Review of my '06 FLHTCUI

MotoVegas · 01-24-2007, 02:04 PM

Well, some of you may have noticed I like to “review” otherwise known as “babble on” about stuff. So, in this little tale, I’m going to write up about my experience owning the 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic; aka FLHTCUI. Warning, if you’re bored by this sort of stuff, just skip my post. Otherwise, enjoy.

Well, by early 2006 I had pretty much finished up transforming my ’01 Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic to a knock-off Road King. I did so to make it more comfortable for the wife and I to tour further and more often. I had added all kinds of stuff; windshield, saddlebags, highway bars, rear floorboards, sissy-bar, rear rack, rear rack luggage bag. Then my wife comes home one day and says “why are you messing around with making the Kawi a touring bike, just go buy a full blown Harley tour bike”. OMFG, she did NOT just say that.

I don’t think I closed the garage door as I left home.

At the dealership I told them exactly what I wanted. A black, top of the line bagger. All the bells all the whistles. This will be my first Harley and I wanted it to be over the top. Well, they didn’t have exactly what I wanted but they said they had one coming in 3-4 four weeks. I put down a deposit and waited.

Finally the big day came in early April ’06. After being fully broken off and having my wallet lightened considerably, I was the proud new owner of a 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic, in all black.

To be honest my first impression was somewhat… meh. It wasn’t cool loud. It wasn’t torquie or powerful (as Harley’s are renowned for being right?). I was regretting my purchase by the time I got home. I started doing some research on the boards and found out that pretty much all Harleys suck and sound wimpy from the dealership… emissions and noise BS from some states I guess. Lower 80’s for torque and low to mid 60’s for bHP. Blah, that wouldn’t due. I’m gonna haul my 275 pound ass, my wife’s 125 pound ass, and our gear on a bike that gutless? No way.

Modification was the only option I had.

So, I decided to just get crazy and do everything at once and make this baby road worthy. I put in a Stage 2 Kit. Basically, the engine went from 88 cubic inches (approx 1450 ccs) to 95 cubic inches (approx 1550 ccs); had some screamin’ eagle race cams put in it. Changed out the tranny to a six speed. Had some Reinhart pipes put on it. I even put a 200+ dB air horn on it to blast cagers on the highway if they drift into my lane (it sounds like a semi truck horn!). Anyway, I get the dyno report back and voila, she’s now pushing 92 bHP and 103 foot pounds of torque. THAT, I can deal with. And the rumble. Whoa, she sounds like a Harley now. Of course, my wallet was significantly damaged as a result of that round of modifications.

During the spring and summer I took short trips around southern Nevada; Mesquite, Laughlin, Mt. Charleston, Pahrump etc. But in September the wife and I road up to Incline Village to see a friend and to attend the Reno Street Vibrations Rally. About 500 miles each way. 500 miles in a day on this thing is NO problem. I personally want to push up into the 750 mile range in a day and see how me and the bike handle it. I don’t currently have delusions of 1000 mile days, but maybe… someday. Just not yet.

I can tell you, this bike is EASY to ride and cruises all day long without a hitch with both my wife and I on board. She’ll cruise 80-90 mph with NO effort on those long Nevada roads with two up and luggage in the saddle bags and trunk. And with the 6 speed in there (a true overdrive) I notice top RPMs down significantly and therefore engine wear and gas mileage both improve dramatically. Also, she handles great. My Vulcan classic felt heavier and more sluggish. The Harley, despite being well over 800 pounds, responds quite well compared to many other cruisers I’ve ridden.

I plan on adding an oil cooler this spring before the wife and I head out to Sturgis in August. That might be a little hot, and I don’t want to push my luck, even though she has given me no overheating indications. I figure, lower oil temp in the summer can only help, not hurt the performance of the bike.

Lastly, she has a built in intercom and CB system. So, I’m probably going to buy the J&M Equipped Arai Profile for both the wife and I to take advantage of the intercom and CB system. Seems like a handy addition for LONG road trips and easier to communicate with passengers and fellow riders in the group with this thing up and running.

Anyway, I love my HOG. I know I’m somewhat of an anomaly with regard to my taste in bikes. I like sportbikes, metrics, cruisers, Harleys, basically anything on two wheels. I also wear full gear when I ride; an “uncool nono” in the Harley world. But for me, riding is about the enjoyment I derive from it; not what others perceive about me. And for me, I’m just as comfortable on my HD full bagger at a biker rally, as I am on my ZX-14 and sitting around shooting the breeze with my sportbike track-junkie friends.

Revvv · 01-24-2007, 02:30 PM

I can't believe you actually complimented that wasted hunk of iron. There are more productive things to do with metal than build a Hardley Fergusson.

I love it when people tell me how great their bike sounds. If you ask me it sounds like a continuous fart making it's way down the road.

ND4SPD · 01-24-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvv

I can't believe you actually complimented that wasted hunk of iron. There are more productive things to do with metal than build a Hardley Fergusson.

I love it when people tell me how great their bike sounds. If you ask me it sounds like a continuous fart making it's way down the road.

I guess it's a good thing he didn't ask you

ND4SPD · 01-24-2007, 02:40 PM

The man obviously values the bike and enjoys it because it does what he needs it to do. There's no need to bash that. This forum is about all motorcycles, not just one type or another.

I'm sure he could say crap about dragracing if he wanted to, no?

Revvv · 01-24-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

The man obviously values the bike and enjoys it because it does what he needs it to do. There's no need to bash that. This forum is about all motorcycles, not just one type or another.

I'm sure he could say crap about dragracing if he wanted to, no?

He could. And I would enjoy it as much.

I'm just having a bit of fun.

......and yes, HD can eventually get you from one point to another.

colryn · 01-24-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

The man obviously values the bike and enjoys it because it does what he needs it to do. There's no need to bash that. This forum is about all motorcycles, not just one type or another.

I gotta agree. Revvy lighten up. Just because you hate it does not mean you need to be so harsh. I appreciate Motovegas's review. I would like to hear what he has to say.

CBRVFR · 01-24-2007, 04:05 PM

First, Great write up, except I don't think I know what

Quote:

" After being fully broken off and having my wallet ....." means..

In any case, I don't get to hear a lot of real-world reviews of Harleys from guys that ride all kinds of bikes, so thanks.

I guess my question would be, with the additional investment in Screaming Eagle equipment, is it worth it TO YOU?

I mean, I'm calculating you could have gotten a Goldwing or a BMW or a Victory bagger for that kind of cash.. are you happy with your choice? Would you do it again?

And a pic would be nice.

colryn · 01-24-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

And a pic would be nice.

A link is in his signature. The bike looks great.

CBRVFR · 01-24-2007, 05:09 PM

Yes, it looks great..

My neighbor has Ultra classics. He puts about 80,000 miles on them and just trades them in and gets another one. The one he has now has Screaming Eagle "Stage 1" mods on a twin-cam engine. Don't know if that's a displacement bump or just cams, pipes and mapping. He rides at an easy pace, and he rides a lot.

Revvv · 01-24-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colryn

I gotta agree. Revvy lighten up. Just because you hate it does not mean you need to be so harsh. I appreciate Motovegas's review. I would like to hear what he has to say.

Yeah, I guess I was a bit harsh. It was "Hard Humor" I guess. The internet is so hard to show sarcasm and such with.

SheepOfBlue · 01-24-2007, 06:40 PM

No seat

For longer distance look into a Mustang or even get a gel pad to go on the stocker

EDIT: They even make gel pads with wool so you get some ventilation

MotoVegas · 01-24-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

No seat

For longer distance look into a Mustang or even get a gel pad to go on the stocker

EDIT: They even make gel pads with wool so you get some ventilation

Whoops, yes I forgot to mention I got a tall boy seat from Harley. I guess I could of gotten a fancier one, but I was really needing one that didn't jam me up on the tank as much as the stock version does, and the tall boy does that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvv

I can't believe you actually complimented that wasted hunk of iron. There are more productive things to do with metal than build a Hardley Fergusson.

I love it when people tell me how great their bike sounds. If you ask me it sounds like a continuous fart making it's way down the road.

Yeah, as I mentioned at the bottom of my post I realize I am a bit of an anomoly when it comes to motorcycles; I truly like them all. The earliest pictures of me in this world (about a week old) are of me and my dad on his old Honda. If it's on two wheels I'll like it.

Each of us has our favorites and our preferences and I respect you Revv for your choices and understand Harley's aren't for everyone. Also, btw, I would like to see some Drag races... again, I love 2 wheeled machines. In fact, my HD mechanic named Hiro is one of the guys that tunes VRODS for HD factory guys doing drag races. He's really top notch and I love and respect his work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

First, Great write up, except I don't think I know what In any case, I don't get to hear a lot of real-world reviews of Harleys from guys that ride all kinds of bikes, so thanks.

I guess my question would be, with the additional investment in Screaming Eagle equipment, is it worth it TO YOU?

I mean, I'm calculating you could have gotten a Goldwing or a BMW or a Victory bagger for that kind of cash.. are you happy with your choice? Would you do it again?

And a pic would be nice.

Thanks brother, I try. Yes I am happy with it. One of the reasons I am happy with it, is because the the wife enjoys riding on it. It's much more tame than sportier bikes. And if I can involve my wife in my passion (other than her and our daughter being my primary passion) it's a plus to me. The HD bagger allows for that. Hell, we're going to Sturgis together this summer!

I would buy it again. But if I had endless supplies of money, I would probably also like to have an '08 Concours 14.

Leelover · 01-24-2007, 09:18 PM

Nice review, Motovegas!
Those Ultra Classics are cool! But still nothing like a Valkyrie!

Leelover · 01-24-2007, 10:54 PM

I really do like my Honda Valkyrie, If I could keep it I would!
But, I have to say there is just something about a Harley!
The chrome and leather is somehow richer, the lines are classic, they just have a "presence" that I have yet to see in other cruisers.
They do seem to be rather industrial as a whole, but that is also a part of the appeal.
I know you can buy a whole lot more practical, refined, and technologically superior bike for way less, but...I will own one at some point!
I have probably seen one too many episodes of "Then came Bronson"!

colryn · 01-25-2007, 07:22 AM

It's the sound that lures me. I like the thunder they give off. I like the tork as well.

Sunbert · 01-25-2007, 09:16 AM

Revvv, did you say on the other site once that you're a preacher?

deftones156 · 01-25-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunbert

Revvv, did you say on the other site once that you're a preacher?

He said later on that he was trying to be sarcastic but it didn't show through...

Nice write up! I have nothing against Harleys, but for the most part they aren't my cup o tea. I rode a Custom Softail once that was purdy nice to cruise on though...

evl_twn · 01-25-2007, 01:54 PM

I had the inner baffles removed from the stock pipes when I bought my Night Train. It still has some baffling, but not as quiet as stock. Later on I got a different air filter and a carb kit, but that's as far as I'm going with performance stuff. It just doesn't make much sense to me to try to make a HD fast. Other than the airbox/carb kit the only mods I have are stainless brake lines, and a different seat and backrest for toting a passenger. Other than that mine is totally stock.

Revvv · 01-25-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunbert

Revvv, did you say on the other site once that you're a preacher?

Yes, I'm a Preacher. A strange one, but a Preacher none the less.

I really didn't mean for my Harley nagging to be taken the wrong way. I was just poking fun.

01-24-2007, 02:04 PM	#1
MotoVegas Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Las Vegas Age: 39 Bike(s): ZX-10R & HD Ultra Classic Posts: 989	Review of my '06 FLHTCUI Well, some of you may have noticed I like to “review” otherwise known as “babble on” about stuff. So, in this little tale, I’m going to write up about my experience owning the 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic; aka FLHTCUI. Warning, if you’re bored by this sort of stuff, just skip my post. Otherwise, enjoy. Well, by early 2006 I had pretty much finished up transforming my ’01 Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic to a knock-off Road King. I did so to make it more comfortable for the wife and I to tour further and more often. I had added all kinds of stuff; windshield, saddlebags, highway bars, rear floorboards, sissy-bar, rear rack, rear rack luggage bag. Then my wife comes home one day and says “why are you messing around with making the Kawi a touring bike, just go buy a full blown Harley tour bike”. OMFG, she did NOT just say that. I don’t think I closed the garage door as I left home. At the dealership I told them exactly what I wanted. A black, top of the line bagger. All the bells all the whistles. This will be my first Harley and I wanted it to be over the top. Well, they didn’t have exactly what I wanted but they said they had one coming in 3-4 four weeks. I put down a deposit and waited. Finally the big day came in early April ’06. After being fully broken off and having my wallet lightened considerably, I was the proud new owner of a 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic, in all black. To be honest my first impression was somewhat… meh. It wasn’t cool loud. It wasn’t torquie or powerful (as Harley’s are renowned for being right?). I was regretting my purchase by the time I got home. I started doing some research on the boards and found out that pretty much all Harleys suck and sound wimpy from the dealership… emissions and noise BS from some states I guess. Lower 80’s for torque and low to mid 60’s for bHP. Blah, that wouldn’t due. I’m gonna haul my 275 pound ass, my wife’s 125 pound ass, and our gear on a bike that gutless? No way. Modification was the only option I had. So, I decided to just get crazy and do everything at once and make this baby road worthy. I put in a Stage 2 Kit. Basically, the engine went from 88 cubic inches (approx 1450 ccs) to 95 cubic inches (approx 1550 ccs); had some screamin’ eagle race cams put in it. Changed out the tranny to a six speed. Had some Reinhart pipes put on it. I even put a 200+ dB air horn on it to blast cagers on the highway if they drift into my lane (it sounds like a semi truck horn!). Anyway, I get the dyno report back and voila, she’s now pushing 92 bHP and 103 foot pounds of torque. THAT, I can deal with. And the rumble. Whoa, she sounds like a Harley now. Of course, my wallet was significantly damaged as a result of that round of modifications. During the spring and summer I took short trips around southern Nevada; Mesquite, Laughlin, Mt. Charleston, Pahrump etc. But in September the wife and I road up to Incline Village to see a friend and to attend the Reno Street Vibrations Rally. About 500 miles each way. 500 miles in a day on this thing is NO problem. I personally want to push up into the 750 mile range in a day and see how me and the bike handle it. I don’t currently have delusions of 1000 mile days, but maybe… someday. Just not yet. I can tell you, this bike is EASY to ride and cruises all day long without a hitch with both my wife and I on board. She’ll cruise 80-90 mph with NO effort on those long Nevada roads with two up and luggage in the saddle bags and trunk. And with the 6 speed in there (a true overdrive) I notice top RPMs down significantly and therefore engine wear and gas mileage both improve dramatically. Also, she handles great. My Vulcan classic felt heavier and more sluggish. The Harley, despite being well over 800 pounds, responds quite well compared to many other cruisers I’ve ridden. I plan on adding an oil cooler this spring before the wife and I head out to Sturgis in August. That might be a little hot, and I don’t want to push my luck, even though she has given me no overheating indications. I figure, lower oil temp in the summer can only help, not hurt the performance of the bike. Lastly, she has a built in intercom and CB system. So, I’m probably going to buy the J&M Equipped Arai Profile for both the wife and I to take advantage of the intercom and CB system. Seems like a handy addition for LONG road trips and easier to communicate with passengers and fellow riders in the group with this thing up and running. Anyway, I love my HOG. I know I’m somewhat of an anomaly with regard to my taste in bikes. I like sportbikes, metrics, cruisers, Harleys, basically anything on two wheels. I also wear full gear when I ride; an “uncool nono” in the Harley world. But for me, riding is about the enjoyment I derive from it; not what others perceive about me. And for me, I’m just as comfortable on my HD full bagger at a biker rally, as I am on my ZX-14 and sitting around shooting the breeze with my sportbike track-junkie friends. __________________ Enjoy my pics Enjoy my crash Enjoy riding with Whip and I at SMMR

01-24-2007, 02:30 PM	#2
Revvv www.GrudgeBike.com Join Date: 12-27-2006 Location: I'm the little voice in your head Age: 33 Bike(s): 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa Posts: 488	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI I can't believe you actually complimented that wasted hunk of iron. There are more productive things to do with metal than build a Hardley Fergusson. I love it when people tell me how great their bike sounds. If you ask me it sounds like a continuous fart making it's way down the road. __________________ www.GrudgeBike.com

01-24-2007, 02:40 PM	#4
ND4SPD I'm BATMAN!!! Join Date: 12-12-2006 Bike(s): Trek Posts: 8,406 Images: 25	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI The man obviously values the bike and enjoys it because it does what he needs it to do. There's no need to bash that. This forum is about all motorcycles, not just one type or another. I'm sure he could say crap about dragracing if he wanted to, no? __________________ "This is your life - are you who you want to be?" Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X "Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door"

01-24-2007, 05:09 PM	#9
CBRVFR Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 56 Bike(s): VFR750 SV650 TZ250 Posts: 5,254	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI Yes, it looks great.. My neighbor has Ultra classics. He puts about 80,000 miles on them and just trades them in and gets another one. The one he has now has Screaming Eagle "Stage 1" mods on a twin-cam engine. Don't know if that's a displacement bump or just cams, pipes and mapping. He rides at an easy pace, and he rides a lot. __________________ "...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass." Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly. Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

01-24-2007, 06:40 PM	#11
SheepOfBlue Your tax dollars at work Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 46 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 6,849	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI No seat For longer distance look into a Mustang or even get a gel pad to go on the stocker EDIT: They even make gel pads with wool so you get some ventilation __________________ When the past is allowed to fade to nothing then only chaos is left.

01-24-2007, 09:18 PM	#13
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI Nice review, Motovegas! Those Ultra Classics are cool! But still nothing like a Valkyrie! __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

01-24-2007, 10:54 PM	#14
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI I really do like my Honda Valkyrie, If I could keep it I would! But, I have to say there is just something about a Harley! The chrome and leather is somehow richer, the lines are classic, they just have a "presence" that I have yet to see in other cruisers. They do seem to be rather industrial as a whole, but that is also a part of the appeal. I know you can buy a whole lot more practical, refined, and technologically superior bike for way less, but...I will own one at some point! I have probably seen one too many episodes of "Then came Bronson"! __________________ "The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

01-25-2007, 07:22 AM	#15
colryn Join Date: 12-19-2006 Age: 43 Bike(s): 06 Metropolitan Posts: 313	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI It's the sound that lures me. I like the thunder they give off. I like the tork as well.

01-25-2007, 09:16 AM	#16
Sunbert Soooooooooooie! Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Mid MO Age: 33 Bike(s): SV650 Posts: 359	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI Revvv, did you say on the other site once that you're a preacher?

01-25-2007, 01:54 PM	#18
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,732	Re: Review of my '06 FLHTCUI I had the inner baffles removed from the stock pipes when I bought my Night Train. It still has some baffling, but not as quiet as stock. Later on I got a different air filter and a carb kit, but that's as far as I'm going with performance stuff. It just doesn't make much sense to me to try to make a HD fast. Other than the airbox/carb kit the only mods I have are stainless brake lines, and a different seat and backrest for toting a passenger. Other than that mine is totally stock.

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