Knowledge needed, Opinions PLEASE!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
Put my 08 SG on the scales with normal stuff in the bags, half tank of gas, and me(210lb). Weighed 1013lb. Ultra adds about 60lb in extras. That leaves 186 lb for passenger and extra gear. That tells me that 99% of 2-up bikes are over the factory GVWR (1259lb) and aren't having issues. As for which bike, if you like the SG style then get it. Just taking the tour pac off an Ultra won't make a SG out of it. I added a detach tour pack and hard lowers to my SG and a home built air ride to make it a multi-use machine.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Mt.Pleasant Pa.
The newer models have 6 speed tranny 08 and newer I beleive. My buddy has a 08 road glide ultra he's 6'2" and he is very comfortable on it. I would get one as new as you can afford. It seems that harley makes improvements every year. I love my 03 rkc now that I made changes to it to make me more comfortable I just wish I had the 6 speed tranny for highway running.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
I would stay with 2009 and up touring bikes (Road King, Street Glide and Electra Glide). My suggestion would be choose either the Street Glide or Electra Glide) for wife's comfort and it's alot cheaper taking the tour pack off than finding, buying and then painting a tour pack to match your bike (unless you buy a new one paint matched)
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
All things considered you will be better off finding an 06 down ultra. Easy to take the tour pack off, change the seat and have the look your after without sacrificing comfort. If you hate the front fender bumper and light that is easily changer. Ebay is your friend. 07 and 08s were heat monsters and 07s had crank problems. 08 and up are TBW and that is a nightmare waiting to happen IMO. I hate the throttle lag with the TBW. I'm sure you get used to it but i personally dont care to try. 09 up have the new style frame which is way overrated to me. Yes they ride nice but the improvement isn't worth the price increase.Here's my two conversions. Red is an ultra classic, charcoal is a classic.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
From: SE Alabama
Ok, this is just my opinion, nothing more.
Having owned a ton of Harley's if I were you ( course I'm not) but what it seams you want and what Harley makes is not the same...
First, I have a Street Glide, but I ride solo, the rear shocks are not the best on a SG for two up riding, especially your size ( I'm not small either, we're big boned)....the seat is lousy too.
If I were wanting what you seam to want I would buy the Ultra Classic.
Ultra, suspension is better, seat is better, tour box, CB, intercom, cruise all standard equipment. Plus you can get the detachable tour box mount and a slim seat and have the street glide look in short order....
I also would try and get a 09 or later due to the new frame and wide tire in rear...
Good luck with your search...
Having owned a ton of Harley's if I were you ( course I'm not) but what it seams you want and what Harley makes is not the same...
First, I have a Street Glide, but I ride solo, the rear shocks are not the best on a SG for two up riding, especially your size ( I'm not small either, we're big boned)....the seat is lousy too.
If I were wanting what you seam to want I would buy the Ultra Classic.
Ultra, suspension is better, seat is better, tour box, CB, intercom, cruise all standard equipment. Plus you can get the detachable tour box mount and a slim seat and have the street glide look in short order....
I also would try and get a 09 or later due to the new frame and wide tire in rear...
Good luck with your search...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
OP, if you do not know the difference in touring models is how much fiberglass they have ( or don't ) hanging off them.
same year bikes have same frame motor, tranny etc.
some chrome badges and cosmetic changes here are there
fairinged bikes (most) have a radio.
ABS is on many bikes the past few years and well worth it.
H-D's are much monkeyed with by doofuses- guys who wouldn't change the oil in the minivan will often "try" complex modifications to their first Harley- watch for that if buying used. ( you can read posts here all the time that start off "why doesn't it run?").
By careful with ebay or sight unseen bikes.
salvage- can be a great deal but do not ever expect to get much out of it- you are marrying this bike for ever, resale value is low.
this is a 2009 FLHTC ( Electraglide Classic) the tourpak is detachable. and shown with solo seat, the rear has streetglide shocks, minus 1"
here's the same bike tourpak on, ultra seat, shock shocks ( shocks swap easy)
mike
same year bikes have same frame motor, tranny etc.
some chrome badges and cosmetic changes here are there
fairinged bikes (most) have a radio.
ABS is on many bikes the past few years and well worth it.
H-D's are much monkeyed with by doofuses- guys who wouldn't change the oil in the minivan will often "try" complex modifications to their first Harley- watch for that if buying used. ( you can read posts here all the time that start off "why doesn't it run?").
By careful with ebay or sight unseen bikes.
salvage- can be a great deal but do not ever expect to get much out of it- you are marrying this bike for ever, resale value is low.
this is a 2009 FLHTC ( Electraglide Classic) the tourpak is detachable. and shown with solo seat, the rear has streetglide shocks, minus 1"
here's the same bike tourpak on, ultra seat, shock shocks ( shocks swap easy)
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 31, 2011 at 09:59 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
My wife had the same question when she was looking. I think your asking more of a mechanical question with the model being secondary hence the question which one is better (I could be wrong). I'll tell you what I told her, the 2011 came standard with the SE compensator so right off the bat I can keep from sinking a couple hundred $ there especially on a used bike which Touring models get ridden and I'd be worrying about it every time it gets fired up. If all out comfort and your going to turn it into a SG or RG already just go right to it unless you just want to tinker with it. Either way if my wife was still looking, my recommendation is any model that floats her boat as long as its a 2011 or newer.
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Welcome to the touring section of the forum. You are going to get a lot of opinions of what to do, and only you will be able to make the right one. I don't know how much $$$ you are planning to spend, but keep in mind it is usually cheaper to buy a bike with everything on it and make it detachable than it is to buy a bare bone bike and add parts to it.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Coburg, Oregon
Very good information and input on this thread. I went through the same analysis and ended up with Ultra Ltd., removable tourpak, fairing mirrors etc. etc. etc.
As far as year goes, I traded my 05 ultra in on the 11. It all depends on your budget, but I would stretch into 2009 and newer if you can. Lots of changes, and my wide rear tire lasts twice as long as on my 05. If you can get ABS, do it. You won't appreciate it until you've really used it!
I did think my 05 rode a little smoother though. And they are all GREAT bikes!
Happy New Year.
As far as year goes, I traded my 05 ultra in on the 11. It all depends on your budget, but I would stretch into 2009 and newer if you can. Lots of changes, and my wide rear tire lasts twice as long as on my 05. If you can get ABS, do it. You won't appreciate it until you've really used it!
I did think my 05 rode a little smoother though. And they are all GREAT bikes!
Happy New Year.