He didn't like it
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
15 minutes just is'nt enough time. I traded my Fatboy for the Ultra and have never looked back. Sure, I miss the Fatboy a little when I'm just running around my little town, but I put a detach kit on the Ultra tour pak and am quite comfortable during my running around.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 12
From: Central Texas
Put a HD Sundowner seat on your current ride . I love mine (its on my SG but I think they have them for the soft tails too..somebody correct me otherwise) it is so comfortable. If the seat does not make your bike more comfortable you can always sell it and still go with another bike. Give the Ultra another chance, after a day on its sofa seat I bet your excited about it again.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Bedford, TX
If he felt the ultra was too tall, you might try the Street Glide or RK Classic. Both of those have a lowered suspension. You give up a little comfort from the Ultra, but they are also less weight. You can then add the tour pak to both, and other ultra goodies to the SG, as you want them. Another option would be the Electra Glide Standard. It's basically a stripped-down ultra that you can get used to and add goodies/weight as you get more comfortable.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From:
Didn't like it
Try to get a hold of a 09 Ultra to rent for a day or weekend. With the new frame,engine mounts and tires, your hubby may like the way the new bike handles better than the last Ultra he rode. Just my .02 but I don't think there is a move comfortable Harley if your going to do some serious 2 up riding. Should all else fail you can always look at a different seat for your current bike.Good luck!
Mr_Bill
Mr_Bill
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Arkansas
WOW, I feel like I am reading my history over the past 2 months.
I had a 07 Heritage that rode and ran fine. The deal I made with my wife when I got the Heritage was if she participated in group rides, etc then I would get her something more comfortable. She did and then started hammering on me really hard to get an Ultra after she rode on the back of one of my friend’s bikes.
I’d ridden Ultra’s before (one of the perks of being at the shop a lot and leading the H/D demo rides) and knew going in they were heavier. I also knew that once you got them up to speed, they were very nimble. After picking mine up in mid-June, I rode it solo for about a week to get a feel for the additional weight. I then put the wife on the back (5’4” 150ish pounds) and that changed the experience dramatically. Basically she had to participate in the riding more; especially at stops because she sat quite a bit higher on the chassis than I was sitting so she has more leverage to make the bike lean at lower speeds. She also found that she slid around a lot more on the seat due to the wider seat and the placement of the floor boards.
Some differences I noticed about the Ultra over the Heritage (other than the obvious ones of fairing and tour pack) were that the seat is wider and is a bit higher. This can lead to an unstable feeling when coming to a stop because your legs are at a different angle when you put them down. There are also more things to get your legs tangled in when backing out of the driveway due to boards front and rear. Finally there is the weight of the fairing that makes the steering heavier. Basically, the operator has to pay a lot closer attention to what is going on at slower speeds and it does take more effort and good technique to make slow speed turns. Once you get up to speed, the weight works to your advantage and I don’t get blown all over the road like I did on my Heritage when on the highway.
I have a friend with a Road King that has the removable King Tour pack and a seat that is real close to an Ultra’s stock seat. It has the windshield instead of the batwing so the steering is lighter but he still has all of the storage perks of the Ultra for the most part. If a radio is the deal breaker, have your husband try the Road Glide. The fairing is fixed to the frame and not to the steering and they handle REALLY well. You can also get a King Tour Pack for one of those and I BELIEVE the Ultra seat will fit that frame as long as the gas tank is the same between the Ultra and Road Glide. I’ve not personally tried it but I’ve been told it can be done so YMMV. I’m not a fan of the look but once you ride one, I’d bet he’ll be surprised by the ride like I was.
If there is a H/D demo truck showing up anywhere near your area, try and make it over there to take some test rides. Also, some dealers (like mine) will let you test ride bikes. A rental is also an option to check out some different bikes and make a final decision. My personal opinion after riding both the Road King and the Heritage (a LOT) is that those two motorcycles most closely resemble one another in handling and weight. The R/K has the advantage of better suspension for 2 up and the ability to hang the same bags on the frame as the rest of the touring class. There is also a better selection of stock seats for the touring class than the Softails. If you put quick detach docking points on the bags, you can “turn the R/K in to a Heritage” pretty quickly and easily. A HUGE advantage to the R/K over the Heritage is locking bags and that brings some piece of mind at rallys and when you are out to eat.
The bottom line is the Ultra is heavier than the Heritage and carries a lot of its weight higher up than the Heritage. However, the weight is an advantage at speed on the highway. I've also noticed than on older Ultra's I've ridden, the attention to the maintenance (especially how the front end is set up and adjusted) plays a HUGE role on how the bike feels. You also have other options (R/K, R/G, S/G) in the touring class that can be outfitted just like an Ultra since the storage and protection parts all interchange for the most part. I wouldn't give up on the hunt yet but look around and see what else will work. Ultra's aren't for everyone for one reason or another and that's why there are other models in the touring class to chose from.
Hope this helps!!
Edit: WOW, sorry to restate what a lot of people have already said. There were 15 replies in the time it took me to write this one....
I had a 07 Heritage that rode and ran fine. The deal I made with my wife when I got the Heritage was if she participated in group rides, etc then I would get her something more comfortable. She did and then started hammering on me really hard to get an Ultra after she rode on the back of one of my friend’s bikes.
I’d ridden Ultra’s before (one of the perks of being at the shop a lot and leading the H/D demo rides) and knew going in they were heavier. I also knew that once you got them up to speed, they were very nimble. After picking mine up in mid-June, I rode it solo for about a week to get a feel for the additional weight. I then put the wife on the back (5’4” 150ish pounds) and that changed the experience dramatically. Basically she had to participate in the riding more; especially at stops because she sat quite a bit higher on the chassis than I was sitting so she has more leverage to make the bike lean at lower speeds. She also found that she slid around a lot more on the seat due to the wider seat and the placement of the floor boards.
Some differences I noticed about the Ultra over the Heritage (other than the obvious ones of fairing and tour pack) were that the seat is wider and is a bit higher. This can lead to an unstable feeling when coming to a stop because your legs are at a different angle when you put them down. There are also more things to get your legs tangled in when backing out of the driveway due to boards front and rear. Finally there is the weight of the fairing that makes the steering heavier. Basically, the operator has to pay a lot closer attention to what is going on at slower speeds and it does take more effort and good technique to make slow speed turns. Once you get up to speed, the weight works to your advantage and I don’t get blown all over the road like I did on my Heritage when on the highway.
I have a friend with a Road King that has the removable King Tour pack and a seat that is real close to an Ultra’s stock seat. It has the windshield instead of the batwing so the steering is lighter but he still has all of the storage perks of the Ultra for the most part. If a radio is the deal breaker, have your husband try the Road Glide. The fairing is fixed to the frame and not to the steering and they handle REALLY well. You can also get a King Tour Pack for one of those and I BELIEVE the Ultra seat will fit that frame as long as the gas tank is the same between the Ultra and Road Glide. I’ve not personally tried it but I’ve been told it can be done so YMMV. I’m not a fan of the look but once you ride one, I’d bet he’ll be surprised by the ride like I was.
If there is a H/D demo truck showing up anywhere near your area, try and make it over there to take some test rides. Also, some dealers (like mine) will let you test ride bikes. A rental is also an option to check out some different bikes and make a final decision. My personal opinion after riding both the Road King and the Heritage (a LOT) is that those two motorcycles most closely resemble one another in handling and weight. The R/K has the advantage of better suspension for 2 up and the ability to hang the same bags on the frame as the rest of the touring class. There is also a better selection of stock seats for the touring class than the Softails. If you put quick detach docking points on the bags, you can “turn the R/K in to a Heritage” pretty quickly and easily. A HUGE advantage to the R/K over the Heritage is locking bags and that brings some piece of mind at rallys and when you are out to eat.
The bottom line is the Ultra is heavier than the Heritage and carries a lot of its weight higher up than the Heritage. However, the weight is an advantage at speed on the highway. I've also noticed than on older Ultra's I've ridden, the attention to the maintenance (especially how the front end is set up and adjusted) plays a HUGE role on how the bike feels. You also have other options (R/K, R/G, S/G) in the touring class that can be outfitted just like an Ultra since the storage and protection parts all interchange for the most part. I wouldn't give up on the hunt yet but look around and see what else will work. Ultra's aren't for everyone for one reason or another and that's why there are other models in the touring class to chose from.
Hope this helps!!
Edit: WOW, sorry to restate what a lot of people have already said. There were 15 replies in the time it took me to write this one....
Last edited by txcomp; Aug 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From:
The comments of others covered all the important points, but I'll just add my experience as part of the mix. I moved up from a Road King (which I loved) to the Ultra for the comfort of my wife and the weather protection of the fairing and lowers. I also don't mind all of the other creature comforts. By the way, the passenger seat is about 50% wider on the Ultra. The Ultra is definitely heavier and has a higher center of gravity. My wife says the new bike is significantly more comfortable and will go on long rides now. The addition of a passenger also makes it even heavier which makes stopping, starting, and low speed maneuvering a bit more of a chore. But, as in all things, after a while I got used to it. I'm 6/2" and 190# so maybe its a bit easier than for some. Once you're on the road the weight and center of gravity are to your advantage as it is more stable especially when dealing with the wind buffeting from trucks and other traffic on the freeway and dealing with road grooves. Rent one for the day and you might change your mind. You can also have the seat and suspension modified to get you closer to the ground. Or, you can always add come of the comfort items to your existing bike which is still a fine machine. Over time I can handle the bigger bike just fine and wouldn't give it up. Good luck on your mission, you really can't lose.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
I'm still struggling a little with my 08 Ultra. Its not bad alone, but with the wife on stops and any slow speed turns feel really clumsy. I'm only 5'8" so I know that is part of the problem. I also added the George Anderson Tourpak relocation kit to give the wife a couple more inches, and I think that also added to my slow speed problems. I'm planning to send my seat in to MCC this winter to help get me lower, if that doesn't do it I will be looking at suspension options to get even lower. I love the way it rides once I'm moving, so if I can improve the handling for slow speed maneuvering it will be everything I want it to be.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
I think 15 minutes is a bit of a short time to get a feel for any bike. When I bought my Road Glide after riding a Deuce, it felt huge and heavy, and my ride home I was questioning my decision. However, now I find it to be a joy to ride. It does not feel big at all and it goes around corners great. Your idea of renting one for a weekend is really good.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
Divorce Him
J/K, I really think you need a little more time on the UKC to get the feel of it. I find my RKC with faring King TP and Hard bags easier to handle than the wifes sporty now. Took me 1 full day to get comfortable with the bike, and one drop.