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80% of my miles come on long trips. 20% come on day trips, around town, occasional group ride. For me, the convenience of the Tour Pak, carry capacity, and comforts of an Ultra Ltd on the long trips make the inconvenience on shorter trips inconsequential.
A little apples to oranges, but I used to mount a Tour Pak to my Road King, and thought it was a great touring ride for long trips....until I got an Ultra. I kept my RK, haven't mounted the Tour Pak since, and still love it on short rides and around town, without the unneeded extra weight. But I haven't even been tempted to pass up the Ultra for a longer ride.
If my mileage ratio was different, and I did more miles and time on short trips, I would probably want to lighten the load as well. The Brits have a saying, "Different horses, for different courses." Works for motorcycles as well.
Last edited by GaJayhawk; Apr 28, 2015 at 01:33 PM.
I traded a 2009 Ultra for a 2014 SGS and haven't missed a thing. I installed "fangs" on the front and that eliminated buffeting. The wife and I take at least three 1500 mile weekly trips a year plus a few shorter weekend trips. We simply put a T-Bag on the luggage rack and go and we've got just as much room as we did with the tourpak. The weight savings was worth it. The SGS is simply easier to handle and more fun to ride. As long as the shocks are adjusted for the load they don't bottom out even fully loaded with a passenger.
I just came off a 2012 SG to a new Ultra ..Rushmore.
The difference is nite & day! The SG never did feel right as far as comfort, especially on long rides. Sooner or later I'll ride a Rushmore SG but I ain't looking back!
Another thought is just get one of each (SGS and the Limited). I know people that have done that. Then you simply have to swing your leg over the best horse for the day.
Street glides are fine but they do not ride near as well as an ultra. The skinny tire up front tells ya that is a no brainer. I don't mind a street glide but I wouldn't trade my ultra for two street glides. I guess that's why they make so many different models. To each his own.
I too was set on a SG, but ended up getting Ultra and I'm waiting for the quick disconnect kit to be off backorder @ Kutter. Without the TP it looks like the early SGs with lowers, which I also love.
Ok i'll be the odd ball here as usual. I personally dont like how the ultra and such look. Dont like the fender, the mirrors, back tour pack, rear fender, lights around it, shall I go on?? My point is I bought a 14 sg and then added what I liked to have for it. Lowers with speakers better seat for the OL. I will be adding heated grips one day and if necessary a detachable tour pack but so far i havent seen the need for one yet. I do long trips with no problems at all. If i have to pack that much on the bike I'll ship the stuff to my destination and carry enough to get me there. Just me and how I did it. Yes i probably paid more but again I got what I liked and liked to look at when not riding it.
I did sit on a ultra but had a hard time standing it up off the kick stand and knew i wouldnt want to be fighting the bike every time I got on it.
Batman.
I started the same way for the same reason.
Don't forget that the Street Glide Special has the Lower Premium Suspension too.
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