Harley_Davidson_FLHTCU_Ultra_Classic_MY_OPINION

After owning 3 Goldwings starting with the 1977 and ending with a 1996 model and Harley's of all persuasions (Shovels to Evo's), I can say without a doubt that this model is the most comfortable, dependable and best handling of the H-D line that I have owned. The rubber engine mounts really work well minimizing intrusive vibration. The Fuel Injection system has been flawless. My mileage varies from a low of 45 to a high of 57 on 92 octane Premium gas! The only complaint I can come up with is it does run a little hot. When in Seattle I did not notice it at all, Now down in the HEAT of northern California it is very noticeable on the 100+ degree days. *That and the BAD attitude of the dealers.... which is the worst part about owning a Harley. Would buy again without question. I wish they wheels had come with sealed bearings like the new HD's to today. The only other bike I would consider owning is the new R1150 RT BMW as I appreciate the technological updates and brakes available to them.

Harley_Davidson_FLHTCU_Ultra_Classic_MY_OPINION

I rode H.D. for 14 yrs. but in 1971 a sportster & 72 an electra-glide bought new. I was so turned off with the lack of quality I went to BMW & jap bikes. 84 Aspencade did everything and did it well but in 96 I hit a deer so the next day I bought the 96 Shrine FLHTCUI. Nice ride love the FI. but this is not an around town bike. They run very hot--I was using Mobil#1 oil. I feel H.D. sells all they make but they have some very strong competition. I think that liquid cooling is where it's at. But as you can see some of the manufacturers have taken a step back to air-cooled push rod design engines! The H.D. was very G. but so was the knuckle, & the pan & the shovel so does this mean the evo will soon become one of the above?

Harley_Davidson_FLHTCU_Ultra_Classic_MY_OPINION

The FLHTCUI is a bike spawned from years of slow, deliberate improvements. As evidenced by the seven letters in its name, the Ultra Classic is the product of a long, distinguished line of H-D touring motorcycles that are definitely American. Uniquely styled, it all started with the big-twin tourer FLT in 1980 (which remained in the lineup until last year), followed then by the FLHT in 1984. The 'C' came along during the mid-eighties when some more standard features were added in, and the 'U' is the Ultra designation for yet more features (FLHTC Electra Glide Classic is still available). Finally, the 'I' was appended in 1994 when Harley introduced the electronic fuel-injected version. (Harley's alphabet soup explained in detail). Though down on power when compared to the other tourers, the Weber fuel injection system smoothes out and quickens up the 1340cc mill tremendously compared to the previous carbureted version. Vibration from the Big Twin was always present, but never intrusive. Injection makes for choke-free starting and perfect fuel metering at all speeds, with remarkably good throttle response no matter where we were riding, from sea level to the highest mountain passes. Until this year there was no upgrade chip for the H-D EFI, but now a fully programmable version is available from Harley, making performance upgrades possible. We also found that the Ultra's new cruise control system worked much better than the Honda's, delivering smooth, steady performance without the Gold Wing's on-off jerkiness. And the Harley wins out over both the other bikes in the fuel mileage stakes, consistently turning in 40-plus miles-per-gallon economy, even in the wilting 110 degree heat of America's Southwestern deserts. Around town the Harley struck a balance between our other two touring rigs. It is listed at 765 pounds dry, but it carries its weight well, and was surprisingly manageable at slow speeds despite its fork-mounted fairing. Comfortable and responsive, the Ultra handles everyday commuting in urban confines better than either the Gold Wing or the Beemer, with all its controls well laid out, falling readily to hand and foot. It has a good sound system that was easy to control and increased in volume with speed and rpm. We found both the stereo and intercom/CB more convenient to operate than the Honda's since the hand controls are easier to reach and use. And the Harley was the only one equipped with radio/intercom controls for the passenger, a very nice touch on a long ride. Out on the open highway, there is a distinct lack of wind hitting the rider due to the tall windscreen, and the Ultra's upright seating position is a plus for long-range comfort. The windshield did manage to garner several complaints, though, as it was just the right height for the top edge to obstruct the rider's line of sight, meaning riders in the 5' 8" to 6' category are either crouching to look "under" the top of the shield, or straining to look over it. Harley does, however, offer both taller and shorter shields as accessories for the Ultra. Offering a bit more luggage capacity than the BMW, the Harley's hard saddlebags were still a tight fit compared to the Gold Wing. The top Tour Box, though, was the best of the three, with an easy-to-use side-latch opening and more than adequate space for all that stuff the significant other hates to leave behind. As an extra bonus you can remove most of the touring gear (fairing lowers, saddlebags, and with some extra effort, the Tour Box) in under an hour for a lighter ride. Suspension action is about what you'd expect from a large, comfort-oriented touring mount: soft yet controlled on smooth level pavement, but we quickly overwhelmed it while trying to follow the Beemer heading down a mountain pass. The Ultra does handle tight mountain roads much better than the Gold Wing, though. The triple disc brakes are typical Harley, very effective but requiring a strong pull to stop the large machine. Floorboards are more comfy than footpegs on longer rides, allowing more room to move your feet around. The forward mounted foot controls are huge and somewhat clunky, but are very easy to use, and the ergonomics of the riding position are excellent. Ample ground clearance and rollerskate-quick steering allow relaxed cruising gait anywhere, even on winding country roads. Plus, of course, the eighty inch motor rumbling around somewhere in the engine room adds a distinct character to this touring beast. Out on the road, other Harley riders wave at you. Whenever you stop, little old men appear as if from cracks in the sidewalk to tell you about their model JD and the ride to Phoenix in 1930. And you'll never be short of something to talk about in the coffee shop, that essential component of every motorcycle tour.

Harley_Davidson_FLHTCU_Ultra_Classic_MY_OPINION

The 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic® Electra Glide® touring motorcycle has a comfort-stitched saddle and passenger backrest, hard bags and King Tour-Pak®, 40-watts-per-channel, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD, electronic passenger controls, built-in C.B./voice-activated intercom, and cruise control. This year, the fairing lowers get a new venting system to keep the legs cool.