In 2011 the best bang for your buck was the Ultra Limited as far as touring rigs go. The 2011 Limited had the 103 motor. Then in 2012 when they added the 103 to all the touring rigs I feel that the Ultra was the best bang for your buck over the Limited. Not sure thats changed in 2013.

What size motor comes with the 2013 Limited..103? Don't see any major advantage of the Limited over the Ultra for 2013.

Limited Price: 24,199 Ultra price:21,799

What items are you getting in the 2013 Limited for the 2400$ difference in cost over the Ultra?

In the 2011,2012 and 2013 the Electraglide Classic cruise is optional. It doesn't come with rear speakers,CB and not sure if it even comes with the intercom system.

For those who don't tour the Ultra is an over the top bike. For those who seriously tour you appreciate the ammenities of the Ultra. I'm thinking those that purchase the Classic do so trying to get a decent touring bike under a reasonable budget. And trying to add those other things in later costs over double if you'd bought the Ultra instead. I see the Electraglide classic as a tease for serious and potentially serious tourers and knd of a trick,lol. .

Bottom line though the 6 speeds, 6 gallon tank, new frame and with the 2012 the factory oil cooler alls I can say is wow about my 2012 Ultra!! Not quite sure of the advantage of the 17" front wheel. That was a bit of a shocker given the years and years of the traditional 16" front wheel on all the glides(excluding the Super glide and wide glide). I haven't put her thru her paces yet but hoping to in 2014. Putting it all on the line then.

I love my 2012 Ultra more then any other bike I've ever owned. And I've owned a shit load. The 2012 Ultra is a fraken dream bike like no other I thought they'd ever make.

I am totally digging the 2013 Anniversary color combo especially on the Fat Boy low...very nice.

Good read BI.

I agree with you on the 6 speed - 6 gallon bikes.
I often wish I had an overdrive on my bike - like every time I ride it.

I like the engine my bike has - 80 cubic inches is plenty - I can easily get to 100 mph - I like to cruise with traffic @ 85 but I feel like I'll just riding it too hard. A 6th gear would help greatly.

As for the other stuff - the radio and the amenities - I have to agree with you again - you extra long range guys can appreciate that stuff more. I have my fill of just fresh air and the sound of the motor as my entertainment.

Yeah with the 6 speed you're pushing 70 mph at 2500 rpm's...amazing stuff. Hardly working the motor.

When I went shopping for my first harley I had my eye's set on an ultra as first choice. I did look at all the models hd had to offer but the ultra was right at the top.
After years of owning smaller metrics and always wanting an hd I was finaly at a point in my life when nothing was holding me back except the amount of debt I wanted to take on. I have wondered what the difference between the limited and the ultra where besides sticker price. I didn't get my ultra (yet!!) I settled for a 2008 flhx.
I've been pretty happy with it, except for the rear shocks that leak. It meets all my needs for now. I,m 47 and I travel every chance I get.
BI if you buy a new ultra for that trip to alaska in 2014 mybe you can give me a good deal on that sweet 2012.

Every time my wife goes to an hd shop with me she looks at the ultra and says there's the one that got away.

Carpenter;

I can totally see why one would jump on the Street glide...nice combo of touring yet street stripped with the potential for adding essential touring stuff with a docking system. Thats what first caught my eye when I upgraded back in 2007.

Researching further, as cool as I like the street glide I knew from what I was wanting, the Ultra was the bike for me and my wife. It was actually the need to have as best passenger comfort as possible and storage what directed us towards that first Ultra.

I eventually was all in and bought the 2012 to dial it in for the trip in 2014. Trying the keep the miliage below 10,000 miles before I leave in 2014.

Good thing I did because initially it had that undiagnosible low speed front end wobble. Took near 3 months to locate the issue and no thanks to Wilkins HD(after 2 trip to them their suggestion was to live with it ).

I'm hoping that any possible issue will rear its head by 10,000 miles? Not to mention I would like to add the integrated XM GPS. Other then that I think I'm good to go otherwise. Put a 7" windshield on, tour pac luggage rack and 3 bag windshield bag,also upgraded the hinges and latches to heavier duty. Bolted a tour pac lid storage deal. Bolting it on is the only way to go. That double sided tape is a joke.

Also the Street glide has the shorter rear shocks then the Ultra. Me and my wife are each 215lbs and 140lbs respectively. Short shocks would not work out well with both of us and loaded with gear.

If it were just me riding I like the 2013 Fat Boy Low anniversary.