14 Ultra Limited-Tour Pak-Detachable mod worth it?
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 85
From: Australia
I have a 2013 Ultra here in Australia. Our lights here are a little different as the 2013 model did not come with the lights on the tour pak. Personally, I think they are ugly and was disappointed they were on the 2014 model. The difference here is that we have our blinkers on the rear guard (fender) and so don't require putting anything on the saddlebags. I do have the detachable kit on the 2013 and love it. It handles so differently when the pak come off and looks so much better. It is a little difficult to mount on and off the first few times but once you get use to it, it's great. I also bought an aftermarket detachable kit in black with key locking and found the quality to be brilliant. I have also ordered a new 2014 Limited however have been tols the kit will not be here in Australia until June! WTF?! Is this the same for you guys in the US? Part number is 53000291. Appreciate it if someone could confirm that for me please. If its not the case over there, I may ask someone to order one for me, as they are close to $1000 AUD here !!!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: CT
Thanks guys for the info. Very helpful. KSully, how long did it take you to put it together yourself? Did you have to drill the bags to install the lights? Was the wiring harness plug and play? Thanks,
cbears, thanks for the link. Once I get it done I'm going to follow that link and cut the slack out as well. Nice write up there.
cbears, thanks for the link. Once I get it done I'm going to follow that link and cut the slack out as well. Nice write up there.
Also the wiring harness is plug and play and is only about 16" long, not to difficult to tuck under seat.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: Haymarket Va
I thought about going detach after I bought my 2011 FLHTK.....now....no way....I find myself using the tour pack way more than the saddle bags. I use and depend on it always. Would I like the sleeker Street Glide look sometimes...sure....but I bought an Ultra. After riding for a while I can ride it anyway I decide to. Losing the weight would be nice but I don't even notice it now anyway. If you have a TP and lose that storage space you WILL miss it in my opinion.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 4
From: On the rails
I have a 13 limited and run mine without the tour pack 85% of the time. Only time I put it on is when I ride into work (500 miles RT) or when the OL is going with me on a ride. I absolutely love it due to its versatility and stylish looks without the tour pack. I also have the quick disconnect setup. It literally takes me 3 minutes to add or remove the TP, that include changing my seat as well! Do it you wont regret it!
Last edited by _Daswine_; Mar 17, 2014 at 04:06 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I also went with some billet aluminum bushings because I had heard the plastic ones can have issues. I got them from a forum member gilbos440rt@bellsouth.net . You can take a look at them using the following:
http://www.att.net/s/community.dll?e...geid=310456&ck
http://www.att.net/s/community.dll?e...geid=310456&ck
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 116
From: Massachusetts
It will take about an hour and a half give or take, the directionals attach to the bags with adhesive tape. When I first looked at the kit i thought the lights mounted on the saddle bag fillers and was a little disappointed they mounted on the back of the bags with that tape chit, but they look better than I thought they would, I'm not to **** about that stuff.
Also the wiring harness is plug and play and is only about 16" long, not to difficult to tuck under seat.
Also the wiring harness is plug and play and is only about 16" long, not to difficult to tuck under seat.
Thanks! So one more question for those that have done this. When you remove the TP, I'm assuming you have to move the antennas to a lower mount that I'm assuming is mounted on a bracket behind the saddlebags. Then when you put the TP back on, you move the antennas back onto it. Is that correct or do the antennas stay off the TP once you make it detachable?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Maine
It's all about how you plan to use the bike.... I "had" to have the Detachable TourPack kit installed on my '10 Limited, but then never, and I mean never took it off. I thought about having to have it again for my '14, but know that I'll probably never use it... I'd save the money, and ride for 6 months, and figure out how many times you may have removed it...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 13
From: Jackson, TN
I just installed it on mine about 3 weeks ago. I am glad I did. The bike looks great without the tour pack when I ride by myself, but is ready for the wife and a long trip in about 5 minutes.
The entire kit is plug and play and the wiring is easy to hide. As to your question about the antenna, I just move mine back and forth from the pack to the mount bracket that comes with the kit. It just depends on which antenna lead is plugged in(your preference). I am going to get the hidden antenna before long. As mentioned earlier, it is about an hour and a half job, with no drilling. I took a few extra minutes to hide the light wiring behind the frame rails and side panels instead of running them down the chrome runner so it is harder to see it.
I have removed and installed the tour pack 4 times already. I am a daily rider to and from work, but we like to go on long rides on weekends and take the bike if we go to dinner or a movie, etc, so it was definitely worth it for me.
Jim
The entire kit is plug and play and the wiring is easy to hide. As to your question about the antenna, I just move mine back and forth from the pack to the mount bracket that comes with the kit. It just depends on which antenna lead is plugged in(your preference). I am going to get the hidden antenna before long. As mentioned earlier, it is about an hour and a half job, with no drilling. I took a few extra minutes to hide the light wiring behind the frame rails and side panels instead of running them down the chrome runner so it is harder to see it.
I have removed and installed the tour pack 4 times already. I am a daily rider to and from work, but we like to go on long rides on weekends and take the bike if we go to dinner or a movie, etc, so it was definitely worth it for me.
Jim
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 116
From: Massachusetts
Made the call and pulled the trigger today. Disconnect is on it's way. I should get the bike early next week, so I know what I'll be doing on the weekend!!! I do like the option of having a bike with two possible configurations.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 23
From: South Florida
Thanks! So one more question for those that have done this. When you remove the TP, I'm assuming you have to move the antennas to a lower mount that I'm assuming is mounted on a bracket behind the saddlebags. Then when you put the TP back on, you move the antennas back onto it. Is that correct or do the antennas stay off the TP once you make it detachable?
DJK