Hi thinking of upgrading from my 88 Classic and have found what look to be good deals on an 01 and 06 Ultra. Does anybody know if there are any differences between the 2 years aside from the stereo? Thanks Chris

 

I don't believe there is any difference, because the next big changes were done in 07. When they went 6speed and the 96". Other than the stereo.

 

the swingarm on the 01 has been known to fail at the axle area, also the cam tensioners can wear faster on the 01 and if's got EFI the 01 can develop idle issues. But the 01 has a better lower end than the 06.

 

Didn't 06 and 01 have the same EFI system?

 

The '06 will have all the TC 88 improvements, which were quite a few over the years.
Somewhere along the line they went to a larger 1" axle, swingarm improvement, and the late model '06 have different porting in the heads to help reversion. The '06 has the larger alternator with 650 watt, 50 amp charging system, which is a big factor if you want to run extra electrics like heated gear. It has the improved clutch ramp for easier pull. It has the improved material in the tour bags/top case.

Negatives: The newer TC88's went to higher gearing in the primary, and the '06 was the first touring model with a catalyst in the muffler (right side only in the 49 state models) and has EPA cams with no overlap, which really sucked.

Here's a link on the '06 from Rider Magazine

http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?id=1202185

 

The 01 had MM EFI while the 06 has the Delphi. The stock heads on the 06 improved as well. The 06 won't have the Timken bearing on the crank, the 01 will. The 01 will have a forged crank, the 06 won't. These are just a few differences not already noted.

 

Thanks for all the great info and the link. Very helpful!

 

Hey, Dawg, can you elaborate on the bearings and crank? Are these positives or negatives?

Thanks.

 

The crank is stronger in the '01, the bearings are better in the '01, the Delphi EFI in the '06 is better than the '01.

 

HD's used to have forged cranks and now have cast. They also used to have Timken crank bearings, but now they don't. A forged crank is stronger. The Timken bearing is better. That is why 2002 is considered a great bike because of the Delphi injection and still having a forged crank and Timken bearing.