I recently
needed to drop off my bike (Electra Glide Standard) to the Local Harley Dealer
for a new rear tyre and brakes. They so kindly offered me a replacement bike to use
till mine was ready.
Big deal
you say?… Well they gave me an almost new Ultra Limited (Project Rushmore) as a
replacement. So I thought to myself this is the perfect opportunity to do a
‘Ride Review’ on this bike.
One of
the first things you notice when approaching the bike are the lights. They are
the new ‘Daymaker’ LED head light and driving lights.
These were reinforced by
the LED running lights on the tip of the front fender and also on the rear of
the top-box.
Starting
at the front… the bike is fitted with Brembo (r) brakes and has the all new ABS
system that senses braking between front and rear. It does not operate under
25kmh and if you brake normally you will not notice any difference. However if you
ram on the brakes in an emergency it will take over and assist you.
The
minute you jump on the bike and turn on the ignition you are faced with a 6.5″
LCD screen displaying an animation of a Harley logo on fire. What the hell is
this? It’s Harley’s Boom Box 6.5 Infotainment System. It’s a touch screen
Radio, Media Player, Bluetooth and GPS all in one system.
What can you do with
it? Well it’s a GPS so you can find your way around. It has a handy flap that
contains a USB port to connect a thumb drive containing music or video. Or just
charge your phone.
The Bluetooth can connect to your ‘in helmet headset’, phone
or whatever you need. The Radio is not just for music but also communication
between rider and/or other bikes. What’s more you ask… it’s all voice
activated. The Voice Recognition will ‘call the office’ or ‘find where’s the
next gas station’ and it does your bidding. The usual control buttons are on
the handle bars also for your convenience. Cruise control is also included. But
wait… it has hand grip warmers for you cold blooded types (like me).
Next…
they have a new wind shield that is designed to reduce buffeting in high wind
conditions. I didn’t get a chance to prove it, but another great feature is the closeable vent above the dials that let’s you get some ‘air’ on hot days.
Okay now
for the engine. Well it’s 103 cubes of “Twin-Cooled – High Output – Twin Cam”
Rushmore goodness. At the centre of the Rushmore Project is a liquid cooling
system that keeps the heads cool allowing the engine to have higher compression
and rev better. The hot fluid exits the heads and passes through steel and also
rubber tubes into the lower fairing body into a radiator then circulates to
another radiator on the other lower fairing body before returning to the heads.
The pump is tucked under the voltage regulator and both radiators have electric
fans to assist if the bike is stationary. So… that gives us more low-end
torque, more passing power and perhaps also a better exhaust note as well. They
say “It’s got the fastest 95kmh to 125kmh 5th gear roll on in the history of
Harley Davidson”. I think it may be true.
What’s
more they have redesigned the ‘panniers’ by placing a new latch on them and
avoiding the ‘flip-pull-lift’ system of old. The panniers and drop bars have
been redesigned to allow for more ‘foot room’ and ‘seat room’ for passenger.
The top-box also has a new single latch system. Gone is the steel wire cable
holding the top-box lid open. It now has a braided nylon retractable system.
Oh yes…
Apparently they have included a battery charger connector under the left
side-cover. Handy for those snowy months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Colours?…
This is what is available…
In
summary: I think it’s brilliant. However I would argue if they needed to
produce a liquid cooled bike. I know everybody says I want more torque and more
power but that is just a knee-jerk emotional thought. That same thinking sunk
Buell when they did some market research (which I attended) and a bunch of
dropkicks said we want more power. Of course they did. You could put a Cummins
Diesel in a bike frame and they’ll still want more power. Buell switched from
the Harley engines to the Rotax engines. At that moment Buell lost it’s soul
and the rest is history. Sadly I did own a Buell and traded it for the 2009
Electra Glide. Do you really truly need more power and torque? The old 2009
Electra Glide gives me enough enjoyment as is. Also the liquid cooling system
adds more that can go wrong with the bike. The LED lights I feel are needed and
brilliant (they can stay). The Boom Box is okay for ‘those peeps’ who are into
electronic gadgets (like me). However over 50′s peeps (also like me) will have
difficulty figuring it out and will need to make instructions on post-it notes
and plaster them all over the dash. I wish I had a dollar for every time
someone asked me to ‘pair their phone to their car radio’. Thank you Harley
Davidson you have just made my life so much more difficult.
Finally
would I own one… YES… now please someone buy this for me!
PS:
for all those analytical peeps – here’s a PDF of the specifications and pricing for Australia & New
Zealand
Thanks Nix for let me post your review.
Nix's company dTour.biz can be found at www.dTour.biz and you will also find the link to his blog.
Equipment
2014 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
Android phone for photos.
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