About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

The Electra Glide Ultra Limited is Harley's new touring flagship-- and at $24,699, it's a relative bargain compared to its CVO stablemate.

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Pros

• Bigger engine than other Harley tourers and added accessories
• Quieted fifth gear is a welcome improvement
• This classic silhouette never grows old

Cons

• "Character"-- ie, heat & vibration-- is not for everyone
• Still pricey compared to the competition

• Some details, like the hard plastic dashboard, disappoint

Description

• MSRP: $24,699 (two-tone), $25,899 (custom colors)
• Twin Cam 103 with integrated oil cooler
• 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission with helical cut 5th gear
• Contrast chrome 28-spoke cast aluminum wheels
• Lexan windshield and smoked, adjustable air deflectors
• Passenger backrest with wraparound armrests
• Titanium-faced instrumentation
• Heated handgrips
• Cruise control
• Available anti-lock brakes

Guide Review - 2010 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited Review

The everything-but-the-kitchen-sink CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide is a trick, chrome swathed piece of touring machinery, but at 36 large it's out of reach for most long distance riders. However, savvy buyers set on the H-D brand now have a new alternative: the 2010 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited.

Powered by a Twin Cam 103 powerplant previously found in CVO models, this air-cooled engine produces 10% more torque than the 96 cubic inch v-twin found on other Harley tourers, and it's mated to a six-speed gearbox.

Other features include cruise control, wind deflectors, big bags, heated grips, and available ABS.

The Ultra Limited is still a "character" bike, one that offers old school sounds, vibrations, and thermal effects (read: heat, when ambient temps are elevated.) But the qualities you won't find in big touring bikes like the Honda Gold Wing lend this Ultra a high entertainment factor. The redesigned chassis introduced in '09 gives it greater confidence in turns, though its "as-shipped" weight of 857 lbs can still be a handful during parking maneuvers. But once you've saddled up to the 27.3 inch high seat and brought this big ship up to speed, the Ultra Limited eats up the miles effortlessly. The passenger backrest and wraparound armrests should please most pillion riders, though the windscreen isn't tall enough to provide ultimate silence (at least for this 5'11" motorcyclist), and some cockpit materials border on iffy. The vibe-averse should also avoid higher rpms, which is easy enough given the Ultra's tall gearing.

Victory may undercut Harley's pricing with their Vision Tour model, but long distance riders will still find maximum character in this flagship from Milwaukee.

Related:

• 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide Photo Gallery
• 2010 Harley-Davidson Buyer's Guide
• 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Buyer's Guide

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