#1 The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra long-term test 2017
Part 1
#1 The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra test with the 2017 Milwaukee-Eight engine begins in April and is expected to cover many thousands of kilometers.
You will see some of the most beautiful, but also harshest regions in Europe. If it passes this test of fire, it will undoubtedly have proven top tourer with the 107
It's April, the season has just started and the new Euro 4 standard is active. Many people were trembling and there was a lot to be heard in advance about the fact that from 2017 onwards we won't hear anything about the machine, for example. But that's not the case, in fact the opposite happened.
At KessTech I was informed about the new test cycle and also did a few test runs myself on the KessTech test site. Some things are cooked hotter than they are eaten.
The technology in the background is complicated, but it has been mastered by Harley-Davidson and also the well-known manufacturers of electronically adjustable exhaust systems.
We don't need to worry about the sound, it comes from the factory quite well and can also be legally changed using appropriate accessories.
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra has a great sound ex works with its new 107cui engine, I was really surprised, it is even a lot louder than the systems of the 103 engines and with its own new sound.
The new measuring method is about the overall noise development; the new four-valve engine is very quiet and runs smoothly.
The start was at kilometer 2 on the odometer, I'm still in the break-in phase and covered 900km with it in the first week of April.
A travel tourer that should now prove itself!
The first inspection is required after 1,600 kilometers have been driven. Even if the technology is well advanced, it is advisable to avoid high speed ranges and full throttle driving. The valves and pistons should work together correctly.
This means that the engine becomes a little quieter with every kilometer and subsequently develops its performance properly, but I'm not there yet.
The dampers and springs also only work properly after a certain phase. And the brakes and tires should be treated carefully for the first 200 kilometers, everything takes time.
The first impression!
But first impressions can already be reported: the chassis has become more stable, the spring struts can now be adjusted by hand using the rotary control without tools.
Harley-Davidson has paid particular attention to heat development; the redesigned exhaust system now radiates less heat to the passenger's foot and lower leg.
It has nice high handlebars, you sit very comfortably and long distances are no problem at all. I drove the first 600 kilometers in one go, only going to the gas station to refuel and get coffee.
The Road Glide Ultra is the perfect travel tourer, I have already ridden it as a 2016 CVO and Special. On my tours to Lake Faak , Denmark, Sweden and Russia, the CVO accompanied me reliably on 12,000 kilometers.
The CVO with full features is a special highlight, but it also costs a little more. If the 107 engine is enough for you, you can order your Harley in advance from the original accessories range so that you don't have to miss out on anything apart from the engine, whether it's the music system or the heated grips.
If you like powerful music on the ride, you should really get the larger system installed; the performance of the system is noticeably better, even if it takes up a little space in the suitcase. The standard system is easily sufficient for light irrigation and navigation.
What you should know about the Road Glide Ultra
The Road Glide is a big ship, there is no getting around it, it is a heavy machine that drives very confidently on the road.
The driver of a Road Glide Ultra should be at least 1.75m tall. The Road Glide Ultra is very popular with those who are a head taller than me at 1.83m.
The tilt of the BoomBox (navigation) suggests that the machine is also intended for larger ones. When the sun sets behind you, the smaller ones among us can no longer see much on the display.
Of course Harley-Davidson could make the BoomBox adjustable, but these are the first things that start to rattle, which will be one reason why it is not adjustable in tilt.
When ready to drive, it weighs 425 kilos. Care must be taken when going to the gas station. If there are large diesel stains on the gas pump, there is a risk of the front wheel slipping when braking, or your foot losing its grip when stabilizing lose before the stand is unfolded.
Of course, this can also happen with any other machine, these are the classics and have already happened to the most experienced drivers. Riding with the passenger can also cause surprises. If the passenger sits too far back in the nice chair when maneuvering and the driver turns the handlebars too far, it only has to be a little downhill and it happens quickly.
This can be avoided if the passenger moves close to the driver and the center of gravity is in the middle of the machine, then the handling is very balanced.
As a rule, the Road Glide has the crash bars, not much will happen, the main thing is that you stay calm in such a situation, the Harley notices that something is wrong and switches off automatically in the side position, activated after a short time The hazard warning lights are a safety feature, so don't panic.
It is possible to get it upright again on your own, but it should be on a solid surface. You can also ask about these tricks during the re-entry or refresher courses. YouTube channel soon .
What you get with the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra!
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra CVO 2016 Like the E-Glide Ultra, it is one of the best travel cruisers you can drive, with its Reflector LED double headlights it has the best light I have ever ridden on a motorcycle.
The light output is enormous and one of the design features of the Road Glide. People argue about the design, it looks really sleek from the front, the profile takes some getting used to, its fixed fairing is decoupled from the fork, so you have up to 15 kilos less weight on the handlebars and this is particularly noticeable when cornering.
What I personally don't like that much and looks nicer on the Street Glide is the design of the cockpit, which looks clearer and more elegant on the E-Glide, but the wind protection is better.
But the biggest changes are the new Milwaukee-Eight engine and the new chassis. We'll see if there are any teething problems, so far it's going very well.
What's particularly noticeable is the gearbox. If you now engage first gear, you won't hear any loud clacking from the gear when it clicks into the shaft, which was particularly audible with the 2015 CVO engines.
At the end of April it will have a few more kilometers on it and the break-in phase will also be over. Then we will also look at the consumption and how the new engine behaves under different conditions.
The vehicle was made available by Harley-Davidson without any obligation to publish.
