2016 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra

2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE ULTRA

IGNITION

FIRST RIDE

The long-distance workhorse is back

Andrew Bornhop

Folks who own Road Glide Ultras log more touring miles on their bikes than do any of Milwaukee’s other customers, so it’s understandable that The Motor Company took a couple of extra years to bring this popular big tourer back to market. And based on my recent daylong ride of a new 2016 Ultra along the Columbia River, I’d say this new FL-based machine has been worth the wait.

Once you get accustomed to the dynamics of a bike with a claimed wet weight of 916 pounds, the new Road Glide gets under your skin.

It gobbles up the miles with ease, its Twin-Cooled High Output 103 V-twin loping along in a relaxed manner at highway speeds, where I appreciated the improved aero comfort provided by the new frame-mounted fairing fine-tuned in Harley’s Wichita wind tunnel.

Throttle response on the Lewis and Clark Trail along the Columbia River felt great, and the occasional pass would require dropping down to fifth gear but not always. The engine is rubber mounted, which allows some of the V-twin’s character to come through without too much shake. Overall, I was impressed with the Ultra’s smoothness over a broad rev range. Harley, of note, says the liquid-cooled cylinder heads allow for a higher compression ratio and 10.7 percent more peak torque while also reducing radiant heat.

The new fairing, fitted with Dual Reflector Daymaker LED headlamps, a tall 13.5inch windscreen, and triple split-screen venting that pressurizes the cockpit area, effectively eliminates head buffeting. Because it’s framemounted, there’s no ill effect on the steering. This bike has good straight-line stability, yet it’s willing to bend into highway sweepers naturally.

At 6-foot-4,1 appreciated the calm behind that screen, riding for most of the day with the top central vent open. When I experimented with the two large side vents flanking the headlights,

I could sense that it was slightly calmer with them open, which also provided the rider with a glimpse of the asphalt whizzing by.

What Harley calls “midframe air deflectors” are also employed below the fairing to deflect air up, right in front of the 6-gallon fuel tank, to further pressurize the cockpit. In short, all this aero management worked well, allowing me to ride with the visor of my full-face Shoei popped open.

Because the framemounted fairing is a bit farther away from the rider than a traditional Harley Batwing, the 2016 Road Glide Ultra cockpit feels roomy. The handlebar, a slightly pulledback design, has grips that are about 2 inches higher than those of the Road Glide. This upright riding position helps make the new Ultra more comfortable over the long haul.

Besides standard cruise control and an inch-wider seat contoured for better support, the 2016 Road Glide Ultra benefits from LED headlights, linked brakes with ABS, and Project Rushmore updates such as One-Touch hard saddlebags, a Boom! Box 6.5GT color touchscreen (with GPS and Bluetooth), and a 100-watt sound system.

At $25,699, the 2016 Road Glide Ultra is by no means cheap. But it now has the power, comfort, and sophistication to please riders who measure trips in states, not miles.

IT NOW HAS THE POWER, COMFORT, AND SOPHISTICATION TO PLEASE RIDERS WHO MEASURE TRIPS IN STATES, NOT MILES.

2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE ULTRA

$25,699

ENGINE: OHVV-twin DISPLACEMENT: 1690cc SEAT HEIGHT: 29.7 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 6.0 gal. CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 916 lb.