Adjusting to 2009 Ultra Classic

smitty901

have to agree 100% on this heated grips are not worth near the cost, they do not last and are not nearly as effective as heated gloves.

__________________
The Infantry leads the way

GeezerGlide

For those that have installed the reach seat, I know you get moved lower and forward so does it affect your foot control and floor board positioning at all? Right now the gear shift and brake and floor boards seem good. By moving forward and down does it make a big difference?

GeezerGlide

Update: I went for an amazing ride tonight and the odometer passed 1,000. It was awesome. Some of my back issues are improving so I guess I am getting used to the Ultra Classic. I still haven't tested it during the break in period. I don't think I have been above 3,500 rpm. Even so it has lots of power. I am really impressed how well this bike handles. I had to do a hard stop yesterday and the abs kicked in a bit. It worked well. This is a long weekend in Canada so I hope to do a lot of riding.

Cheers

B-1B_Guy

Geezer,

Being the saw'd off type (5'9"), I really found the reach seat to help me. I think the biggest plus was the narrower seat width, the reach seat didn't stretch my groin and helped me reach the ground flatfooted without stretching the groin area.... It also gives you more lower back support because it does lower your riding position. I think I'm more comfortable shifting/braking with the reach seat that I was with the stocker. I'm really curious about what Smitty and Merlynn have to say about using the stock cables with the pullback bars. I'm going to talk to my dealer tomorrow......you guys gonna back me up?

smitty901

If you find your self leaning forward thats not good in the long haul.
bars that will push you back into the seat are a plus. Some times it does not take much. General rule of thumb is two inches requires no cable or wire change so it is a low cost item.
The driver back rest helps many rider as they use it as a support to keep back strighter, they use the seat and bars to push them into the back rest.
not bad for those that can not learn to sit up stright.
On my RG the Heritage bars were not a lot different than stock, but just enought to rase my arms a bit and allow me to move back. I have had some work on my collar bone thats makes my right arm a bit fussy.

__________________
The Infantry leads the way

B-1B_Guy

Thanks Smitty, I'm going to talk to my parts guy about the bars tomorrow. I'll install them myself if I know the cables will reach....I was just concerned about the new cableless throttle and ABS cables on the '09's. I almost soiled my drawers when I was quoted $800 for the bars.......Thanks for the help, what part of Wisconsin are you from? I grew up in Pittsville, the exact center of the state, but now live in Rapid City , SD. Thanks again.

smitty901

South East near Watertown
Research the self help here before doing thw work you will be fine do you have the service manual for your bike ?
Download it print out the pages you need so you have it to look at and read while working.
2009 HD Touring Service Manual - HD Talking Downloads Page - Harley Davidson Community

__________________
The Infantry leads the way

walleye

Merlynn:
How do you like these new bars? Would you recommend them? I am 5' 9", 30" inseam.

Merlynn

I'm somewhat vertically challenged at 5'7", 30 inch inseam. Just went for a ride with my sweetie after lowereing the bike 1 inch front and back, pullback handlebars and rider backrest. It is a completely different bike. Was able to lean back into the backrest at a stoplight, feet flat on the ground while easily holding on to the hand grips. Most comfortable relaxed ride I've ever had on any bike. Short answer, the pullback handlebars work well for me. (and original cables worked fine, no extra cost, note bike has abs)

In short my bike is now perfect. Now how can I make it better, hmmn, maybe new mirrors? Chrome the lower forks? Lockable lower fairing doors? Cup holder? GPS? Help! I have a sickness!

GeezerGlide

Merlynn...that is a sickness a lot of us have. I was at the Part counter the other day and a guy was buying a chrome dodad for his bike. I got talking to him and he told me that he quit smoking and now he spends all his smokes money on his bike. It is the one thing that keeps him from going back to smoking. So at least this sickness can have some positives.

Happy Riding (and accessorizing!!! LOL)