softail
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,205
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
What is it about the ride of the Ultra that you like? Handling, absorbing bumps, no high frequency vibration, seating position, wind/weather protection?
If you want the ride of an Ultra, sell the Softail and buy an ElectraGlide or other touring bike. BTW, The ride of the '09 and '10 is a little different than '08 and earlier.
If you want the ride of an Ultra, sell the Softail and buy an ElectraGlide or other touring bike. BTW, The ride of the '09 and '10 is a little different than '08 and earlier.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
CAN"T !
The engines are geared completely different.
Touring bikes engines are geared for long range riding and cruising.
While you could add lots of accessories to your bike for that bagger feel (bags, speakers, windshield, etc) you could not totally get there.
If you want an ultra - you have to trade up.
The engines are geared completely different.
Touring bikes engines are geared for long range riding and cruising.
While you could add lots of accessories to your bike for that bagger feel (bags, speakers, windshield, etc) you could not totally get there.
If you want an ultra - you have to trade up.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 909
Likes: 29
From: Indiana
+1 on trading up.
I like my softail but if I wanted a full touring bike, I would buy one.
I like my softail but if I wanted a full touring bike, I would buy one.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
The gearing isn't the problem. Both bikes are geared reasonably high for lower rpm and better fuel mileage at speed.
The softails' shocks are the problem. Designed to extend when you hit a bump rather than compress and mounted ahead of the rear tire and parallel to the frame, there's no way they can react with anywhere near the efficiency of the touring bikes' shocks, which compress when you hit a bump and are mounted directly to the frame and axle, at a more upright position than even the Dyna-Glides' shocks.
There's just no comparison between the two and no way to get the softail up to FLH standards.
The softails' shocks are the problem. Designed to extend when you hit a bump rather than compress and mounted ahead of the rear tire and parallel to the frame, there's no way they can react with anywhere near the efficiency of the touring bikes' shocks, which compress when you hit a bump and are mounted directly to the frame and axle, at a more upright position than even the Dyna-Glides' shocks.
There's just no comparison between the two and no way to get the softail up to FLH standards.
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