2017 Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000: Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited

A lot has happened in Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited land since 2014, which has helped to take long-haul opulence to a new level.

It all began with the Project Rushmore overhaul of Harley-Davidson’s Touring range, which was all about design and functionality updates. Rushmore introduced a new fairing with slipstream venting, high-tech linked brakes, remodelled panniers and a modern infotainment system. The H-D designers wanted more “continuity from front to the rear”, while holding onto the signature visuals of the touring range. They got it right.

Three years later, Harley-Davison was at it again, freshening up the Ultra Limited in the form of new Showa suspension, revised pannier fastenings (making them easier to remove) and the biggie: the new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, which has now been introduced onto the company’s revamped Softail range as well.

While retaining Harley's traditional 45-degree V-twin architecture, the Milwaukee-Eight has four valves per cylinder instead of two, a higher compression ratio, 50 per cent more intake and exhaust flow capacity, improved thermal management, twin sparkplugs per cylinder, improved legroom and reduced vibration. And there’s less mechanical noise, too.

Performance gains
The Ultra Limited received the Twin-Cooled version of the Milwaukee-Eight, and the narrative of the new engine over the old High Output Twin Cam 103 donk captures way more than just the torque hike from 138 to 152Nm – and at a lower rpm as well.

There’s not only a quantum leap in acceleration, but the Milwaukee-Eight engine is so smooth and refined – but is still an unmistakable Harley Big Twin with all that muscle. It’s an impressive performance cocktail but one that barely raises a sweat.

There’s no vibration and the mirrors don’t get all blurry, which was a blessing on the 1724km SaddleSore 1000 epic. The Ultra Limited recorded the best fuel consumption on test as well at 5.84lt/100km, ahead of the Honda Goldwing (5.97lt/100km) and Indian Roadmaster (6.08lt/100km).

On the road
Compared to the Goldwing and Roadmaster, the Ultra Limited presents more of a 'snuggle' factor for the rider, but still with room to move. Well, for me at least… Rod Chapman, our SaddleSore 1000 ‘giant’, wasn’t so comfortable on the Harley, and he preferred the roomier cockpits of the other two. Horses for courses.

The Ultra’s seat was the best on test, by far. There’s superb lower back support, with just the right contours to make for impressive long-distance comfort.

The pillions get a sumptuous seat and armrests, as well. Not that we were concerned with pillions on the SaddleSore 1000 – no one in their right mind was going to jump on the back with us!

That made packing an absolute breeze, with the Ultra Limited sniggering at me as I threw in some snacks and water in one pannier, a first-aid kit and a five-litre fuel container in the top box, and some spare clothes in the second pannier. No preload adjustment required, either…

The absence of an adjustable screen (or even a bigger one) on the Ultra Limited is disappointing, as it is on the Goldwing – although it’s not such an issue on the latter because the screen is so large and cocoons the rider and passenger anyway. Mind you, that opens up its own can of worms, especially in searing temperatures.

Luckily for us, it only reached a maximum of 27 degrees on our trip, so small or big screens we were well looked after.

There are four gauges on the Ultra – two larger and two smaller – with a gloss black surround, but it’s not a squishy affair by any means as the Premium Boom! Box 6.5 entertainment system sits below. I do like the way that the Batwing fairing on the Harley keeps everything in house; a clean look that Harley has perfected.

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The touchscreen infotainment system is impressive, and has all the goodies, including USB ports, voice recognition for your phone, music and GPS, and more. In terms of spec and intuition the Ultra’s system is positioned somewhere between the Goldwing and the chart-topping Roadmaster – which even offers split screens in its TFT setup.

The $39,995 Ultra Limited, like the other two, has cruise control and heated grips among its electronic offerings, but no heated seats.

Summing up
The Ultra Limited has a natural, easy and responsive manner, and the Milwaukee-Eight engine is the cream that sits at the top. The functionality and technology amounts to oodles of flair for any long-distance equation.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED IN BIKE SHOWROOM

SPECS: HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED
ENGINE
Type: Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 107
Capacity: 1735cc
Bore x stroke: 98.4mm x 111.1mm
Compression ratio: 10:01
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: Not given
Claimed maximum torque: 152Nm at 3250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed, including overdrive
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Front suspension: 49mm Dual Bending Valve telescopic fork, 117mm travel
Rear suspension: Shock with air-adjustable preload, 176mm travel
Front brakes: Twin discs with four-piston Brembo calipers, CBS, ABS
Rear brake: Single disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper, CBS, ABS
Tyres: Dunlop D408F, front 130/80-17, rear 180/65-16

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 26 degrees
Claimed wet weight: 413kg
Seat height: 740mm
Wheelbase: 1625mm
Fuel capacity: 22.7 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $39,995
Colours: Vivid Black
Test bike supplied by: Harley-Davidson Australia & New Zealand, http://www.harley-davidson.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres