Finally got some time to waste so I thought I'd look into the
new Road Glide Ultra. A sales geek from Seminole Harley has been
callin' since they came out, tryin' to get me to look at one. I'd
taken a peak at one at Rossmeyers, but Seminole will let you demo 'em.

Off to Sanford on a reasonably sunny day. Been cooler here
for a few days, but the heat's back. Nice easy back road ride over
via SR-40/SR-11/US-17/92. It's a nice ride through some country, some
small towns, & one college. Must'a been class time 'cause there
weren't many co-ed's out......<shrug>

The sales geek had taken another job, but there's always
another one. This one had no problem puttin' me on a new RG-Ultra,
but he lead the way on a Street Glide. Learned a few things on the
demo ride.............

The new frame handles great! The 103" motor is smooth, but
not as much power difference as I was expecting. I was wrong about my
hydraulic clutch, it's a *LOT* easier than a cable! At least the out
of adjustment cable on that bike. Neutral was a puzzle that a
competent clutch/clutch cable adjustment would have solved. Stock
handle bars still suck. The fairing lowers don't do much for the
wind, & though we didn't get enough miles to get the motor *real* hot,
I could start to feel some heat buildup behind them. I also noticed
that in spite of what the sales geeks say I touch the vents with my
toes when they're open.

After the demo ride I priced a few items, & talked to the
service department about dyno tuning. Their price is high & as soon
as they hear "Power Commander" they start pumpin' bullshit. Too bad,
'cause when the customer already owns the thing it's either make the
money tunin' it, or **** the customer off.

Leavin' I learned a little more. I was expectin' some
difference with my bike after ridin' the 103", so I was ready for a
little less acceleration, more vibration, etc. I was really surprised
as I rolled out of the lot. The acceleration felt just as good, the
vibration was "different", but not worse, & the whole bike was a lot
more comfortable. I have the advantage of 3 years of adjusting it to
fit me, so it's reasonable that mine would be more comfortable. Most
surprising though was that I liked riding mine a lot more than the new
RG-Ultra.

Seminole Harley is a nice place & what service I've had done
there has been done well, but the cost of the bike, + the time,
effort, & cost to make a new bike as comfortable as mine will keep me
from buyin' a new ride till Harley gets serious about buildin' a real
Ultra version of the Road Glide. The shop attitude about Power
Commanders will send my money to another shop for any tuning I want
done as I tinker with my bike.

The ride home was a mostly successful effort at dodging rain
on more back roads.

 

I think that is true with most new cookie cutter bikes. You spend years and countless dollars to get them the way you like them. Stock off the showroom floor most HD's are unimpressive to me.

The 103 has potential but like all of them they are so choked down for emissions that it takes some $$ to get them to run right.

 

Demo rides suck - unless you only ride 6 miles at a time and think 45 is fast. If I'd only ridden the RGU on a demo ride, I'd have kept my '07 FLTR, too!

We have built a relationship with our local dealer to the point that all I have to do is call and he'll have any bike I want at the front door, ready to go, when I get there. He gets my signature, I get the key/fob, and he wishes me a good ride. None of this 50 mph over "their" course with a babysitter stuff - go ride it like I ride. The wife rode three touring bikes unescourted by the dealer, and got all waaaay over the speed limit - 'cuz we ofter ride in areas where we cross long stretches of desert at high speed, headed for shade. She did one of the Demo Days rides (escourted group) and came away totally unimpressed with the 2010 Street Glide. When she rode it on her own, she loved - and bought - a 2010 Street Glide.

One thing we have learned over the years is to add at least $3K to the cost of any new HD. Every one has needed pipes, a/c, fuel management, and a new Corbin seat....

 

I get your point Teachu2, but I can't say I've ever had a bad demo ride. Most have been on my own, but even today's escorted ride was fine. The sales geek on the other bike didn't hold back & we pushed 'em to some real road speeds. A little hold back when the sales geek hit an open stretch allowed me to get the bike to better than interstate speeds for a couple of stretches. I wasn't disappointed in the route or the ride, but I was underwhelmed by the machine.

 

When I got back from my solo demo ride, I told the dealer the RGU was the best riding constipated bike I'd ever been on. I knew that it - like the '07 I had - was going to need work to breath properly and not sound like a Honda (Civic, that is!). I knew that before I ever saw it - EPA and air-cooled don't mix. Knowing that, I concentrated on ride quality, handling, and how the bike fit me. The ride quality was noticeably improved, even tho the '07 was on E3s. The perceived vibration level was lower at all speeds and rpms. The handling was improved over the Bagger Brace-equipped '07. The brakes were a double improvement - Brembos and ABS. The gearing was better, as first was not as tall as the '07. The 103 ran strong until 3200, then the cats strangled it. And the bike fit my 6'4" body better, as well.

Every time I ride the RGU, I know I made the right decision for me. I've ridden it over some very familiar roads, and it simply rides better than the '07. Now that it can breate, it runs great. It produces tons of low-end torque, and - well, I could go on for days. If I had it to do over again, I would!

 

Teachu2 your dealer found a live one!

 

The HD Demo rides are a great way to learn how a bike handles and if it will fit you. They pack up all the new bikes and take them from city to city in a huge truck. Not bad if you can get a local dealer to let you try one.

 

HD released the 2011s while we were riding in Canada. Called my dealer on the way home, shopped a couple of other dealers on the way, gave the local guy a shot. He was the only one who offered me a test ride, and his deal was nearly $3k less than the other two - lots more trade allowance, plus a bit for being a loyal customer...

 

I agree with a lot of what you've said. The new frame is a great improvement. Lots more stable, yet with an agile feel the '07 is lacking even with a stabilizer & E3's. The motor is smooth, & as with any stock motor you know there's more to be released with a little work & cash. The problem for me is that I have my '07 at that point. I don't need a lot more power just as I don't need to pay for another chrome front end, another luggage rack, another set of lights for the tourpak, another custom seat, & another mount for my GPS. I also don't need to move my hydraulic clutch, my handlebars, my highway pegs, garage door opener, etc. etc.

Guess it's just me. My car is 13 years old but looks & runs pretty good. I've owned my FXR since it was new, & I may own the RG nearly as long. I was just a little disappointed that the MOCO didn't spring for at least hydraulic clutches, a couple of lights, & a luggage rack. 'Course there's always next year.................

 

Nothing wrong with staying with what you have - my '07 was and still is a very nice bike. It'll make someone happy!