2011 Ultra Classic vs limited
Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I recently sold an '05 Heritage Softail and bought an '11 Ultra Limited. I went Limited because 80% of the time the Tourpak and front fairings are off and I wanted the ability to quickly transform the bike between Touring and Street Glide. It is nice to have the touring option for longer trips. I will say the Limited without the tourpak handles far better than I expected. I thought I was going to give up some handling making the change, but with the 180 rear tire and tourpak off, the limited has a great combo of looks and handling. Think Street Glide with big engine and ABS. The TourPak will spend alot of time on the wall and in hotel rooms.
I damn near added a second touring bike to the Softail, and I'm really glad I went with the "transformer" option. I still need to put a few more miles on the new limited and will go Stage I soon. Then I will know what the 103 is really like.
I damn near added a second touring bike to the Softail, and I'm really glad I went with the "transformer" option. I still need to put a few more miles on the new limited and will go Stage I soon. Then I will know what the 103 is really like.
Last edited by Shygnome; Jun 1, 2011 at 09:15 AM.
Its been a few years since I have had an Ultra and decided maybe its time again. The real question is to Limit or not. I like the heated grips, oil cooler, bright wheels and the idea of more power but the luggage rack is a turn off and I am wondering about the ABS and its function. I did notice that most dealers are stocking the limited over the standard these days so that might be a deciding factor.
Thanks for the info on the previous pages, it has helped confuse the confusion for me.
Thanks for the info on the previous pages, it has helped confuse the confusion for me.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 206
From: Jax FL
saw some guys take rack off, and have holes filled & re painted.
some guys pull rack off, put plugs in ($5 a box of assorted upholstery snaps from VatoZone) with some silicone on them, call it good.
FWIW, i don't like the LOOKS of the luggage rack, but i use it a LOT to lay my coat on (zippers) while i get dressed, so it does provide a nice place to lay stuff while off the bike.
as for ABS, you will wonder why you did NOT have it before. mine surprises me when it kicks in, so it does work when you are not thinking about it.
only thing wonders me is why the ABS releases the brakes when I downshift into first,
that tells me my clutch is not loose enough, and the shift into first gear is putting a LOT of drag on the drive train, enough to momentarily slide the tire if already braking, so the ABS releases the brakes for a split second.
that's impressive, for the ABS to be able to do that
you will regret not getting a limited the first time you scrub regular rims
some guys pull rack off, put plugs in ($5 a box of assorted upholstery snaps from VatoZone) with some silicone on them, call it good.
FWIW, i don't like the LOOKS of the luggage rack, but i use it a LOT to lay my coat on (zippers) while i get dressed, so it does provide a nice place to lay stuff while off the bike.
as for ABS, you will wonder why you did NOT have it before. mine surprises me when it kicks in, so it does work when you are not thinking about it.
only thing wonders me is why the ABS releases the brakes when I downshift into first,
that tells me my clutch is not loose enough, and the shift into first gear is putting a LOT of drag on the drive train, enough to momentarily slide the tire if already braking, so the ABS releases the brakes for a split second.
that's impressive, for the ABS to be able to do that
you will regret not getting a limited the first time you scrub regular rims
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
saw some guys take rack off, and have holes filled & re painted.
some guys pull rack off, put plugs in ($5 a box of assorted upholstery snaps from VatoZone) with some silicone on them, call it good.
FWIW, i don't like the LOOKS of the luggage rack, but i use it a LOT to lay my coat on (zippers) while i get dressed, so it does provide a nice place to lay stuff while off the bike.
as for ABS, you will wonder why you did NOT have it before. mine surprises me when it kicks in, so it does work when you are not thinking about it.
only thing wonders me is why the ABS releases the brakes when I downshift into first,
that tells me my clutch is not loose enough, and the shift into first gear is putting a LOT of drag on the drive train, enough to momentarily slide the tire if already braking, so the ABS releases the brakes for a split second.
that's impressive, for the ABS to be able to do that
you will regret not getting a limited the first time you scrub regular rims
some guys pull rack off, put plugs in ($5 a box of assorted upholstery snaps from VatoZone) with some silicone on them, call it good.
FWIW, i don't like the LOOKS of the luggage rack, but i use it a LOT to lay my coat on (zippers) while i get dressed, so it does provide a nice place to lay stuff while off the bike.
as for ABS, you will wonder why you did NOT have it before. mine surprises me when it kicks in, so it does work when you are not thinking about it.
only thing wonders me is why the ABS releases the brakes when I downshift into first,
that tells me my clutch is not loose enough, and the shift into first gear is putting a LOT of drag on the drive train, enough to momentarily slide the tire if already braking, so the ABS releases the brakes for a split second.
that's impressive, for the ABS to be able to do that
you will regret not getting a limited the first time you scrub regular rims
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 512
Likes: 2
From: Marlton NJ
You can get abs on the classic and if all you are wanting is the 103 motor, wait because all 2012 touring bikes come stock with the 103 motor. You can get a classic for a lot less money then the Limited.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Couple points from a streetglide fella:
The 103 also comes with the SE compensator in the primary.
Life is short.....if you can afford all the goodies...why not?
~Joe
The 103 also comes with the SE compensator in the primary.
Life is short.....if you can afford all the goodies...why not?
~Joe
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
The 2010s on the other hand did not, whether 96 or 103.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Geneva
I just got a 2012 Limited; and I think Joe said it best. "Life is short.....if you can afford all the goodies...why not?" I priced used Ultra's and Limited and HD's hold their values well so I compared used bike prices with new and decided that New was the way to go. I too did not want all the extra frills that a Limited offered ( I have manual roll up windows on my Ranger truck); I knew I wanted ABS because a "COP" buddy of mine said they tried locking them up on wet roads. during trials and could not get them to slide. So to put the ABS on the Ultra as a option vs the Limited with the 103 it was a no brainer. I am going to ride some long distance trips and many events here in Fl. The Limited is the smoothest and best turning bike I have ever rode/owned. Go look at the HD site on ABS braking vs regular brakes and see the video showing the difference; I was sold. I barely have 500 miles on the bike and have used the ABS twice. When your talking about spending over $20K for a bike, two thousand dollars is only 10 percent!
Jim, ride safe.
Jim, ride safe.