I have an opportunity to trade up to a 2011 from my 2008.  The 08 has been is a very good bike, farkled the way I like it.  But the trade deal is very hard to pass up. I put the heat shields in the 08 which dealt with the heat issue on the legs but the tank is still very hot.  Did the redesign fix this issue?  I do have a sergeant seat which is an improvement but still could be better. It appears that the stock seat on the 11 is much improved. Is it much better? 

Any input would be much appreciated.

if you're doing this at a dealer, you might be able to return the '11 if you're not happy with it before a certain number of days.

the traction control/abs could well be worth it.

I've never owned a 2008 but I demo'd an '09 and a '10 and did experience the heat issue.  I own a 2011 and have absolutely no heat problems of any kind.  I've had the ABS kick-in the last time I had to panic stop to avoid plowing into a deer and it was fantastic.  It probably kept me from a bad end result.  As for the seat, I hate the seat but who's to say that its still not better than the '08.  Hope that helps.

You don't say if you have ABS, that alone would be reason enough to trade. The seat is no better, but it sounds like you already have that covered. I have a '09 and a '10 and I prefer the '10 by a wide margin. Heat issue is solved, the mirrors are better. I could go on.....

before I purchased my 2011, I had a chance to buy a 2008 leftover model.  I opted for the 2011 after reading some reviews on the 2008.   I have since added many farkles to my 2011 and to be honest, I could have done all these farkles to a 2008 and still would have been thousands of dollars ahead.   I would say that unless the ABS is a serious buying preference, it sounds like you have the 2008 set-up the way to like it anyways.   
I didn't mind the seat of the 2011 except the boys were uncomfortable at times so I went with a Corbin modular seat (I have a Sargent for my Superhawk so wanted to be able to compare the two seats even though they are different bikes).   The Corbin is much more "twig and berry" friendly than the stock seat.
All in all, I am very happy with my 2011 now that I have stuck $1600 into it.   I guess you just have to know if the out of pocket expense of upgrading to the 2011 is worth it to you.

Not worth the $5000 more than I paid for my leftover 09.
Just my personal viewpoint.

Does your trading deal allow you to first remove your favorite farkles for use on the 2011? That would make a good deal better.

if you still have your stocker, you should put it back on the bike and keep the sergeant for the new one. as for the heat blockers, the '11 has completely closed-off all fairing openings down there, so you wouldn't need them.

but you knew this, right?

It is all subjective.

I own an 08 and ride an 11 for work.  The heat on the 08 is greater, but not as hot as a harley or a C10.  Nothing that you haven't experienced if you have ridden bikes for a while.  The ABS on the 08 is great.  I have not had to panic either one to see which is better.  The dual brakes on the 11 feel a little grabbie.  I don't feel that on the 08.  The traction control is great, but how often have you spun your rear tire.  I did spin it on the 11, leaned way over, with the traction control on.  I miss all the flashy lights (traction control), but I have not yet felt the advantage (thank God).  I do like the better mirrors on the 11, but it is not a deal breaker.  I do miss the outside temp reading on the 08, but I am old enough to when it is cold and when it is hot.  I am happy with my 08.  I will not spend the extra to move up just for the few upgrades that are offered until I have a lot of miles on my 08. 

I just crested the 1,000 mile mark on my new '09 and I love it...red and thousands saved, I'm all good

1,800 miles on my new 09 and i have no regrets.  Awesome machine.

I would have a tendency to stay away from the 11 because I don't like linked brakes.

As Pokey said, it is very subjective...  I personally went specifically for the ABS/traction control ('10-'11) as I ride year round in Colorado and don't do a lot of twisties.

i am loving my '11 and the seat really isnt that bad but it will be replaced.  i have done 515 in 9 hours and didnt hurt that bad at all, i rode another 250 the next day.  the improvements from the '09 to the '10 were worth it for me 100%.

I opted for a non ABS leftover 09. I have no interest in ABS or traction control. Reading about all the desired upgrades most of them apply to any year. The heat concern is subjective. Although I am a new C14 owner I am not new to bikes. As far as I am concerned it's a non issue for me.

My logic was to save thousands on the leftover and spend away on stuff that you would regardless of year.

I have an ABS '08 and drove tested a '11. Not worth any extra cash for me. Heat issues in my particular unit are minimal; only 2 things that could be appealing is the menu switch on the handle bar and the traction control, which I don't care for. ABS is something that can save your a$$ from other people's stupidity, Traction Control is there to save you from your own stupidity, and I try to minimize the latter when I ride a machine with more than 1 HP/10 kg. I had 2 bikes with TC and it did nothing for me. Knock on wood 

trac saved me when i was caught going up a semi steep hill on gravel, wheel started to spin and trac pulled me right up the hill.

I have an ABS '08 and drove tested a '11. Not worth any extra cash for me. Heat issues in my particular unit are minimal; only 2 things that could be appealing is the menu switch on the handle bar and the traction control, which I don't care for. ABS is something that can save your a$$ from other people's stupidity, Traction Control is there to save you from your own stupidity, and I try to minimize the latter when I ride a machine with more than 1 HP/10 kg. I had 2 bikes with TC and it did nothing for me. Knock on wood 

+1

The thing I miss the most is the thermometer.