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SPECS · PICS · RATING
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Review of the 1997 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic:A good tourer, but don´t push her |
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Author: Brian Grohs, 2004-12-13, viewed 704 times. | ||||
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Slow and easy is the way to ride this bike. Too fast and people don´t get the chance to gawk at you going by. She lets you know what she doesn´t like, but never to the point of uneasing you. | ||||
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My bike has the stage 1 kit, which comprises of slip on, less restrictive pipes, K and N air filter with open back breather, and rejetting of the carb. This set up gives me a top speed of 165Kmh, which is higher than what is shown in the spec sheet, 145kmh. At that speed she was stable, no wobbles or shakes which is what you would expect from a fairing mounted to the handlebars. Cornering is a different thing. Too fast and expect to feel the bike flexing. It doesn´t really upset the bike too much, but you will be well aware of it. I´ve had the bike checked over, but she is fine that way, it has more to do with the rubber mounting of everything. It is not rigid enough to push hard, but you don´t buy this bike to go screaming through the corners. I´ve had it leaning over pretty good at lower speeds, she held the road beautifully. Brakes are excellent, but they do require a good squeeze compared to a BMW LT1200, which takes one finger to bring you to a hard stop. At 6´4´, I found myself cramped. Kuryakyn foot brake lever, Corbin Seat and adjusting of the handlebars gave me the room I needed. I´ve ridden for eight hours, only stopping for lunch and gas without stiffness. I could have kept going. The stock stereo is weak. At speeds over 100kmh, you are stuggling to hear the music. FM requires a good signal, and the AM can´t be heard because of static produced from the ignition system. The fairing provides good protection, but your lower half gets soaked in a rain storm. I don´t know if the lower fairing on the Ultra helps this out or not. The stock Dunlops are pretty good, but Metzlers are going on next year for better wet weather riding. The back tire is way too skinny, this big massive bike with a narrow tire looks out of place. Compare it to the other touring bikes and you will agree. Only complaint is; if the bike hasn´t been ridden for a week she is hard to start, it just cranks and cranks. Eventually it starts to sputter, then starts. I think it is slow feeding gas to the carb, the gas in the bowl evaporates when it sits. If the bike is ridden daily it starts immediately. Where ever you go or park some one is always admiring the bike. Makes it all worth it. |
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