'09 Ultra test ride disappointing
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I've ridden a couple of 08 demo Ultras and Streetglides with either a good Stage 1 or even a 107ci upgrade. The dealer calls the 107ci 'The Dominator' package. Gives about 100hp and 100 torque. The the Ultra had a Stage 1 with Rinehart pipes. Both bikes ran strong for a bagger, but neither one could touch my 2002 Heritage with a 103 and ported heads. But that's a hot build. That being said, I didn't feel dangerously underpowered with the Ultra or the SG. I felt both had plenty of power throughout the gears. I'm looking to get an 09 EG Classic and will probably go with the 103 Stage II and not look back. My Heritage is a two wheeled hot rod and I'll miss it, but I really want another bagger.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From:
I've owned three 96s and 4 of the 88s. The 96s are stronger in the low end and much stronger in passing. My Ultra is definitely giving up something because of the additional girth. However, I can go up a steep hill in 6th gear at 60MPH with the cruise on and not lose 1MPH! A properly modified 95 is a good running set-up for sure. But it will run hotter and will probably have pre-ignition issues. FOr real world performance, the 96 gets my vote. If you want to impress your friends with HP and dragstip times you wouldn't be riding a Harley now would you?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Riverview, FL
I am also disappointed with the power of my stock 09 UC. Goes fine but not the power of my dyno'd 06 UC with a PCIII. I road it stock in the GA mountains and it did fine and does OK off the line at a higher RPM. Dealer is installing new pipes, AC and a stage 1 download for now. Download will be replaced with the Super Tuner. Don't know much about the Super Tuner but I will find out when the dealer gets the 09 software. For now I will ride with the stage 1 download. Stage 1 download was free because they did not have the software in yet for the 09's. I am sure I will like the upgrades I did on my 06.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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I would really like nothing more than to buy a new Ultra and have all of the mods that have been mentioned here, but I don't have the kind of money that it seems to take to make it run like it could or should. I have checked other bike specs and it looks like that for 1450 cc's. these engines are the have the lowest horsepower for displacement than anyone. Don't misunderstand, I wouldn't own anything other than a Harley, but the MoCo is about to price me out of having a new bike altogether. In our group is 1 BMW 2 V-Rods and 2 Goldwings and my new Harley prospectively will be the most expensive of all and have the least power.
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Maybe something was wrong with the bike that I rode then, because the guy that had it out right before me said that his 06 street glide would eat it. This particular dealer acts as if he doesn't care if anyone walks in the door or not, so probably wouldn't care if the bike wasn't performing right.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,717
Likes: 1
From: NY
You need to see it when it's broken in. Brand new a not broken in won't tell you much. Put at least 2K on her and feel the difference.
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Novice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: St. George, UT
When I first got my '06 RK, I thought what a dog compared to my Fatboy. But, the RK was stock, the Fatboy had Stage 1 and V&H longshots. After putting a K&N, PCIII, and Rinehart slip-ons on the RK, it made a world of difference.
I was a little worried about the new SG after riding my buddies stock '08 EG Standard because it didn't seem to be as strong, but he had no problems keeping up with me on my RK over mountain passes in ID and WY. I think a lot of it is the way the power comes on in the 96". Feels slower, but really isn't.
However, I couldn't be happier so far with my '09 SG. Stock, it feels stronger than both my old RK and my buddies EG. Maybe I got lucky on the build. I know it will run even better after a few thousand and I start with the intake / exhaust / programmer route.
I was a little worried about the new SG after riding my buddies stock '08 EG Standard because it didn't seem to be as strong, but he had no problems keeping up with me on my RK over mountain passes in ID and WY. I think a lot of it is the way the power comes on in the 96". Feels slower, but really isn't.
However, I couldn't be happier so far with my '09 SG. Stock, it feels stronger than both my old RK and my buddies EG. Maybe I got lucky on the build. I know it will run even better after a few thousand and I start with the intake / exhaust / programmer route.
Last edited by ID VTWIN; Sep 2, 2008 at 10:18 PM. Reason: mistake
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
Well, I came from an 02 Ultra to an 07. Apples and apples almost. The stock 88 c.i. engine seemed anemic under heavy loads. We have a 6-7% grade on I-15 and the 88 wouldn't pull the steepest part with a headwind without shifting to fourth. I did the performance dance but stopped short of a PCIII or SERT. I found the best torque was with stock headers. Did the Stage I and later (just before I traded it in) put Andrews 26 cams in it. That did help a lot.
Enter the 07 and the 96 c.i. engine; bone stock and it runs away from the Nomad 1600 I ride with two up. The power resides above 2800 rpm and pulls strong to 4500 rpm. On level ground in sixth from 65 mph it moves easily up to 100 mph in short order. I couldn't be happier with the stock performer and have ruled out Stage I or fuel controllers.
Admittedly, I haven't compared it to built up 88's, but from stock to Stage I to cams to stock 96, I find the 96 is all that and more. Plenty for this rider.
Enter the 07 and the 96 c.i. engine; bone stock and it runs away from the Nomad 1600 I ride with two up. The power resides above 2800 rpm and pulls strong to 4500 rpm. On level ground in sixth from 65 mph it moves easily up to 100 mph in short order. I couldn't be happier with the stock performer and have ruled out Stage I or fuel controllers.
Admittedly, I haven't compared it to built up 88's, but from stock to Stage I to cams to stock 96, I find the 96 is all that and more. Plenty for this rider.