I think the best thing I ever did to my ultra was putting in the SE 6 speed. Most of my riding is just touring so I wanted to leave the first 5 gears alone and keep 5th 1to1. But when I hit the interstate, what a difference! I put about 5000 miles on it just normal riding and only used 6th very little. Went on a trip to NC with most of it being highway and after the first 100 miles I knew I made the right choice! I knew I was going to need more grunt at 2500 rpms so I made the 2nd good choice and deep sixed the SE253 cams at the same time and dropped in a set of woods 6Hs. I now have what I believe is one of the best touring bikes around. JMO

 

Exactly how many '09 IDS bearing failures have you heard of and how much weight penalty?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Good info. Anlyone out there added a baker six speed. How does that compare?

 

IDS Bearing Failure

IDS Bearing Failure II

Thread relating to IDS bearing failures, I do not trust this unit. I do not believe the 09's are any different,

If they are, why is there no "Recall" on the 07 08 IDS units?

09 weight penalty on an Ultra of 36 lbs, according to "Rider" Magazine, November 08 issue,

 

I have a Baker DD6 in my 04 ultra and reccommend it highly. I don,t have any experience with the SE, But I hear good things about the gear insert though. The DD6 is very smooth and neutral is easily found. I have about 8,000 miles on mine and no problems. Baker also has a 50,000 mile warranty too. My ultra also has been bumped up to 113", Headquarters complete build- 575 cams, ported heads, CP pistons HD cylinders bored .005 to shape up the bore. Lots'a fun!
tarheelrdr.

 

In '05 I put the SE6 on my '04 King. I was weighing my options at the time and my best mechanic (most trusted any way) told me that unless I planned on hopping up the motor to push 100+ hp/tq then the SE was a more than adequate option and the Baker was really only "necessary" (particularly given that it was much pricier than the SE) if I was going to push major power through the gears.

It has performed flawlessly for me. That 500 rpm drop at 75 mph when you hit 6th is just enough to let me as a rider enjoy the cruise at that speed a little more. If I'm in a stiff headwind at 80 mph and on an incline, I'll be in 5th though. Personal experience only.

By the way, after I Dremeled out the case and popped in the new gears, I sold the 5-speed set on eBay for $350!