Go for it, get the ABS, and pick your favorite color. You WON"T be disappointed! Welcome to the "Dark Side"....

 

Firstly , welcome to the forum.
You're located in a prime riding area of upstate New York for sure.
I've heard great things about Arkport Cycles , my buddy bought a Yamaha Stratoliner there about two years ago.
We ride down that way now and then for some different scenery and a tiny diner that makes great burgers in Arkport.
We picked up our 09 Ultra from Cycle Stop Harley back in August last summer and it's been very good riding since.
We had an 06 EG Standard and my wife fell in love with the Ultra , so it was an easy sell for the wife.
I'm almost 50 years old , 5'8" 182 and the wife is about the same as yours , this Ultra has renewed my wifes interest in riding and we ride as much as we can.
The only thing I've noticed riding , is when you get to a stop , look for gravel or debris when you put your feet down , this bike is a handful at a dead stop.
Once you're going over 1 mph , it is one of the easiest handling bikes you could have.
Riding two up is easy if your passenger stays still and you have a system for her to get on the bike.
I liked the 06 very much , but I really love the 09.....
You won't be sorry you decided on the Ultra.
Mick

 

Pull the trigger on the Ultra and report back here in 6 months. You'll be a new man.

 

You'll never look back.
Harley bikes have a heart and sole.
I have a few freinds who now say the same thing.
They came over to the dark side

 

Get the Ultra. I think you'll love it.

I would offer some advice. Don't go crazy otherwise spending with the new job. Jobs can be fickle and debt is a millstone around your neck. Believe me I know. I started making good money and got into a bit too much debt and I'm still trying to dig out 10 years later. It's been all the harder since my income depends a lot on insurance reimbursement and that has decreased every year since 2001. So buy the bike and love it, but if you take a loan to buy it, pay it off as soon as you can.

Good luck.

(Jeez, I sound like an old FART!)

 

Yeah. New job means selling my old business that I have a buyer for. Harley will be purchased with money from that. And not all of it LOL. And they depreciate so little it's almost like an investment.

 

I just bought an 09 classic 3 weeks ago and I love it except, for me, its a little to tall. I need to get a lower seat and maybe some 12" shocks also. I found someone who will reconfigure the stock seat for $80. hopefully that alone will make the difference. I am 5'10" and can just barely flat foot it. I think the speakers are great. very good stereo sound. except when listening to hip-hop.

 

funny I bought one 3 weeks ago too and im 5'11" and noticed the same thing, not on my toes or anything but much higher than my stock 2003 heritage classic. I put on a street glide seat and its so much better. they got lots of take offs on ebay for half the dealer cost, I got mine for 150 shipped.

 

I own a 650 Burgman and just picked up a new Ultra. I am surprised how the Ultra is so easy for around town rides similar to the Burgman. The Ultra is so easy to handle at low speeds and comes alive with a little speed. Make the jump. You will be very happy with the decision and will find even more fun potential in the Ultra!

 

Go for it, the bike to me is not top heavy at all and is easy to handle, and I'm only 5"10", 165lbs, and compared to my last bike before my Ultra, which was a way too top heavy Yamaha Royal Star Venture. That bike is way top heavy and made my Ultra feel like I couls toss her around like a rag doll. I say go for it you'l be happy with the way it handles.