O.K. I'm just going to throw this out here and get some opinions, I'm sure there are many. I'm wanting to purchase an ultra, obviously. So, looking at many Ultras I'm always turning my attention to the 2006 year. I'm not really looking to purchase new as of yet. I've been looking at the new ones pretty hard but always going back to the 06' year. I currently own a 04' Big Dog Chopper, owned since new. When I bought the Big Dog I was sure long distance was not going to be for me but as time went on I was always riding further and further and wishing I had the bags and tour pack for the conveniences. So, here I am looking into the touring packages. I guess what I'm trying to ask is; There any wrong thoughts on the 06' year? Please be kind with your opinions! I know this forum is flooded with information that would answer my questions. But it would be nice to actually deal with some 06' owners to here there thoughts. Thanks.

 

I have an 06, don't have much to compare it to, but It does everything i want it to do. I think they run cooler than the newer ones.

 

2007 and up will have your 96ci engine and 6 speed

I'd look for one of those if I were you.

The 6th gear alone makes it worth it.

 

I have a 06 Ultra and it has been great! I've added about 28,000 miles to the 5,000 that was on it when I bought it. My 88 seems to pull about as good as the 96s do (I keep up fine when riding with newer 96s).

A low mileage 06 can be purchased at a more reasonable price so you can add more bling and other stuff. And the 06 is a more recent model so it isn't too old yet.

After 20,000 miles you may want to change out the cam chain tensioners to the newer hydraulic cam chain tensioners.

The 5 speed tranny is fine. From what I've been told the 6th gear isn't used much unless you do a lot of riding above 65 mph.

 

Well that's the thing. The 06' is the last year of the five speed and has the smaller motor but it appears that the 07' and up were plagued with problems. I don't want to purchase a bike and have it nickel and dime me to death with the common problems the later bikes have been having.

 

I ended up with a 09 used Ultra. I like the 6th gear and some of the minor mods that came with the 09 models. But in all honesty, I was looking at 05-06 bikes but didn't find it before the 09.

 

Well after a long , well several long DAYS. Comparing the years,the early models, 06" and earlier seemed to have less problems. This might be my hang up of my decision making. I do understand that the newer models, 07' and later, have a lot more to offer (trans. and motor). But buying an 07' and up that has little or no warranty has me uneasy. There's little time to weed out expensive known problems, if any arise.

 

I'd be shopping for a nice low mile 2002 model.

 

xxxflhrci, Why a 2002 model. Just curious.

 

1999-2002 have a superior forged crank compared to the cast crank in the 2003 and later models. The reason I say a 2002 is because it will have the largely better Delphi FI system compared to the Marelli system used in the '99-'01 Twin Cams.

Ever read a bunch of talk about "crank runout". That talk is nearly always about bikes with the cast crank.