Posts Tagged ‘ultra limited’

Motorcycle Review: My thoughts on our new 2014 Ultra Limited…Part 1

Posted: July 15, 2014 in Motorcycle, Product Reviews
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Ijustwant2ride.com

Day trip to Solomon Island, MD

We have had our 2014 “Rushmore” Ultra Limited motorcycle for less than 90 days.  We have put on just over 3000 miles which are mostly my commute and some longish weekend motorcycle rides.  The longest single ride was an 889.3 mile ride to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and back.  We just finished the 1000 mile service so I believe I have enough time and miles under the belt to give a knowledgeable review of the bike….so far.

 

I am going to do this over a few posts so as not to bore folks with a long diatribe. I am going to move front to back and break down what I like and what I don’t like about the bike.  I will tell you now I have way more likes then dislikes.

 

For background, I traded a 20011 Ultra Limited for this bike so I have a recent comparison point for these comments.

 

Appearance:  Most of the changes to bikes appearance are understated. I do like that they made major changes to the aerodynamics of the bike without a major impact to the appearance.  The times I have mentioned that the bike is water cooled folks have walked over to the bike and marveled at how the radiators are hidden! 

 

ijustwant2ride.com

The ugly air vent… it works… but it is UGLY

The one visual feature that I do not like on the bike is the air vent on the front faring.  My dislike is not because of its function nor the fact that it is there at all, I do not like it because it is a piece of flat black plastic that detracts from the wonderful paint scheme of the bike.  It might work on a bike that has a black faring but not on any that have color.  Would it be so much more to make it chrome, or offer a color match option?

 

Front end:  The larger front forks do make a difference.  There are a few bridges on the way to work that have, what I would call ”less then smooth transitions” between the roadway and bridge.  On the older bike I would rise up off the seat to avoid the jar, but with the new forks I do not feel the need to do so, I still do but I think it is habit more than necessity. 

 

The fairing does it job.  I “feel” that there really is less wind buffeting because of the new design and the air vent.  My wife has stated she feels no difference between the old bike and the Rushmore motorcycle as far as the wind is concerned.  I just need to remember to close the vent before the rain starts flying through!

In Part 2 I will give you my thoughts on the new Headlights, Dashboard, and Rider/Passenger comfort.

Click here for Part 2.

 

New motorcycle in the family!

Posted: May 13, 2014 in Motorcycle
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After much discussion and checking of numbers Debbie and I have bought a new motorcycle. We are now the proud owners of a 2014 Harley Davidson “Rushmore” Ultra Limited! We traded our 2011 Ultra Limited and Debbie’s 883 Low. I was VERY surprised that see tossed her bike into the trade but she stated that she misses riding with me. Plus, she has mentioned a couple of times that, after popping her hamstring and the resulting physical therapy, she just does not feel secure when coming to a stop and holding up the bike.

We got quotes from multiple dealers and Frederick HD gave us the best deal. We did have a lot of “extras” added prior to delivery (with two still on back order), some of those items were:

Streamline grips, floorboards (the passenger boards are back ordered)

Screaming Eagle Stage 1 air cleaner

Screaming Eagle Thunder exhaust

Painted inner fairing (back order)

Air wing luggage rack LED light

XM Satellite radio module

Chrome hand controls. (they had to put grips on anyway)

Saddlebag rails

Mirrors on the fairing.

The infotainment system is easy to read, but is going to require some study to fully understand and use. For example, the default country was set to Canada and I have not yet found a way to change that, guess I need to read the manual.

After our first ride Debbie did mention that the ride is better than the old bike. She said the passenger area is roomier and more comfortable.

The bike is wearing the “limited edition” Daytona Blue paint. I am not sure how limited that paint really is but the metal flake (Debbie calls it sparkles) in the paint really shines in the sun.

Weather permitting; we will be taking a long trip to our niece’s high school graduation in a few weeks. That will be the first real test of the comfort and ride of the 2014 v. 2011.

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Motorcycle Ride to Winchester Motosports

Posted: October 19, 2013 in Motorcycle Rides
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Well this was the first day of the fall that I needed chaps for a motorcycle ride.  Pulling out at 7:45 AM the temp was 45F, cool before I began moving.  My wife had to work today so I followed her to her favorite breakfast stop Chick-fil-a.

Shenandoah River

Shenandoah River

After eating our breakfast she went to work and I began my ride.  With my destination of Winchester Motosports set I had no particular route in mind, so I decided to take “River Road”, County road 606, which I picked up at its intersection with VA Route 7.  This road follows the Shenandoah River for about 10 miles.  The views are picturesque now but in a few weeks when the leaves reach their peak color it will be spectacular!

When 606 leaves the river (and changes names several time) you weave through backcountry Virginia until you reach the intersection of US Route 50 and 606.  I was tempted to turn around and ride 606 again but I moved on towards the Royal Enfield dealership.

As I mentioned a few posts ago I found Winchester Motosports when I looked at the new Royal Enfield Continental GT website.  I thought it would be neat and visit the store and check out the bikes they had on hand.

When I arrived I meet Ed and the owner Carl. Turns out that Winchester Motosports is not only a Royal Enfield dealer but is also a Moto Guzzi dealer.  They are also one of the largest motorcycle consignment resellers in Northern Virginia.  They were also, at one time, dealers in Victory and Triumph bikes.

Carl is a very gregarious guy who, you can easily tell, absolutely loves what he does.  His knowledge of the bikes he sells (or sold) is immense.  I really enjoyed my conversations with Ed and Carl!  If you are interested in Enfield’s, Moto Guzzi or a used bike of any kind I would consider Winchester Motosports as a first stop. WP_20131019_026

After ogling the bikes for a bit it was time to start for home as the weatherman said that rain was coming in the afternoon.  Weaving through more back roads, I ended up on US 340 and then hoped on VA Route 9.  About an hour or so later I was back in Leesburg.  Round, trip I put on 125 miles on a pleasant, but cool, fall day.

There was one big negative on today’s ride.  I dropped by phone and now the screen is krap and the pictures are not right.  Nearly all the photos on this site have been taken with my Nokia 928 phone.  I have been very happy with this phone and camera.

 

Ride to Sugarloaf Mountain…..No Motorcycles Allowed

Posted: October 19, 2013 in Motorcycle Rides
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Sugarloaf Mountian

Really?????

I can see Sugarloaf Mountain from my home.  I was told that the entire mountain is a park and that we should go and check it out.  Well today I did and was GREATLY disappointed.  Motorcycles are not allowed in the park!

I noticed the administration building across the street from the entrance and decided to find out why I was prohibited from entering the park.  I spoke with a member of the board of directors (Stronghold Incorporated) and he stated that the entire board a voted to exclude motorcycles due to noise.  In particular the “whiney” noise of some bikes.  He pointed to my HD Ultra Limited and said that those were mostly ok but it was impractical to exclude some but not others.

The noise, he said, interfered with the numerous weddings and social events held on the mountain and at the mansions located on the park (the mansions are quite impressive.  That they had received many complaints from the attendees of the parties and weddings and it was not practical to bar bikes on the certain days and not others.

As our conversation ended he stated that if I wanted to go into the park that it would be ok.  I declined the offer on principle.

 

28000 Miles

Posted: October 17, 2013 in Motorcycle Rides
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WP_20131006_005I recently turned 28000 miles on my 2008 Softail!  I do feel bad about this though I have only put 1100 miles on this bike so far this year.  The Ultra Limited, on the other hand, has nearly 6000 miles to date.

If the weather holds I hope to get to at least another 1500 miles total before the end of the year.

Motorcycle Ride to PAW PAW

Posted: August 20, 2013 in Motorcycle Rides
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Well, Paw Paw, West Virginia was not the intended destination, in fact, we just went out to ride.

We pulled out about ten in the morning (on the Ultra Limited) and head west on Route 7.  I noticed the exit for Virginia State Route 9 and decided, what the heck let’s see where Route 9 goes.  We knew it went north to Martinsburg, WV but that was about it.

Route 9 in Virginia is also known as Charles Town Pike and passes through rolling farmland and the towns of Paeonian Springs (which has a historic district) and Hillsboro.  Hillsboro sets in the middle of a gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A short climb out of Hillsboro and you have a great view of Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

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RT 9 at WV/VA boarder

At this point VA Route 9 becomes WV Route 9 and also becomes a four line highway. While we did not take the road, by the looks of the area I can image that “old 9” down the mountain would be full of twistiness!  Crossing the Shenandoah River we scooted through Charles Town and Martinsburg, we did not stop to look around, today was just about riding. A little after Martinsburg the road becomes a 2 lane again.

When we reached Berkeley Springs we did stop.  Right in the middle of the town is the Berkeley Springs State Park. The town (its real name is Bath) was considered the country’s first spa and resort area because of the mineral spring producing 2,000 gallons a minute.  George Washington even visited the springs. Heck the town even has a castle!

Continuing on Route 9, up the mountain out of Berkeley Springs we summited to a spectacular view of the Potomac River in the valley below. We decided to have lunch across the street from the fabulous view at Panorama at the Peak restaurant. This is a farm to table, organic, restaurant and the food was awesome!

Back on the bike we rode down the mountain and into the Cacapon River Valley.  This stretch of road from Berkeley Springs to Paw Paw was very lightly traveled, I doubt that we passed a dozen cars.  It undulates along the Cacapon River and was just a very nice ride!

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Riding in the Cacapon River valley

We reached the end of WV 9 when we hit Paw Paw.  It is a very small town at the intersection of WV 9 and 29 and was the point where we began our return trip.  We did not retrace our route instead we zigged and zagged through a variety of roads until we reached Route 7 at Winchester, VA.  After stopping at the Winchester Sonic restaurant for ice cream (I love there coconut milkshakes) we quickly made it back home.

We put in 198 miles on this trip with only a few stops….it was a great day with the wife and the bike!

Liquid Cooled 2014 Harley….. Maybe?

Posted: August 19, 2013 in Motorcycle news
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Well the 2104 Harley Davidson bikes are out! Check out the on-line commercial for Project Rushmore.  While I have only the commercial and their website to comment on, all I can say is…..some nice changes!  Some quick notes:

Lighting – looks like some of the bikes come standard with LED or Dual Halogen.

Slipstream Vent – looks like the batwing fairings now come with a center mounted vent.

Infotainment System – voice activated music, phone and GPS with device dock in dash.

Brakes – the front and rear ABS brakes are linked.

Engine – “Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103 Engine”. Now based in the statement in the video … (the underlining is mine)

“A select number of the Project RUSHMORE motorcycles are built around the new Twin Cooled™ High Output Twin Cam 103™ engine. Twin cooling cools the heads around the exhaust ports to deliver at or near peak performance under all operating conditions and temperatures. Higher compression ratio increases efficiency and horsepower. There’s also a 110 cubic inch version of this engine available in the CVO™ Limited. We’ve been building engines for 110 years. And we know from the smiles on the faces of our test riders, there’s never been an engine that feels quite this good.”

This tied with my earlier post  seems to indicate that we might have the 1st Harley touring bike with water cooled engines (maybe?)?  This feature is limited to the Tri-Glides and the Ultra Limited.

Each of the features listed above is available on select bikes check the Harley Davidson Website for detail.

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