New '07 Ultra
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 205
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New '07 Ultra
Picked up my new '07 Ultra Classic yesterday, and it definitely rocks. I've owned a 883, a Low Rider and a Buell XB12R (among a few dozen lesser bikes, i.e. not HDs). The UC is very smooth, very peppy for a big bagger, and the 6 speed is so fine it oughta be illegal. In fact, it oughta be illegal because you have to be breaking any legal speed limit for the bike to sound "normal" in 6th. Like 2500 RPM at 75?
One thing to be aware of - the tranny and primary is very noisy in 5th and 6th. I was worried about it so I took it back to the dealer, and they said it's OK (oooooooo-kaaaaaaay). I think it's a combo of straight cut gearsets and an auto primary chain tensioner - sounds like some resonance going on in there. Anyhoo, I'm going to ride it for a while and see what's what. I've only got 80 miles on the bike, only about 30 of those on the highway, and I noticed it was better this morning than it was yesterday. Maybe it just needs to get worn in.
One other odd thing - the bike is kind of hard to find neutral in. Don't know if they're all like that - but my '04 Low Rider snicked right into neutral, this one takes a little hunting sometimes. The air temp gauge is pretty far off (yawn) and one of the turn signal indicators is flaky, and the gas cap cover lock was real loose - all very minor stuff.
Those are real new bikes, the techs and Harley folks in general don't have much experience with them. But the new engine and tranny are fantastic, with the exception of being noisy. If they're all that noisy and they don't quiet down when they're worn in, though, people are going to grouse about it.
Overall, though, I love the bike - this is the first bagger I ever had (I'm actually mostly a motocross rider) and the thing is amazingly light feeling when you get rolling. It's kinda heavy pushing it around the garage or with the wifey climbing on, but get it going 5 mph and it actually feels lighter than my Low Rider.
One thing to be aware of - the tranny and primary is very noisy in 5th and 6th. I was worried about it so I took it back to the dealer, and they said it's OK (oooooooo-kaaaaaaay). I think it's a combo of straight cut gearsets and an auto primary chain tensioner - sounds like some resonance going on in there. Anyhoo, I'm going to ride it for a while and see what's what. I've only got 80 miles on the bike, only about 30 of those on the highway, and I noticed it was better this morning than it was yesterday. Maybe it just needs to get worn in.
One other odd thing - the bike is kind of hard to find neutral in. Don't know if they're all like that - but my '04 Low Rider snicked right into neutral, this one takes a little hunting sometimes. The air temp gauge is pretty far off (yawn) and one of the turn signal indicators is flaky, and the gas cap cover lock was real loose - all very minor stuff.
Those are real new bikes, the techs and Harley folks in general don't have much experience with them. But the new engine and tranny are fantastic, with the exception of being noisy. If they're all that noisy and they don't quiet down when they're worn in, though, people are going to grouse about it.
Overall, though, I love the bike - this is the first bagger I ever had (I'm actually mostly a motocross rider) and the thing is amazingly light feeling when you get rolling. It's kinda heavy pushing it around the garage or with the wifey climbing on, but get it going 5 mph and it actually feels lighter than my Low Rider.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,167
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RE: New '07 Ultra
The tranny will loosen up and you'll be able to find neutral easily.......same thing on my Anniversary Superglide. Change your transmission lubricant to BelRay hypoid after break-in. Temperature sensor needs to be outside the fairing for an accurate reading. I've owned 3 HD fairing bikes and they all did the same thing until the sensor relocate.
Enjoy that tour bike! Hit the road and look at home in the rearview mirrors!
Enjoy that tour bike! Hit the road and look at home in the rearview mirrors!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From:
RE: New '07 Ultra
For me it seems that I would rarely use 6th gear according to what people are saying about it. I rarely cruise at 75 MPH unless I am on a long stretch of highway which would probably happen once a year when I take road trips. Thanks for the post, it is good to know that 6 speed tranny is not for me. I will probably get better gear driven cams to give me extra horses and leave it at that.
Congrats and enjoy your new ride.
Congrats and enjoy your new ride.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 205
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RE: New '07 Ultra
I rode the bike another hundred miles or so on the highway, and it's either getting quieter or I'm getting less nervous about it. I think tranny noise is going to be a common source of concern on the new bikes, though - I've heard it from several people.
As long as it doesn't break, I'm cool. Overall, the bike is amazing - smooth as a peeled onion.
As long as it doesn't break, I'm cool. Overall, the bike is amazing - smooth as a peeled onion.
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Cruiser
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RE: New '07 Ultra
V2 - I got Vivid Black; that's what I always get - I have no imagination, I guess.
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RE: New '07 Ultra
I just picked up an 07 Street Glide a couple of days ago and noticed some of the same things you mentioned. Neutral is very hard to find compared to my previous Harleys. The transmission noise is also present in 5th and 6th, but only when I wasn't paying attention and started lugging the motor. Above 2000 RPM's the noise dissappeared.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 366
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From: Middleburg Florida
RE: New '07 Ultra
About that tranny noise. Do what I do on my Valk. Turn the radio up and forget about it.
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