Howdy all and opions please
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Howdy all and opions please
Howdy All : ok i need some opions please, im a non HD owner currently and looking very seriously at a Ultra Classic. I have been on Goldwings for 20 years now, gl1000 thru my current gl1500. And i have had alot of fun and love the Wings, but, something is missing. I am currently looking at 99-05 Ultra classic, from the folks i have spoken to and what i have read the 88 seems to workeasier with 2 up and fully loaded. Im a average guy, work for the phone company deffiantly not the suit and tie type, blue jeans and t for me and the wife " she is a nurse" anyway none of this is that important. what im looking for is some input to the ride and area diffecance between a wing and a Ultra ?? casue if momma aint happy then life is hell. we dont do alot of long range anymore, maybe a 400-500 miles weekend is all. 90 percentr of our rides are on back hiways with little traffic and at 70-80 mph. If any of your co riders want to chime in as far as thier thought it would be greatly appreciated. I attempt to do all my own wrench work and that is a big plus for me with the HD's. Im very tirred of plastic. Also if anyone one has a HD dealer in Norht Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma that they have had good luck with and trust please let me know.
Thanks again all and ride safe.
Troy
Thanks again all and ride safe.
Troy
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
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RE: Howdy all and opions please
welcome to the forum...i've never riden a 'wing...i know they are nice motorcycles...i have loved and enjoyed many years on harleys...its just something thats hard to describe...it aint called an Ultra for nothin...we'll all help you get acclamated to your new ride...lots of little tricks for comfort and power...i'd say find a nice used one with low miles and dive in...welcome again 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
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From: Atlanta
RE: Howdy all and opions please
I have owned several Gold Wings over the years, and made my first foray into Harley touring bikes with an '07 Road King Classic last autumn. It's a lot different than the Wing! The Ultra will provide better wind dynamics than my Road King because of the larger fairing. The Harley will not seem as smooth as the Wing, but will be a lot more fun for reasons that you mention in your post. There's just something about a large V-twin that can't be duplicated! The quality control and fit/finish of the Ultra are superb and the 88 is a great engine. If you're not committed to a pre-owned bike, you might consider a new '07 with the 96 cubic inch engine - the additional torque and six speed transmission make an already great bike simply fantastic!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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RE: Howdy all and opions please
Howdy, Troy! Welcome ta the Dark Side....<G>
Ah'm a recent Wing owner mahself - sold mah 1800 back in November, an' bought me an '07 UC - yer gonna LOVE the ride! No more 2-hour evolution ta change air filters, etc. The differences are jest too many to list, IMO.
Don't git me wrong - the Wing is a nice platform, but for me, it just didn't "speak" to me any more. I do mah own wrenchin' also - so it's REALLY been fun with a Harley in the garage! An' wait'll ya listen ta the stereo on the machines. Kury makes transformer pegs fer the HD like they do on a Wing, so the better half will likely want sum of them. Armrests are due to be released jest any time, so that'll likely be sumthin' else she'll want.
Ah'm a recent Wing owner mahself - sold mah 1800 back in November, an' bought me an '07 UC - yer gonna LOVE the ride! No more 2-hour evolution ta change air filters, etc. The differences are jest too many to list, IMO.
Don't git me wrong - the Wing is a nice platform, but for me, it just didn't "speak" to me any more. I do mah own wrenchin' also - so it's REALLY been fun with a Harley in the garage! An' wait'll ya listen ta the stereo on the machines. Kury makes transformer pegs fer the HD like they do on a Wing, so the better half will likely want sum of them. Armrests are due to be released jest any time, so that'll likely be sumthin' else she'll want.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
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From: Deltona, FL
RE: Howdy all and opions please
First thing's first. Momma will be happy on the Ultra. I have literally seen women sleeping on the back while hubby is doing 80. No joke. With the right options added, momma will be so happy, you'll be very happy!
The Ultra is only similar to the Gold Wing in that they are both touring bikes with full fairings. The Ultra will have loads more rumble, more vibration and more heat on the upper legs than the Wing, but it will most likely be a more enjoyable ride for you since it will actually feel like a motorcycle and not a two wheeled car. Not a slight on the Wings, just an opinion.
Get one that has been treated right or get an '07 with the 6 speed. Either way, you'll be happy.
The Ultra is only similar to the Gold Wing in that they are both touring bikes with full fairings. The Ultra will have loads more rumble, more vibration and more heat on the upper legs than the Wing, but it will most likely be a more enjoyable ride for you since it will actually feel like a motorcycle and not a two wheeled car. Not a slight on the Wings, just an opinion.
Get one that has been treated right or get an '07 with the 6 speed. Either way, you'll be happy.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
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RE: Howdy all and opions please
The Harley will have different alot of different sounds and a different feel than your goldwing did. It will probably sit a little lower, shift a little ckunkier, will be easier overall to work on. A Harley is a Harley just like a Honda is a Honda and a BMW is a BMW. They all have theirowngood and badabout them. I think overall you will love an Ultra Classic.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
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RE: Howdy all and opions please
Well I've owned and ridden year round a lot of different bikes (350 honda scrambler, sportster, suzuki, kawasaki voyager, goldwings, roadglides and electraglide classics)
I am 5'10 180 lb. ex girlfriends have ranged from 5'3 115 to 5'9 200 (she was BIG).
Most were comforatable space wise on the electraglides. The big one needed a little more room.
But all in all, even with the problem I am experiencing with mine now (06), I would NOT go back to any of the metric bikes.
I think the glides handle better at all speeds on the road than the metrics (personal opinion).
I live in rocky mountain area, so have wide open interstate and narrow winding mountain roads. Normally they have plenty of reserve power to pickup and go with out down shifting.
Pretty reliable radios. Fewer bells and whistles than wings. And you can actually see the motor.
But I would go with the 2001- 2006.
98's were 1340cc evo motors 99 introduced the twin cam88. 2001 most little bugs in the original tc were corrected and was a good motor (I still have one).
My current new one is a 06 electraglide, it's had problems but we're getting them fixed under warranty.
buy it and enjoy it
I am 5'10 180 lb. ex girlfriends have ranged from 5'3 115 to 5'9 200 (she was BIG).
Most were comforatable space wise on the electraglides. The big one needed a little more room.
But all in all, even with the problem I am experiencing with mine now (06), I would NOT go back to any of the metric bikes.
I think the glides handle better at all speeds on the road than the metrics (personal opinion).
I live in rocky mountain area, so have wide open interstate and narrow winding mountain roads. Normally they have plenty of reserve power to pickup and go with out down shifting.
Pretty reliable radios. Fewer bells and whistles than wings. And you can actually see the motor.
But I would go with the 2001- 2006.
98's were 1340cc evo motors 99 introduced the twin cam88. 2001 most little bugs in the original tc were corrected and was a good motor (I still have one).
My current new one is a 06 electraglide, it's had problems but we're getting them fixed under warranty.
buy it and enjoy it
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
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From: Reston, Virginia
RE: Howdy all and opions please
Welcome to the forum. I've only been on this forum since July of last year, but it's a great place to ask questions or just read what others are saying. I've been riding over 35 years, on Harleys over 25. I never wanted to go back to anything else. You get more than a motorcycle when you ride a Harley. You won't be sorry, at your bike or the life style. And I'm sure your wife will enjoy it as well. Welcome again.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
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RE: Howdy all and opions please
Troy,
Welcome.... I had a Road King before and even looked at the Goldwings. I had always wanted an ULtra and I am very glad that I bought one. I enjoy the ride and love the room. You can do so much to personalize the Ultra.
Good Luck
Jeff
Welcome.... I had a Road King before and even looked at the Goldwings. I had always wanted an ULtra and I am very glad that I bought one. I enjoy the ride and love the room. You can do so much to personalize the Ultra.
Good Luck
Jeff
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
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From: St George, UT
RE: Howdy all and opions please
I rode an Aspencade for over ten years and 145,000 miles before a clown turned left in front of me and totalled it. Aside for alternator short life, it was a solid bike. I always felt like it handled kind of poorly at slow speeds, and crosswinds were a handful. Being a 1200 cc motor, it didn't have the grunt down in the low rpms. And I could never quite get used to the headlight not turning with the forks. Before that, I rode a BMW R-65 (650cc) for 80,000 miles. Great little bike. Note I said little.
My last Electra Glide was a '79, a totally disappointing Harley. So when I bought first a '99 Standard, then went back and bought the '02 Ultra, I really felt like I had come home. Harley's just speak to me. The Ultra and I have done some long hauls (Michigan, Canada) in great fashion. Though my wife likes to ride, her aging body can't handle sitting in one position too long, so we enjoy shorter day trips together. I did have to add some higher passenger pegs, and move the tourpak back to give her some room.
Nothing compares to the handling of the Ultra. Even a Heritage I rode a while back, didn't come close, nor did a Road King. I can do an 18' circle without dragging the floorboards, and I can hit curves at a pretty good clip too. Solid in every way.
They're expensive to own, but they give back a ton of satisfaction, IMHO.[8D]
My last Electra Glide was a '79, a totally disappointing Harley. So when I bought first a '99 Standard, then went back and bought the '02 Ultra, I really felt like I had come home. Harley's just speak to me. The Ultra and I have done some long hauls (Michigan, Canada) in great fashion. Though my wife likes to ride, her aging body can't handle sitting in one position too long, so we enjoy shorter day trips together. I did have to add some higher passenger pegs, and move the tourpak back to give her some room.
Nothing compares to the handling of the Ultra. Even a Heritage I rode a while back, didn't come close, nor did a Road King. I can do an 18' circle without dragging the floorboards, and I can hit curves at a pretty good clip too. Solid in every way.
They're expensive to own, but they give back a ton of satisfaction, IMHO.[8D]