Adjusting to 2009 Ultra Classic

GeezerGlide

I have just had my 2009 Ultra Classic for a week and I love it but there are a few issues that I have to get use to. I am 5'11'' and I find I am reaching for the hand grips. After about a 1/2 hour of riding my back starts to stiffen up (not as young as I used to be). I have ordered some reach bars that will bring the bars 2 inches closer. I think this will work because I went out for a long ride where I used cruise control and just had my finger tips on the bars and my back was fine.

The bike is a lot heavier and wider than what I am used to. It is going to take a while to get the stops really smooth because my legs are really stretching. I am use to a pegs forward bike.

I didn't like the leather flaps on the lower fairing compartments so I installed Hogtunes speakers with an amplifer in the compartments. Great move!!! Sounds fantastic.

I am looking for advice on the most comfortable seat for long trips, back support etc.

Thanks

oldgeezer

a few of the members on here have sent their seat in and had it reworked on the inside with hospital grade memory foam. they all speak very good about this. I have not sent mine in YET! a backrest is a great option and will improve your ride a lot. I am in the process of changing my bars now. I went with chubby bars with two extra inches of pullback. still working on the install so cant tell you if i like or not, but they look good with the wires inside. I love my bike.

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smitty901

you all ready ordered bars give them a while before making next move. Every thing you do will effect some thing else.
Stop by dealer often there will be an Ultra new or used with a seat mod you maybe interested in. Get a Chance to sit on it before you buy.
If you looking for more in seam so you reach the ground better a lower seat is not always the answer.
A seat with a narrower front maybe. When you stop you move forward a bit a seat that is a little narrower in the front can gain you a lot of in seam.

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Jick Scott

I'm constantly amazed, when reading this forum, of the amount of after purchase dollars that have to be spent to get a bike set up so that it's a comfort to ride. The more I read, the less excited I get about buying my first HD motorcycle. Was so looking forward to retirement and getting back into riding.

NEWHD74FAN

JS, there are a few that are happy with things stock, just that most riders who get theirs want to "personalize" it. Many people buy things on impulse or sell themselves with a little dealer "arm twisting" after all they are PAID to push you out of your comfort zone and into theirs'.

Yeah, one thing about sales...it is an act of passion, which is WHY before you enter a dealers' "Lions Den" you must be:

1) prepared way in advance that the vehicle is the one that really fits your needs (wants ARE secondary) and

2) have a firm fixed price in mind and be prepared to walk out the door without looking back if something is not right. But also be fair, know the wholesale price of the vehicle is and know you will not pay a penny more than X and read the misc. charges that they try to tack on BEFORE they run your credit (this gets reported to the big 3 credit rating firms)!

P.S. if you are buying a first HD, test ride the desired model first. If not sure of your commitment, no one said a one or two year old HD was not a good buy either and many of the so called comfort, performance, and bling mods are done by the previous owner to boot. Knowledge is power, use it to fit your needs when going after that first HD purchase.

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smitty901

These are not have to in many cases it is wants.
No madder what brand or bike you buy it may not be prefect for you. At least you can get parts to do this for a HD.
The way a Ultra sits is different for a man 6'2'' and 240 lbs than a man 5'7" and 310 lbs.
Add to that the person on the back.
I for one can sit on a 2x4 and ride but with a part of right collar bone trimmed off Bars make a big difference for me.
Most people adjust fine to a stock bike, HD riders have come to expect more than other bikes offer they want to change seats bars pegs boards, some time only because they can.
We put a stock EG seat on a bike one time told a bunch of people it was a new seat marketed by a company call jackson. The said it was the best seat they ever sat on .
Another thing that happens in a simple bar change, or even a little riding time with the stock parts takes care of any issue. The ride jumps to soon and starts change one thing after another looking for a prefect fit. They may never figure out they are the problem. If you know you need to change the way you sit do some research and give what you try time before jumping to the next mod.
Next many seat and bar mods while justified to make bike fit better are reall done for looks. Notice how many times you see something like I change my seat to a XXXX and man it looks cool, or the XXXX bars look right on my ride.
Any HD you own is a bike that can be moded with out end that does not mean it needs to be.
Many we tell you when you why did you do that "because I can"

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Merlynn

Been said before but a rider back rest makes a big difference, my buddies told me to get one some time ago. Finally did it and it makes a tremendous difference in comfort.

fireman54

Sometimes bringing the bars back more can cause the back problems to worsten. Basically, your back needs support. I had drag bars on my Sportster. This caused me to lean a bit forward. When I got my Ultra Classic, I am leaning back. Curving my spine a bit and putting more pressure on the tailbone. Best solution will be a rider back rest. It will give your back the needed support. As for stabilty when planting your feet. I had the lower shocks put on the back. They are the same as on the Street Glide. On the '09, I have not seen any instability in the ride. However, I know you will scrape the footboards much easier. ;) I guess it's your call. Shocks or custom seat.

GeezerGlide

Thanks for the input. I have looked at the backrest and I think it is a good option. I test rode a Ultra Classic before buying but it was about a forty minute ride with lots of stops.

Moving forward on the stops works wells. I am in my mid 50's so I am not as agile as I used to be.

I have heard good things about Mustang and Corbin seats but I think I will try the backrest first. They should be transferable to a new seat if I change later.

I plan to do some long trips this summer so I want everything perfect.

Cheers

glw22041

I'm 5'10", 54 with back and neck problems. Been riding for a little over 3 years, put
8K+ miles on a Sportster 883 and moved up to the 09 ultra classic 6 week ago, just passed 1,000 miles. Stock set up is working for me, we've spent 7 and 8 hours a day on the bike with no problems. It is alot heavier than the sporty so be careful at stops, especially when the pavement is slopped in one direction where your feet won't reach.

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