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I know that the touring bikes are more of a "sit on" instead of "sit in" type of position, but that doesn't bother me, and the engine vibration will take a day to get used to.
The engine vibration is only present at idle on these bikes. Goes away as soon as you crack the throttle.
Also, as Kannonball said, you can easily make a Road King look like a SG with the $ saved. A buddy saved $4k by buying the RK. Put that into a detachable fairing, hard bags, tourpak, and lowers. First glance, it sure doesn't look like a RK. Of course, I'm just a little partial to the SG...
You do realize that the SG has shorter shocks than an Ultra, right? This means more bottoming out and scraping floorboards if you try any aggressive riding.
I suggest you check the pricing carefully--I don't buy a plain bike and add stuff--I buy a fancier bike and remove a few things; it's cheaper that way. I currently ride a EG classic with no tourpak, and a stage IV motor. The docking hardware is out there, but I sold the tourpak when the bike was new. That box collects crap like a woman's purse!
I went from a Suzuki Bandit 1200 to a Ultra Classic as my first Harley. Sure the Street Glide is cooler looking but everybody has one in my area.No regrets here on my choice. Changed the seat to a Road Zeppelin,added a Thundermax tuner and LED light in the front. A lot of people say they are too big for everyday travel but I disagree. There have been times when my woman and I ran out of room to store things with both saddlebags and the tourpack full. She loves the seating position and the comfort and I love the fact that I can always carry a rainsuit,an extra jacket and my gym bag with my lunch to work and still have room to stop for groceries. I have ridden 600 miles plus in one day in 90 degree heat and have ridden in 30 degree weather with jeans,a leather jacket and a half helmet with light gloves. This year we are heading west for two weeks and have to pack carefully. I will also be strapping a bag onto the tourpack luggage rack. In my opinion the Ultra is the ultimate. You need to decide what you need or will need in your future. Everyone rides a Harley for different reasons and I believe more people would ride an Ultra if they didn't cost so much. Good luck with your decision.
Bottom line is you won't go wrong on which ever model you choose. REALLY..
You are the one who will sell you, not us.
Pro's and con's, sometimes yes, and no..
Pluses and minuses, yes to that too.
Your $$$$$, your choice...
If you are split, then what ever you can get the best deal on.
However, I would look for a used garage queen w/fairly low miles on one that already had the extra's though as opposed to "NEW" that was just basically a "Blank canvas."
The extra's alone will cost you $2-3 K.
That's one piece of advice I will offer.
If my wife rode even a little with me I would own the Ultra Limited.
I agree with your wife the Ultra Classic is a Geezer Glide to me too, but the Ultra Limited is a sportier version.
It doesn't have the chrome saddle bag rails, big rubber fender bumpers with rails, old style two tone paint schemes.
You can make the tour pak removable but it'll cost ya over $600.
If my wife rode even a little with me I would own the Ultra Limited.
I agree with your wife the Ultra Classic is a Geezer Glide to me too, but the Ultra Limited is a sportier version.
It doesn't have the chrome saddle bag rails, big rubber fender bumpers with rails, old style two tone paint schemes.
You can make the tour pak removable but it'll cost ya over $600.
I agree totally but having started with the Ultra then added what I want I can also remove what I want as well for instance the chromed rails round the bags (put blanking grommets in the holes left in the crash rail to plug them).
I still have all my original kit if I want it and can dress her for touring or bumming around as you can see by comparing pics
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