Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson Model Explanations
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FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU Harley-Davidson Dressers
Story by Mark Barnett, Photos courtesy of Harley-Davidson Photography & Imaging
The Harley-Davidson Dresser line up has remained pretty stable for many years. With the exception of the FLHX Street Glide which is covered in another article, they’ve basically sold three variations of their traditional “fixed” or “Bat Wing” fairing touring bikes. The base model is called the FLHT Electra Glide Standard. This gets you into the touring family, though the bike is fairly basic. It has a rubber mounted engine, meaning the engine is isolated in rubber mounts and allowed to move in an up and down in a vertical plane. The rider is isolated completely from vibration by rubber mounts at the back and front of the engine. There is some shake at idle, less on the 2009 with their revised frames. At highway speeds, all the touring bikes are turbine smooth.
The FLHT is offered with the lower cost, silver motor, and simpler paint options. It is significantly less expensive than its two stable mates. All the options of the Classic and Ultra can be fitted to the FLHT, should you choose to build your way up to one of the two others’ specifications. There is a place for a radio, a trunk can be fitted, lower fairing pieces available. This bike is for those who want a big Harley touring bike, but who don’t want the extra complexity and cost of the higher end models. This bike hearkens back to a simpler, pre-electronic, less flashy day in motorcycling. It gives the raw touring performance of the new six-speed, 96” Twin Cam experience in a more affordable and lighter package.
FLHTC Electra Glide Classic |
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The FLHTC Electra Glide Classic adds 53 lbs and about $2000 worth of accessories to the FLHT, the main ones being a trunk, a radio, and the black and chrome engine trim treatment. It is also offered in a wider variety of colors and two tone paint jobs. This bike is straightforward, it offers a few more items than the FLHT for those who want them from day one. It is a simpler bike than the Ultra Classic Electra Glide but one in profile that is very little different.
FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide |
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The FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide is an FLHT with 78 lbs more accessories than the FLHT. What you see visually are the addition of fairing lowers for cold weather riding, and a much fancier perch for the passenger, with the addition of two extra speakers aimed at the back seat area. All in all, this one comes with everything Harley has to offer to its over the road riders. Surprisingly, though more expensive, the FLHTCU is the best selling touring bike we have, showing most people prefer to go whole hog when they get the chance.
This is the basic rundown of the touring models, explaining the basic differences. Again, they have the same motor, transmission, and frame design and essentially ride like the same bike. It is merely a matter of the degree of “trim” you would like. The higher end bikes offer more options, fancier colors, and more standard features. You can select the one that is right for your budget and your taste.
