09 Street Glide - A Closer Look

"Keep riding! Keep riding!" orders agent Mulder over the cell phone to me as I tear up the blacktop at over 100mph on my hog.

"If you stop your head is going to explode! Just do what agent Mulder is telling you to do! Whatever you do, don't stop!" agent Scully yells into Mulder's official FBI phone while the intense and drama themed music track is playing somewhere in the air.

"No problem, you two just figure out how to keep the roads clear and I'll take care of the rest agent man, and keep those cagers out of my way!" I yell into my headset over the roaring engine and wind noise.

Beep! Beep! Beep! I look down in horror as my oil idiot light starts blinking and I can hear my rear Isolator bearing burning up. Beep...Beep...Beep! Then the fuel gauge light starts flashing...Beep...Beep..Beep.......

My high octane fantasy fades into annoyance as I realize the 'beeping' was my alarm clock. As I pry open my peeps in a blind, clumsy attempt to slam the snooze button...I think to myself, "That dammed thing has ruined more great dreams and in greater number than the miles logged on my Harley." I will never know how that dream ended up and you probably have no idea what the hell that dream was about unless you saw that episode of the X-Files. I guess I will just have to accept the fact, once again, reality put an end to it.

The first thing on my mind was to call BB on the phone, then get on the Glide, and in that order. (heh). You can read her account of that conversation here---> A Saturday with no plan: Part 1

Ring, Ring, Ring...I pick up the phone and it's brother Bernie. "Dave, guess what I am looking at?"

"A naked chick on a Street Glide?" I think to myself. "I give bro, what." I replied.

"An 09 Street Glide. They have two over here at the Harley shop." Bernie laughs, being fully aware of my frame envy issues of late.

In about 15 minutes I am dressed and riding to HD heaven with BB perched behind me.

When we arrived, Bernie was standing in the lot with a big crap eating grin on his face. For some reason, I think he was looking forward to watching me chew on this MINOR change in the 09 line. As we walked into the show room I didn't see much change until I got closer. As I gazed upon the newest generation of FLHX, I realized that they had changed alot of "little" details that really improved the look of the bike in a big way. Things that I had not read about, or were not mentioned in the press release. Any thorn on this rose has now been removed. Ready to be presented to some lucky bike lover.



I looked closely at the frame...WOW! A tear drop rolled down my cheek as I witnessed a stronger, beefier, smooth, refined frame that hooked into a sexy swing arm. All packed tightly together with appealing welds.



Then I laid down next to the beauty. What an ass! A wider rear tire and refined rear fender for a sleeker look. Very nice. Surely added stability is a result.



Improved Isolator sprocket assembly. Re-routed true dual exhaust pipes that take the heat off the rider. Ability to only fire on the front jug in heavy traffic to improve rider comfort in heavy, stopped traffic. Ahhh...she has it all going on. She's a beaut! The bling below is cool to look at, but honestly, it's a bit much for my taste. I must be getting old or something.



Ok, I found one thing that I am not sure about. The rear pipe is routed dangerously close to the drive belt. Only an inch or so below it. I wonder if this might cause a problem with that belt in hot, stop and go traffic. I also suspect this might be another reason they added the ability to fire only on the front cylinder under hot conditions. Rider comfort is what they claim, but maybe they found this to be an issue also? We can only wait to see. Only time will tell. The pipe is also choked at this point. Not sure how that effects back pressures and all that.



The owner, Kyle talked to me and gave me the run-down on his test ride. Here is what he said, "Dave, I wasn't expecting much, but the handling is just more than a little improved. I was actually impressed with it and taken back." pffftttt...not what I needed to hear right now. Maybe he is just trying to get me to buy the bike! But then the prep guy told us the same thing. grrrr!!!



Hey, I give credit where credit it due. The 2009 Street Glide FLHX has all the changes I would have made to my 08. All of them! (except maybe the exhaust set up.) It's the next generation. It's suppose to be new and improved. Even more importantly, it shows that HD is listening to the riders and it's customers. Rider's spoke and Harley listened. They have delivered almost a perfect machine this time around as far as I am concerned.



I still love my 08 FLHX with a passion. I can not see myself parting with it any time soon, if ever. The next generation always has the burden of higher expectations. HD didn't let us down as far as I am concerned in regards to this awesome riding machine. (I'm going to test ride it next month...just to see...I'm scared!)

Once again, "I Believe"