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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
First time posting and Ive been scouring the forums in search of answers for this but Im going to ask for opinions from you lot!
Ive been riding my iron 833 for nearly 2 years (its been converted to 1200 engine/new heavy breather/forward controls), its been a great bike. The looks, ride and service from my HD dealer has been amazing. Slight problem is its just not been reliable :/. Ive have about five different issues since owning it from new (2013 ex demo bought with 24km on the clock). These range from the battery just dying to having the whole ecm/computer replaced. The final straw was the return throttle cable snapping when returning from a long ride, I had to crawl it home. Ive got no confidence coming out of the warranty period and it just ruins the fun of a ride if in my mind Im constantly worried itll crap out.
So Im looking to replace it with either a 1200custom or a Street Bob. This bike will be kept for 4/5 years so I want to get it right. Both bikes will need modding to fit, though I feel the Street slightly less (forward controls/pipes, maybe replace the mini apes), the custom would get full engine upgrades to make it faster than stock + pipes. I suppose my main question is in the long term what would be more fun the evo or big block engine?? Ill be taking the custom for a ride later this week and currently I have a demo softail slim which is lots of fun. The weight concerns me a little in the twisty roads (which I enjoy the most!) but Ive not had a chance yet to do anything but motorway/town riding. Im in NZ so test riding a street bob isnt going to happen and the slim is the closest I can get to it, or maybe a fatbob. Im a bloke 58 average weight/build and yes over long distances the iron was uncomfortable!
I recently had the same decision to make between a Dyna and sportster 1200C. I went with the Wide Glide and happy I did. The extra weight isn't a problem in the twisties, it's not a sport bike but handles well. Suspension will be better on the dyna and the 6 speed transmission makes for a more versatile bike. The street Bob is nice, forward controls and some pipes make it really nice! For what it's worth I haven't had any problems with my 2014 Dyna in 3000 miles. Hope this helps.
When I was harley shopping, I was considering a sportster to start with the intention of upgrading to a big twin. I decided on the street bob. I'm 5'8" and 150lbs. I would've regretted buying a sportster. The bob is a very nice riding/handling bike, IMO. Go for the bob!
My 4 plug 1200S was much faster accelerating and carved corners far easier than my current '07 TC96 FXDL *** Street Bob. The dyna is a far superior highway bike though.
I traded in an iron 883 on a street bob about a year and a half ago. The sixth gear is when you really notice a better ride. Ergonomically it was a much better fit for me too(5 10). If you like the raw look of the iron 883 I think you will be happier buying a street bob. I'd certainly recommend riding several other bikes too before making your final decision.
Funny cause my return throttle cable snapped on my iron too. I ended up trade it in last november for a '14 SB. I'm in Canada so i didnt have the chance to ride it a lot yet but so far it makes me regret that i bought the Iron in the first place.
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