This factory-built touring trike first appeared for the 2009 model year as the brand’s answer to riders who wanted a three-wheeled machine from the showroom rather than a converted motorcycle. It arrived during a broader redesign of the touring platform, which helped give the new trike a purpose-built frame and the storage, comfort, and long-distance posture expected of a full-dress road machine.
At launch, the model carried the “Ultra Classic” touring identity associated with the company’s top-tier long-haul bikes, reflecting its focus on wind protection, passenger comfort, and cargo capacity. Over time, the name was simplified to “Tri Glide Ultra,” but the vehicle remained the same basic factory trike concept: a two-wheel-front, single-wheel-rear touring model built for riders who wanted stability at low speeds and the traditional American bagger experience in three-wheel form.
Its place in the lineup is historically important because it marked the company’s move from aftermarket conversions and occasional special-purpose trikes into a permanent showroom offering. That made it a milestone for the brand’s trike strategy and helped establish the modern three-wheel touring segment as a regular part of its portfolio.
The nameplate has remained in production continuously since its debut, evolving through successive touring-platform updates while staying recognizable as the company’s flagship long-distance trike. For enthusiasts, it represents the moment when the brand’s trike history shifted from utility and niche experimentation to a fully developed touring category with broad appeal.