 A
little while ago I had the chance to take the latest
version of Harley's Glide, the Ultra Classic Electra Glide
on some pretty long distance runs, and in what turned out
to be some of the most the unpredictable weather! For long
distance in the UK or Europe it's probably not every rider’s
idea of motorcycling fun, but for covering those miles there’s
very little on two wheels that can come anywhere near to the
Harley. The Electra Glide seems
to have been around forever, I rode a version way back in
1980, which was in fact a 1975 model, and like the old saying
"It's just like riding a bike," when I got on the
new one it felt the same in essence, just way more advanced
in certain areas! The Electra Glide is a big part of the American
motoring legend, just like the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Corvette.
It was introduced in 1965 and during the intervening years
has undergone countless updates and additions and has grown
in size to it's current 'Cruise Liner' like dimensions!
This version, the Ultra
Classic Electra Glide, is without a doubt the most sumptuously
appointed bike in the motorcycle world. From the front to
the back it is designed for one thing only, to cover many,
many miles in complete comfort and with little effort on the
riders part. Start with the chrome front bumper around the
mudguard and work your way back to the twin 6ft antennas and
you will soon realise just why I say this!
 Harley-Davidson has left nothing out in the quest to make this the top luxury
tourer. Seating on the big Glide is just like your front room
and will rival many luxury cars in its comfort. Add to that
cushioned pillion floorboards and padded backrest and arm
rests, and your passenger will be a permanent fixture for
all your trips. Accessories and fittings mean luxury and home
comfort to most Americans, so no journey would be complete
without being able to chat with your trucker mates via the
built-in CB and the voice-activated intercom headset. But
this is only the start, there's also a 40-watt per channel
AM/FM/cassette and it comes with separate pillion controls
with rear speakers. No nothing has been left out in the quest
for the top spec tourer. Whilst you are riding along in your
armchair you can also light your cigar and check just how
warm is is outside of your bug and wind free cocoon. Yep there's
also an ambient air temperature gauge and a cigar lighter,
together with trip meters, a fuel gauge plus a fuel light,
voltmeter, clock, oil pressure gauge, full handlebar sound
system controls, cruise control and indicator, and an engine
diagnostic light!
The big Harley is definately
designed for one thing only, to get out on the highway and
get your motor running. Talking of motors that's also a revelation
over the old version I rode many years ago! The New Glide
uses the new generation Twin Cam V-twin with electronic sequential
port fuel injection. This motor is about as far removed from
the old cast iron Harley motors as it's possible to get. The
motor is huge and smooth but the power isn't so great, what
is most impressive is the torque though. At 86ft/lb generated
at a lowly 3500rpm you can trundle along in top gear all day
fully loaded and chatting with all your mates at the same
time!
After a short while gettiong
used to all the different controls it was time for the first
ride out, and a short jaunt for the Glide, some 200 miles
from the North of England down toward London! Feeling somewhat
daunted by the weight of the thing it's a surprise when you
can put your feet up at about 3mph and feel totally in control,
that's the balance and low centre of gravity showing through.
Riding through towns and along country roads is a pure pleasure,
and somewhat of a pose in reality as almost everyone takes
a look or a long stare at you in disbelief as this two wheeled
motorhome comes gliding past! Many people stop and ask you
questions when you pull in. I suppose that's just the way
of life when you own a Glide, but all I wanted to do was ride
it more and more as I got used to it.
 Down
below all you noticed was the low rumble of the V-Twin
when you were out and about on the roads, beneath those shiny
covers sits a pure gem of an engine, designed to pull the
Electra Glide along with ease and for many miles at a time.
The fuel injection and delivery is controlled by sensors measuring
throttle position, engine speed, air density, engine temperature
and ambient temperature, and Harley claims that the system
is much smoother and improves your fuel consumption by up
to ten per cent. What is probably more important in this day
and age though is emissions, and the Glide has a little trick
up it's sleeve here because when the throttle is shut, so
are the injectors thus giving less emissions.
The rest of the engine is
pretty familiar to many other models in Harley's range but
one important factor is that the Glide has more torque and
less BHP than the others, that's because of the weight and
style of the bike. The motor is rubber mounted in the very
hefty steel frame, this is all surrounded by matching single
or two-tone bodywork which includes removable fairing lowers
and storage boxes, good sized panniers and a very large, side-opening
top-box which includes the passengers backrest.
Riding the Harley Electra
Glide was an unforgettable experience. It coped admirably
with any road you put in front of it, but top end performance
is nowhere near as impressive as it's ability to cruise on
lanes and smaller roads. The Glide is no lightweight when
it comes to modern bikes, at a respectable 347kg dry the Ultra
Classic takes a little while to really get moving from rest,
and even more time to do any sort of respectable overtakes.
The Glide did reach 100mph and would cruise at about that
speed but it did feel somewhat stressed in the motor department
yet was actually as stable as a rock on the handling side.
The Ultra Classic has full
air suspension at both ends and gives you pretty good feel
on most road surfaces. There is not a fantastic amount of
travel and it did seem to bottom out on a couple of occasions
but in general it handles well and as long as you didn't push
it too hard. When it came to braking at first I was expecting
a similar set-up to the old model I rode years before, luckily
I was proved completely wrong and it stopped well, for a very
heavy bike! The twin front disc set-up worked well but I did
need the occasional rear addition which was very welcome.
 In
the motorcycle world there's no denying that the
Glide is somewhat akin to a class 1 HGV as regards bikes,
but there's something to say when you can take everything
with you when you go away on a trip, like you can with a full
size motorhome. The Ultra Classic Electra Glide is definately
a bike for the touring enthusiast and will give you great
pleasure and service however long you own it.
Riding the Glide is a relaxing
experience and if ridden as designed it will cover huge distances
without any sort of fuss or bother. Riding at a gentle speed
seems to be the way of life for the Glide, and uhurried fashion
is the best with this bike. If you ride that way then unwelcome
surprises and panic moments will never be a problem!.
The new Ultra Classic Electra
Glide is possibly the most competent mile-muncher that I have
ever ridden. It will most certainly not suit every rider or
every style of road trip, there are many other ways of getting
from A to B faster, but at the end of the day the big 'ole'
V-Twin is unique and carries on the modern legend of the true
world tourer. More than simply being the best Big Twin tourer
yet, the fuel-injected Ultra Classic Electra Glide represents
the face of the future for Harley-Davidson.
AP
Specs
Engine Aircooled, 45-degree, 2-valve pushrod V-twin
Transmission Double-row chain primary, 5-speed box, belt final
Front suspension; 41mm Showa telescopic, 117mm travel, air-adjustable
spring rate
Rear suspension; Twin Showa shocks, 76mm travel, air-adjustable
spring rate
Brakes; twin front 292mm discs, single-piston calipers
Rear;292mm disc, single-piston caliper
Tyres; front MT90 x 16in Dunlop Touring Elite
Rear; MT90 x 16in Dunlop Touring Elite
Wheelbase;1592mm
Weight;347kg dry, claimed
Brakes; twin front 292mm discs, single-piston calipers
Rear;292mm disc, single-piston caliper
Tyres; front MT90 x 16in Dunlop Touring Elite
Rear; MT90 x 16in Dunlop Touring Elite
Wheelbase;1592mm
Weight;347kg dry, claimed
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