I've had touring bike for many years. I have never understood the purpose of the rails. I have never seen any damage that they would have prevented.

Enjoy your rails.

 

Exactly why I bought a limited.

 

Looks better without the rails.

 

My vote is for adding the rails..
and that's what I did to my '12 Ltd....
I love the rails and the electra-glo lights that go between the rails..
Now THAT'S a look I love.

 

Hey Jim

That Falcon 900 is that the old Fayair 900 from HPN ?

 

When I looked at the Ultra and the Limited as to what the limited added and subtracted I found that the price did not justify the difference.

I got the dealer to throw in the trunk rack, service manual and wind splitter windscreen so I went with the Ultra with ABS. Did not care for the Limited chrome wheels, missing bumpers and bag rails. I have heated gloves so I didn't need heated grips. If I wanted chrome wheels I would go for the Agitator wheels. I cuss every time I go to check the rear tire pressure. I would have hated to have paid more for those fugly 40 spoke rims or whatever they are called.

With all the goop on the Ultra my wife calls it "The Buick".

For the "Cleaner" look I added a RGC. That is called the "Evil Twin".

 

I'm not a big 2 tone guy, but that red and black really looks good.

 

Pretty good business model when you can supply less product, and charge more for "cleaning up" the look.

Personally I love Saddle Bag rails. But I grew up worshipping late '50s Chrome barges.

 

People who put forward their opinion as fact, and call others who may not agree with them lame and or stupid, are lame. and stupid.

 

Hook, line and sinker, lmao... To the OP, go on fleabay and get all the cheap take off parts you can handle, then you can transform your limited into an ultra. I kinda get your point with the saddle bag guards, I like the road king ones that swoop low as they go back, that is a good look to me. After I started thinking about doing that to my bike, I started seeing a few limiteds on the forum with them added and looks good to me. Good luck man, stay safe.