Hey look. Something shiny!!

[Mr.Black]

I was driving home today and in the bright sunlight a bunch of shiny things caught my eye.

This was one of them;



A used Ultra Thingy. I am putting some thought into something that my wife could ride along 2 up with me and this could be one of the choices.

That's my lil' white truck back there. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't fit and I know that at some point I'd have to try.

[thatguy]

Ride one. You'll probably enjoy it.

[Mr.Black]

I might. All kidding aside, they have an Ultra demo at the dealership. A new one is the same price as a Gold Wing.

I am feeling very conflicted.

[thatguy]

The '09 and later Harley touring bikes are far superior to the preceding models. Bet you can pick one up cheep if you do a little legwork.

[TuffguyF4i]

Sure get one.  Just don't tell yourself its actually 'sport'-touring.  More like touring-touring.

[bomber]

very few scoots better at two-up than Ultra Thingies . . .

sadly, I believe it is a requirement to be able to decode the alphabet-soup model designations that HD uses . . . . I imagine there's a decoder ring availabe in teh Moto-Haberdashery, though.

;-}

[Lawn Dart]

LMAO!  Ain't that the truth about HD naming conventions!  

HD make a fine touring bike.  There is a lot to be said for "lower double digit sightseeing".  I had a chance to ride a buddies 76 AMF era HD out in Death Valley.  You know what?  I get it.  Slow down, enjoy the scenery.  Don't worry too much about shifting.  Just relax and take it easy.

If you want to put a dosh of sport back in, go with the Wing.  If you want to really get sporty with two-up comfort, go BMW.  And if you just gotta be two-up and running hard, well, comfort isn't going to be high on the pillion list!

[Tony T]

Nothing wrong with full-dress HD's, just a different style of riding is all.

I'd buy one in blue.  

 

[bomber]

I'd buy one in blue.  

 

But, you look NOTHING like Robert Blake.

[chornbe]

IIRC about the names, first letter is frame generation, second letter is frame design, third letter is family or grouping, all other letters after that refer to specific option packages or dressings.

(using my FLHX Street Glide as the key)

F = 6th major ground-up design of the frame, however the '09s and up still carry the "F" designation. I think it's just a staple part of the name, now, maybe.
L = Touring model or 'full sized" bike
H = Glide family
X = "experimental / optional build"

(the street glide was originally meant to be a one-year build based on what owners had done - turned out to be their best selling model so it stayed in the lineup, getting a rework for '08 and benefitting from the whole-line frame and suspension update in '09)

Sportsters all use X... and XL..., with some XR... or X...R varieties thru' the years.

[TBirdVI]

Harley Alphabet
http://home.ctlnet.com/~mcarroll/harleyalphabet.htm

Ain't the internets great?  

[chornbe]

Harley Alphabet
http://home.ctlnet.com/~mcarroll/harleyalphabet.htm

Ain't the internets great?  

Thanks. My dealer explained some of that to me... looks like they had a few bits wrong.  

[sagerat]

Yep, test rode an E-Glide and enjoyed it.  

I haven't demoed a Wing, yet, but my buddy loves his used 1500 which he can flat flail in the twisties.  I'll be honest, thought, I cannot get past the "old codger" connotations.  Buddy is retired and in his mid-60s so I always tease him he's got the correct bike.  

Still, it is amazing what a skilled rider can do with what you might think is a two-wheeled barge.  He had that Wing pitched all over on its sides as he disappeared over the horizon.  

[ConPilot1]

I thought the FLH designation stood for fat, lazy and hairy like the typical owner.

[1KPerDay]

As far as passenger comfort, the ultras and the GL1800s are about equal, both being excellent. Rider ergos are a bit cramped on the ultras, surprisingly, and even on the GL if you're over about 6'2". The ultra might have a tad more lean angle. The GL has 123123123% more engine. The suspension on the GL sucks, at least the fork.

For covering long miles 2-up or with a lot of gear at semi-legal speeds, either will be fantastic.

[Frankienuckles]

Hey Cookie, if you wanted to dip your toe in the water before taking the big $$$ plunge you can rent a electraglide somthin' or other for $145 a day in Manchester NH. (Eagle rider). That way you take the Mrs. out for a full day on the bike and see what she thinks...

[Mr.Black]

I thought the FLH designation stood for fat, lazy and hairy like the typical owner.

Huh, and all this time I thought F.L.H. stood for Feline Luvin Homo.

Thank you for clearing that up for me ConPilot1. You truly are a good friend.

[Mr.Black]

Hey Cookie, if you wanted to dip your toe in the water before taking the big $$$ plunge you can rent a electraglide somthin' or other for $145 a day in Manchester NH. (Eagle rider). That way you take the Mrs. out for a full day on the bike and see what she thinks...

Thanks.

The local shop does that as well.

[ConPilot1]

Huh, and all this time I thought F.L.H. stood for Feline Luvin Homo.

Well make sure to get that custom-brushed on the side of that beast if you buy it.

Seriously, Harley's ain't my thing but their big cruisers are pretty nice.
I know everybody that has them have nothing bad to say about them.

[Zixxerpilot]

I'll be honest, at this point and time I'd buy an Ultra before I bought a GW. The fit and finish is just fantastic on the Ultra, and it still gives you the experience of riding a motorcycle. I've ridden a few GL1800's, and they are simply boring. The easy maintenance and repairs on the Ultra are also a selling point for me. I wrench on 99% of my own stuff, and  the less time it takes, the more I can ride.

I'm still PO'd at H-D's corporate idiot for what he did to Buell, though. so no H-D product for me for a LONG time.