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HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC (2010 - on) Review

MCN rating 2 out of 5 (2/5)
Owners' rating 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra
4

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £300
Power: 75 bhp
Seat height: Low (29.3 in / 745 mm)
Weight: High (882 lbs / 400 kg)

Prices

New £20,495
Used £8,500 - £20,500
View bikes for sale

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
2 out of 5 (2/5)

This is Harley’s all-singing all-dancing, top-of-the-range tourer. In standard trim it’s fully-loaded with touring accessories that are only available as optional extras on lower-spec Electra Glides. It also has a larger capacity engine. The major problem with this bike is its massive £21,222 price tag. For that sort of money it needs to be perfect, but it’s far from that. A Victory Vision Tour, Kawasaki VN1700 Classis or BMW K1200LT will offer a far superior riding experience for much less money.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
2 out of 5 (2/5)

Although the ride quality is very good cruising in a straight line, the big Harley hates corners. Due to its ridiculous bulk there’s very little feeling for what’s going with the tyres and corning in the wet at any kind of speed is plain frightening. Brakes are very poor.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Ultra Classic gets a bigger 1690cc V-twin engine (the Electra Glide has a 1584cc motor), although Harley, according to its tradition doesn’t give claimed power figures. They do say it makes 6ftlb more torque (up to 100ftlb) at the same lazy 3500rpm. The engine is smooth enough on the move and offers decent acceleration, given the machine’s horrendous 400kg (dry!) bulk. What really lets the motor down is its painfully agricultural six-speed gearbox. 

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
2 out of 5 (2/5)

The paintwork and all the shiny bits are well produced, but the attention to detail under the skin is poor. Harleys are reliable on the whole but we have always experienced frustrating little faults with our test bikes, with things dropping off and coming undone. When this machine was delivered to our office the ABS didn’t work.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
1 out of 5 (1/5)

It’s hard to see where all your money goes with the Electra Glide Ultra Limited. It’s a lot of money for a dynamically poor machine, when you compare it to its cheaper competition. At the end of the day you’re simply paying for the Harley Davidson badge and all the history and heritage that goes with it. Find a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide for sale.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Although the basic controls, dials and switches are old fashioned and haphazardly placed you get lots of equipment as standard, like two-tone paintwork, cruise control, ABS, heated grips, top box and panniers, a luggage rack and an 80-watt Harmon-Kardon stereo. The list goes on… Compare and buy parts for the Electra Glide in the MCN Shop.

Specs
Engine size 1690cc
Engine type V-twin four-stroke
Frame type Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity 22.7 litres
Seat height 745mm
Bike weight 400kg
Front suspension Non adjustable
Rear suspension Non adjustable
Front brake 320mm disc
Rear brake 320mm disc
Front tyre size 130/80 17in
Rear tyre size 180/65 16in

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 43 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £300
New price £20,495
Used price £8,500 - £20,500
Insurance group 15 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term 2 years unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 75 bhp
Max torque 100 ft-lb
Top speed 105 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 217 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Introduced 2010

Other versions

Electra Glide Standard
Ultra Classic Electra Glide

Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE (2010 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE (2010 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE (2010 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Engine: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Reliability & build quality: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Value vs rivals: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £300
4 out of 5 mr
02 March 2020 by cliff fulks

Version: flhtc

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £300

I've ridden bikes for 42 years now, mainly british classics, Harleys and a few other more modern motorcycles like a VFR750. The Electra Glide was a poster on my teenage wall along with Ducati Darmah and Laverda Jota. I buy and ride motorcycles that move me and the unique style and feel of the Electra Glide has always been enticing. If you buy with your head I don't think you'd be looking at one of these. I often break into a big smile while I'm riding mine.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Yes down right frightening to move sometimes but I only weigh 10 stone myself. You need to adjust to the huge weight and adapt your riding accordingly, planning ahead for braking, cornering. Awesome long distance on main roads. Comfortable, relaxing, the screen height is just right for me but I still get turbulence in some conditions.It doesn't match other bikes for road holding though.

Engine 4 out of 5

I like torque more than horse power so it has what I'm after. I'm even happy with the gearbox and find it smooth enough if I don't rush things. The sound is part of the experience although I don't like too much noise personally.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Oh cleaning, what a drag! But it's well worth it as many people stop to say they love it's style. I used ACF50 on the engine which is excellent. The finish on the wheels is a weak point at 10,000 miles. Functionally it's been fine for the year and 5000 miles that I've had it. A trip to Switzerland from the UK showed no faults.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Harleys are cheap and easy to home service though that will bring down the resale value.Fuel consumption is pretty good for big engine.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Big top box and reasonable panniers carry plenty for my trips. I particularly like being able to change into cooler clothes when I just go to the beach or somewhere else and leave my bike gear.

Buying experience: I bought second hand, low mileage, one owner from a local dealer who had plenty of other motorcycles to choose from. Just under £13000 which given the market at the time was about right for mileage and condition. I'm glad I bought mine, a teenage dream has been attained.

3 out of 5 HD Bad Quality
18 February 2013 by sailingsec

My Ultra Classic Electra Glide is 10 months old and showing its age already. The wheels are of very poor quality finish and looking at older bikes it is a common problem. The aluminium rims are of poor finish and already pitted. The hub, chrome on aluminium is also of poor quality. On a brand new bike the silencers where rusty and Harley Davidson suggested the ends should be painted black. So rusty silencers are leaving the factory but nobody cares. I have an 8 year old Kawasaki VN800 Classic where the finish and quality is brilliant. The air rear suspension is not good as with maximum pressure of 50psi the suspension grounds very easy. I also have to pump it back up every 6 months. No fault has been found on the warranty. On the plus side Harley Davidson bikes hold their value extremely well and the ride is just awesome. I love riding my bike but for the money the quality is poor.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5
Value vs rivals 2 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Not just a Harley
19 May 2010 by Canberra

I would agree with the comment that the HD badge carries a cost but trying selling another bike when you are ready to upgrade and see the return on your investment. This bike is beautifully balanced, providing the rider with a wonderful bike for the long distant tour. Yes it needs to have the CB upgraded to UHF and the SATNAV does not work outside the US - both designed to meet the US market. I found ridning the bike was a little like meeting a woman for the first time - attracted physically without knowing how she would ride only to find that within a short period of time it all fell into place. There are those that ride a HD and those who wish they could.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
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