2017 Ultra Limited vs 2017 Street Glide Special
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
From: San Jose California
2017 Ultra Limited vs 2017 Street Glide Special
Hello Everyone
I'm buying a new bike this weekend initially I was set on Ultra Unlimited but recently I been getting second thoughts and leaning towards the Street Glide special.
The tourpack will not be used all the time mainly a few times a year when me and the wife go on a long trip (i'll be getting the quick disconnect for the tourpack) it will be mainly daily rider to work and fun weekends ride with my wife.
Is the ride much different from a street glide special from a ultra limited considering no tourpack on the ultra limited?
I know the street glide special is lowered but I'm not sure how much lower it is... I'll also get the lower seat for the ultra as I dont like how high that seat looks...
Anyways all the info is appreciated!!
Cheers.
I'm buying a new bike this weekend initially I was set on Ultra Unlimited but recently I been getting second thoughts and leaning towards the Street Glide special.
The tourpack will not be used all the time mainly a few times a year when me and the wife go on a long trip (i'll be getting the quick disconnect for the tourpack) it will be mainly daily rider to work and fun weekends ride with my wife.
Is the ride much different from a street glide special from a ultra limited considering no tourpack on the ultra limited?
I know the street glide special is lowered but I'm not sure how much lower it is... I'll also get the lower seat for the ultra as I dont like how high that seat looks...
Anyways all the info is appreciated!!
Cheers.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 21
From: Maine
Street Glide Special has a lower profile smaller front tire and an inch less rear shock travel. Those things making the ride slightly stiffer but it is nimble.
The Ultra would prob have a bit cushier ride, not that the SGS is bad or anything. Think the Ultra is dual cooling and SGS is oil cooled only.
I would ride booth and decide from there. The rest is just minor looks like bigger front fender, running lights, tail light and rear signals on Ultra.
SGS idea is to be a little more streamlined, smooth back fender not tail light, smaller turn signals with tail lights in the bottom of fender.
One thing I like on the SGS is no mirrors on the handle bars giving a little less cluttered look as well. Detachable kit for a tour pack is pretty easy to install and can be used for a back rest as well when riding 2 up.
The Ultra would prob have a bit cushier ride, not that the SGS is bad or anything. Think the Ultra is dual cooling and SGS is oil cooled only.
I would ride booth and decide from there. The rest is just minor looks like bigger front fender, running lights, tail light and rear signals on Ultra.
SGS idea is to be a little more streamlined, smooth back fender not tail light, smaller turn signals with tail lights in the bottom of fender.
One thing I like on the SGS is no mirrors on the handle bars giving a little less cluttered look as well. Detachable kit for a tour pack is pretty easy to install and can be used for a back rest as well when riding 2 up.
Last edited by MysticPurple; Feb 7, 2017 at 06:29 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 982
From: Trinity NC
I'm going through the same thing right now on a CVO. I have had 2 SGs and 2 Ultra Limiteds, currently on a 12 Ultra Limited and I have really enjoyed the bike with all of the great features. I use the trunk more than I thought I would and I really like the heated grips, I'll be adding both to the CVO SG if that is the one I choose. From my experience the SG handles a little better and you will notice the weight more on the Ultra when just riding around town. I have not experienced the twin cooled but I would think that would have a good impact in the summer time. Either way good luck with your decision and enjoy your new bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,113
Likes: 11,159
From: San Diego, CA
I have a '12 Ultra limited and my wife loves the back seat.... I have aftermarket shocks and seat mods from Mid City ... My wife liked it stock, but loves it now!
We went back East for a vacation and I rented a street glide. My wife hated it!! Not only was the suspension much stiffer, the stock street glide seat leaves the passenger with little padding...
If she's gonna be riding with you a bunch, I'd get the Ultra Limited and just remove the tour pak when you don't need it...
By the way, I was going to get a removable tour pack mount for the limited. I was planning on swapping it out with a sissy bar, when riding around town. I haven't wanted to take the tour pack off yet.... been 4 years...
We went back East for a vacation and I rented a street glide. My wife hated it!! Not only was the suspension much stiffer, the stock street glide seat leaves the passenger with little padding...
If she's gonna be riding with you a bunch, I'd get the Ultra Limited and just remove the tour pak when you don't need it...
By the way, I was going to get a removable tour pack mount for the limited. I was planning on swapping it out with a sissy bar, when riding around town. I haven't wanted to take the tour pack off yet.... been 4 years...
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
From: maryland
I have a 2015 ultra. I like the looks of the street glide better but got the ultra for the wifes comfort. I am glad I did because I use the tour pack all the time. I thought it would be removed but no way.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I have a limited and love it. But I also have a Road King that is my commuter. If I only had one, it would be the Limited only because of the wife. After being on a limited, she wont even think about riding on the back of the Road King anymore.
I see no reason to take the tour pack off. You can't see it going down the road since it's behind you and you will use the extra storage more than you think. It's a lot easier to get things in and out of the tour pack than saddle bags. I bet even if it was removable, after awhile, you probably wouldn't go through the effort to switch back and forth. The Mrs. will be happier on the limited as well. As mentioned the Limited will also have some additional creature comforts like the heated grips. Chrome wheels.
I see no reason to take the tour pack off. You can't see it going down the road since it's behind you and you will use the extra storage more than you think. It's a lot easier to get things in and out of the tour pack than saddle bags. I bet even if it was removable, after awhile, you probably wouldn't go through the effort to switch back and forth. The Mrs. will be happier on the limited as well. As mentioned the Limited will also have some additional creature comforts like the heated grips. Chrome wheels.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 19
From: Indiana
Get the Limited and a removable set up for the tour pak, I never could understand why anyone would buy a SG and then dump more money into a tour pak 2 weeks later.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 157
From: Banning, CA
Spot on comparison
I have a '12 Ultra limited and my wife loves the back seat.... I have aftermarket shocks and seat mods from Mid City ... My wife liked it stock, but loves it now!
We went back East for a vacation and I rented a street glide. My wife hated it!! Not only was the suspension much stiffer, the stock street glide seat leaves the passenger with little padding...
If she's gonna be riding with you a bunch, I'd get the Ultra Limited and just remove the tour pak when you don't need it...
By the way, I was going to get a removable tour pack mount for the limited. I was planning on swapping it out with a sissy bar, when riding around town. I haven't wanted to take the tour pack off yet.... been 4 years...
We went back East for a vacation and I rented a street glide. My wife hated it!! Not only was the suspension much stiffer, the stock street glide seat leaves the passenger with little padding...
If she's gonna be riding with you a bunch, I'd get the Ultra Limited and just remove the tour pak when you don't need it...
By the way, I was going to get a removable tour pack mount for the limited. I was planning on swapping it out with a sissy bar, when riding around town. I haven't wanted to take the tour pack off yet.... been 4 years...
got us to Sturgis and a lot of other places for over 50k miles. Last year I ran into a deal on an Ultra Limited and since then my lady won't even
consider getting on the SG so now I have both. My 2 cents worth.
