Awesome

[ital916]

On sunday, whilst staring out the window at the beautiful weather and watching bike after bike whizz past (well seeing as I work in a bike shop, I cant complain about being "stuck" at work, cos work is awesome!), I was pondering what it would be like to have a closer look at an ultra classic harley.

I have seen a few zoom by, and for a big bike they haul ass pretty quick. Now, I've met a lot of people who bagged them but the trend I noticed is a lot of people who did bag on them had never even sat on one!

Well later in the day I got my chance as a lovely couple who was perusing the isles of the store allowed me to have a sit on theirs. It was sweeeet. The thing is the bike isnt that big, and sure as hell doesnt feel big when hauled off the stand.

The thing that got me was it was how awesome that bike was. I see a lot of bikes come through the store car park and usually ogle most of them, from a desmo RR to custom bobbers to pimped out vespas. I have to say, the bike that has peaked my interest the most is the "baggers", especially the ultra classic.

So, question is. What are they like. There are a few reviews online but reviews from overseas mean squat here. Any riders in the forum willing to write a brill ride report on one for us to read. Write the good and the bad. Second question is what has changed majorly over the years. Not really the change to FI or anthing but frame changes and so on, Im inqusitive as a lot of older ones i.e. late eighties early ninties ones are for sale.

Thanks heaps..

And thanks to the couple who let me have a sit on theirs....it was uber cool and made my day.

[Bytor]

Not exactly a 'brill ride report', however I did get to ride a brand new Ultra a few years ago. Managed to go on an official HD weekend in North Wales where upon I could ride any HD or buell As there where a few of us on the ride we had to swap bikes at some stages, the Ultra being the last bike that I had to ride and also the last one that I wanted to ride. Must admit I had been trying to avoid it as the sheer size of it is daunting, let alone riding on the tight, damp North Wales roads. Alas I couldn't avoid it and the previous rider thoughtfully parked it on a gravel incline
Managed to get it moving without dropping it which raised my confidence and then to put it bluntly I didn't want to give it back. It was a absolute hoot to ride, comfy as, stable and made me feel like I was actually quite important. I was scrapping bits left, right and centre on it and it never felt like it was going let go. Of all the HD's I rode that weekend, the Ultra is the only one I really enjoyed, and if I win the big Lotto I'll get one to park next to a 1198 in my shed.
Go ride one young man, you'll love it.

Oh yeah, at the time I was riding a ZX6R!!

[Molly]

I test rode an '06 RK a few years ago and couldn't believe how 'plush' it felt in comparison to my '03 FXST. I felt like I was sat on it rather than in it if you know what I mean but soon got used to that. I went straight back to the dealer and traded in the FXST for a Road King Classic.

I've since sold it and bought another and sold that... I tend to change my bikes a good bit. IMHO the Electra Glide Standard is the best value at around $27k but others may disagree. New, stiffer frame now too.

If I was in the market for a new HD, I think I'd look at the touring range again. Nice bikes.

[ital916]

I test rode an '06 RK a few years ago and couldn't believe how 'plush' it felt in comparison to my '03 FXST. I felt like I was sat on it rather than in it if you know what I mean but soon got used to that. I went straight back to the dealer and traded in the FXST for a Road King Classic.

I've since sold it and bought another and sold that... I tend to change my bikes a good bit. IMHO the Electra Glide Standard is the best value at around $27k but others may disagree. New, stiffer frame now too.

If I was in the market for a new HD, I think I'd look at the touring range again. Nice bikes.

Dont think I would change that often haha but those are some sweet choices you made. Thats the one thing though, the price. Would be hard finding full dress tourers in a poor mans price range. *counts pennies in piggy bank*. Another decade or so and ill be there

[BIG DOUG]

the new ultras are very good the new frame makes a big difference,put it this way the 08 and earlier would weave like a bastard through fast sweepers (this can be sorted with a progressive link) but I hit the double passing lanes at te marua going up the rimatukas on an 09 ultra at 160-165ks and the thing just kept its line didn't weave at all also they have a cartridge in one of the front fork legs which I think helps as well I have also just seen a 2010 flhx street glide very tastyand a cd player on a bike can't be bad lol.