Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited…

The Machine's Character

The Electra Glide Ultra Limited is Harley's fully loaded flagship tourer, built around a 1690 cc air-cooled 45° V-twin that makes 86 hp and a thick 102 lb-ft of torque. Power runs through a 6-speed gearbox and a belt to the rear wheel, tuned for low-rpm interstate cruising rather than chasing revs. The Batwing fairing, cavernous Tour-Pak, standard ABS, cruise control, and full sound system put it at the top of the luxury-touring order. This is a motorcycle designed to carry two people and a week of luggage across a continent in comfort.

On the road it rides big and planted, and despite an 888 lb wet weight the low center of gravity keeps it manageable once you are moving. Build quality is genuinely solid and it ages well when maintained, but this generation has weak points worth budgeting for. The compensator can fail around 40,000 mi, the charging system can leave you with a dead battery, and the lean factory tune invites pinging. Sort those out and you have a bike happiest eating highway miles two-up, not hustling tight back roads.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	86 hp (64 kW)
Torque	102 lb-ft (138 Nm)
Displacement	1690 cc
Engine	45° V-twinMotorcycles With V-Twin Engines →
Cooling	Air-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	BeltMotorcycles With Belt Drive →
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	300 mm
Front tire	130/80B17 65H
Rear tire	180/65B16 81H
Wheelbase	63.5 in (1613 mm)
Seat height	29.1 in (739 mm)Motorcycles With a Seat Height Under 30 Inches →
Wet weight	888 lb (403 kg)
Fuel capacity	6.0 gal (22.7 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
Cruise Control Motorcycles With Cruise Control → Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Motorcycles With Heated Grips → Standard
Luggage System Standard

Safety

ABS Standard

Known issues

Rear Brake Light Switch Failure

electrics common

The rear stop-light switch is prone to failure, causing the brake light to stay on or not illuminate.
ABS Hydraulic Control Unit Recall (NHTSA 18V‑076)

brakes rare Recall

Harley‑Davidson recalled 2008‑2011 Touring models (including FLHTK) for an ABS hydraulic control unit that may exhibit internal corrosion, potentially restricting brake function.
Clutch Master Cylinder Disengagement Failure (2016 Recalled)

drivetrain rare Recall

On 2016 models, the hydraulic clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to fully disengage the clutch, especially after sitting. This can cause the bike to lurch when started in gear. Recall 16V‑471.
Engine Pinging (Detonation)

engine common

Audible knock or rattle when accelerating at 2500–3000 rpm, particularly with a hot engine. Caused by lean factory tune; often cured with a tuner/remap.
Compensator / Cam Chest Failures

drivetrain occasional

The compensator (primary‑reduction sprocket) is a known weak point, often failing around 40,000 mi (64,000 km) with symptoms like rattling and bad starter engagement. The later‑style compensator is a recommended upgrade.
Cam Chain Tensioner Wear

engine occasional

The spring‑loaded cam chain tensioners can wear prematurely, especially on high‑mileage bikes, risking engine damage if not inspected and replaced.
Infotainment and Radio System Failures

electrics occasional

The Harman-Kardon radio/infotainment unit can go blank after exposure to rain, and front speakers are prone to failure. The automatic volume control (AVC) may also malfunction, causing erratic volume behaviour. In some cases the entire instrument cluster and infotainment screen cuts out intermittently while riding.
Voltage Regulator and Stator Failures

electrics occasional

Charging system components can fail, leaving the bike with a dead battery. Typically occurs after ~19,000 mi (30,000 km); upgrading to aftermarket units is a common fix.
Lifter noise / premature lifter failure

engine occasional

Some owners report a persistent ticking sound from the engine, often traced to failed or noisy hydraulic lifters. The issue can appear at moderate mileage (around 40,000 miles) and may require lifter replacement to restore quiet operation.
Oil Pressure Sender Leaking / Failure

engine occasional

The oil‑pressure sender can leak oil or give false low‑pressure warnings, requiring replacement.
Water Intrusion at Throttle Body Connector

electrics occasional

Moisture can get into the electrical connector at the throttle body, causing rough running or no‑start conditions. Cleaning and applying dielectric grease is a common remedy.

The Numbers Compared

Compare the technical specifications of the Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited FLHTK with other bikes in its class.

Head-to-head: Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited FLHTK vs. its rivals

Power

86 hp This bike 116 hp Honda Gold Wing F6C 73 hp Indian Roadmaster 86 hp Yamaha TDM 900 90 hp Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

Torque

102 lb-ft This bike 125 lb-ft Honda Gold Wing F6C 119 lb-ft Indian Roadmaster 66 lb-ft Yamaha TDM 900 74 lb-ft Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

Displacement

1690 cc This bike 1832 cc Honda Gold Wing F6C 1811 cc Indian Roadmaster 897 cc Yamaha TDM 900 1133 cc Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

Wet weight

888 lb This bike 746 lb Honda Gold Wing F6C 928 lb Indian Roadmaster 463 lb Yamaha TDM 900 542 lb Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

Seat height

29.1 in This bike 28.8 in Honda Gold Wing F6C 26.5 in Indian Roadmaster 32.5 in Yamaha TDM 900 31.5 in Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Previous generation · 2010

Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited FLHTK (FLHTK-MY2010)

Luxury Loaded From The Factory

Compare to the previous model →

Alternatives to the Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited FLHTK

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Touring Electra Glide Ultra Limited FLHTK. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.