The CVO Road Glide Ultra in Charcoal Slate and Black Twilight with Quartzite graphics.
Road Glide Ultra
Now we know last year around this time there were rumors going around that Harley was going to axe the Road Glide model. Well as evidenced by last year's introduction of the Road Glide Custom in the OE lineup, that obviously wasn't the case. So back again for the fourth time as a CVO, but the first time as an Ultra, is the Road Glide Ultra. What makes a Road Glide an Ultra you ask? Well according to Harley, it's the King Tour-Pak, wraparound passenger seat and rear speakers, CB, and fairing lowers. Similar to the Ultra Classic Electra Glide, the Road Glide Ultra is also loaded to the gills with everything one would want to make long trips more enjoyable. This bike has a new Road Tech zumo 660 GPS unit with integrated handlebar mount and Navigation Interface module to allow verbal commands to come through the speakers. It also has a new 40-watt-per-channel Harman Kardon Advanced Audio System with four BOOM! Bagger Audio speakers, XM satellite radio, CB intercom with two headsets, and a new amplifier with customized equalization. Also included is an 8GB iPod that can be mounted and charged in the saddlebag. The audio functions on the stereo and hand controls can also control your iPod with the display coming up on the head unit screen.
The Road Glide Ultra comes with a King Tour-Pak and Harley's new BOOM! Audio.
For better aerodynamics and to limit wind buffeting, H-D conducted extensive wind tunnel testing which resulted in a new 16-inch windscreen that has been brought back 15 degrees, and developed new Road Glide wind deflectors that fit on top of the engine guard to redirect turbulent air from between the tank and fairing. The Road Glide Ultra also has a new Hammock-style suspended, dual-control heated seat with leather inserts and a reshaped rider area. And the passenger seat also has the Spring-board-style suspension system seat found on the Ultra Classic Electra Glide. The glove boxes in the fairing feature new lined compartments, and a new chrome 1-inch, internally wired handlebar with a more ergonomic shape has been added. And at the rear of the bike is a pair of chrome billet muffler end caps with black spears.
The cockpit of the Road Glide Ultra features a handlebar-mounted zumo 660 GPS unit and the dash has a diamond-cut insert surrounding the CB/intercom port.
The cockpit of the Road Glide Ultra features a handlebar-mounted zumo 660 GPS unit and the
Having logged thousands of miles on an '05 Road Glide, I am kind of partial to the Road Glide Ultra. There is definitely a noticeable difference in power between the 103ci engine I am used to and the 110ci mill between the framerails of this bike. While some don't like the frame-mounted fairing, I say there is nothing better than the sharp look of the shark nose. This was the one bike I wish I could have spent all day riding, I just love the way it handles, but there were too many other editors that wanted to experience the joy of a Road Glide Ultra. The Road Glide Ultra is available in three colors: Rio Red and Black Ember with Quartzite graphics, Charcoal Slate and Black Twilight with Quartzite graphics, and Frosted Ivory and Vintage Gold with Quartzite graphics. This model has an MSRP of $35,999 and 3,000 units will be produced.
OK, so I covered a lot of ground here, skimming over some stuff and going a little deeper in others. I know I didn't delve too far into riding each bike, but with lots of switching of bikes and stops for photo shoots, the day went by way too fast. Hopefully down the line we can get our hands on a few of these models to give you a more in-depth report on how they ride and perform. To see video interviews with some of the CVO team members, log on to hotbikeweb.com.