So, I have driven Cop Car nuts with the pic of my bike asking what is different. Here is one of the pics I posted:
Buffy, was so kind as not to spill the beans. I am sure she saw my posting on FB, so she declined to participate. Alright, here is the last hint - before:
After:
Yep, just a little difference. In fact, a lot of difference. The black bike is a 2006 HD Street Glide. The Merlot Sunglow (burgundy/reddish) bike is a 2011 Street Glide. And here is the story as told on the Queens of the Road Forum:
So I was at my favorite Harley dealer a couple of weekends ago, looking at bikes like I always do. I wasn't looking for a bike, I just like to sit on the SG's [Street Glides - bogie] that take my fancy when I am at a Harley dealer. That day, I saw a bad ass 2011 Merlot Sunglow SG with lowers, but a naked back end. I walked past it a couple of times, circled it a couple of times, then sat on it.
Now I've sat on probably 100's of bikes since I got my '06 SG and never got the urge to do anything with it. BUT, this one felt right (only had one other bike "feel right", that would be my '06 SG). And, just like when I sat on the '06, the 2011 "spoke" to me.
My ever practical self got off the bike and left to continue with my errands. See, I have spent so much on my fixing up my house this year, and being single now with no back up income if I should lose my job, a new bike just wasn't in the cards.
A couple of days later I was looking to see what I could reasonably expect to get for trading in my '06. Then I thought of the things I would have to add to the 2011 - musts; heated grips, fog lights, LED headlight and 2 year extended warrantee. And I thought about what dollar amount I would be willing to finance (not payments, total dollar amount). Then, just for giggles, I emailed the sales guy to see what I could get for trade. Not nearly enough.
He asked me to come in and talk, but I told him I didn't want to waste his, or my, time and we were just too far apart. He said to come in anyway and bring the '06 so they could look at it and see if they could give me more. Last Saturday [9/20/14 - bogie], I went in and they offered me another grand for my bike. With the add-ons I wanted, and the price of the bike, the number was within a couple of hundred of the figure I was willing to finance. Then I asked if the price came with the 2 year warrantee, as I had earlier told him I wanted. Um, No.
So, I ended up in a room with the salesman, the boss, and the finance guy. At one point I got up, put out my hand to the sales guy and said, "well, it was worth a try." He got up, shook my hand and we took 1 step towards the door when the boss said "wait". He gave me a lower total (basically one year of the warrantee for free) and I just stared at him for about 2 minutes until he finally just stated that he couldn't do any better.
I thought about it some more, decided I could pay the difference and still have the loan amount of what I wanted. They spent the week putting on my parts and today [9/27/14 - bogie] I said goodby to my 2006, and hello to my 2011. I no longer have to lust after the 6 gallon tank, or the 6 speed transmission. And, it had the power pack upgrade, giving it the 103 motor with security system.
So here I am, with winter just around the corner, with a new-to-me bike. Most of my riding has been to work, or to the Harley shop for tweaks (they wired the fog lights in a way that I didn't like so they fixed them to the way I wanted), but it has been fun. The 2006 had right around 24k miles when I bought it 12/18/2010 (never rode it until the next April), and had 51k when I traded in. The 2011 had just over 24k when I bought it, so I know that I have many a year ahead to enjoy it.
OK, Bogie, you make me sorry, now, that I didn't write one of my thoughts: I can't even tell you if it's the same bike! My ignorance of bikes is enormous!!!
Posted by: Cop Car | October 11, 2014 at 09:54 PM
BTW: Congrats on your new baby. May you enjoy it in good health for many, many years. Good for you!
Posted by: Cop Car | October 11, 2014 at 09:57 PM
The bikes themselves look much alike (except the losers on the new bike, which are difficult to see in the pictures). But I figured that the color change might be the clue needed. However, you never know how color will look on someone else's monitor, so it can be tough to tell.
Posted by: bogie | October 14, 2014 at 04:20 AM
I don't know what "losers" are on a bike. No, I could not tell there was a difference in color. One thing that I did notice, but I figured might be due to a difference in loading, was the difference in front wheel struts. Oh, well, you didn't really expect me to come up with the right answer, did you?
For revenge, if I remember this "test" long enough, I'll test you on airplanes. *laughing*
Posted by: Cop Car | October 14, 2014 at 09:32 AM
I meant to write, "...difference in length (or extension) in front wheel struts."
Posted by: Cop Car | October 14, 2014 at 09:34 AM
Lowers are the leg protectors that are attached to the engine guards on full dresser bikes. My new bike has them, my old bike didn't. I will admit, the lowers don't stick out on any of my pictures, so I will post a picture where you can definitely see them.
I am impressed that you noticed the length of the front wheel struts. I never really noticed, but it is true that the new bike is a bit longer, and probably part of that is on the struts.
Posted by: bogie | October 14, 2014 at 06:11 PM
Thanks for furthering my education - one more time! "Full dresser"?
Even on aircraft I tend to notice the (landing) gear configuration more than other particulars. I immediately differentiate an F-18 from an F-14 by the main gear configurations.
Posted by: Cop Car | October 15, 2014 at 09:54 AM