New LED Rear Lighting 2014 Ultra Limited

Recently finished the rear LED Lights on our 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.  Though the Limited comes with several LED Lights from the factory, Harley-Davidson offers additional LEDs.  I have always said, more is better and when it comes to safety and being seen, well........

Last year we added the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag Run/Brake/Turn Lamps, cost $229.95.  Previously we had a set of Custom Dynamics Chrome with Red Lenses, Fillerz part #GEN-FDRS-RED-C, cost $249.95.  This LEDs fit in the area between the saddlebags and rear fender.  Shortly after they were installed, they stopped working properly.  Harley-Davidson would not warranty the part since it is an aftermarket item.  Custom Dynamics refunded our money, but NOT the cost of installation!  Had these been a Harley-Davidson part, both cost and labor to install would have been warranted!  Shortly afterwards, Custom Dynamics came out with an adaptor so these lights would not breakdown.  Our dealership saw a few come back as mine did.

After the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag lights, we added the Layback LED Tail Lamp, cost $159.95.  The light functions as a running and Brake Light.  The small LED lights mirror the pattern of the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag Lights.

Finally NEW in 2016 Harley-Davidson released Electra Glo Keystone Auxiliary LED Run/Brake/Turn Lamps, cost $299.95.  These new lights fit the area between the Saddlebags and Rear Fender as did the Custom Dynamics ones.  The difference between these and the Custom Dynamics other than these being Harley-Davidson, backed by dealerships worldwide, is that they again mimic the pattern of our Saddlebag AND Tail Lamp LEDs!  Also, the outer perimeter of the Keystone LED Lights have a running light (see 1st photo) and when the brakes, directionals or 4-way flashers are activated, then the inner LED lights are lit!  The photo to the left shows 4-Way Flashers on.  If these would have been brake lights, then the Layback LED Tail Lamp would also have been lit. 

By adding all three, our LED Rear of our 2014 Ultra Limited is now finished.  Total retail cost,  $689.85 plus installation.  Many of you may say, that this is a lot of money, and yes I agree, but what is your safety and your passengers safety worth?  Far too many motorcycles are being operated with terrible, at best rear lights!  Many custom bikes have rear lights that are the size of a quarter.  Though these tiny lights may comply with state laws pertaining to required lights, will it draw the attention to motorists who are behind them?  Again, the more the better, the safer.  Please consider adding LED lights to your motorcycle.  Be seen, be safer!

As always, Ride Safer, more Skilled and Straight!!  

Harley-Davidson Ultra Tri Glide Impressions

Thursday started off like many April mornings in Wisconsin, COLD!  Though it could have, and has been colder, so I was blessed with a sky which saw no clouds and 100% sun.  I knew this day would warm up quickly and I had some riding to do before dinner time.  I rode our 2014 Harley-Davidson Limited into work at Harley-Davidson of Madison.  As hard as it was to concentrate on work, I had a few things to get done before my first ever ride on a Tri Glide.

Before heading out on the 2016 Tri Glide, I watched a mandatory twenty minute video by Harley-Davidson on the Tri Glide.  This is a "must see" video for anyone wishing to demo or rent a Tri Glide.  What I learned from the video was location of the Parking Brake and Reverse Gear along with their uses.  As far as operation, nothing really new for me, however a Tri Glide, or any other Trike Motorcycle is SO VERY DIFFERENT than a motorcycle on 2-wheels.  Many of you are saying, "Well, dah......" Believe me, take one out and you will see how different these 2 bikes are.

First impressions of the 2016 Tri Glide, awesome!  The fit and finish says all Harley-Davidson.  I will not be getting into the specifications because going to HD Tri Glide will provide a much more in depth review than me!  I will however go over some of the awesome features I found.  As I mentioned previously the Parking Brake, don't know when HD moved it from the right side of the bike to the left, just behind the driver floor board, but this was genius!  It is so easy to operate, place the Tri Glide in Neutral and with your heal simply press down and your parking brake is set.  A small light on your dash panel will tell you it is set.  To release, simply press down again and it is off and the light on the dash goes off.  On previous models, you had to reach down on the right side of the Tri Glide and pull up on the parking brake handle.  Reverse Gear is easy to operate, first place the Tri Glide in Neutral, with the left thumb push the "R" button (same location as the horn rocker switch).  A red letter "R" will be displayed on your dash panel indicating you found the reverse gear.  Then simply hold the "R" button in and look over your shoulder, you are now going backwards!  Neutral Start, I quickly found out that in order to start this Twin Cooled V-Twin, you need to be in Neutral!  As a Riding Academy Instructor, I really like this feature and will have to check other 2016 models to see if it is the same or just unique to the Tri Glide.  Once I got the Tri Glide started, the rumble of the Screamin' Eagle slip-on mufflers were awakened and I saw all the pigeons that make their home on top of our dealership fly away!  Good thing I was wearing my helmet just in case they were upset by this noise and wanted to leave me with a present or two!  Brake System, is the same as on other Project Rushmore motorcycles from Harley-Davidson.  Not only are the brakes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) but linked as well!  With linked brakes as the video shows, works when slight pressure is applied to the rear brake pedal, some pressure is automatically applied to the front brake.  However, when front brake pressure is only used, none is applied to the rear.  The best practice is to apply both brakes at the same time and progressively apply more pressure to stop.  Keep in mind that the Tri Glide is heavier and stopping distance will be increased.  If you are accustomed to getting 40mpg on your motorcycle, you will be disappointed at the gas mileage on  Tri Glide, but I feel the other attributes out weigh this by far.  


What I liked about the Tri Glide was never having to put my feet on the ground as I came to a stop.  This was weird at first, for someone that has been riding a motorcycle for over 40 years.  Slow, parking lot maneuvers were easy to perform, you didn't have to balance the Tri Glide!  The Tri Glide turns very tight if needed.  The only other 3 wheelers I have had the pleasure of riding were a Boss Hoss Trike with a 350 cu in Corvette Motor and a Can Am Spider.  Didn't like either of these 3 Wheelers at all.  With the Boss Hoss, the driver needs a lot of upper body strength to steer around corners.  With the Tri Glide the front forks are raked out further than a Limited, so the steering is easier than what I experienced on the Boss Hoss.  The Spider was different having 2 wheels in front, though between these 3, the Spider was the least expensive.  Back to what I liked about my Tri Glide ride, all controls were matched in location with what we have on our 2014 Limited.  I didn't need to search, or look down to locate something.  In fact, after about 30 miles, I pulled over and linked my iPhone with the Blue Tooth on the Boom Audio System.  Good thing I did since my wife called me as I was riding.  Shifting, Cruise Control, Braking, Boom Audio, Twin Cooled everything identical to our Limited.  If I was to purchase a 3 wheeler, this is the only one I would consider since I am so comfortable with the location of controls.

What I didn't like about the Tri Glide is why so many fall in love with them.  A trike you don't lean, you don't counter steer.  Counter Steering is explained as pressing on the side of the handle bar in the direction you want to go.  Press right, go right.  As you press, the motorcycle leans in the direction you want to go.  When going through a curve, the tighter the curve the more you will feel yourself being pushed into the seat.  You lean with the curve and the motorcycle.  With a Trike, you steer in the direction you want to go.  For example to go right, you pull the handle bar towards you in the direction you want to go.  As you go through the curve on a Trike, keep your body upright though you will feel as though the force is pushing you opposite of the turn direction.  It is really important to practice curves at a slower speed until you get used to this feeling.  I also felt that the Tri Glide was a rougher ride than our Limited, though I never checked the air adjustable shocks, so this may have been the issue.  The only other thing was that the Tri Glide was an Ultra and not a Limited, meaning no stock heated grips or a CB radio, though both can be added. 

So where did I go on my maiden voyage of the 2016 Tri Glide?  I rode to the Merrimac Ferry and took Highway 113 over the Wisconsin River.  For those of you that have never been here, there is NO bridge, NO pavement to ride on!  It is a cable operated ferry that runs throughout the day simply taking people from one side of the Wisconsin River to the other.  From here I proceeded to Devil's Lake State Park to experience some tighter turns.  The Tri Glide performed flawlessly in these turns!  Then to Baraboo and Circus World Museum before heading home. 

If you are interested in trying a Tri Glide out, look us up at Harley-Davidson of Madison, in fact take this one out on a rental ride.  We have other rental motorcycles available such as; Heritage Softails, Street Glides, Road Glide, Limiteds and the Tri Glide.  The Tri Glide rents for $155 per day, $140 for 2-3 days, $125 of 4-6 and a week rental is $750 or $107.14 per day!!  Check us out!

Any part of this article that is highlighted, by clicking on, will take you to a link explaining more.  Overall, my Tri Glide ride was just about 200 miles.  I look forward to adding miles on our other rental Harley-Davidson's this month!  Remember to ride safe, skilled and sober!  For those wishing to learn to ride or practice their skills, we other both New Rider Course and Skilled Rider Courses at both of our dealerships! Whether you are in Madison or Sauk City, stop in say hi and grab some popcorn and tell us your stories, we'd love to hear them!

  

Discovering the Ozarks

Approximately 10 months ago we started planning a trip to The Ozarks by way of motorcycle.  As plans go, changes were made along the way, one of them changing from a 2014 Honda Goldwing to a 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.  What was going to include a stop at the 2015 Wing Ding in Huntsville, Alabama and later a stop in Memphis, Tennessee ended up with a stop in Topeka, Kansas to see a good friend and later Overland Park, Kansas to see Cathy's Aunt Jessie and cousins.  And who ever said changes aren't always good, didn't go on this trip!

Saturday, August 22nd started with a gas stop before leaving Watertown, Wisconsin.  Mileage on the HOG was 11,800.  Before getting too far into the Illinois Toll System, our riding couples (Marc & Chris) decided they too would like to have an Illinois iPass.  In South Beloit we stopped at a Road Ranger and minutes later they had an iPass tucked in between their windshield and windshield bag.  As luck would have it, we only hit ONE toll in Illinois!!  After riding 350 miles we stopped in Collinsville, Illinois to the night at a LaQuinta.  To our unpleasant surprise what was promised on their website of a pool and hot tub hadn't even been built yet!  Talk about false advertising!  They knocked off a few dollars (big deal).  What they did offer was a free shuttle service.  So we headed to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner and some well deserved adult beverages.

Sunday we headed to our final destination for the next 4 nights, Hollister, Missouri (just south of Branson) at a Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO), some 275 miles.  As we rode through St.Louis and the Gateway Arch it was somewhat foggy, though still visible.  I had never seen the Arch so photos from the motorcycle were taken as we rode by (Cathy took them!).  Since I wanted us all to get off the Interstate System (boring) I had researched a surprise detour that would take us south from Cuba, Missouri onto what is commonly called "Ozark Hellbender"(Part of Ozark National Scenic Riverways).  This route on Highway 19 is part of a 122 mile, 300 curve roadway.  Though to nearly as challenging as The Tail of the Dragon on Highway 129 in Tennessee and North Carolina, the sweepers were a welcoming change of scenery compared to the "I-System".  When we arrived in Eminence, Missouri it was time to stop and stretch our legs at Casey's General Store on Highway 60. Here I had my first taste of Catfish!  WOW, I've been missing some great tasting fish all these years.  I liked it so much that later in our adventure another sampling of Catfish would be consumed.

Tim and Rhonda arrived at our VRBO around noon and as they got settled in, they also took care of Sunday evening's meal.  They set the meal bar extremely high as we dined on crab dip and tiger shrimp as an appetizer followed up with steaks on the grill and corn on the cob.  Our VRBO was a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home of around 2400 square feet.  The lower level had a screened-in porch and above that was a deck overlooking Table Rock Lake.  Within walking distance was an inground pool (but again no hot tub).

Monday morning started with a ride west on Highway 86 to AR 187 known as the Dam-Bridge Route into Beaver Town.  This one lane suspension bridge was constructed in 1949.  Today it is the only suspension bridge in Arkansas and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.  The bridge stretches 550 feet long.  This small community is only about 1/2 mile square and averages about 100 residents.  From Beaver we continued on AR 62 to see Beaver Dam and Overlook.  Beaver Dam started construction in 1960 and was completed in 1966 at the cost of $60 million.  Beaver Lake is a man-made lake and is formed by a dam across the White River.

Continuing on this route took us into Eureka Springs for the rest of the day.  Eureka Springs is approximately 6 miles south of the Beaver Dam on AR 62.  Eureka Springs was founded July 4, 1879.  In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 "Distinctive Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The native American's used the springs and land  as a healing  and gathering place for their tribes.  Before leaving we had to visit Pig Trails, now called Eureka Springs Harley-Davidson.  Before heading back to our VRBO, we needed to see Christ of the Ozarks.  Dedicated in 1966, it is the Largest statue of Jesus in North America and third largest in the World!  It stands at a height of 67 feet tall and is 65 feet wide.  Next visit we will attend the Great Passion Play which tells the story of Christ's final days on earth.  Over 7 million people have experienced the Great Passion Play and statue in the past 49 years.  Also on property is a section of the Berlin Wall.  This is a must stop and extremely inspiring.

Dinner Monday evening was prepared by Marc and Chris.  Grilled Chicken, Potato Wedges, Green Beans Almandine and Apple Pie a la Mode.  It was one meal that we didn't worry about leftovers, cause there simply wasn't any!!  Great planning on their part!

Tuesday morning started with a ride on AR 76 to HWY 160 then AR125 to the Peel Ferry.  This Ferry crosses one of the Ozark's great lakes, Bull Shoals.  It is the only ferry within the State's Highway System.  The ferry runs during daylights hours and is free to the public.  It is a chance to get off the motorcycle and carry on a conversion with the two operators of the Peel Ferry.  After our water ride we continued to run the Jasper Disaster, a 56 mile route having 316 scenic curves.  The Jasper Disaster begins south of Harrison to Jasper.  Lunch would find us at The Cliff House Inn, 7 miles south of Jasper on AR 7.  From the moment we arrived, we were greeted the Arkansas Grand Canyon!  One of the most scenic spots in all of Arkansas.

While heading back to our VRBO on AR 74 from Jasper to the west we encountered a large Semi on its' side!  Had it not been that we spent a few extras minutes at The Cliff House Inn discussing which direction to head, we may have been in a situation few survive, "but for the Grace of God there go I". We were heading west and it was obvious this driver was heading east.  Several skid marks were present, some made by tires, others by humans (lol) prior to losing control and rolling on it's side.  As we passed the sirens were heard and still some miles away, but help from others had arrived.

Tuesday evening was our turn at fixin' dinner!  Cathy made homemade spaghetti with ground port sausage with seasoning and ground beef.  Her sauce, NOT from a jar but tomato paste and sauce.  Throw in a tossed salad and garlic bread rounded off the meal along with soft music and wine!  Dessert was cheese cake.

Wednesday morning started with an attempt to eat some of the leftovers from previous meals before heading out and saying good-byes to Tim and Rhonda.  Our plan was to ride The Scenic Pig Trails of Arkansas south of Eureka Springs.  The previous day at the Harley-Davidson Dealership, we were informed The Pig Trails were closed due to flooding!  As we go closer to The Pig Trail Scenic Byway there was a construction crew stopping traffic.  When asked about the closure we were told, yes it is closed due to flooding.  So No Pig Trails route for us!!  In two separate National Surveys, the Pig Trail has been voted one of the best rides in the country by motorcyclists!

After saying farewells to Tim and Rhonda, the four of us finally got our BBQ on!!  Chris found a spot in Harrison, AR called T's Barbecue.  The food was really good and made to order!  I only wish I could have stayed longer and had more!!

Marc and Chris left around 7:00 am Thursday morning and we followed around 10:00 am.  We headed to Topeka, KS to see a good friend of mine whom I haven't seen in a long time.  I met Steve during Harley-Davidson Coach Training back in 2006 at what was then Capital City Harley-Davidson in Madison, WI.  We had a lot in common one of which was law enforcement careers.  Steve is still in law enforcement and still the Riding Academy Manager at Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka.  Steve and his better half, Tanja treated us to dinner and a private tour of Historic HD.  As a special bonus Steve told us to each pick out a shirt, his treat!!  Thanks a lot Steve and Tanja for opening your home to us and making us feel like family!  Remember our home is your home when in the area!

Friday morning we headed to Overland Park, KS to see Cathy's cousins and Aunt Jessie who is in her early 90's and recovering from cancer.  It's been far too long since we saw everyone and this was a special stop though very short.  Once again we had BBQ!!  We left Amy's house around 3:30 pm and rode for about 150 miles before stopping for the night south of Des Moines, IA in Osceola (40 miles south of Des Moines).  Had KFC for dinner and Saturday on the road by 8:30 am for a full day of Interstate riding to get home, some 400 miles.

In all 2317 miles from Saturday to Saturday almost 300 miles per day.  Great ride, friends and weather!  Far too many Interstate miles!  Next year's ride will be much closer to home and longer stops between riding.