2014 demo ride

[onahog]

I took a 14 TG for a good demo ride yesterday...
My 2 cents for all they are worth is, I will keep my 2009..
The 14 did steer some what easier and had less low speed head shake, bu I wasn't really impressed with the High Output 103...It pinged in lower gears on acceleration and I really didn't notice that much heat difference from my 09...I found the inner fairing/dash apperane to be very cheap and plastic looking, without out any trim....The reservoir for the anti freeze looks like something taken off a japaneese car and bolted to the front of the gas tank, and why put those cheap looking covers over the rad fans in the fairing lowers...The bike of it sat pretty close to the same height as my 09 with my lift kit installed, so HD did do something there...I will say the rear brake/front brake combo thing works far better than the rear brake on my 09alone, but man, what a lot of plastic brake lines all over the place...And, speaking of brakes, I wasn't too impressed with the appearance or operation of the park brake....
The demo dude told me the days of dicking around with your bike yourself are closing as with all the electronics involved now, one will be stealer visitation for any repairs...
Anyow, as with any new product we all have our opinions, but I will keep my perfectly tuned by the Wizard, 2009 TG and Be very Happy I bought a 2009..
:xszpv:

 

[Rod69]

Sounds like some good advice.:Agree:

 

[Ohio Eddie]

Lots of my thoughts also, I don't like the idea of non removable lowers. I'm going to stick with my 2012 TriGlide.

 

[Peter A.]

Thanks for the first hand review - I'am waiting to try one myself but your comments sure make me lean towards keeping my 2010 also!
BTW did you happen to get a price quote while there? That alone
steers me away.....
:Shrug:

 

[dare8601]

I recently purchased a 2014...right off the bat was the first gear pinging (with passenger) ..was told it needs more power to take off in first gear as it is to heavy...or I could buy some octane boost?????..FM radio has cracking sounds now and then..more now than then tho...overall I like it...

 

[lboos]

I recently purchased a 2014...right off the bat was the first gear pinging (with passenger) ..was told it needs more power to take off in first gear as it is to heavy...or I could buy some octane boost?????..FM radio has cracking sounds now and then..more now than then tho...overall I like it...

if you are using the recommend octane by your owners man. an octane boost will not help, "higher octane has nothing to do with more power" unless you go to a higher compression on your engine.

 

[Lizard]

In point of fact, higher octane means less available power. The additives that is put in gas to raise the octane have a lower power rating than gasoline. The reason that higher octane seems to produce more power in some vehicles is when they are run with lower octane than the engine needs, timing is retarded by the computer due to predetonation. With higher octane gas, there is less or no predetonation, so the timing advances to it's normal range, which is more powerful than the retarded timing.

 

[Sloufoot]

The difference in regular gas, & premium gas (85-87 octane & 91-93 octane) is the burning rate of the fuel. Premium fuel does not have less power or more power than regular fuel.
You can add a booster to the fuel & make it ignite & burn like the higher octane fuel. Higher octane fuel allows higher compression & earlier spark timing, which produces more HP. Higher octane allows you to ignite the fuel earlier before Top dead center of the piston, & it can burn slower (longer) & produce higher pressures after TDC to make more power.
With the newer cam profile in the '14 engine it might require a little more for the launch. ie Can't idle off from a stop & then crank the fuel. I don't know as I haven't tried one out yet,
That being said Harley sometimes has trouble keeping the heads within specs on the cc's of each head. There can be a problem with the pressures on different engines. Without all your duckies in a row you shouldn't be trying to build performance engines !! Bean counters shouldn't be running a company !

 

[dare8601]

wasn't my idea to add "octane boost", an employee at the dealership sugg. this..I knew better to add...only thing I added was a little more throttle taking off..

 

[Sloufoot]

By all means don't be afraid to use octane boost when you need it. But don't let some dealership talk you into using it to cover up a problem!
I use either 104+, or Amsoil octane boost. Harley also has a good one.

 

[boots]

I also own a 2009 Triglide. Test rode 2014. IMHO better heat control, better electronic package and better low end toque.

Placed order for two tone blue!!!!!

Anyone want to buy a blue 2009 with 21k miles??? Send pm

 

[Bikerbozo]

Best bet for more power is what my dealer does with every new bike. They immediately increase the fuel to enrich it. The factory sends all these bikes/trikes out very lean to make the emmissions standards. Took two tries for my dealer to get it right (at their expense). Keep in mind gas mileage will get worse, but I would rather have power. I think timing might have been changed also.