And wasn't impressed with the harsh suspension. Inexcusable on a bike of this type surely?
Test road an Ultra Classic today
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Didn't find it at all harsh on my last ( 2012) 'Glide. 
What did the dealer say? What pressure in the shocks etc..?
What did the dealer say? What pressure in the shocks etc..?
Mutley
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Not something you hear about as an issue on Glides. My guess is the last person to test ride it fiddled with the settings.
Believe it or not the sales bloke wasn't sure if it was adjustable. He said some other model has air suspension that is adjustable.
I also found the gearbox clunked into every gear which I didn't like. Made my 1100GS seem smoothie by comparison. The wife found buffeting bad on pillion at 85.
The seat and ergonomics were excellent.
Initially it reminded me of steering a narrow boat in that you have to start turning in earlier than you think as it has such a long wheelbase, but once my brain adjusted it was fine.
The amount of gadgetry was staggering, but in the main not actually necessary on a motorcycle in my opinion. More shit to go wrong.
Basically it wasn't my cup of tea, but at least I have tried one.
I also found the gearbox clunked into every gear which I didn't like. Made my 1100GS seem smoothie by comparison. The wife found buffeting bad on pillion at 85.
The seat and ergonomics were excellent.
Initially it reminded me of steering a narrow boat in that you have to start turning in earlier than you think as it has such a long wheelbase, but once my brain adjusted it was fine.
The amount of gadgetry was staggering, but in the main not actually necessary on a motorcycle in my opinion. More shit to go wrong.
Basically it wasn't my cup of tea, but at least I have tried one.
Like a GS they are an acquired taste. Love my 2011 EG classic particularly for two up touring. Find it handles best with max air (50psi) in the suspension one up or two.
Doris would still have his if I hadn't got one you see.
Doris would still have his if I hadn't got one you see.
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It must have read in kph if you saw 85
I imagine Ultra's use the same suspension as my RK, maybe slightly heavier springs for the added weight. These models come with 13" air shocks which only have about 2 3/4" travel so it's important that they have the right pressure for the load. The range is 5-50 psi, I found about 15-18 psi solo increasing to 20-22 psi solo with bags and rack loaded with gear to be give a decent ride on semi-rough pavement yet not bottom out on a steep dip. Note I said "decent" not great. I don't know what psi would be ideal on an Ultra with rider and passenger but your salesman should have checked and set the suspension correctly if he wanted you to have a good impression on your test ride. Street Glides and Road Glides ride even worse as they come with 12" shocks and 2" travel.
But you're right Harley's suspensions are inexcusable in this day and age it's the one thing I wish they'd improve. Unfortunately many or most of the HD faithful are obsessed with the bike being low and there's only so much they can do with such little suspension travel.
But you're right Harley's suspensions are inexcusable in this day and age it's the one thing I wish they'd improve. Unfortunately many or most of the HD faithful are obsessed with the bike being low and there's only so much they can do with such little suspension travel.
My initial item of note, when I first test rode a Harley was my feet were in front of my arse.
Very strange feeling at the time but nice and comfy as the miles/days went by.....
Didn't buy a touring HD for/expecting/wanting much in the way of handling, but what I discovered was
a je ne sais quoi experience re the mode of two wheeled travel coupled with questionable stopping power, addictive torque
and a comfy ride. (1999 RK Classic).
Would I be without it?.... No.
Very strange feeling at the time but nice and comfy as the miles/days went by.....
Didn't buy a touring HD for/expecting/wanting much in the way of handling, but what I discovered was
a je ne sais quoi experience re the mode of two wheeled travel coupled with questionable stopping power, addictive torque
and a comfy ride. (1999 RK Classic).
Would I be without it?.... No.
Glad somebody agrees
I test rode an XR1200X when they first came out, and bearing in mind the X had upgraded suspension over the cheaper R model I was a little surprised that it handled terribly on anything less smooth than a billiard table. Presumably the R is even worse.
Mutley
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I've never even thought about adjusting the suspension on mine in 5 years
Mutley
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I have an Ultra as well
I stand corrected. You do have the official Harley shock pump that is included with purchase don't you? Better check it I imagine they need puffed up by now.
Mutley
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I stand corrected. You do have the official Harley shock pump that is included with purchase don't you? Better check it I imagine they need puffed up by now.
Nope, and it handles like a barge
Mutley
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Nope, and it handles like a barge
I had a quick blast on the Ultra yesterday and I stand corrected. Compared to the Shovel it's like a GP racer
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