HARLEY OWNERS: Softail or Dyna????

Question

I am a newbie looking to buy a HD. I love the look of the street bob but not sure about the unbalanced motor on a dyna. I love riding my brother's fat boy (looks great too) but feel the front end is a little heavy in turns. Just doen't feel as nimble as a bike should but maybe I just need to get used to it more. So...what do you prefer and why; Softail or Dyna?...and more specifically what model of softail or dyna. Looking for input to help me make my purchase!

Answer 1

You'll get away from that "Heavy" feeling front end by going with a 21" front wheel. Remember this what ever bike you end up with.
I myself would choose the FXDWG Dyna wide glide.
I ride FXRs and the wide glide has a similar feel to my bike.

Bikes with rear shocks,rather than the Softail suspension are slightly more stable when pushed hard into and out of turns on the throttle. If you're not too crazy( Like some of us can be) that may not make a difference to you.
The Deuce is pretty sweet too.

Answer 2

Softail Vs Dyna

Answer 3

Dyna Vs Softail

Answer 4

Softail standard. It is the least expensive Softail, and comes with the Twincam 88 or larger engine, depending on the year you want to buy. The engine is also balanced and very smooth. I have this bike and it is outstanding.
The Dyna is also a great bike, but the sitting position is a bit different as the controls are below your feet rather than forward (cruising) controls.
The nice thing about the Softail is that the rear shocks are hidden, giving the bike the look of a hardtail. The Dyna might actually have a softer rear suspension, despite the name difference.
I wouldn't go with the Fatboy myself, because so many of them are out there. The Softail will have spoked wheels, unlike the Fatboy, which has solid aluminum rims. Just ask your bro how he likes driving during windy weather when his bike is being shoved all over the place due the the solid rims--believe me this is a significant effect.
If you go with the Softail you have an unlimited slate to customize the bike, as it has mucho parts for said customization. The Dyna will not have much in that regard.

As for feeling "nimble" remember that the softail/fatboy have a longer wheelbase, so they may not feel quite the same as a dyna or sportster in the turns, however they are more likely a more stable platform. If you want a nimble bike, buy a Buell;)

Answer 5

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I own a 2002 Dyna Super Glide Sport and have ridden many Softails, mostly Heritage Classics. I'd say the Softails have a slight edge over my model Dyna. This may simply be because my Dyna has the narrow front end and tire and all the Softails I've ridden had the wide front end and tire. My Dyna seems more sensitive to inconsistencies in the pavement but also handles more responsively due to the narrow front tire. My Dyna has pegs vs. the footboards that come on Softails. Footboards are really comfy on longer rides though you do lose some lean angle. Suspension-wise, I'd say they both have about the same level of "comfort". Though my model Dyna has fully adjustable suspension front and rear. Also, my Dyna has the unbalanced rubber mount engine vs. the Softail's balanced rigid mount engine. So there's a different feel to them due to that as well. So again, I think overall the Softail has a slight edge over the Dyna for comfort on long freeway or highway rides.

Answer 6

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RE:
HARLEY OWNERS: Softail or Dyna????
I am a newbie looking to buy a HD. I love the look of the street bob but not sure about the unbalanced motor on a dyna. I love riding my brother's fat boy (looks great too) but feel the front end is a little heavy in turns. Just doen't feel as nimble as a bike should but maybe I just...

Answer 7

It all depends what you are looking for out of the motorcycle. If laid back cruising is what you are after, the Softail fits the bill. If you want something that feels more nimble and "spirited", then the Dyna is more what you want, due primarily to the reduced rake angle and seating position compared to the softails.

As far as the unbalanced motor on the Dynas, they are rubber mounted, so you don't have to worry about having your teeth rattled out of your head. The same motor setup is used in the Road King (I own two of them) and vibration is no more of an issue than with any other Harley outside of the V-Rod.

You can try to rent one of each and see how they feel. But be prepared to demonstrate heavyweight motorcycle capability before they let you leave the lot with one, as many rental locations require you to do so.

My personal pick, outside of the touring models which are my own favorite, would be the base model Dyna Super Glide. It is the lowest priced HD Big-Twin base priced well below the Street Bob. You can add a lowered suspension and mini ape-hangers and have, essentially, a Street Bob and still come out below the Street Bob price. A plus to this approach is that you will have cast wheels vs. spokes (unless you like the look that comes with spokes and the headache that comes when trying to clean them).

Answer 8

I just bought a 2014 Dyna Switchback, loved the look of the Fatboy but was not fond of scraping the foot pads on hard turns, the Dyna sits up a little better. I have 250 miles on it now, love and yes I can take off the hard bags and windscreen in five minutes total, looks either way.

Answer 9

Id go with a Fatboy myself, but then Im on the short side. Heavy in a turn not really bad...does he have a toolbag on that front end? Maybe nds new neck bearings?
Dynas all right, If you dont ever plan on building the motor. You can...but
you have to ad a 300$+ stress plate.
Not sure if Harleys finally added that in the last few yrs or not.......

Answer 10

I had a night train soft tail and with the balanced motor you do get a lot less vibration making long rides less tiring in the arms and hands
I run an Electro Glide now and its not balanced.

Dyna have a better ride because the shocks have a lot more travel
Softtails look better because you can't see the shocks