Of course. Here is a full article about the 2015–2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTKL Ultra Limited Low, written in a clear, informative style.
The 2015–2016 Harley-Davidson Touring Twin Cam 103 (FLHTKL Ultra Limited Low) is a full-feature touring motorcycle designed to make long-distance riding more accessible to a broader range of riders. Introduced as part of Harley-Davidson’s comprehensive “Project RUSHMORE” customer-led product improvement initiative, the FLHTKL specifically addresses the ergonomic challenges some riders face with traditional full-dress touring bikes. It retains all the premium features of the standard Ultra Limited model while incorporating significant modifications to lower the seat height and reduce the reach to the handlebars and controls, thereby increasing comfort and confidence for riders with a shorter inseam.
Project RUSHMORE and the Ultra Limited Low
Project RUSHMORE was a massive undertaking by Harley-Davidson to redesign its touring lineup based on direct feedback from thousands of riders. The initiative focused on four key areas: control, infotainment, feel, and style. The standard Ultra Limited was a direct beneficiary of these enhancements, receiving features like the High Output Twin Cam 103 engine, Reflex™ Linked Brakes with ABS, Daymaker™ LED lighting, and the Boom!™ Box 6.5GT infotainment system.
However, feedback also revealed that the sheer size and height of the flagship tourer could be intimidating. In response, Harley-Davidson developed the Ultra Limited Low. It was not simply a bike with a thinner seat; it was a comprehensively re-engineered motorcycle designed from the ground up to offer a more manageable riding experience without sacrificing touring capability.
Ergonomic and Design Differences
The core distinction between the Ultra Limited Low and its standard counterpart lies in its ergonomics. To achieve the lowest seat height in its class at the time, Harley-Davidson implemented several key changes:
Lowered Suspension: Both the front and rear suspension were lowered, which was the primary contributor to the reduced seat height. This brought the unladen seat height down to 27 inches (685 mm).
Pull-Back Handlebars: The handlebars were reshaped to bring the handgrips two inches closer to the rider, reducing stretch and shoulder strain.
Reduced Diameter Grips: The handgrips themselves were made with a smaller diameter, making them easier for smaller hands to grasp securely and operate the clutch and front brake levers.
Repositioned Passenger Footboards: The passenger footboards were redesigned to fold up and out of the way, providing more room for the rider’s legs to reach the ground when stopped.
Jiffy Stand Extension: A redesigned side stand, or “jiffy stand,” featured a new extension to make it easier to reach and deploy from the saddle.
These combined changes resulted in a motorcycle where the rider sits “in” the bike rather than “on” it, significantly improving low-speed handling and stability for those who previously found the standard model cumbersome.
Powertrain and Features of the 2015–2016 Harley-Davidson Touring Twin Cam 103 (FLHTKL Ultra Limited Low)
At the heart of the FLHTKL is the High Output Twin Cam 103™ engine. This 103 cubic inch (1690cc) V-Twin features an improved camshaft and a high-flow airbox, delivering strong acceleration and passing power. It is paired with the Twin-Cooled™ system, which uses liquid coolant to manage heat around the exhaust ports in the cylinder heads. This system maintains peak performance under demanding conditions and increases comfort for both the rider and passenger by reducing radiant heat.
Power is delivered through a 6-Speed Cruise Drive® transmission, which provides smooth shifting and a tall final gear for relaxed, low-RPM highway cruising.
The bike is equipped with the full suite of Project RUSHMORE touring amenities, including:
Reflex™ Linked Brakes with ABS: The braking system electronically links the front and rear brakes to provide optimal braking force to each wheel, regardless of which brake control the rider uses, with the added safety of an anti-lock braking system.
Boom!™ Box 6.5GT Infotainment System: A 6.5-inch full-color touchscreen provides GPS navigation, communication, and audio entertainment with 25-watt-per-channel output.
* Premium Luggage:** The Tour-Pak® carrier and saddlebags offer ample storage capacity and feature one-touch latches for easy operation.
By combining the premium features of the Ultra Limited with rider-focused ergonomic adjustments, the 2015–2016 FLHTKL successfully broadened the appeal of Harley-Davidson’s flagship touring machine.
Specifications Table
| General | |
| Brand | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | Touring |
| Model Class | FLHTKL Ultra Limited Low |
| Model Year | 2015–2016 |
| Type | Touring |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | 1360 lb. (617 kg) |
| Maximum passengers | 2 |
| Performance | |
| Max. power | (Not officially published by manufacturer) |
| Max. torque | 105.5 ft-lb (143 N•m) / 3750 RPM |
| Top designed speed | Approx. 110 mph (177 km/h) |
| Size | |
| Length | 102.2 in. (2595 mm) |
| Width | 37.8 in. (960 mm) |
| Height | 55.9 in. (1420 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 64 in. (1625 mm) |
| Seat height (laden) | 25.6 in. (650 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 4.9 in. (125 mm) |
| Curb weight (running order) | 884 lb. (401 kg) |
| Engine | |
| Type | Twin-Cooled™ High Output Twin Cam 103™ V-Twin |
| Displacement | 103.1 cu in (1690 cc) |
| Bore × Stroke | 3.87 in. × 4.37 in. (98.4 mm × 111.1 mm) |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Fuel supplying system | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
| Ignition control system | ECU Ignition |
| Lubricating system | Pressurized, dry-sump |
| Oil capacity | 4 qt (3.8 L) with filter |
| Engine oil type | SAE 20W-50 Harley-Davidson H-D 360 Motorcycle Oil |
| Coolant capacity | 1.1 qt (1 L) |
| Idle speed | 1000 RPM ± 50 RPM |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission type | 6-speed Cruise Drive®, manual gear shift |
| Clutch type | Wet, multi-disc, hydraulic actuation |
| Driving system | Belt drive |
| Primary reduction ratio | 1.353 |
| Final reduction ratio | 2.125 |
| Gear ratio | 1st: 3.120; 2nd: 2.148; 3rd: 1.636; 4th: 1.296; 5th: 1.069; 6th: 0.903 |
| Chassis | |
| Tire size | Front: BW 130/80B17 65H; Rear: BW 180/65B16 81H |
| Rim size | Front: 17 in. Impeller Cast Aluminum; Rear: 16 in. Impeller Cast Aluminum |
| Capacity of fuel tank | 6 gal (22.7 L) |
| Fuel consumption | Approx. 42 MPG (5.6 L / 100 km) combined |
| Electric | |
| Battery | 12V / 28 Ah |
| Headlight | Daymaker™ LED Projector Headlamp |
| Fog lights | Daymaker™ LED Fog Lamps |
| Tail light | LED with integrated brake light |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | 49 mm telescopic forks |
| Front travel | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
| Rear Suspension | Low-profile, air-adjustable rear shocks |
| Rear travel | 2.1 in (54 mm) |
