Electraglide packages & Intercom on the Ultra

[chornbe]

I think I'm finally interested in getting serious about looking at getting that Electraglide I always wanted.

My initial thought was "keep it cheap", and go with a Standard and a tour pack. Combined with my dislike for Chrome (no, seriously), this made the most sense. This would be fine for me; the farkles I add are typically suited for me and mine, and my riding type/style. Very few canned solutions have been "right" so far.

But the tour pack is $1500 all told. The price jump to the Classic from the Standard is about $2k. That seems a no-brainer. Basically for your $2k, you get the tour trunk, a stereo and some engine chrome. If they made a non-chromed Classic, it'd be a done deal. Yeah, I dislike chrome that much.

But then I look and see you get the better stereo, CB & intercom & lower fairings (and a few other functional doodads) with the Ultra. It's another $2k bump. I can certainly add the lower fairings later (or even the cloth or leather engine guard skirts) if I want to cut down on lower leg air flow in Winter, but I think they're somewhere around $600 for the pair. I don't really care about the better stereo, but the CB & intercom sure would be nice. Maybe.

But... I've already got a nice Chatterbox & iPod setup for rider->passenger and bike->bike comms. (if only the chatterbox was full-duplex intercom   ) And I've already got all the pieces-parts necessary to hook up the Garmin into that rig; something even the Ultra is lacking, I believe. I'm not aware of an extra audio-input on that system.

I'm thinking hot compromise is to use my existing electronics on the standard with an added tour trunk and be done with it. Add the lower fairings later if I feel the need to (I rode the Standard in the Winter once, wasn't a big deal without them).

Feedback? Is there something special about the Classic or Ultra not listed that I'm missing?

Thanks.

[cworley5150]

If I were going to get one of HD's touring series it would be the E. Standard, for many of the reasons you have mentioned.  They seem to have really bumped the price up on that one the last few years compared to other models.  I can remember the Standard being about $13.3K only 3-4 years ago.  It's over $16K now.  It is a solid basic touring rig.  

Add the tour pack if you want.  I like the looks without it better, but I wouldn't be riding two up very often.  Add your farkles you already have and save yourself some dough.

Holy crap!  Just looked and the standard is $16,595 now.  It has went up $500 from 07-08.  For my money and if i wanted a cool HD tourer, I would get the Street Glide.  Probably handles for crap being lowered though.

[ray6576]

I have the eglide classic and I like the extra storage the tour pack provides. The radio/stereo has an aux port for your Ipod or other mp3 type player. On the ultra you would have to remove the lowers in hot weather or you legs will cook so I have heard. Even Hd sells soft lowers that go on the engine guards and they tell you to remove them above 55 degrees. Personally I think that the classic is the best bang for the buck. You can go on HDs web site and compare them side by side for features and cost.

[chornbe]

For my money and if i wanted a cool HD tourer, I would get the Street Glide.  Probably handles for crap being lowered though.

Actually, it handles *great*. A friend and riding buddy has one. He raised the floorboards the allowable inch. He can wring out some very interesting performance from his 'Glide and his old Road Glide, too. But... He's a former MSF instructor and club racer, so he's not your average cruiser/tourer rider.

The dealer I'm working with has one in that GORGEOUS white/gold Pearl. If you haven't seen that color in the sunlight, you have *got* to drop by a dealer. Holy. Crap. I'm *almost* willing to do the price bump just go get the color. sweet!! The rest of the 'Glide family only has that color available in a two-tone (with Titanium/silver) on the Ultra

I have the eglide classic and I like the extra storage the tour pack provides. The radio/stereo has an aux port for your Ipod or other mp3 type player. On the ultra you would have to remove the lowers in hot weather or you legs will cook so I have heard. Even Hd sells soft lowers that go on the engine guards and they tell you to remove them above 55 degrees. Personally I think that the classic is the best bang for the buck. You can go on HDs web site and compare them side by side for features and cost.

Yeah, I think I'm inclined to agree that the classic is the bang-for-the-buck. That would put me right at my absolutely limit of $$$, including a buffed trade-in value on the FJR. The question then becomes should I trade in the FJR or wait and sell it privately. End of the season, and all... *shrugs*
 
I'm up on all the paper specs, I just wasn't sure if there was that undefinable "something" that made the Ultra more worth the money than the paper specs would imply - for me, it's really not.

[ray6576]

I am not sure how the used bike market is for the FJR but for HDs is is not good. I have an 04 Sportster that I may have to just about give it away even listed below Kelly Bluebook no one is interested. Right now the HD market for a used bike is a buyers dream for HDs.

[spd2918]

I had an Ultra and I really enjoyed the extra stuff you get.  The tourpack is not only huge, the extra lighting up high is great for rear viz.

I sold the bike due to it being slow (compared to ST type bikes) and the lack of ground clearance, but I sure do miss the stereo and cruise control.

By the way, with all the problems the 07's are having I'd look for a lightly used 03 to 06.  Their prices have edged down since Harley ramped up production to meet demand.  If you still are looking at bnag for the buck you should consider used police glides.  Some get almost no use, while others are beating the ground.  FWIW.

[chornbe]

I had an Ultra and I really enjoyed the extra stuff you get.  The tourpack is not only huge, the extra lighting up high is great for rear viz.

I sold the bike due to it being slow (compared to ST type bikes) and the lack of ground clearance, but I sure do miss the stereo and cruise control.

By the way, with all the problems the 07's are having I'd look for a lightly used 03 to 06.  Their prices have edged down since Harley ramped up production to meet demand.  If you still are looking at bnag for the buck you should consider used police glides.  Some get almost no use, while others are beating the ground.  FWIW.

Thanks for the info.

From what I understand the transmission problem was taken care of for '08, and the heat issue with the rear can is acceptable with the shutting down when hot at idle. What else am I not aware of?

[chornbe]

That white-gold pearl is just f'ing beautiful. Why, did you know that an '08 FLHX Street Glide in that pearl white with a better seat and the chopped tour pack is... dare I say... affordable? And... attainable...? Oh, mercy, mercy me.