Lumbering Beast
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, GA
Lumbering Beast
Well, I've had my 08 Ultra for a little over 2 months now and have 5k miles on it.
It's a huge, top-heavy lumbering beast of a bike.
I've had no issues with it, other than the 'high idle' thing, which is easily corrected and found out
that it was self-induced. Found the answer in the forum and the owner's manual.
I got caught in some very heavy stop and go traffic. 20 miles worth of pulling up 10-15 feet, stop, wait, then repeat.
Was on a 2-lane, no shoulder and no where to escape.
The heat from the engine caused a burn on my left thigh. Lanacaine sure helped.
Put heat shields on it and sure has helped.
Gotta expect it, on what is basically 30's technology.
It shakes at idle (1,000 rpm), but smooths out just an r.c.h. off idle. (Don't ask what an r.c.h. is)
I do a combination of solo and 2-up riding and get about 45 mpg, all told. Not too bad.
I've learned to stay away from the front brake, unless it's rolling right along, or after a stop.
Have dropped it 3 times at a stop. All my fault.
It's impossible to hold the top-heavy beast
up when it tilts more than a few degrees at a stop. \\;No damage done, except to my ego.
Slow speed handling is horrible, especially with 2 up. (I know, practice practice practice.)
I've seen some issues in the forum about the fuel pump.
When filling the tank, I never insert the hose nozzle more than an inch or two.
Don't want to hit anything inside the tank with it.
Have been to DC on it, \\; The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, North Georgia mountains.
Definitely doesn't handle like a sportbike.
All in all, I love the bike. It cruises effortlessly and does what its supposed to.
Guess I'll stop rambling. Thanks for reading this mess.
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It's a huge, top-heavy lumbering beast of a bike.
I've had no issues with it, other than the 'high idle' thing, which is easily corrected and found out
that it was self-induced. Found the answer in the forum and the owner's manual.
I got caught in some very heavy stop and go traffic. 20 miles worth of pulling up 10-15 feet, stop, wait, then repeat.
Was on a 2-lane, no shoulder and no where to escape.
The heat from the engine caused a burn on my left thigh. Lanacaine sure helped.
Put heat shields on it and sure has helped.
Gotta expect it, on what is basically 30's technology.
It shakes at idle (1,000 rpm), but smooths out just an r.c.h. off idle. (Don't ask what an r.c.h. is)
I do a combination of solo and 2-up riding and get about 45 mpg, all told. Not too bad.
I've learned to stay away from the front brake, unless it's rolling right along, or after a stop.
Have dropped it 3 times at a stop. All my fault.
It's impossible to hold the top-heavy beast
up when it tilts more than a few degrees at a stop. \\;No damage done, except to my ego.
Slow speed handling is horrible, especially with 2 up. (I know, practice practice practice.)
I've seen some issues in the forum about the fuel pump.
When filling the tank, I never insert the hose nozzle more than an inch or two.
Don't want to hit anything inside the tank with it.
Have been to DC on it, \\; The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, North Georgia mountains.
Definitely doesn't handle like a sportbike.
All in all, I love the bike. It cruises effortlessly and does what its supposed to.
Guess I'll stop rambling. Thanks for reading this mess.
 \\;
 \\;
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
RE: Lumbering Beast
ORIGINAL: beaucoup_dinkydow
Well, I've had my 08 Ultra for a little over 2 months now and have 5k miles on it.
Congratulations! \\; You are riding it!
It's a huge, top-heavy lumbering beast of a bike.
It does take getting used to.
I've had no issues with it, other than the 'high idle' thing, which is easily corrected and found out
that it was self-induced. Found the answer in the forum and the owner's manual
Hey Guys! \\; He read the manual!!!!!! \\; Good job!
I got caught in some very heavy stop and go traffic. 20 miles worth of pulling up 10-15 feet, stop, wait, then repeat.
Was on a 2-lane, no shoulder and no where to escape.
The heat from the engine caused a burn on my left thigh. Lanacaine sure helped.
Put heat shields on it and sure has helped.
Oh yeah, they are hot, bu tyo ucan get around some of it.
Gotta expect it, on what is basically 30's technology.
?????? \\; Air ride, EFI, ECM, Brembo brakes, ABS, cruise, gotta argue here, 30's ?????
It shakes at idle (1,000 rpm), but smooths out just an r.c.h. off idle. (Don't ask what an r.c.h. is)
Ummmm, rubber mounts, hellooooooo ..........
I do a combination of solo and 2-up riding and get about 45 mpg, all told. Not too bad.
Not bad at all, way better than me at 38 or so.
I've learned to stay away from the front brake, unless it's rolling right along, or after a stop.
Have dropped it 3 times at a stop. All my fault.
Practice, practice, practice.
It's impossible to hold the top-heavy beast
up when it tilts more than a few degrees at a stop. \\;\\\\\\;No damage done, except to my ego.
Practice, practice, practice.
Slow speed handling is horrible, especially with 2 up. (I know, practice practice practice.)
Practice, practice, practice. \\; Oh, you already said that. \\;
I've seen some issues in the forum about the fuel pump.
SOME! \\; Jury is still out on that one.
When filling the tank, I never insert the hose nozzle more than an inch or two.
Don't want to hit anything inside the tank with it.
??? Never heard that one ??????
Have been to DC on it, \\;\\\\\\; The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, North Georgia mountains.
EXCELLENT!
Definitely doesn't handle like a sportbike.
Pleae tell me that is not what yo uwere expecting when you bought the land yacht?
All in all, I love the bike. It cruises effortlessly and does what its supposed to.
Exactly! \\; And the key word there is "love".
Guess I'll stop rambling. Thanks for reading this mess.
Well, I've had my 08 Ultra for a little over 2 months now and have 5k miles on it.
Congratulations! \\; You are riding it!
It's a huge, top-heavy lumbering beast of a bike.
It does take getting used to.
I've had no issues with it, other than the 'high idle' thing, which is easily corrected and found out
that it was self-induced. Found the answer in the forum and the owner's manual
Hey Guys! \\; He read the manual!!!!!! \\; Good job!
I got caught in some very heavy stop and go traffic. 20 miles worth of pulling up 10-15 feet, stop, wait, then repeat.
Was on a 2-lane, no shoulder and no where to escape.
The heat from the engine caused a burn on my left thigh. Lanacaine sure helped.
Put heat shields on it and sure has helped.
Oh yeah, they are hot, bu tyo ucan get around some of it.
Gotta expect it, on what is basically 30's technology.
?????? \\; Air ride, EFI, ECM, Brembo brakes, ABS, cruise, gotta argue here, 30's ?????
It shakes at idle (1,000 rpm), but smooths out just an r.c.h. off idle. (Don't ask what an r.c.h. is)
Ummmm, rubber mounts, hellooooooo ..........
I do a combination of solo and 2-up riding and get about 45 mpg, all told. Not too bad.
Not bad at all, way better than me at 38 or so.
I've learned to stay away from the front brake, unless it's rolling right along, or after a stop.
Have dropped it 3 times at a stop. All my fault.
Practice, practice, practice.
It's impossible to hold the top-heavy beast
up when it tilts more than a few degrees at a stop. \\;\\\\\\;No damage done, except to my ego.
Practice, practice, practice.
Slow speed handling is horrible, especially with 2 up. (I know, practice practice practice.)
Practice, practice, practice. \\; Oh, you already said that. \\;
I've seen some issues in the forum about the fuel pump.
SOME! \\; Jury is still out on that one.
When filling the tank, I never insert the hose nozzle more than an inch or two.
Don't want to hit anything inside the tank with it.
??? Never heard that one ??????
Have been to DC on it, \\;\\\\\\; The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, North Georgia mountains.
EXCELLENT!
Definitely doesn't handle like a sportbike.
Pleae tell me that is not what yo uwere expecting when you bought the land yacht?
All in all, I love the bike. It cruises effortlessly and does what its supposed to.
Exactly! \\; And the key word there is "love".
Guess I'll stop rambling. Thanks for reading this mess.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Lumbering Beast
I doubt if any of these traits developed AFTER you bought the bike. Sounds like overall you're happy. These other things you knew about going in. Ride it and enjoy it for what it is!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lumbering Beast
Thats hilarious about the burn on your leg! I think for the size and weight the ultra handles excellent. Try a v-twin with more rake and stretch and see how they compare. You just have to keep it moving or stop completly \\;with both brakes. Back and front brake together , back and front together say it in your mind.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
RE: Lumbering Beast
You're not new to the board so I'm sure you've heard about the advanced riding course and Ride Like A Pro DVD. There ain't no replacement for learning and drilling the correct riding techniques. Your feeling that the bike is awkward in slow speeds or balance issue at stop is quickly corrected by proper head/eyes orientation and use of rear brake. Once you start to move in the least bit under power to the rear wheel that bike can be the most nimble and balanced imaginable. Can be, but can also be awkward if the three basic techniques of riding aren't put in place. Anyway, congrats on your fine choice of bike and good sense to share and be open to learning with other bikers on this board. Ride safe.
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axe11
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axe11
