Ultra Classic test rides

[Cajunrider]

Yesterday morning the local Harley dealer called me at home to come in for a test ride. I told him I wasn't buying a new bike now but he insisted. So, I caved in and rode two Ultra Classics.

Here are my reviews:

The first was the 103 cubic inch Screamin Eagle. Beautiful bike in Pearl White with some metallic silver pin striping. Great stereo system with speed compensated volume, cruise, no buffeting at all with the upper and lower fairings, plenty of low and upper end torque and a very smooth ride. The bike is more nimble in parking lots than the Nomad is. It seems more balanced. Plenty of storage room in the tourpak. But, the bags don't have as much room as the Nomad bags do. The ride is smoother over the bumps than on the Nomad, but I didn't feel as comfortable in the saddle as on the Nomad. The seat feels more narrow and I was also sitting up higher as my legs were more straight when stopped with both feet flat on the pavement. The heel/toe shifter sits higher off the floorboard than on the Nomad. I actually had to raise my foot off of the floorboard to up shift and downshift. Maybe the floorboards are adjustable and could be raised a little. I didn't ask. I felt a little cramped up with my feet on the boards already so raising them would cramp me even more. The boards also feel like they are mounted a little more to the rear than on the Nomad. With the lower fairings, I didn't see a way to mount highway pegs. Maybe there is a special model Harley highway peg for the Ultras. If so, they should be already mounted for the price of the bike.
I also rode a Black 96 cubic inch Ultra. Pretty much identical to the 103 except not quite as much, but still plenty of torque. I noticed a whining noise coming from the primary that I didn't hear on the other bike. Both were off of the showroom floor. Not demo's.
Now for the worst part. They offered me $7,830 on a wholesale trade for my Nomad. It is an '07 with 7,200 miles. Immaculate shape and garage kept. What an insult. If I couldn't get $10,500 retail for my bike right now, I'd just have to keep it. The good part about it is I'm not interested in selling it or trading it. It felt great when I rode away on my Nomad. Oh, I forgot to mention, the OTD price on the black 96 cubic inch Ultra with the 2 year service agreement was $26,145. I can buy a new pickup truck for less than that. All in all, the test rides were fun and I learned that the Harley glimmer and rumble is nice but not that nice.

[sarge1057]

Nice review , I don't think our dealers up in NY will be doing test rides any time soon.

[taranis]

Holy crap.

I have yet to ride a Harley - any Harley - simply found no need to. For $26,500 I could have a very nicely equipped Goldwing. SatNav, blender, cupholders, reverse, cruise, microwave, ABS.. yum...

[phenrichs]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

The ride is smoother over the bumps than on the Nomad, but I didn't feel as comfortable in the saddle as on the Nomad.

That's because they were trying to reach into your back pocket and remove your wallet the whole time.

On your Nomad you don't have anyone trying bend you over.

[cactusjack]

$7830 trade-in for your Nomad is an insult. Still, it's nice sometimes to ride something else and see how the other half lives. When I rode my buddy's Road Glide a couple months ago, I really enjoyed it. I did get the feeling that everything was kind of "compressed", almost smaller scale than on the Nomad. His heel shifter was adjusted way high, too. The RG seemed a lot lighter than the Nomad. I was surprised when I stood it up off the jiffy stand.

Those damn turn signals take some getting used to, huh? For those who may not know, the left turn signal switch is located on the left handlebar switch housing, and the right is on the right handlebar switch housing on most, if not all, HD.

[Cajunrider]

The turn signals are the same on the Ultras Scott. It felt very different reaching for a turn signal on both sides.

[jasperboy]

Yes, I too enjoy riding something different from time to time, but it always reaffirms my belief that the Nomad is the perfect bike for me. Ridden several HD's, from the V-Rod to the Ultra, Yamaha V Stars, and Honda VTX's over the years, and when I climb back aboard the Nomad I feel right at home and have no desire to change. Even if I could part with $25K +, I don't believe I could find any justification for it. If a full scale touring bike is your desire, get a Voyager, or just add the fairing and trunk to your Nomad and save the rest for gas and hotels. My $.02

[ekimpc54]

I rode both an 07 and 09 Ultra last summer while I still had my Shadow 750. I liked the ride and the dealer was willing to give me retail value for my Shadow on trade. The only thing that really bothered me was the heat coming off that air cooled engine - especially here in central Florida. Now I am sure glad I held out for the Nomad. Couldn't be happier. I think my Harley fever has been cured.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by sarge1057

Nice review , I don't think our dealers up in NY will be doing test rides any time soon.

Hey Sarge, you don't live to far from me. I live in Florence,NY. Might have to get together for a ride when this snow goes away.
I think it will be about August

[ringadingh]

Someday I may take the plunge on a HD, I really like some of them. But for now the Nomad is just too good a dollar value to pass up.