Tour-Pak with LEDs
Because Softails utilize solid engine mounts the Convertible receives the balanced (B) version of the Twin Cam 110. Breathing occurs through a high-flow Ventilator air cleaner cover reminiscent of the Hamcan while the exhaust flows out through staggered, shorty-dual pipes with slashdown mufflers. Out on the road the new Softail feels very solid and quick for a 750-pound bike. The windshield provides some wind protection but not nearly as much as say a Road King. Sitting on the bike puts you under 25 inches from the ground, which is good and bad depending on your riding style and height. On one hand it's great for shorter riders and instills confidence, but at the same time the floorboards touch down too fast for my riding style. With only 26 degrees of lean on either side this chassis is definitely more for casual cruisers than for ripping through the twisties. I know it's a Harley, and a touring bike, but I like to ride hard.
This bike does strike a nice balance between cruising and longer rides though for form and function to coexist some compromises were made. The bags aren't as large as the other bikes in the H-D lineup and the windshield is less protective. The Convertible is well suited towards the person who does more local and day rides than long range touring. With a claimed 50 mpg on the highway the five-gallon tank still gives plenty of distance between fill ups.
Next up in the lineup is the ber Touring bike: the Ultra Classic Electra Glide. This is the biggest two-wheeler H-D offers and comes equipped with just about every creature comfort a person can imagine. New highlights include new flamed paint schemes, LED saddlebag lights, and LED King Tour-Pak combination brake and taillights. The LEDs take up less room in the Tour-Pak, are brighter and last longer than the incandescent predecessors. The Tour-Pak also receives a new 12V outlet to charge any accessories you may have. Saddlebags and Tour-Pak have nice power locks that can be actuated with a key fob. Both rider and passenger seating areas include perforated leather inserts while the passenger seat also receives an adjustable lumbar support for added comfort. Dual zone heated seat warmers come standard.
Like the other CVOs the Ultra comes with the Screamin' Eagle 110ci Twin Cam motor. Out on the road the bike didn't feel like it harnessed 115 lb-ft of torque. Performance was a bit of a disappointment and likely due to a wet weight of 924 pounds, tall windscreen, and the lowers attached to the engine guard. Riding comfort was extremely plush and helped out by newly designed rear shocks. The new shocks are hand adjustable hydraulic units that don't rely on any air for adjustment. Suspension preload can be adjusted on the left shock for varying load and road conditions. The ABS equipped machine does a fine job of stopping the Roulette wheels thanks in part to floating brake rotors.
Protection from the elements was very good-almost too good. The tall windscreen had me looking through the lexan and prevented wind from reaching my body. Combined with the lowers very little fresh air was circulating around the cockpit. The lowers have adjustable louvers to allow air in but they still don't provide much relief. The lack of air to the rider became very apparent after an hour-long stint on the Ultra. Even with the air temperature at 60 degrees my right leg was getting roasted from engine heat. It was very uncomfortable and I could only imagine how unbearable it would feel during hotter weather. Although the Ultra has an oil cooler the motor feels like it's boiling. Other than removing the lowers I'm not sure how to legally remedy the heat issue. A major source of the heat is the government mandated lean fuel ratio.