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[snooper]

Hello everybody !

Ok guys, I might need your help / advice on this one.

First let me tell you that I searched this website and couldn't find the info. Gona try to make it short: when I did the test drive of the Ultra, everything was perfect. Got to say that I previously had an XL48 plus a RT1200, and I wanted to make just one bike that could sound like a HD and allow us to ride long trips just like on the BMW. The 2012 CVO colors and schemes and accessories had me signing for this model, but I only did a test drive of the Ultra Classic - non CVO.

Now after a few hundred of miles, I still have a big smile, but a few complains, or at least some questions.

1/ Turbulence. I tried different helmets, but I have to say that there is annoying turbulence above 60 mph. My passenger does not feel any of these, but up front it's really painful. I'm 5'8 so I'm not sure size matters on this one. Anybody experienced this before ? I drove 4 hours during the non-CVO test drive, and I did not notice anything comparable to the bike that was delivered to me.

2/ Front wheel… above 50 to 60 miles an hour, just as the turbulence's start… I find the front wheel to be very… soft, fuzzy, moving, imprecise, sensitive even to the wake turbulence of the trucks next lane, etc… feels like a big lack of precision. Once again, I did not get this feeling when I did the non-CVO test drive. On another hand, I come from BMW, bikes you can put on the desired track no matter what. But really on the Ultra, I find it strange - but I have no background on this model to understand what's going on.

Thanks for your help, and sorry if this was posted before...

Have a great day !

[Midnight Rider]

For the Turbulence:  Get a new windshield with a recurve at the top...something like a Clearview of the proper height for you.  You might also try the Kury Dragon Wings (HD makes a version too) for the sides of the fairing.  You can direct the air flow with them.

Get rid of the stock HD suspension on the front end:  Progressive Monotubes (because you are in France), or second choice would be the new HD Premium Ride Cartridges.  While you're at it, get rid of the "Air Shocks" on the back too...they are junk.  There are several good replacement aftermarket shocks (HD does not make a good shock, IMO).  Progressive, Ohlins, Bitubo, Works, and others.  If you want to lower the bike when needed (I noticed you are 5'8"), and have infinite adustablity on the fly, Legend Air Ride rear shocks.

You may not have felt it on the "regular" Ultra, but both bikes have the same suspension components.  The reason the front end feels strange is because the front tire is not on the pavement some of the time, due to the cheap, crappy, Showa components inside the front forks.

[snooper]

I knew you were the experts !!!!

Thanks so much, this turbulence thing is really an issue. Thanks again, I'll try them all !

[Midnight Rider]

I knew you were the experts !!!!

Thanks so much, this turbulence thing is really an issue. Thanks again, I'll try them all !

Snooper...I recommend Clearview simply because that is what I'm familiar with on the batwing bikes.  There are other good brands, but they have a quality product and offer site members a small discount.  I don't know about them shipping overseas, but I don't think that would be a problem.  The recurve on top is like adding a windshield that is 2 inches higher.  Just be certain that you measure correctly...they have a light gray tint that works well on the CVO.  They have instructions on how to measure, but the basic process is to sit on the bike in your "normal" cruising position, pick a point on flat ground in front of the bike approximately 50 feet in front.  The top of the shield should be between your mouth and your nose if you put a straight edge parallel to the ground, straight out from that spot on your face.  You being 5'8", it's probably going to be about an 8 inch tall shield...with the recurve, it will behave like a 10" shield.

Look under Vendor Discounts on the Home page here and you will see the various folks that offer special deals for CVO members.  I don't know how easy it is to import things from other Euro countries, but Ohlin is over there, as is Bitubo (Italy).  Legend Air is a USA company located in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Traxxion Dynamics here on this site (located in the state of Georgia, USA) is a Bitubo dealer and offers a small discount, but it may be cheaper to get them in Europe    They are GREAT shocks, once set up properly.

[snooper]

Thanks again. As long as they deliver in NY, I'm fine... ;-) (Then I can bring the stuff along)

For the windshields, some have an upper recurve and some are straight. I can imagine the difference in airflow, but if anyone had an opinion based on experience on the Ultra, it would be very helpful. Chances are I won't be able to try a couple of shields, I would need to target the right one at once, returns and exchanges are not easy when you export...

Thanks !

[dayne66]

7" Longview........wish it was an 8" and it would be perfect.   I'm 5' 10"..... 33" inseam.

[Ironhorse]

He has a CVO Ultra. Shouldn't come with the side wings on the fairing?

[kjmessner]

The Freedom Shield has a recurve - put the 10" (same size as stock) on mine - amazing improvement!  They also offer a discount to members - check the vendor posts.

[snooper]

Thanks Kjmessner !!

As we have the same bike, I guess I'll use your experience & feedback and go for it. Thanks to everybody !

You all have a great (riding) day !

[Eqcons]

I'm pretty sure the windshield on the regular ultra is 1" taller than what comes with the CVO.

Not on HDI models, Pete - we get the 9" on everything.

Jim

[Eqcons]

I think you'll find the turbulence has little or nothing to do with the screen, unfortunately (I do have a screen of the type meant to smooth the air around your head, but turbulence, though reduced, is still a problem at speed - shakes your head enough to give double vision.)

The problem, I'm almost certain, is with the current legshield design, and the buffeting comes up from there.   I also have one of the air baffle things that goes between the forks, but that makes little difference.  What I think WILL help, is to modify a pair of the FLTR wind deflectors to fit your bike. (It can be done!)  Not the prettiest things in the world, but not that easily noticed, and if they cure the problem......



Jim

[FLHTCUSE7]

I had the same issue as you and it was the windshield. I changed to a recurred screen and now the airflows a couple of inches above my head and all the wind buffeting is gone. (I purchased the Freedom shield brand)

Have you checked the tire pressure in your front tire?  Could be low.

[snooper]

Thanks guys.

Eqcons, you're not very good news :-(

But I found out something today about the buffeting. To confirm it, place the bike (at zero speed) facing a very small upslope, braking only the rear wheel, you'll find out the control of the front wheel is really really too soft. Meaning when the weight is just a bit aft, any turbulence around the batwing would greatly participate to the buffeting or at least the feeling of it.

So anything that would push on the front wheel would improve the buffeting I would think.

Nevertheless I'll give a try to a 10" Freedom Shield, as I believe that the ride on a 40K$ bike has to be smoother than what I get now on the top of the head !

Maybe I'm getting old, but after a day riding, I find the neck and the shoulders to be a bit... painful.

Expensive bike in terms of massages !

[Eqcons]

Thanks guys.

Eqcons, you're not very good news :-(

Sorry, snooper, just telling it like it is!  before you try the freedom shield, I recommend you try my suggestion. A whole lot cheaper than the shield, easy and cheap to get in France, and I think you'll find it works....

Jim

[Midnight Rider]

Snoop...the recurve will help on the windshield.  HOWEVER, whatever brand you choose, it is vital that you get the proper height for YOU.  Do not purchase a windshield based on anyone else's height recommendations, even if they are the same height (physically) as you are...you may have longer legs, shorter trunk, sit differently when riding, etc.  The only way to know for sure is to measure.  Just 1 inch either way can make a huge difference, and it is ill advised to put a windshield on the bike that you are constantly having to look through, or that the top edge is directly in your line of sight...you will hate it.  From the Freedom Shield website: 

The ideal height of the shield is where the top edge of the shield is level with
   the tip of your nose. This gives you about 2” to see over the top of the shield
   when looking straight ahead, and the shield will be tall enough to get the
   airflow over you.

• The shield is measured from the top of the fairing to the top of the shield,
   basically the exposed shield when it is mounted on the bike.

I can also assure you that at least part of your problem with the front end feeling light (especially after coming off a bike with good suspension, like a BMW) is the absolutely horrible front fork suspension components.