Test rode an '09 Ultra today......

[Y2K]

.........and I'm sorry to say I was somewhat disappointed.

That's not to say it wasn't a nice bike because it was,there just was not as big a refinement and improvement as I had hoped for considering it was redesigned from the frame up,I guess maybe I got caught up in all the hype and was expecting more.

I really expected a monumental difference and it just wasn't all that.

It was smoother running with considerably less vibration than my 2000 but it's a Harley so I don't mind a little vibration and my '00 is still light years smoother than my first Harley. (XLCH Iron Sporty)
Still I'll give it a nod for minor improvement there just the same.
It did have a more comfortable seat and a claimed 3" more room for passenger and rider (would have liked to try it two up) so again another nod but nothing earth shattering.
Handling was good,the new tires seem pretty good and the chassis is stiffer but with the sta-bo swingarm bushings and Metzler tires and 30lbs less weight my '00 will corner just as well I believe.
I put the new bike through it's paces on some twisty road flogging it pretty hard.
I stopped short of trying to scrape footboards on their new bike for sale but I must have been pretty close a couple of times.
Power was fair but coming off my built 95" bike I was hardly impressed,to be fair it was stock to the bone so I'd think a stage one would help a great deal but I know I'd need the 103" kit to be even mildly satisfied,my bike is just a sh!tload faster.
I was impressed with the hydraulic clutch,very easy and smooth so it gets a big nod there over my '00.
The six speed was nice but I didn't like the noisy 5th gear and I was really surprised that I could not for the life of me get the damn thing into neutral while stopped either running or shut off,I guess it's still a Harley lol.
My 5 speed bike slips into neutral much easier by comparison and has no noisy gears,I think I'd like mine better with a Baker DD6.
The fly by wire throttle seemed fine,didn't notice any difference really but I still have my doubts about it's long term reliability,I still have the OEM cables on my '00 at 144,000 miles now,I guess it'll be a while before we know about the long term on the FBW.
The heat issue I've been hearing about with the 96" motors is certainly no myth,that motor put off a lot more heat than my 95" and the new Ultra has factory leg shields but was still hot.
I would think a stage one should help but I'd bet it will still put off more heat than mine does.
Overall I liked the bike but not so much that I have a burning desire to trade in my '00 just yet.
I would like a six speed and 6 gallon gas tank and if the new tires really do last a lot longer that would be great,I'm getting my second new tire this season put on next weekend but none of that is enough to convince me to go into a big debt on a new bike just yet.
I'll be back for another test ride when the 2010's come in next year.

[Goshawk]

Good review.
I'm glad I bought the Sportster.

[jamman]

I hear ya on the hype, fly by wire has gotta be crap..good read..

[Terp84Alum]

They are also heavier this year due to a new frame.

[454SS]

Originally Posted by Terp84Alum

They are also heavier this year due to a new frame.

To me, every bike in that class is too heavy. In my opinion, they're everything a bike shouldn't be. Heavy, sloppy looking, outdated, slow handling, slow braking (relatively speaking), and full of useless gadgets. But then again, I think bikes are for short trips. If you're going on a long trip, take a car.

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by 454SS

To me, every bike in that class is too heavy. In my opinion, they're everything a bike shouldn't be. Heavy, sloppy looking, outdated, slow handling, slow braking (relatively speaking), and full of useless gadgets. But then again, I think bikes are for short trips. If you're going on a long trip, take a car.

I couldn't disagree more,I love the touring class bikes and have become so comfortable riding mine that I throw it around like a Sporty.
They handle a lot better than you think!
The Ultra does have more crap on it than I need,I prefer the Classic or std.
I mainly bought the Classic for the touring trunk but I'll confess I liked the black and chrome engine treatment.
I had an Ultra before the Classic,didn't care for the hard lowers and didn't need the CB/intercom 4 speaker stereo,the cruise control was ok but not something I used much.
As for taking a car on a long trip? Fuck That! touring on a bike is the only way to fly!
Sitting in a cage sucks,might as well take a bus or train but riding out in the elements on a bike seeing,smelling and feeling the country roll by is an experience I truly love and wouldn't trade for anything,the only way to do it is on a full dress touring bike.

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by Terp84Alum

They are also heavier this year due to a new frame.

I made note of that in my comparison to my 2000,it wasn't really much of an issue and I didn't notice the extra weight while riding it.
I did notice mine felt just a tad lighter as I got back on it and pulled it upright but while riding it was a non issue.
I did notice the difference in engine heat immediately upon pulling up to a stop light on the '09 and again how much cooler mine was after getting back on and stopping at the same light.

[Barefoot Choppa]

Originally Posted by Y2K

I couldn't disagree more,I love the touring class bikes and have become so comfortable riding mine that I throw it around like a Sporty.
They handle a lot better than you think!
The Ultra does have more crap on it than I need,I prefer the Classic or std.
I mainly bought the Classic for the touring trunk but I'll confess I liked the black and chrome engine treatment.
I had an Ultra before the Classic,didn't care for the hard lowers and didn't need the CB/intercom 4 speaker stereo,the cruise control was ok but not something I used much.
As for taking a car on a long trip? Fuck That! touring on a bike is the only way to fly!
Sitting in a cage sucks,might as well take a bus or train but riding out in the elements on a bike seeing,smelling and feeling the country roll by is an experience I truly love and wouldn't trade for anything,the only way to do it is on a full dress touring bike.

Totally agree here, ya gotta understand, 454 don't ride, more of just a status symbol for him.....

[druber13]

Originally Posted by Y2K

I couldn't disagree more,I love the touring class bikes and have become so comfortable riding mine that I throw it around like a Sporty.
They handle a lot better than you think!
As for taking a car on a long trip? Fuck That! touring on a bike is the only way to fly!
Sitting in a cage sucks,might as well take a bus or train but riding out in the elements on a bike seeing,smelling and feeling the country roll by is an experience I truly love and wouldn't trade for anything,the only way to do it is on a full dress touring bike.

Rep for that!

[454SS]

Originally Posted by Y2K

I couldn't disagree more,I love the touring class bikes and have become so comfortable riding mine that I throw it around like a Sporty.
They handle a lot better than you think!
The Ultra does have more crap on it than I need,I prefer the Classic or std.
I mainly bought the Classic for the touring trunk but I'll confess I liked the black and chrome engine treatment.
I had an Ultra before the Classic,didn't care for the hard lowers and didn't need the CB/intercom 4 speaker stereo,the cruise control was ok but not something I used much.
As for taking a car on a long trip? Fuck That! touring on a bike is the only way to fly!
Sitting in a cage sucks,might as well take a bus or train but riding out in the elements on a bike seeing,smelling and feeling the country roll by is an experience I truly love and wouldn't trade for anything,the only way to do it is on a full dress touring bike.

In all fairness I haven't ridden a touring Harley recently that's newer than 2004 so, if you say it handles well, I have to believe you. The farthest I ride my Dyna is about 150 miles each way so, that's not what it's about for me. That's not to slam touring bikes, just not what I'm into.

As far as the cage, I have a targa top. Lots different than a hardtop. My car is far from boring. Damn, are there enough emoticons to choose from?