6th gear indicator?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,889
Likes: 3,546
From: backwoods
You knew the answer to your question before asking
I came from jap too, as did many. I never had that feature.
I never considered the kickstand twice when coming from jap.
I hate working on jap bikes. Which may keep me from every owning another. I have nothing against them. But no big interest in going back. I want easy to work on American bike.
Every know and then I think about some little adventure bike or scramble. I like like lots of storage, so that rules out many bikes.
I may try an Indian.
But if it ain't for you it ain't for you. You seem to be looking for problems. My jap bikes never had indicator and I never thought twice about kick stand.
Again when I got 2007 in 2007, still have, I thought it leaned farther than other Harley. Maybe your 2008 does.
Next thread will be about how slow it is compared to Magna
I came from jap too, as did many. I never had that feature.
I never considered the kickstand twice when coming from jap.
I hate working on jap bikes. Which may keep me from every owning another. I have nothing against them. But no big interest in going back. I want easy to work on American bike.
Every know and then I think about some little adventure bike or scramble. I like like lots of storage, so that rules out many bikes.
I may try an Indian.
But if it ain't for you it ain't for you. You seem to be looking for problems. My jap bikes never had indicator and I never thought twice about kick stand.
Again when I got 2007 in 2007, still have, I thought it leaned farther than other Harley. Maybe your 2008 does.
Next thread will be about how slow it is compared to Magna
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 657
From: Eastpointe, MI
Nah, I wouldn't do that
They are just different.
Riding a V4 V65 Honda Magna is like flying a jet fighter, riding my Harley is like piloting a big propeller bomber - they are both fun.
And the questions I ask that I already know the answers to are just observations.
I really got in your bad side, again - sorry
They are just different.
Riding a V4 V65 Honda Magna is like flying a jet fighter, riding my Harley is like piloting a big propeller bomber - they are both fun.
And the questions I ask that I already know the answers to are just observations.
I really got in your bad side, again - sorry
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,061
Likes: 11,080
From: San Diego, CA
I'm getting used to my new to me 2008 Electra Glide Ultra Classic.
Always had Hondas before, this is my first Harley.
I love it.
There are several striking differences I am now comfortable with - the forward (as I see it) shifter and brake, the right turn signal on the right handlebar and the jiffy stand (which I first thought was loose and broken).
Even after realizing that's the way it's suppose to be to lock into place with a notch I still don't trust it.
But I really miss a gear position indicator.
You'll learn to trust the jiffy stand... especially after you set it on the jiffy stand, then watch the bike slide down a hill, and not fall over...
The gear position indicator is something I have never used... I just go by the sound of the engine.
In fact, since way back when I traded my 1980 FXS in for a 1989 Heritage, I don't think about a tach anymore either...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,889
Likes: 3,546
From: backwoods
It would be nice to know it down shifting with clutch in. I don't know what new bikes do.
I believe it is doing the math on rpm and speed. I could be wrong.
My buddies older brother had v65 which is probably why I bought my 98 magna. Only 45 then. Better styling. Jap bikes have come a long way in styling since 80s
I find other models interesting and if I won the lotto maybe I would buy more. But for me I just found Harley touring comfortable and fit my needs.
I believe it is doing the math on rpm and speed. I could be wrong.
My buddies older brother had v65 which is probably why I bought my 98 magna. Only 45 then. Better styling. Jap bikes have come a long way in styling since 80s
I find other models interesting and if I won the lotto maybe I would buy more. But for me I just found Harley touring comfortable and fit my needs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 1,124
From: Highlandville, MO.
Nah, I wouldn't do that
They are just different.
Riding a V4 V65 Honda Magna is like flying a jet fighter, riding my Harley is like piloting a big propeller bomber - they are both fun.
And the questions I ask that I already know the answers to are just observations.
I really got in your bad side, again - sorry
They are just different.
Riding a V4 V65 Honda Magna is like flying a jet fighter, riding my Harley is like piloting a big propeller bomber - they are both fun.
And the questions I ask that I already know the answers to are just observations.
I really got in your bad side, again - sorry
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 657
From: Eastpointe, MI
It would be nice to know it down shifting with clutch in. I don't know what new bikes do.
I believe it is doing the math on rpm and speed. I could be wrong.
My buddies older brother had v65 which is probably why I bought my 98 magna. Only 45 then. Better styling. Jap bikes have come a long way in styling since 80s
I find other models interesting and if I won the lotto maybe I would buy more. But for me I just found Harley touring comfortable and fit my needs.
I believe it is doing the math on rpm and speed. I could be wrong.
My buddies older brother had v65 which is probably why I bought my 98 magna. Only 45 then. Better styling. Jap bikes have come a long way in styling since 80s
I find other models interesting and if I won the lotto maybe I would buy more. But for me I just found Harley touring comfortable and fit my needs.
It's sitting there with all the fluids and filters changed for the new season.
Oh, speaking of fluids and filters - another comparison (just an observation):
Changing the fork oil and gas filter was much more involved than I am used to.
But again, it was fun
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 2,823
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
You are correct, the picture is of my '08 softail and I assumed (incorrectly) that something similar would be available for his UC but it's not.
My bad!
My bad!
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 5,830
From: Syracuse NY
Great quote! I'm appropriating it!
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 563
Likes: 468
From: Sapulpa, OKlahoma
I'm not sure when H-D added the full gear indicator to the touring line, but I would guess that it was with the introduction of the 2014 Rushmore models. Like others have mentioned, it was only a calculated value based on RPM, speed, etc., until the 2024 Street Glide and Road Glides models came out. On those models it displays all of the time. The Yamaha Royal Star Venture I owned for a while was from the same era as your Ultra Classic and it also only displayed the top gear.
I'm still relatively new to H-D, but even after almost four years of owning multiple models, I'm still not used to the "Jiffy" stand and have to hold my breath a little every time I lower it onto the stand! The most important thing is to make sure it's all the way forward before starting to lean the bike over. Also, make sure the foot slides all of the way out so the stand is fully extended. Occasionally it will catch on rough pavement, or it will dig into a soft surface, and won't slide all the way out to the locked position. Once it's fully extended and locked with weight on it, it's very stable and secure.
I'm still relatively new to H-D, but even after almost four years of owning multiple models, I'm still not used to the "Jiffy" stand and have to hold my breath a little every time I lower it onto the stand! The most important thing is to make sure it's all the way forward before starting to lean the bike over. Also, make sure the foot slides all of the way out so the stand is fully extended. Occasionally it will catch on rough pavement, or it will dig into a soft surface, and won't slide all the way out to the locked position. Once it's fully extended and locked with weight on it, it's very stable and secure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,889
Likes: 3,546
From: backwoods
Yeah to be honest I haven't ridden my Magna since buying this Harley a few weeks ago.
It's sitting there with all the fluids and filters changed for the new season.
Oh, speaking of fluids and filters - another comparison (just an observation):
Changing the fork oil and gas filter was much more involved than I am used to.
But again, it was fun
It's sitting there with all the fluids and filters changed for the new season.
Oh, speaking of fluids and filters - another comparison (just an observation):
Changing the fork oil and gas filter was much more involved than I am used to.
But again, it was fun
Lack of frame for jacking up sucks on jap. Some tire changes are easy with shaft