overall verdict
This is Harley’s all-singing all-dancing, top-of-the-range tourer. In
standard trim it’s fully-loaded with touring accessories that are only
available as optional extras on lower-spec Electra Glides. It also has a larger
capacity engine. The major problem with this bike is its massive £21,222 price
tag. For that sort of money it needs to be perfect, but it’s far from that. A
Victory Vision Tour, Kawasaki VN1700 Classis or BMW K1200LT will offer a far
superior riding experience for much less money.
Engine
The Ultra Classic gets a bigger 1690cc V-twin engine (the Electra Glide has
a 1584cc motor), although Harley, according to its tradition doesn’t give
claimed power figures. They do say it makes 6ftlb more torque (up to 100ftlb)
at the same lazy 3500rpm. The engine is smooth enough on the move and offers
decent acceleration, given the machine’s horrendous 400kg (dry!) bulk. What
really lets the motor down is its painfully agricultural six-speed gearbox.
Ride and Handling
Although the ride quality is very good cruising in a straight line, the big
Harley hates corners. Due to its ridiculous bulk there’s very little feeling
for what’s going with the tyres and corning in the wet at any kind of speed is
plain frightening. Brakes are very poor.
Equipment
Although the basic controls, dials and switches are old fashioned and
haphazardly placed you get lots of equipment as standard, like two-tone
paintwork, cruise control, ABS, heated grips, top box and panniers, a luggage
rack and an 80-watt Harmon-Kardon stereo. The list goes on…
Quality and Reliability
The paintwork and all the shiny bits are well produced, but the attention
to detail under the skin is poor. Harleys are reliable on the whole but we have
always experienced frustrating little faults with our test bikes, with things
dropping off and coming undone. When this machine was delivered to our office
the ABS didn’t work.
Value
It’s hard to see where all your money goes with the Electra Glide Ultra
Limited. It’s a lot of money for a dynamically poor machine, when you compare
it to its cheaper competition. At the end of the day you’re simply paying for
the Harley Davidson badge and all the history and heritage that goes with it.
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