Ultra Glide

[olderigetfasteriam]

Ok, my knowlege is limited here and need some help. A freind is wanting to find a nice used Ultra (you know, some guy bought it and couldn't make payments. Now wants to get rid of it badly!). So I believe some changes were made over the last couple of years. Tranny? Frame?

I really should not care but friend wants to buy it here in Arizona this winter and have me ride it to Montana for him next spring. Now I am interested. I have ridden many miles on my brothers Electra Glide Standard so I know I would enjoy a nice long trip.

Used pricing? Flaws to consider? Comments?

[falcofred]

A freind is wanting to find a nice used Ultra
(Used pricing? Flaws to consider? Comments?

1. A friend wouldn't let a friend buy a Harley,
2. Flaws to consider? Its a Harley, nuf said
3. You should be asking these questions on a Harley site..........the Ultra is not a Sport Touring Mount.

[atadaskew]

In 2009 they got a much better all new frame, improved suspension and better wheels that make the Harley touring bikes much much better bikes than the previous ones.
They are now completely stable and solid whether on straights or in corners.

Whatever he gets, 2009 or more recent if possible.

[stromgal]

A 2009+ is really gonna cost. If your friend isn't going to seriously explore the limits of its performance, just wants a 'flower sniffin' bike, an older Ultra without a ton of miles would save $.

[Playinthestreet]

2007 is the first year of the factory 96" in engine and the 6 speed trans.  2008 got a bigger gas tank, I think and 2009 has the new frame.  Market seems to have come back some on the baggers.

[olderigetfasteriam]

1. A friend wouldn't let a friend buy a Harley,
2. Flaws to consider? Its a Harley, nuf said
3. You should be asking these questions on a Harley site..........the Ultra is not a Sport Touring Mount.

Thanks so much for your input. Seriously.

[olderigetfasteriam]

A 2009+ is really gonna cost. If your friend isn't going to seriously explore the limits of its performance, just wants a 'flower sniffin' bike, an older Ultra without a ton of miles would save $.

Money is not a serious issue as he has the cash ready to go. Of course anyone wants a good deal though. I say, lets get a really nice one as long as I am going to take it on a long ride.

I see a few on CL around here for 19k plus. Is that awful or about the going rate? We have all winter to look so he can be patient.

[stromgal]

17 - 22k seems to be the norm for an '09. This is the cheapes....er, least expensive one I've seen:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2704672251.html

[olderigetfasteriam]

17 - 22k seems to be the norm for an '09. This is the cheapes....er, least expensive one I've seen:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2704672251.html

From what I have seen that is a heckuva price! Gotta admit it is fun to shop with other peoples money.  

[Mr.Black]

Our local shop has at least 8 previous rentals at the under 20k point.

Seek out dealers that rent?

[stromgal]

From what I have seen that is a heckuva price! Gotta admit it is fun to shop with other peoples money.  

AND it comes with cup-holder!  

[olderigetfasteriam]

AND it comes with cup-holder!  

Need a spot for my PBR, right?

[olderigetfasteriam]

I've owned an '08. My brother owns an '09. I've ridden and worked on most models and most years over the last decade or slightly more.  I could ride my '08 HARD and keep up with pretty much anyone in reasonable "sporty-enough" riding on most any road. The '09 will blow away my '08 in every day. They're not sport bikes, but for a 800+lb touring bike, you never really feel like "I can't take this road on this bike".

As for flaws, as mentioned, the pre-2009 bikes used the old frame and the swingarm and back of the engine/gearbox was soft-mounted in rubber bushings that would allow the swing arm to move a bit (laterally) in hard, high-speed cornering. Sta-Bo bushings, or several other types of fixes are available in the aftermarket, and all seem to work fine. I had StaBo bushings in mine and that really helped quite a bit. There's a full-bushing replacement setup available that's even better. I put them on a few.

Beyond that, I can't really point to anything about the bike that I considered a "flaw". Oh, and Brembo brakes are available on the 2007 and up bikes; you hear people rag on Harley's brakes, but honestly if you know how to brake, it's mostly hot air and bullshit. True, they were not razor-edge performing brakes, but again... 800lbs.

The Brembos on the later models are ungodly powerful and will bring that bike to a stop in a freaking hurry.

Oh, some earlier TC88 motors would seep a little oil at the base of the jug; it's a relatively well known issue for "some of them" (eh... I saw like one in the last 5 years). There was an issue where some poor casting happened and the gasket surface would warp a little. From what I remember reading it was never really a leak; just a seepage that never dripped.

They're good bikes, purpose built for a task, over built and understressed.

Oh, and Harley's fuel injection is the envy of the rest of the industry, IMO. Both my Harleys and all the ones I've ridden were smoooooooooooth, not snatch, and with stock pipes, were mapped very well.

Ah, I have been waiting for you to show up. Pretty sure you are the local afficionado. Thanks for the input. I am looing foward to riding one if we can find the right deal.

Like I said earlier I have always enjoyed riding my brothers Standard. Ain't nothing wrong with it if you know what you are in for.

Thanks gain.