected handling negatively.

Consensus here is that Metzeler and Avon make better tires than the Dunlop's Harley uses as stock. On my Sporty, the Dunlop tires like to follow the grooves in the road instead of going where I point to. I'm due for a 5,000 mile tune up and should change tires and perhaps the pipes. This is one reason I'm thinking of changing to a newer bike now. Instead of investing somewhere between $300 -$1500, I could put that toward a newer bike.

[steveb]

I don't know what the dealers do out your way , but here they will have "Demo Days" .What they do is have the new models set up for demo rides and you can try out several models and see which one feels good to ride.

[chucktx]

Originally Posted by VYBR8ER

Interchangability of parts has pretty much gone out the window other than cranks, barrells, pistons and heads. The bikes are set to a basic program due to the EFI and every two years lately there have been some wholesale changes in parts that keep them from being able to down rev to the older bikes without going to a different efi controllers (ECM) or going to alot of expense. As for the 09 Rocker, get a copy of the new model brochure and it gives a pretty good breakdown of what's new. From what I've seen in setup. the bikes that changed the least was the Dyna and the softails weren't messaged very much. The baggers are a different story but I can tell you that they do handle quite well with the wide tire in back and the 17 in front. Now when HD realizes that every baggers could use the 110 motor we'll be getting somewhere. Sorry guys for giving my opinion

i think wwe all value your opinion, i do and have missed your posts latley. i figure the dealer is workin ya too hard or something............

[Lucifer]

Hellboy I think most of the Dealers have "Demo Days". Check with your dealer and ask if they're having one, that way you can take any bike you may be interested in out for a run. You just need a valid license and DOT approved helmet.

[HellBoy]

I missed the demo day here at NYC Harley. I'm not sure they actually allowed riders to try any bike. I'd love to try the Rocker. I've been checking out ads and websites to see if there's a demo day nearby I can make it to, but haven't seen any yet.

[cowboy]

All the dealers in my part of the world do the demo rides twice a year , butif not just go to the dealer you trust & park you self on the bike you like & start asking good questons & see if they have a used one to try I'am sure if they want to sell you a bike they just might try anything to get you wallet open

[jazzhog]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

I was at my Harley dealership today and the parts guy said the 2009 Rocker is different in many ways from the 2008, but he had no time to elaborate other than saying many of the parts are now different sizes. There weren't any salesmen nearby and I had to rush out for an appointment.

Is anyone here familiar with the differences between the 08 and 09 Rocker?

Hey Hellboy
The question that you're asking is really best answered by the moco. The rocker is a fairly new model, and to be honest not to many bikers are really interested in it. I happen to be one of them. IMO if I was going to up grade I would check out the dyna models. They happen to be one of the most road worthy scoot's out there. I just happen to love softails, but dyna's are great. Just my 2... "JAZZ"

[HellBoy]

Thanks Jazzhog. That brings another question to mind, (forgive my inexperience here guys). Since I have only ridden the Sportster, Dyna's and the Screamin' Eagle fat Boy, what is the main difference in the feel of the ride on Softails, since the Rocker is a Softail family bike.

[cowboy]

Sorry but I have only ridden 1 fatboy, & did'nt not care for the solid wheel's as there was a cross wind that day , & it felt bad to me the wide had no place to go except flat against the wheels, I like some others don't care for the looks of the Rocker , I do like the softail look , on many of the other models H-D has

[VYBR8ER]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

Thanks Jazzhog. That brings another question to mind, (forgive my inexperience here guys). Since I have only ridden the Sportster, Dyna's and the Screamin' Eagle fat Boy, what is the main difference in the feel of the ride on Softails, since the Rocker is a Softail family bike.

I get to ride the inventory and the biggest point to the feel of a softail is you sit down in the frame so there is a lower center of gravity. Because the shock setup being hidden under the transmission, there isn't much room to get much travel so there is a bit harsher ride and it is much easier to drag parts when in the turns. The basic theory is the MOCO has a bike to meet your style of riding and the best thing to do is find out where and when the Harley Demo Fleet will be in your area and go ride as many bikes as you can before putting down your hard earned cash. Most dealers have a few demo bikes on hand that they will let folks test ride them if they feel you are a serious customer. Usually a bagger, softail, dyna and sporty are available so you can feel the differences. Talk to the sales manager at your local dealership and see what they offer. Another way to test the bike that you think you want is to go rent it and take a good weekend ride to really see if it is truely all that you love.

[HellBoy]

Thanks VYBR8ER, that explains a lot. No wonder I feel comfortable sitting on the Rocker. I will definitely keep searching for a demo day and will try renting a few models. No real rush, perhaps I'll upgrade next season ( cash flow permitting

[hotroadking]

Ya know they have a full rental fleet at daytona biketoberest in October, I see plane reservations in your future..

Airport is by the speedway,
Test rides of all HD models right there plus

You can ride a boss hoss, triumph, victory etc etc

Rentals avaliable at Daytona HD

Reserve yours now through Hog....

Nothing like the fresh smell of ocean air, beer, cigars, girls in few clothes, fires at night and 70 to 80 degree days to take care of the pre winter NYC blues...