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Im looking for some advice on a touring bike. To make it brief, Im a shorter rider and sat on a 2015 limited low and was on my toes. I was stable enough to ride, but Id have problems backing up and would have to get really good at the duck waddle. I would definitely need to look into lowering it another inch or two to be comfortable.
From what I know, the limited low has a reach seat, pulled In handlebars, lowering kit, and the primary is pulled into the bike so its not so wide.
I sat sat on my friends street glide, and with one foot on my toes, the other was easily 2-3 in from the ground. It sat a lot wider with the primary sticking out, which Im told all the touring bikes have except for the low.
With the roughly $8k difference in price (for new models), he thought I could aftermarket pieces to get the glide to a rideable height for me by adding in compatible low equipment. I wouldnt have the trunk, but I could save some money.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? I feel like I would end up spending the $8k to get it to fit right. Not sure if it would end up being worth the time vs buying the low.
I'm 5'6" with a 28-30" inseam on a standard Ultra Limited. I lowered the rear 1" (just like the low's) and sent my seat to Mean City Cycles to get the seat pan narrowed and about another inch chopped off. Super comfy and I can usually flat foot. I think the Limited Low is a waste of money, and you don't get the heated grips. I believe it was 2017 (or a year before) that all touring bikes came with the "narrow" primary cover.
On the newer bikes the narrow primary is standard equipment. The seats make a big difference in being able to touch the ground. It's not just the height but also the width at the front. HD stock seats tend to be wider in the front section than most aftermarket ones. The added width makes your legs go out more making it harder to touch flat footed. A street glide will already have the shorter shocks in the rear (same as the low).
The UUL is also heavier, has water cooling and has the unremovable lowers with the speakers.
I purchased the '19 SGS and basically turned it into a ULL.
I lowered it 1" using Suspension Technologies 11" shocks on the rear and their 1" shorter front suspension; use a H-D Reach Seat and I changed out the Stock HB's for the H-D Reach HB's like the UUL has. About $2.5k.
I even installed a ST reversing Pully for under $2K. Never have to worry about where I park.
A Tour-Pak and rack is about $1K and maybe some extra lighting for $500 or so.
With a good deal on a SG or SGS, it would be much less than the UUL.
19 SGS here, lowered the front 1 inch, low profile HD seat, 12 Legends in rear, if you put lowering blocks for the shocks in the rear will really get ya lower, also wear logging boots which really help.
I just installed the JNR air ride set up an love it. It rides better than the progressive 444's I took off an I can drop it down to make backing easier. I find it rides well around the same height as the progressive 12" shocks. When I ride solo I use my Roland Sands seat which is comfortable enough for 2 hour rides for the rider but I doubt a passenger could take it very long so I don't even try it. It's low, narrow an really helps reach. My Le Pera Maverick is pretty low too an very comfy for long rides 2 up.
I'm 5'8-1/2" (180lbs) and love my 2015 Ultra Limited LOW. The only two changes I made were to replace the "low" seat with a standard seat so my family jewels wouldn't get crushed (the low seat was also too low for me) and a set of HD heated grips. Riding a big heavy cycle is all about technique and respect for the size/weight. Practice helps to ride with confidence. U-turns in tight quarters and figure 8's on the practice course are no big deals with practice.
Also, in 2015 when HD first brought out a "LOW" they the MSRP was about $1,000 more than the standard version....that's no longer the case.
I am 5'6", with 28" inseam. I got the Ultra Limited Low and can have both the ***** of my feet on the ground. I did look at other models Road Glide and Street Glide. I figured after adding and subtracting this and that to get it where I would be comfortable wasn't worth it to me. With the gift card I got from the dealership, I added heated grips and LED lighting.
I am 5'6", with 28" inseam. I got the Ultra Limited Low and can have both the ***** of my feet on the ground. I did look at other models Road Glide and Street Glide. I figured after adding and subtracting this and that to get it where I would be comfortable wasn't worth it to me. With the gift card I got from the dealership, I added heated grips and LED lighting.
We are almost the same stature, but I'm 77 yrs old, so the ability to handel/hold up the added weight of the ULL was my main concern. Not quite as strong as I used to be. I'm sure I would not have any problem riding the ULL, but I might not be able to get it off the Kick Stand
That aside, I was also not interested in the lowers as I am hard of hearing and do not use the speakers on the bike and prefer to listen to my tunes through the speakers in my helmet.
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Limited low vs Street Glide
