A guy at work bought his very first bike a few years ago (he's 50ish) - 2008 Copper/Black Road Glide.  He had done his homework and wanted a frame mounted fairing.  He's had it three years and put about 12K miles on it.  Not bad for a rookie.  He knew that Harley had come out with the upgraded frame/chassis on their big bikes in '09 and I mentioned to him that it seemed to make a huge difference.  I told him the story of VisionTex and I chasing one across Texas and how it was really carving the turns.  He rides with the Harley guys and doesn't want to feel ostracized with a Vision, even though he knows it will blow any of them away. 

He bought a 2011 RG Ultra (trunk comes standard) two weeks ago and has put 600 miles on it.  He said it felt better the instant he left the dealer parking lot.  Today he started picking my brain about how to rig it out.  What upgrades would I recommend?  He said that the Harley guys unanimously said louder pipes but that's not a big deal to him. 

I said "Ok, it looks like you really care about comfort and the ride over all the chrome and fluff.  Am I right?" 

He said "Yep." 

"Alright.  If you really want that bike to change the way you look at riding a motorcycle, put heated grips and a heated seat on it."

"Boy, I could have used that this morning (43 degrees).  Froze my hands off on the way in." 

"I know, I saw you get off the bike and then rub your hands together in the building for the next 20 minutes.  Your could have worn thin gloves and been totally comfortable.  The heated stuff will change the way you pack.  You don't need longjohns under your jeans.  Just wear your chaps to block the wind and the seat will keep your legs warm.  As it warms up, turn off the heat.  Even warmer?  Take off the chaps.  Wintertime stuff isn't just bulkier, it's twice as bulky.  You'll be able to pack half as much stuff.  When you walk into a restaurant on a cold day, you won't be dying to layer down within 10 minutes. You'll spend about $1000 for the heated seat and grips and you'll save that much by buying more efficient gear.  Psychologically, you'll never look at a weather forecast the same again.  Seriously."

He then started picking my brain about textile vs leather, GoreTex boots, different gloves and helmets.  I told him I'd give him my Ride Like A Pro DVD and loan him a couple of books by David Hough that I have about riding better.  It was a great conversation.  This was just the tip of the iceberg but I know at least one Harley guy I think I'm really gonna like riding with.

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It was a great conversation.  This was just the tip of the iceberg but I know at least one Harley guy I think I'm really gonna like riding with.

What you didn't tell him to install an electric windshield...LOL!

Yes it's nice to talk about the details of other motorcycles/accessories and be happy for what the other guy has.

Sounds like you have a good motorcycle buddy.

john frey - 2011-04-18 11:50 AM Well the new ultra guy to watch out for the front end wobble. I had all the heated stuff on my bike and when it went into a wobble I didn't care. Tell him to search the web and see the law suites. Vision for the money and not to worry about a wobble is worth every penny

He actually took a video of the wobble.  (Showed it to me on his iPhone.)  40mph and the handlebars were uncontrollable.  He took it back to the dealer and the wrench said "Well, don't take your hands off the handlebars at 40 miles per hour."  Wrong answer.  After a bit of "discussion" with the owner of the dealership (along with some video show-and-tell) another wrench re-torqued the steering head bearing and it went away.  Amazing video by the way.

I frickin love my Vision!