Well, I went and did it. Saturday I picked up an 08 SEUC. It is Copper Canyon and Stardust Silver. I have seen several pictures and heard folks refer to the color as "strawberry"...Looks orange to me. Looks awesome out in the sun with maybe just a slight hint of a redish tent (if you use your imagination)...No, It's orange.
I had the dealer install the Vance & Hines Big Shot duals and re-map. They sound good and gave it a nice clean look from the side, but kinda look like pea-shooters coming out the back...I think I am going to try some fish-tail end caps. I will probably ride it up to the 1000 mile service and then decide if I want to add the SE Race Tuner or a PC. I have the PC (+ dyno tuned) on my 02 Ultra, so I am guessing that I will be spending the money to do the same on the new bike.
I now have about 200 miles on it...man!!! what an awesome ride. I have never in my life purchased a warranty on a bike, vehicle, TV, or anything else. After reading about the problems that other folks are having, I spent the money for the five year warranty on this one...I thought maybe better safe than sorry.
I have got to change out the handle bars!!! I have pull-backs on my 02 and love them. I would have had the handle bars changed by the dealer, but they said they are not available from HD yet for the 08 with the "drive by wire". If anyone knows of a good after market option, please let me know.
I am also going to lower the suspension. As best I can tell, the 08 is setting about 1 1/2 higher than the 02. The seat is also much thicker than the seat on the 02, so I am guessing I am about 3 inches higher off the ground than I am on the 02. If anyone has suggestions on lowering the suspension, your input will be welcomed!
I will get some pics posted in the next day or so.
Congratulations on the new bike!!! We need some pics out in the sunlight, of course...
As far as lowering the bike, there are several options. Personally, I think it is not so good an idea to permanently lower both the front and rear of the bike, as too much travel in the suspension is sacrificed and the potential for rough riding and bottoming the front forks and rear shocks is greater. The front suspension on any HD leaves a LOT to be desired, so taking travel away is never a good idea...again, IMO. There are air suspensions out there to accomplish this goal, but none of the good ones are inexpensive.
I have a 29" inseam, and while I can touch the ground at full suspension height, doing anything with the bike, like parking it, backing it up, etc, is a real challenge. I put Legend Air Ride rear shocks on my bike. With the touch of a button, the bike can be dropped in the rear 3.25 inches, at any time. It can also be raised back up to normal riding height as circumstances warrant, again, at any time, with only the touch of a button. Lowering the rear only allows my feet to be firmly planted on the ground when necessary.
IF I did not go this route, I would stay completely away from the HD "lowering kits" offered in the P&A catalog...it's just replacing chit with different chit. Do Progressives, Race Tech, etc. If you want to do it right, and don't want the air adjustment, see the thread about Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 fork catridges, and their Bitubo rear shocks. You could get the bike down an inch on both ends and not have a buckboard wagon in the process.
Again, IMO, the air ride from Legend or the Platinum Air is the best long term solution if you are vertically challenged. If you're just doing it for looks, then I'd re-think the whole thing and be reluctant to give up full travel suspension on a touring bike.
Now, let's see some pics of that new scoot!!
