Sometimes a manufacturer's lineup goes horizontal in some way, losing or gaining a model or two, while inevitably expanding the maker's mark on the industry. Other years, like Harley-Davidson's 2015 one, its goes vertical, gaining both new models and sub-models.

You've already read about the return of the Road Glide, as well as our introduction to Freewheeler, so this time let's look at the sister-model-yet-a-model-of-its-own, the new Ultra Limited Low.


For the 2015 model year, there two Low touring models to choose from: an air cooled (FLHTCUL) variant, as well as a twin-cooled (FLHTKL) version of the Electra Glide in the Low form. Standing proudly as an amalgam of available parts for existing models in previous model years, the Low comes together as a Part & Accessories custom direct from the manufacturer, ultimately sparing you the time and effort to build the bike you want from the bike you have.

"Slammed and Loaded" For the Twenty Percenters

Harley calls the new Low models "Slammed and Loaded," offering both the lowest seat height and the highest rider experience available with their premium Rushmore bikes to riders 5' 5" tall or taller. But you don't have to have a Napoleon complex to enjoy it: standing at 5'10" tall with a "normal guy" inseam of around 33-inches --and the traditional American growing waistline, I too welcome the features that the Low has to offer. A lighter pull off the side-stand, a shorter reach to the bars, lesser-beefy bar ends, and a lower saddle height top the list as key highlights of this particular Low model.

Outfitting the world of gravity-challenged riders with a premium riding experience that includes the touchscreen navigation and entertainment system, Harley-Davidson knows that 20% of their current customers stand less than 5'7" tall-- which helps the deliver the dream of personal freedom, rider comfort, and a safer riding experience to everyone.

How'd Harley Do It?

First, Harley-Davidson started by dropping the suspension an inch, front and rear, to lower the bike's center of gravity. As a matter of geometry, however, a lowered bike has less space to lean; in the Low, that figure drops from 34.3/33.4-degrees right/left to 27.8/28.6. Luckily most cruising riders don't care how far they lean over, so long as they get where they are going.

Then they tossed on a "super reduced" saddle for a near-2-inch drop from the standard Glide models, (1.7-inches to be exact).  At a laden 25.6-inches, the bike is so low that I now have a bend in my knees and feel completely in control now when making u-turns and negotiating uneven terrain.

Harley also reduced the diameter of the handlebars, not only to offer a fully closed grip (for greater operator control) but also a shorter reach, coming back 2-inches towards the ride, as it does on the Road Glide... putting my elbows almost back to my ribcage. This might be the most noticeable feature of them all, as each time to grab hold of that bike, it fits more easily and instills more confidence with each ride. A hydraulic clutch offers a 23% reduction in lever effort, key for stop and go traffic.

Finally, a reduced width primary drive housing offers more room to get your foot down to the ground, narrowing the overall feeling of the entire bike-- always a plus! I’m cruiser guy at heart and a photographer by trade. As such, I’m a man that carries a lot of stuff when I ride, so baggers are built for me. When I load up the Ultra Low, I truly appreciate the help I get from the shortened suspension, narrowed primary, and extended sidestand.

Relocated (and redesigned to fold) passenger floorboards also make a little more room while waddling around the parking lot.

What's It All Mean?

Despite all the reduction efforts around the bike, the new Ultra Limited Low is still an Electra Glide, and an Ultra at that-- which means it's not only got all of the accessory bells and whistles, but the safety features and up-to-date technologies too, including the Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103 engine, the Daymaker LED head and fog lights, cruiser control, security system, linked ABS brakes with open floating front brake rotors, a bluetooth-capable infotainment system with CB radio, 100-watts of audio goodness, heated handgrips and a list of premium touches that goes on and on, all as standard. 

Best of all, the Ultra Limited Low is virtually indistinguishable from the "tall" models, so no one in your group will have to know that you're happily in control of your motorcycle at all times.

The new Ultra Limited Low is priced at $26,999, for black, $27,599 for solid colors, $28,049 for two-tones, and $28,299 for custom colors. Were you to add these features yourself to the core 2015 Ultra Limited model, the cost of the items plus labor to install them all would easily outweigh the $1,000 price differential... buy smart, ride smarter!

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