Thank you in advance for objective opinions.
I am considering an 2010 Ultra. I have a 2006 now with about 40,000 miles.
There are pros and cons. I know most are happy with the 09 enhancements that of course the 10 gets also.
What I am really interested in is any issues with the 2010 bikes. I know some have complained about being even hotter than the older bikes. Others say no, that with the improvements they run more comfortable heat wise fro the 09 enhancements.
Any first hand experience with the heat issue and or other issues yet specific to 2010 models.
Thank you again.
I've owned 2000 & 2005 TC88s as well as recently swapping an '07 for a '10... all Ultras. As you know, on a hot day in stop n go traffic with your feet down the 88s are hot. The '07 was worse, it literally felt like I could almost feel blisters raising on my thighs at times. Painfully hot!
When I rode the '09s last year I loved the handling and found the heat gone for the most part. A bit of it migrated down to the right calf & ankle when moving but nothing objectionable, IMO. You can always change positions a bit. When stopped I feel nothing uncomfortable in any way, shape or form on the '10.
I've seen reports of cataysts glowing cherry red and uncomfortable heat, I haven't experienced it. I've been nothing short of delighted with the improvements over the '07, both in handling and overall smoothness. After adding pipes, breathers and fuel management of one sort or another to every EFI bike I've owned I'm gonna run this one stock because it just runs so good. Well, I added slipons cuz I got a killer deal on 'em. And my internal dyno could feel a considerable difference in performance. But the plugs look good and fuel mileage is up from what I had been experiencing. It's my thought that the A/F mixtures may be a tad fatter on the '10s due to the catalyst reducing emissions.
The difference between your '06 and a '09 or '10 is going to be mind-blowing. In addition to the 96" and the 6-speed they change the primary gearing. Gone is that feeling of always being in the wrong gear running around town at 30 - 35 MPH. They also reduced the rear pulley by 2 teeth sometime between the '07s and '09 making 6th much more useable. As an experiment I rolled on in 6th from 50 MPH and experienced nothing but smooth, steady acceleration... no lugging, no lag. On the '07 6th was pretty-much useless below 70 MPH.
The new frame and wider rear end and tire was my main motivation for the swap. It just flat-out handles like a much lighter bike! Gone is the low-speed front end uncertainty and the wallowing in bumpy high-speed sweepers. I used to get my FXR out when I was in need of a fix in the twisties. No longer necessary.
I had the choice of identical '09 or a '10 when I traded. I knew the differences were marginal and the '10 had the catalyst. The only appreciable difference would possibly be trade-in or resale value down the road as I had the same deal available for either. I chose the '10. YMMV.
TL