A buddy of mine just purchased a 2011 Ultra Classic six months ago and it is his baby.  I tried to convince him to buy a VVT, but he can’t get over the looks.  His loss.  His GF even likes my ride better.

So, if you learn one thing from this post, DON’T RIDE LIKE HE DID.  Now, he is an experienced rider.  His last Suzuki Intruder S83, he put on over 100k miles, but he just made a mental error.  He was coming to a stop, doing maybe 25 mph.  He hit a patch of sand on the pavement and the rear end started sliding left.  While moving, he puts his right foot down to stabilize it.  He didn’t want to drop his baby.  Immediately, his foot gets propelled backwards and gets caught underneath his saddlebag.  The tibia and fibula + one ankle bone get shattered.  He was able to keep the bike upright, does a U-turn and heads back to his mom’s place.  Mind you, he was 1 mile from my place and could have left it at the filling station right next to him, but shock takes away pain for 10-15 minutes.  Gets back to his mom’s (5 miles) and calls 911.  He never dropped it.

Now, after surgery, he is off the bike for at least 90 days.  He is up and about using a walker, but he would like me to “exercise” his HD once a week to keep her charged.  My impressions of the Ultra Classic are much better than the Road King in my garage.  (See:  "Don't want a Road King" )

·         Tranny—smooth!—much more refined than 2009 VV.  Need to ride a 2011 VV again to compare

·         Stereo—Harmon Kardon is a much better unit as were the factory speakers

·         Clutch was like butter—Very easy pull!  And it is cable, not hydraulic.  Wake up Victory!

·         Wind protection—adequate but not a VV

·         The Brembo brakes were good—just like my TC.  I've had Schwinn brakes better than the RK’s

·         Vibration—much better than the RK.  It did not blur your vision at a stop as the RK does.  I almost got motion sick at a red light riding the Road King from my blurry vision.  The Ultra vibration was very acceptable

Those are the HD’s good points.

The Vision gets the nod for:

·         Wind protection—much better than UC

·         Seat comfort (stock)—much more support on VV

·         Riding position—so much more room to stretch out on the Vic

·         Handling ability—Ultra was pretty boxy in its handling.  Adequate is all you can say

·         Electric windshield—no comment necessary

·         VV is very nimble

·         Styling—a fresh newer looking design

·         HP/Torque—isn’t even close!  We both have stock engines; and I do realize I have 106 CI vs his 96 CI… but a bike that size should have more punch.  My good old 92 cubic inch TC had snap!  I was riding his Ultra at 65 in 6^th gear, downshifted to 5^th and goosed it… NOTHING!  Dropped to 4^th; now I should be able to JUMP!  Again, NOTHING!  I was dumbfounded at the LACK OF TORQUE for a large V-Twin touring bike!  Yes, I understand if you add about $4k into a HD they will run quite well.  Maybe good enough to keep up with the stock Vics, but come on!  The sheep are so blind purchasing these things.  They are only purchasing the HD family because they can’t believe that all bikes are that gutless! 

Overall, the 2011 Ultra is an acceptable ride.  Not my choice but it has its good features.  If Victory keeps improving like they have over recent years, and if more sheep get exposed to them, Victory will keep growing.