First few days with '08 Ultra
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From:
First few days with '08 Ultra
Ordered my new Ultra on Aug 13. Took delivery last Friday, Oct 1. Vivid Black with ABS. Significant dealer installed accessories included; True Track, Heated Handgrips, J&M shorty antennas, Moto-light fog lamps, oil temp guage and bluetooth and XM.
Great weekend weather enabled 400+ miles of riding, about half two-up.
Coming from an '05 FLHT, I canfeel definite improvements -- especially in the drive train smoothness and low noise. Bike is quicker to accelerate, too.
Travel was on mostly secondary roads with lots of use of 3rd, 4th and 5th gear. Only occasional use of 6th where speed permitted. Fuel economy around 40mpg.
With temps in the hi 80s, low 90s, engine heat was noticeably more than my '05, but not bad. I think some of the extra heat I felt on my right knee was due to the lower fairing blocking air from cooling my leg.
Only problem is with some minor 'sticktion' in the throttle. Not bad, just enough to notice (like you had the old friction screw just slightly engaged). Called dealer yesterday -- thoughts are it might be due to heated handgrip size vs. the electronic throttle mechanism. They will check it when I bring it to the dealership to see if they cansmooth it.
Great bike!! Itexceeds my expectations.
Great weekend weather enabled 400+ miles of riding, about half two-up.
Coming from an '05 FLHT, I canfeel definite improvements -- especially in the drive train smoothness and low noise. Bike is quicker to accelerate, too.
Travel was on mostly secondary roads with lots of use of 3rd, 4th and 5th gear. Only occasional use of 6th where speed permitted. Fuel economy around 40mpg.
With temps in the hi 80s, low 90s, engine heat was noticeably more than my '05, but not bad. I think some of the extra heat I felt on my right knee was due to the lower fairing blocking air from cooling my leg.
Only problem is with some minor 'sticktion' in the throttle. Not bad, just enough to notice (like you had the old friction screw just slightly engaged). Called dealer yesterday -- thoughts are it might be due to heated handgrip size vs. the electronic throttle mechanism. They will check it when I bring it to the dealership to see if they cansmooth it.
Great bike!! Itexceeds my expectations.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
Congrats on the new bike, and welcome to the forum. I am starting to look at buying a new bike, but just can't bring myself to look at the 08's. There isn't enough about them that I like and to much that I don't like.
I am glad you are enjoying it.
Jeff
I am glad you are enjoying it.
Jeff
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
Now you can read all about whats wrong with your bike from people who do not own an 08 and start to be scared about it and want their bike and be jealous of them for owning one of a few of the greatest Harleys ever built(whatever year theirs is). Enjoy
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
From:
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
ORIGINAL: captjon37
Now you can read all about whats wrong with your bike from people who do not own an 08 and start to be scared about it and want their bike and be jealous of them for owning one of a few of the greatest Harleys ever built(whatever year theirs is). Enjoy
Now you can read all about whats wrong with your bike from people who do not own an 08 and start to be scared about it and want their bike and be jealous of them for owning one of a few of the greatest Harleys ever built(whatever year theirs is). Enjoy
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Yakama Wa
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
I pickup my 08 sept 8. Pearl blue, no abs wish i had it now but the brakes are great. My wife loves riding on the back she says very comfortable. I have put 2500miles on it now complaints. I 'cant tell the differance on the throttle vs cables.150 miles ago I had vance hines pro ovals screaming eagle air filter and sert installed.Woke up the bike. and nice rumble.pulls better at lower rpm's. Can't tell abot heat yet been to cold.I now have decel poping thought. have to have that worked out. Enjoy you ride! 500 miles a day and you will be ready to keep going
David
David
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
ORIGINAL: davidhovlandg
I pickup my 08 sept 8. Pearl blue, no abs wish i had it now but the brakes are great. My wife loves riding on the back she says very comfortable. I have put 2500miles on it now complaints. I 'cant tell the differance on the throttle vs cables.150 miles ago I had vance hines pro ovals screaming eagle air filter and sert installed.Woke up the bike. and nice rumble.pulls better at lower rpm's. Can't tell abot heat yet been to cold.I now have decel poping thought. have to have that worked out. Enjoy you ride! 500 miles a day and you will be ready to keep going
David
I pickup my 08 sept 8. Pearl blue, no abs wish i had it now but the brakes are great. My wife loves riding on the back she says very comfortable. I have put 2500miles on it now complaints. I 'cant tell the differance on the throttle vs cables.150 miles ago I had vance hines pro ovals screaming eagle air filter and sert installed.Woke up the bike. and nice rumble.pulls better at lower rpm's. Can't tell abot heat yet been to cold.I now have decel poping thought. have to have that worked out. Enjoy you ride! 500 miles a day and you will be ready to keep going
David
Jeff
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 115
From: British Columbia
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
I wouldn't worry one little bit about the fly by wire throttle, every thing I drive has one and they never give any trouble, so why would a motorcycle? Personally I would love to have a new HD with abs, if it saved your a$$ just once it would be worth it.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
ORIGINAL: rideon
I wouldn't worry one little bit about the fly by wire throttle, every thing I drive has one and they never give any trouble, so why would a motorcycle? Personally I would love to have a new HD with abs, if it saved your a$$ just once it would be worth it.
I wouldn't worry one little bit about the fly by wire throttle, every thing I drive has one and they never give any trouble, so why would a motorcycle? Personally I would love to have a new HD with abs, if it saved your a$$ just once it would be worth it.
As for the ABS I guess I need to test drive one. Do you think the dealer will get mad if I go skidding across the parking lot to test it out????
Jeff
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 115
From: British Columbia
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
I think you will find they won't skid at all, no matter how hard you try. I've read a couple road tests on abs bikes and there supposed to work flawlessly. I can't wait to try one myself!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From:
RE: First few days with '08 Ultra
Jeff.that's the whole purpose of ABS,you won't go skidding across the parking lot,you wil just come to a stop FAST,no SKIDDING,my friend totaled his 3 week old 07 Road glide about two months ago,a cager pulled out in front of him,he was doing around 55mph,had to stand on the brakes,skid mark was about 30 feet long before he hit the shoulder with a 12" drop off,with ABS that doesn't happen,
I have had my 08 Ultra Classic for about a month now,deff. the best of the 4 Harleys I have owned,smoothest,fastest,most powerful and best stopping,did I mention best stopping?
I have had my 08 Ultra Classic for about a month now,deff. the best of the 4 Harleys I have owned,smoothest,fastest,most powerful and best stopping,did I mention best stopping?