When I walked into the dealership to look at me FLHXSE (Spiced Rum), right in front was a CVO Ultra in red/graphite.
Wowser! It's absolutely gorgeous. I must have sat on both bikes 10 times trying to decide which way to go.
I ended up with the CVO Streetglide for the following reasons:
It sits lower which is good for me.
I'm intrigued with the new hydraulic rear shock.
LOVE the Streetglide rear end.
90% of the time, I'd ride without tour-pak or lowers.
The rough guestimate for painting tour-pak and lowers by Gunslingers (right down the road in Golden, CO; they paint all the CVO bikes) was WAY over my budget. $2k minimum for the tour-pak alone.
The CVO Ultra is magnificent, but in the end, the seating is higher, the rear end ordinary, and I don't really care for the GPS that comes with it (going with Zumo 660) nor care about the CB.
It will cost a bundle to get the CVO Streetglide to my personal preferences. By the time I add the Zumo, Hawg Wired Double Shot, detachable rack, taller sissy bar to hold a T-bag, CVO Passing Lamps, switch out the handlebars, add wind deflectors and a few small items and dyno tune the sucker it's a big ticket. Surely almost as much as detaching the Ultra.
I should have the bike in less than 2 weeks. Awaiting a final decision from Steve at Fullsac on whether his cores are '10 compatible. Then the dealer has to set-up and dyno tune the bike.
I promise many photos when it's done.
Everyone's advice was good and most helpful. In the end, I'm guessing if 100 CVO Forum members were faced with this decision, we'd end up with a 50/50 split.