Almost bit on a Road Glide Ultra

[stevent]

I've had the Jones for a new bike lately so I went and checked out a new RG Ultra. 2011 as we recall has the 103 inch motor, new frame, abs, new seat, different size tires with some decent rubber on them, a Cat, heat deflectors under the seat, vented lowers and a King Tourpak... basically everything they could think of to slap on there. Quality was the usual HD meaning excellent. I didn't try out the radio but it's the same Harmon Karden they put on all of them.

 The bike sounded good with the stock exhaust, throaty but not too loud, I personally hate loud pipes so believe me that's a good thing. Smooth feul injection and plenty of power from the 103 though not as big an improvement over my 96 incher as you would think. The Brembo ABS worked great just like it does on my '08, the new frame gave the bike a tighter feel and that in combination with the new rubber put my old Flexy Flyer to shame I'm afraid. Nasty smell off the Catalytic Converter which I imagine would fade over time. I didn't notice any heat issues with it however it was a typical Washington State 50 something degree day so a little heat would be nice........All in all an excellent bike, I seriously thought of jumping on it but in the end the $25k OTD price was just to rich for my blood. Still if you have a shit load of money you want to spend this is a damn good way to do it.

 

[atadaskew]

How was the suspension?  That one doesn't have the 'custom' lowered shocks does it?  Looks cool, but rides poorly..

I wonder if the heat is different due to emissions tuning being different in WA compared to CA, cuz the last Eglide I rode in CA (96 motor) in 2008 was a cooker..

$25K otd is pricey, but in line with all the other maxi tourers (Wing, Vision) and I'd take this over those bikes (owned a Wing 18, ridden the Vision twice).

p.s. why no pics?

[wvrider]

yes the new Ultra RG does look nice. If I hadnt already picked up my very nice 09 Ultra I would be tempted as the RG was right in there....but then again saving mucho $$$ by buying used didnt hurt me either. I opted for the look of the batwing over the RG fairing but really like both.

Phil

[JGreb]

very nice bike indeed, but I'd have to lean toward the Ultra Limited.  Did you notice a difference in comfort with the RG fairing? For me it seems the bat wing does a far better job keeping the air flow smooth.

[stevent]

very nice bike indeed, but I'd have to lean toward the Ultra Limited.  Did you notice a difference in comfort with the RG fairing? For me it seems the bat wing does a far better job keeping the air flow smooth.

It was actually a little nicer because the RG fairing seemed to push the envelope further out and wasn't as closed in feeling. It was a nice bike, no two ways about it and I'd have bought it but for the price.

I wound up getting a new 1200 GS Beemer instead, I kind of cycle through BMW, Harley and Triumphs,  BMW came out on top this time around.....

[Geoff]

I hear you on the price. 25 large is too much for a bike.

[hig4s]

There is always the Yamaha water cooled copy, Royal Star Venture.. You can find them for a much better price.  

[71Fish]

There is always the Yamaha water cooled copy, Royal Star Venture.. You can find them for a much better price.  

But then he would be riding a Royal Star.

[sagerat]

I keep flipping the coin between the Road Glide and the Electra Glide as I will own a Harley before I'm done swinging legs over bikes.

I was impressed with my test ride of an '09 E-G, except for the heat off of the rear cylinder.

The sharknose is supposed to handle better than the bat wing given the R-G fairing is frame-mounted unlike the bar-mounted E-G fairing.

Still, in the end the E-G looks appeal to me more and that's the way I'll go, even though a GoldWing is probably a better choice for two-up touring.

I'm on my second BMW GS and the nice thing about Beemers is they make all other bikes appear to be great financial deals.  

[Playinthestreet]

I'm sure a GS looks much better, pricewise, than an H-D touring model.   The HD's don't look so bad when priced against K-LTs however.

[hig4s]

I'm sure a GS looks much better, pricewise, than an H-D touring model.   The HD's don't look so bad when priced against K-LTs however.

All the top end touring bikes are close enough in price that to me it really didn't matter. I got the one I liked the best. The fact that the Yamaha happened to be the cheapest was just a happy coincidence.

[atadaskew]

I'm sure a GS looks much better, pricewise, than an H-D touring model.   The HD's don't look so bad when priced against K-LTs however.

I think he paid $23K for his GS.  That's more than a lot of the Eglides.

[stevent]

I think he paid $23K for his GS.  That's more than a lot of the Eglides.

Not Me, it was $17,900. plus tax and license. The RT's and GT's were around $23k though. If I was going to spend that much I'd have got the Road Glide because it was a better fit for me, I just didn't want to spend that much and the GS makes a nice change of pace. .........

[atadaskew]

Not Me, it was $17,900. plus tax and license. The RT's and GT's were around $23k though. If I was going to spend that much I'd have got the Road Glide because it was a better fit for me, I just didn't want to spend that much and the GS makes a nice change of pace. .........

Sorry, I meant sagerat.  It's in his "I paid $23K for my bmw and the fuel gauge doesn't work" thread

[stevent]

Sorry, I meant sagerat.  It's in his "I paid $23K for my bmw and the fuel gauge doesn't work" thread

Why....think nothing of it!

I don't know, that $20k mark is a real sticking point for me. I realize that's the market and that's the price but damn that's a lot of money. When you look at all the slightly used bikes for way less.....or even bikes like the Sprint GT or 1400 Connie new....I typically buy new bikes and couple of year old cars, I'm starting to wonder if I need to buy used bikes as well