Touring or not
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Touring or not
I read the crap out of these forums and I have this infatuation with buying a touring model even though I at best ride a couple hundred miles on weekends with about 20 miles a day commuting to work. My spouse does not really like riding which is fine by me 
.
I am not a weekend warrior. It was 35F this morning and I rode to work. I ride from spring till when temps never reach 50F. I choose to make my bike my primary mode of transportation from Spring till winter. I desire comfort. I desire fully loaded like my Jeep and spouses car.
My Sportster does it all but i'm looking for the final upgrade per say. I want comfort as well as incredible handling. I don't want what everybody else has ie Street Glide. I need storage. I need wind protection. I desire exceptional gas mileage ie 40-45mpg average. I don't want to have to refuel for 250 miles or so. I need to run 70mph purring like a kitten for hours on end.
What HD touring model best describes what will meet my needs.
.I am not a weekend warrior. It was 35F this morning and I rode to work. I ride from spring till when temps never reach 50F. I choose to make my bike my primary mode of transportation from Spring till winter. I desire comfort. I desire fully loaded like my Jeep and spouses car.
My Sportster does it all but i'm looking for the final upgrade per say. I want comfort as well as incredible handling. I don't want what everybody else has ie Street Glide. I need storage. I need wind protection. I desire exceptional gas mileage ie 40-45mpg average. I don't want to have to refuel for 250 miles or so. I need to run 70mph purring like a kitten for hours on end.
What HD touring model best describes what will meet my needs.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
Ultra Limited. Honestly it has everything you've mentioned. Great comfort, 40 mpg+, plenty of storage, ABS safety and great electronics. Best of the Harley's in my opinion. The only downside is weight.
P.S. It purrs at 70 like a kitten, especially if you don't modify the exhaust.
P.S. It purrs at 70 like a kitten, especially if you don't modify the exhaust.
Last edited by SteveMKentucky; Apr 23, 2014 at 07:21 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 19
From: Ashland Ohio
Ultra. Bottom line is a full fairing bike is best for the long rides you WILL do once you own one. WIndshields suck and no windshield? HAHA. Full fairing Batwing bikes are simply the best at riding in the rain. You arms will not get tired from fighting the wind, either. The Ultra has storage to go, too.
I had a Heritage, a Street Glide and an Ultra all since 2008. Ultra wins hands down. You will get used to the extra weight in no time and then wonder how you ever did without it. 12 pack fits nicely in the tour pak, too.... if thats your thing for coming home from work.
Out of all of the 'big' bikes, I like the LOOKS of the Road King the best, with Hard Bags. But... ride one for 500 miles a day for a few days and it will beat ya down, and one needs to add crap to carry anything, too. To me? storage was the downfall to the street glide.
So... if comfort is what motivates you, and a decent stereo to boot, get an Ultra. I personally recommend trying to find a bike that is 09 and up, too. The 09 and up Ultras (all touring frames, actually) have the nicer frame and is generally a better riding bike than an older bike.
I mention all of the riding you WILL be doing.... that is how it progressed for me as I have moved through different bikes. I tried to tour with the Heritage, but a Softail simply isn't the best for that and the full windshield did squat for when riding in the rain. Street Glide? That is when I seriously made the move to long distance riding and took Bikecations with it. The Ultra is what I use now and will not go back.
I had a Heritage, a Street Glide and an Ultra all since 2008. Ultra wins hands down. You will get used to the extra weight in no time and then wonder how you ever did without it. 12 pack fits nicely in the tour pak, too.... if thats your thing for coming home from work.
Out of all of the 'big' bikes, I like the LOOKS of the Road King the best, with Hard Bags. But... ride one for 500 miles a day for a few days and it will beat ya down, and one needs to add crap to carry anything, too. To me? storage was the downfall to the street glide.
So... if comfort is what motivates you, and a decent stereo to boot, get an Ultra. I personally recommend trying to find a bike that is 09 and up, too. The 09 and up Ultras (all touring frames, actually) have the nicer frame and is generally a better riding bike than an older bike.
I mention all of the riding you WILL be doing.... that is how it progressed for me as I have moved through different bikes. I tried to tour with the Heritage, but a Softail simply isn't the best for that and the full windshield did squat for when riding in the rain. Street Glide? That is when I seriously made the move to long distance riding and took Bikecations with it. The Ultra is what I use now and will not go back.
Last edited by wurk_truk; Apr 23, 2014 at 07:37 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
ALL the touring models are mechanically the same.
the difference is in how much plastic and how many speakers you get.
some badges and wheels differences, but same drivetrain, frame, forks, suspension*, brakes etc.
*a couple of models have 12" rear shocks, the others have 13's
do get the ABS.
go do some test riding- if the HD demo fleet comes to your area, you can experience each model back to back to back
those who think the models are vastly different, have looked no farther than the gleaming paint
mike
the difference is in how much plastic and how many speakers you get.
some badges and wheels differences, but same drivetrain, frame, forks, suspension*, brakes etc.
*a couple of models have 12" rear shocks, the others have 13's
do get the ABS.
go do some test riding- if the HD demo fleet comes to your area, you can experience each model back to back to back
those who think the models are vastly different, have looked no farther than the gleaming paint
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 23, 2014 at 07:29 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
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