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My experience is that it cost more to make the Ultra into a SG than a SG into and Ultra because of all the chrome trim. SGs have their own elegance and really the best you can do with the Ultra without spending a lot of money is turn it into and Ultra Sport by using a tourpack detach kit.
I prefer the SG because my wife doesn't like to ride. If my wife liked riding, I would likely get the Ultra, as ugly as it is.
Welcome Tom the forum. Great choices on bikes. Take the wife and let her sit on them. The best thing I ever did and the best advice I can give you. If she is happy life is good and you will be riding more.
I'd do the ULL and spend some money on the engine (cams, intake, exhaust) and it will be right there with a 107 and you save $5000 and have the better lighting with the low seat.
Not that much weight diff between the two, but there is quite a comfort difference between the two. With mama going along, comfort is a must! And as you said, the storage is priceless. I have an EG standard, which has no tour pak. I have the two hard bags, but on overnite trips I sure wish I had the extra space.
Welcome. I'll echo what the majority has said, it's easier and cheaper to make the Limited into a SGS than adding things to the SGS. I'd also recommend you look at what kind of riding you'll be doing. If you just do short local runs, the SGS would get you by easily. But if you plan any trips, or lots of 2 up riding, then I'd go with the Limited.
To give the Limited the SG look, it's as easy as adding the removable tour pak kit. I did it to my Limited and really like it. I like the option of having either setup.
But, if you are sold on only one color, you'll have to get the bike it's offered on.
Good advice here. Best bang for your buck comes with the ULL. Already fully equipped and discounted. The power difference isn't going to make the '16 feel like a dog compared to the '17. It's fine.
Lastly, a Street Glide comes lowered 1" in the rear for a sporty look. The ULL is lowered front and rear for a balanced ride. I would not consider lowering either. The Ultra will fit you better and your wife will like it better without any modification.
Welcome and Good Luck. The low seat's don't offer much room from front to back creating a "tight" fit if not uncomfortable. I could only last a few minutes in it whe I sat in one. I would do what ever I could like having the seat shaved and redone to lowering a standard bike. I bought an Ultra. I was on the fence like you.
I was looking at Street Glides and Electra Glides, with every intention of making the tour pak removable if I went with the EG. Only had it a few months, and only taken two overnight trips on it, but not gonna bother with the tour pak removal kit. I can't see it (much) when I ride it, and the extra pair of speakers is nice.
For the extra 7 or 8k you can save going with the 16, you could do a a bunch of work, still save some money to pay for trips, and have a motor that's a known quantity.
At any rate, good luck with the decision, and welome from Maine!
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