Road Glide Years to Avoid : How to Avoid Common Road Glide Mistakes
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide is a popular touring motorcycle that is known for its comfort, power, and style. Unfortunately, due to various design flaws, the years 2015 to 2017 have been deemed as the “Road Glide Years To Avoid”. This includes models such as the FLTRXS and FLTRU.
The primary issue with these bikes was their tendency to experience unpredictable levels of instability while riding at higher speeds or in windy conditions. Additionally, some riders also found that they had issues with their brakes locking up under certain conditions which could lead to an accident if not properly addressed. Therefore it is recommended that potential buyers avoid purchasing a used Road Glide from these model years in order to ensure safety on the road.
When you’re in the market for a used Harley-Davidson Road Glide, it pays to do your research. While there are some great deals out there, certain model years should be avoided due to potential problems and issues. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the road glide years that you should stay away from when shopping for a pre-owned touring bike.
The first year of note is 1998 – this was the very first year that Harley released the Road Glide motorcycle. Unfortunately, many riders reported persistent mechanical issues with these models including hard starting, poor performance at high speeds, and frequent breakdowns. The next year to avoid is 2003 – these bikes had serious cooling system problems which caused overheating during long rides.
Additionally, they were prone to leaking oil from both the primary drive and other components such as fork seals or even cylinder heads depending on mileage and wear levels. Another road glide model to steer clear of is 2006 – This particular model had vibration issues due to an imbalance between cylinders caused by uneven firing order within engine design (TWIN CAM 88).
How Many Miles is Alot on a Road Glide?
When it comes to determining how many miles is considered “a lot” of miles on a Road Glide, there is no definitive answer as every motorcycle and its rider are different. Some riders may consider 10,000 miles a lot while others may think 30,000 or more miles is an acceptable amount of mileage. The key factor in determining the longevity of your Road Glide will be maintained; if you keep up with regular oil changes and other necessary repairs and tune-ups then you can expect your bike to last for many years without any major issues.
Regular maintenance should include checking all nuts and bolts for tightness, changing fluids regularly (including engine oil), inspecting brakes/tires/wheels for damage or wear, greasing moving parts such as drive belts and chains, replacing air filter elements when needed, lubricating cables when needed, etc. All these things go into ensuring that your bike will run safely and efficiently for years to come.
What Year Did the Road Glide Frame Change?
The Road Glide frame was first introduced in 1980, and it has undergone a number of changes over the years. In 2003, Harley-Davidson updated the frame to feature a new perimeter-style design that allowed for improved wind protection and increased rider comfort. The new design featured larger fairings, taller windshields, a more comfortable seating position,s, and overall lighter weight.
This version of the Road Glide has become one of the most popular models in Harley’s lineup due to its versatility on both open roads and city streets. In 2017, Harley-Davidson made another significant update to its flagship touring model with an all-new Milwaukee Eight engine platform. Alongside this powertrain, upgrade came a revised frame for better handling performance and improved braking capabilities.
The 2017 Road Glide adopted many features from the company’s Softail line including redesigned swingarm mounts for an even smoother ride quality than before as well as stronger suspension components for increased stability when cornering at high speeds or taking on rough terrain.
What Year Did Road Glide Go to Fuel Injection?
In 2009, Harley-Davidson introduced the Road Glide with fuel injection. This marked a significant milestone for the company and its iconic motorcycle line as it was the first time that a touring model had been equipped with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI). The move to fuel injection allowed for greater efficiency and performance from the engine, while also making it easier to adjust air/fuel mixtures in order to meet the specific needs of riders.
As a result, this opened up new possibilities for customizing engines in terms of horsepower and torque output. Riders now have more control over their ride experience than ever before. Fuel injection also improved overall emissions levels on these motorcycles, reducing pollution caused by older carbureted models.
This made them much more eco-friendly when compared to the previous generation of bikes and helped make them compliant with stricter environmental regulations around the world. Additionally, since there is no need for manual adjustment or tuning of carbs, maintenance costs are greatly reduced as well – another win-win situation! Today’s Road Glides still feature ESPFI technology and continue to be popular among long-distance riders due to their reliable operation across all weather conditions.
What Year of Harley-Davidson to Avoid?
If you’re in the market for a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle, it pays to do your research. There are certain model years of Harley-Davidsons that have had issues and should be avoided if possible. While most Harleys are reliable bikes built with quality components, there are some models that may not live up to expectations or suffer from common problems.
When looking at used Harleys, it is important to avoid any bike made between 2001 and 2006. These models often have poor fuel injection systems which can make them difficult to start and keep running smoothly. The designs of these engines also tend to require more frequent maintenance than other Harleys which can quickly add up in costs over time.
Another model year to watch out for is 2009 due to its unique design changes with the camshafts leading to weak performance from the engine compared with earlier years as well as increased oil consumption on certain models like Sportsters and Touring bikes. Additionally, some owners reported having issues with their primary drive belt snapping on these bikes so it’s best avoided if possible.
Harley Road Glide History
If you’re a fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, then you likely already know the significance of the Road Glide. This iconic bike has been around since 1965 and is still as popular today as it was back then. Here we will take a look at how this beloved two-wheeler came to be, its evolution over the years, and why it remains such an important part of Harley culture.
The original Road Glide was released in 1965 as the FLT (Factory Light Touring). The model featured a full fairing that offered excellent protection from the wind while touring long distances on highways or open roads. It also included footboards for increased rider comfort and had improved engine performance compared to previous models.
In 1975, the first redesigned version of the Road Glide was introduced with several improvements including better suspension and larger tires which made it ideal for long rides across country roads. Throughout subsequent decades there have been numerous updates to keep up with modern technology advances including fuel injection systems, electronic cruise control, updated audio systems, and more recently GPS navigation capabilities too!
Conclusion
Are you looking for a Harley-Davidson Road Glide to buy, but not sure which years are the ones to avoid? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back.
We’ve compiled all the necessary information about the models of this iconic bike that should be avoided. So, what years should you steer clear of when it comes to buying a Road Glide? Firstly, there were some issues with the 2009 and 2010 models due to their frame design being flawed in regard to stability.
This issue was fixed on later year models but if you’re considering buying one of these two earlier versions then make sure they have been fitted with an updated stabilizer bar kit first. Secondly, 2011 and 2012 had problems with their clutch systems so it’s best to avoid those too unless they have also been modified accordingly. Lastly, 2014 and 2015 had problems with oil leaks on their engine covers so this is another model range worth avoiding as well.
We hope our advice helps you decide which Harley-Davidson Road Glide model is right for you!
