[ichiban]

Picked up my new Road Glide Ultra in Merlot Sunglow. My local Harley Dealer *(Boston) did a super job finding the color of choice even though Merlot Sunglow is hard to find.
My first impression is WOW!!! Outstanding handling and performance for a touring model. This is a sport touring bike that has a feeling of being much lighter. I had to scrape the bugs from my teeth due to the big smile on my face. I didn't have a problem at all moving into the shark. The light steering in traffic makes it nimble. Over the Winter Months: stage one and new bars are a must for me. I am not use to leaning forward while riding. Being 5'8" with 30" inseam my feet are not planted on the ground as it was with my Heritage but not a issue unless I there is a road dip at stop. The brakes are superior. I have 20 miles on it with ten at pick up. When I was poorly backing the RGU into my driveway I smelled and noticed smoke ....it's the newness burning in! Anyone looking for a touring model....You will NOT be disappointed

 

[kbzden]

Congrats on new ride love that color, nice to see another local guy here.

 

[Rowdy]

Congrats on the new ride

Congrats, lookin for some pics. I havent seen that color on an Ultra yet... Pics???

 

[BillyBob]

Wecolme, not sure what the smoke would be? Was it from the engine? Maybe something on the pipes ? Take a look and see what you can see.

 

[ichiban]

Wecolme, not sure what the smoke would be? Was it from the engine? Maybe something on the pipes ? Take a look and see what you can see.

The smoke was coming from up from the fork area as I was pushing it backwards into my driveway. I checked the engine when cold this morning (Saturday) Fine. Road into work 8 miles even and all was good. The smell is less today and must be all the new burning off. What should the oil pressure read at cold and hot running temp. It was mid 50's this morning with the pressure mid point (32) This afternoon mid 80's dropped down half. Is this normal as the oil gets hot? One issue is at idol...tach reads 1000 RPM but it does idol rough compared to my Heritage 96B....smooths out at running speed though. Normal for the 103? I didn't get my owners manual with the bike so they will call me when it comes in. I am running blind! Got the wife for a ride and it seems as there is no air in the shocks! We went Over a few good depressions in the road we were bottoming out! on something. Thump! I found a UTube video on adding air so hope the input is on the left side under the rear bag! Day off from work tomorrow so plenty of time to figure it out! Man I miss my louder stage one!

 

[groupw]

I found a UTube video on adding air so hope the input is on the left side under the rear bag!

........ that's where mine's at .. be sure & use a hand pump to start, wouldn't wanna blow those babies out to quick !

 

[DreamRider]

Nice Ride

Picked up my new Road Glide Ultra in Merlot Sunglow.

Grats Ichiban (#1!) and Welcome. Its sounds like a perfect match...get some pics up soon so we can all Ooh and Aah!

 

[Pokerstar]

Beautiful! Enjoy it! One quick question - Did you ride both the custom and the ultra, if so can you give a quick comparison? I am deciding between the two (haven t ridden either yet) and am looking for a bit of input! Thanks

 

[swoop]

Beautiful! Enjoy it! One quick question - Did you ride both the custom and the ultra, if so can you give a quick comparison? I am deciding between the two (haven t ridden either yet) and am looking for a bit of input! Thanks

I rode both back to back a couple weeks ago. It's basicly like driving a Corvette or a Caddy. One is good for looking bad ass and picking up tail. The other is for cruising long range & kicking back. The RGU was pinging really bad in 95 degree heat.

If my wife rode I would buy the ultra, but since she doesn't I'll probably get the custom.

 

[Pokerstar]

I rode both back to back a couple weeks ago. It's basicly like driving a Corvette or a Caddy. One is good for looking bad ass and picking up tail. The other is for cruising long range & kicking back.

Hmmmmm, I kinda like both! What to do.....

 

[ichiban]

I rode both back to back a couple weeks ago. It's basicly like driving a Corvette or a Caddy. One is good for looking bad ass and picking up tail. The other is for cruising long range & kicking back. The RGU was pinging really bad in 95 degree heat.

If my wife rode I would buy the ultra, but since she doesn't I'll probably get the custom.

Having the 2011 RGU is like having both! The 103 is outstanding.... I still have bugs in my teeth from smiling. My wife rides with me so this was a no brainer. I am planning to make the tour pack detachable and pop on a shorty sissy bar. I am getting double looks from our Harley owners when on the road. Got to get my stage one installed soon. The stock mufflers are to quiet for me!

 

[Ratatude]

Congrats... had mine for a little over a week, have 500+ miles on it already.
Goes in Saturday morning for Vancve and Hines Trual Duals

 

[ichiban]

Congrats... had mine for a little over a week, have 500+ miles on it already.
Goes in Saturday morning for Vance and Hines True Duals

Congrats Back to ya! I put on 137 miles since last Friday. Are you doing the full stage one with race tuner? Vance and Hinds are rated high. How loud are they rating 1 to 10? ( #1 is stock) Rinehart among others is good choice too. Did you have to wait until the 500 mile break in was over before having the stock pipes swapped over to the Vance and Hinds?
Any issues with your bars? I have to change out my bars to Heritage cause the stock bars causes me to reach forward. The dealer rotated the bars down as far as it can go and that made it better for now. What color? My dealer did a outstanding job finding me the Merlot Sunglow. Let me know how your stage one goes. My RGU is way to quiet compared to my stage one Heritage I traded.

 

[icufltrn]

Congrats on the new ride, from the south shore.

 

[Ratatude]

Congrats Back to ya! I put on 137 miles since last Friday. Are you doing the full stage one with race tuner? Vance and Hinds are rated high. How loud are they rating 1 to 10? ( #1 is stock) Rinehart among others is good choice too. Did you have to wait until the 500 mile break in was over before having the stock pipes swapped over to the Vance and Hinds?
Any issues with your bars? I have to change out my bars to Heritage cause the stock bars causes me to reach forward. The dealer rotated the bars down as far as it can go and that made it better for now. What color? My dealer did a outstanding job finding me the Merlot Sunglow. Let me know how your stage one goes. My RGU is way to quiet compared to my stage one Heritage I traded.

Yes, I am installing the fuelpak and screaming eagle air filter also. Had short shots on my old crossbones they were loud. I think these will be the same. I am also having some issues with my bars. Feels like I am reaching forward and down too much. Do you think heritage bars will correct that? Also need to move my floorboards up and get some kind of highway pegs. mine is the Merlot sunglow too !! I did not have to wait until 500miles to put on my Vance and Hines.. That is the first available shop time I could get.

 

[ichiban]

Do you think heritage bars will correct that?

Previous Posting that will help you with the bars

H-D switched to throttle-by-wire, a lot of people put the bars from the Heritage Softail Classic (56623-99) on their touring bikes. The new throttle sensor, installed in the right end of the bar on touring bikes forced a change to the bars. There are three notches in the end of the bar (to keep the sensor from rotating) and an opening in the middle of the bar for the wires of the sensor.

Because of the popularity of the Heritage bars, Harley introduced a bar for touring bikes with identical dimensions as the Heritage bar and with the notches and wire opening.
They named the bar, "Heritage Style Handlebar" (56902-08 Chrome) and (55864-09 satin black).

The advantages of the bar are -
It doesn't require new cables/wires and it is taller, allowing it to be tilted back, closer the the rider

I traded in my 2010 Heritage for the RGU and really enjoyed the bars. They could have been a few inches higher. lol Hope this helps.

 

[ichiban]

Previous Posting that will help you with the bars

H-D switched to throttle-by-wire, a lot of people put the bars from the Heritage Softail Classic (56623-99) on their touring bikes. The new throttle sensor, installed in the right end of the bar on touring bikes forced a change to the bars. There are three notches in the end of the bar (to keep the sensor from rotating) and an opening in the middle of the bar for the wires of the sensor.

Because of the popularity of the Heritage bars, Harley introduced a bar for touring bikes with identical dimensions as the Heritage bar and with the notches and wire opening.
They named the bar, "Heritage Style Handlebar" (56902-08 Chrome) and (55864-09 satin black).

The advantages of the bar are -
It doesn't require new cables/wires and it is taller, allowing it to be tilted back, closer the the rider

UPDATE I ordered the Touring Heritage style bar.
(56902-08 Chrome) which was $79.95. Everything to do the change uses the stock equipment. Looking in the 2011 Harley Parts book shows "twist grip sensor kit" (32310-08) is required. I spoke with service and the reason the grip sensor kit is required was the longer length of the wire to suit the taller Heritage bars. We are going to just swap over the stock grip sensor should be fine. Best time to change out the grips and install Kuryakyn ISO grips. I also ordered the Kuryakyn chrome mirror Stem Extenders. This brings the mirrors out about three inches without raising them much.

 

[Ratatude]

Thanks... going to go talk to my harley dealer tonight.. try to get bars installed with my pipes on Saturday..

 

[ichiban]

Thanks... going to go talk to my harley dealer tonight.. try to get bars installed with my pipes on Saturday..

You may want to take this time to change out your GRIPS!
Since they are taking them off ....
I am ordering Küryakyn Premium ISO®-Grips (with Throttle Boss) and having my deal throw them on while they are swapping out the bars!

 

[SuperGlideSport]

Picked up my new Road Glide Ultra in Merlot Sunglow. My local Harley Dealer *(Boston) did a super job finding the color of choice even though Merlot Sunglow is hard to find.
My first impression is WOW!!! Outstanding handling and performance for a touring model. This is a sport touring bike that has a feeling of being much lighter. I had to scrape the bugs from my teeth due to the big smile on my face. I didn't have a problem at all moving into the shark. The light steering in traffic makes it nimble. Over the Winter Months: stage one and new bars are a must for me. I am not use to leaning forward while riding. Being 5'8" with 30" inseam my feet are not planted on the ground as it was with my Heritage but not a issue unless I there is a road dip at stop. The brakes are superior. I have 20 miles on it with ten at pick up. When I was poorly backing the RGU into my driveway I smelled and noticed smoke ....it's the newness burning in! Anyone looking for a touring model....You will NOT be disappointed

Good luck with the RGU! You're on the North Shore? I'm in Littleton. We'll have to hook up and ride. My wife and I go out every weekend the weather is good, and sometimes when it's not! I also try to get out for a few hours every night after work.

I tried to do business at Boston HD but it was a no go.

BTW..........change those bars out to the Heritage style bars. There's more pull back and you'll feel right at home especially after having ridden one for a while. The RK Reduced Reach bars are also pretty good on a RG.​