2009 Ultra (kinda doggy??)
#12
08-02-2009, 08:18 AM
#13
08-02-2009, 08:32 AM
OK, not intended to **** off the Ultra owners (I'm lookin' to buy one myself)
Anyway, wife and I going to Costco yesterday, and I ask her, Hey, wanna stop at the Harley dealership to take a look at the 2010's--- she says sure.
Pop on in, get corralled by the first sales guy--- tell him I'm thinking Ultra--- 2009 or 2010 depending on the deal.
He shows me a couple of 09's (no 10's in stock yet)-- hands me a helmet and tells me to take it for a test ride---
I have a bone stock '08 RKC--- no slip-ons, no nothin'--I like it, quiet, and plenty of power---
The Ultra has a Stage I installed with Screaming Eagle slip-ons. Right away, I HATE the sound-- I would have been PISSED if I had paid for that sound.
Get it out on the road--- maybe 10 miles out and 10 back--- normal driving thru the gears, maybe 3800-4200 RPM shifts
The bike had 27 miles on it, and to be honest, it just seemed sooooo doggy-- not really lacing in power, just no zip--- my RKC much better thru the gears--
Why this post? Anyone have a clue why this would be? Just my subjective misimpression? anyone else notice this--??
I know the Ultra is heavier, and possibly the additional fairings surface area held it back--- no??
Anyway, wife and I going to Costco yesterday, and I ask her, Hey, wanna stop at the Harley dealership to take a look at the 2010's--- she says sure.
Pop on in, get corralled by the first sales guy--- tell him I'm thinking Ultra--- 2009 or 2010 depending on the deal.
He shows me a couple of 09's (no 10's in stock yet)-- hands me a helmet and tells me to take it for a test ride---
I have a bone stock '08 RKC--- no slip-ons, no nothin'--I like it, quiet, and plenty of power---
The Ultra has a Stage I installed with Screaming Eagle slip-ons. Right away, I HATE the sound-- I would have been PISSED if I had paid for that sound.
Get it out on the road--- maybe 10 miles out and 10 back--- normal driving thru the gears, maybe 3800-4200 RPM shifts
The bike had 27 miles on it, and to be honest, it just seemed sooooo doggy-- not really lacing in power, just no zip--- my RKC much better thru the gears--
Why this post? Anyone have a clue why this would be? Just my subjective misimpression? anyone else notice this--??
I know the Ultra is heavier, and possibly the additional fairings surface area held it back--- no??
#14
08-02-2009, 12:56 PM
#15
08-02-2009, 01:27 PM
Thanks, guys, for all your input--- some very good points--- yeah, I probably should have babied it a bit more--- I rarely shift above 4000 rpm on my own bike--- and only did so a few times on the demo ride--- it's just that I was so surprised at the lack of power that I was hoping the sweet spot might be a bit higher in the rev band--- no luck
I'm thinking it was a combination of things--- and the newness of the bike was definitely one of them--
now, get this, after seeing me ride the Ultra, my wife says no way to the Ultra--- I just don't get women--- I wanted the Ultra so that she could be super-comfy on long, multi-day rides--- have the tunes, etc, etc--- now she just wants to keep the RK, maybe dress it up, Stage 2, etc...
I am still a little concerned about it going off warranty--- anyone know what the extended warranties are going for??
thanks again guys--- good points---
I'm thinking it was a combination of things--- and the newness of the bike was definitely one of them--
now, get this, after seeing me ride the Ultra, my wife says no way to the Ultra--- I just don't get women--- I wanted the Ultra so that she could be super-comfy on long, multi-day rides--- have the tunes, etc, etc--- now she just wants to keep the RK, maybe dress it up, Stage 2, etc...
I am still a little concerned about it going off warranty--- anyone know what the extended warranties are going for??
thanks again guys--- good points---
#16
08-02-2009, 02:22 PM
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The extra wind protection probably makes it seem you are not moving as fast also. Try sticking your arm out the car window on the highway, leave it a min then pull it back in.
Big difference in the preception of how fast your going. Its a bunch of small things that add up to what you feel. I don't think there can really be a big difference. Besides, your getting the bagger for comfort right? You'll get used to it. For me, hearing all the engine hisses and whines because of the fairing drove me nuts for a while after 19000 miles with my Vulcan running a windshield only. And I would never let my wife tell me which bike to buy, in the end its yours and you have to be happy with it.
Big difference in the preception of how fast your going. Its a bunch of small things that add up to what you feel. I don't think there can really be a big difference. Besides, your getting the bagger for comfort right? You'll get used to it. For me, hearing all the engine hisses and whines because of the fairing drove me nuts for a while after 19000 miles with my Vulcan running a windshield only. And I would never let my wife tell me which bike to buy, in the end its yours and you have to be happy with it.
Last edited by tmblweed; 08-02-2009 at 02:24 PM.
#17
08-02-2009, 03:25 PM
The extra wind protection probably makes it seem you are not moving as fast also. Try sticking your arm out the car window on the highway, leave it a min then pull it back in.
Big difference in the preception of how fast your going. Its a bunch of small things that add up to what you feel. I don't think there can really be a big difference. Besides, your getting the bagger for comfort right? You'll get used to it. For me, hearing all the engine hisses and whines because of the fairing drove me nuts for a while after 19000 miles with my Vulcan running a windshield only. And I would never let my wife tell me which bike to buy, in the end its yours and you have to be happy with it.
Big difference in the preception of how fast your going. Its a bunch of small things that add up to what you feel. I don't think there can really be a big difference. Besides, your getting the bagger for comfort right? You'll get used to it. For me, hearing all the engine hisses and whines because of the fairing drove me nuts for a while after 19000 miles with my Vulcan running a windshield only. And I would never let my wife tell me which bike to buy, in the end its yours and you have to be happy with it.
Seriously, this really is a mutual decision--- when we ride, we usually ride together, so it is important that she have some say about it--- she has my back, and often makes me think twice about a decision, and most of the time it helps
and, hey, if I'm riding a Harley, I AM already happy--- so now we are down to the nits and picks and details
leaning towards the Street Glide -Sunglow Red -love the new back-end look
I am wondering what a Stage II would cost for the Street Glide???
#18
08-02-2009, 03:47 PM
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LOL--- I appreciate your comments--- but really, my wife does not tell me to do anything (other than take out the trash--- maybe mow the lawns, well, and clean out the garage-- oh crap, she DOES tell me what to do!)
Seriously, this really is a mutual decision--- when we ride, we usually ride together, so it is important that she have some say about it--- she has my back, and often makes me think twice about a decision, and most of the time it helps
and, hey, if I'm riding a Harley, I AM already happy--- so now we are down to the nits and picks and details
leaning towards the Street Glide -Sunglow Red -love the new back-end look
I am wondering what a Stage II would cost for the Street Glide???
Seriously, this really is a mutual decision--- when we ride, we usually ride together, so it is important that she have some say about it--- she has my back, and often makes me think twice about a decision, and most of the time it helps
and, hey, if I'm riding a Harley, I AM already happy--- so now we are down to the nits and picks and details
leaning towards the Street Glide -Sunglow Red -love the new back-end look
I am wondering what a Stage II would cost for the Street Glide???
No harm meant...the wifes input is always needed and wanted...mine forbade me to get my 1st bike but I did anyway. Now she is glad I did.
#19
08-02-2009, 05:44 PM
#20
08-02-2009, 06:06 PM
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09 Ultra
I traded my 05 rkc, ( rinehardts td, pc111 big K&N) for a 09 Ultra back in May. Yes, its a different bike. My Rk had 80 HP and 80 trq and was a different handling bike. The power is different because the 09s gearing is different and the stock pipes dont help either. They are just different bikes in my opinion. Im still getting use to the bike as its heavier too. But, so far, so good. Im liking it more as time goes on. i do miss my RK tho and plan to install Rinehardts, air and a fuel mgt system. That will help im sure. I enjoy the radio and cd player along with the fairing also. Good Luck in your choice if you do trade. Of course they have the Limited for 10 with a 103.............