Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
I prefer the ride and handling of the Dyna over any of the Softails. I have been on most of both lines and I didn't find anything more comfortable and having a better feel for me than the WG. Now for just flat out smooth ride the touring bikes win, but I think the best all around is the Dynas. Counterbalanced motors are for Ricers!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 614
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
I have ridden both.
I will talk about what I know best between these models: My 07 Super Glide, My neighbors 2000 Softail Standard.
The softail is very smooth (too smooth for my taste) and handles well. Eats bumps and takes corners to my satisfaction (read: riding skill)
My Dyna will "flick" from side to side, hold a tighter line and feels like it gives me more input. However, my Dyna is slightly choppy on the bumps and lets you know there is a v-twin thumping away
.
The Softail floats like a butterfly.....The Dyna stings like a bee!
I will talk about what I know best between these models: My 07 Super Glide, My neighbors 2000 Softail Standard.
The softail is very smooth (too smooth for my taste) and handles well. Eats bumps and takes corners to my satisfaction (read: riding skill)
My Dyna will "flick" from side to side, hold a tighter line and feels like it gives me more input. However, my Dyna is slightly choppy on the bumps and lets you know there is a v-twin thumping away
.The Softail floats like a butterfly.....The Dyna stings like a bee!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
owning and riding a softail I love it the dyna 's always feel top heavy to me I think due to the lack of rack which would also make the seem to corner better however riding ability is usually the main diff as I will leave most bikes behind and my sone on akaw 1500 will leave us all behind.. what ever you feel best on is the bike for you..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,007
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
BEST RIDING BIKE I EVER OWNED WAS A DYNA!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had a sportster, 2 softails, an electra glide and a street Glide. None of them compared in ride to my 2 dynas!!![8D]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
with the shocks outboard of the swingarm.... the Dyna design does give you a stiffer rear end..
For me I don't ride agressively so this is a mute point. I think you will need to determine what bike you like best by test riding them the way you would if you owned them... only your seat of the pants experiences will tell you which model of bike to get.
Personally I love the vibration at idle, but, I also think the front suspension looses itself while tracking multiple bumps in the road.
stock rear is fine for me both solo and 2 up.
For me I don't ride agressively so this is a mute point. I think you will need to determine what bike you like best by test riding them the way you would if you owned them... only your seat of the pants experiences will tell you which model of bike to get.
Personally I love the vibration at idle, but, I also think the front suspension looses itself while tracking multiple bumps in the road.
stock rear is fine for me both solo and 2 up.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
Unsprung weight, total wheel travel available, etc etc...the softails are really cool looking bikes, but it's not a suspension system you'll see on a "sport-tourer". That rear swingarm on a softail is huge and of limited travel. OK if you're strictly on the superslab...
Depends how "aggresive" you ride; I prefer my Dyna T-Sport with Sputhe engine mounts and aluminum swingarm; leavesall other cruisers behind. Far behind. Especially with the 103 motor...
Ride what you're comfortable with. I know what I prefer. Sloptail? That's being rude...
Vibration at idle??? That's a good one...the only time I'm idleing is when I'm warming up.....nearest traffic light is over 80 miles away.
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/ABC3F029596D4325B5DFB7FA6041875C.jpg[/IMG]
Depends how "aggresive" you ride; I prefer my Dyna T-Sport with Sputhe engine mounts and aluminum swingarm; leavesall other cruisers behind. Far behind. Especially with the 103 motor...
Ride what you're comfortable with. I know what I prefer. Sloptail? That's being rude...
Vibration at idle??? That's a good one...the only time I'm idleing is when I'm warming up.....nearest traffic light is over 80 miles away.
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/ABC3F029596D4325B5DFB7FA6041875C.jpg[/IMG]
Stage I
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
It really depends. I´ve come to my conclusions by riding both. Fatboy goes smoother, would be my pick for a 1000 mile ride. But just ridin round town my definite pick would be my nasty looking and sounding Street Bob.
Street Bob - for example-might feel a bit oversteering, but skilled rider would enjoyDyna´s moreaggressive nature. Besides, youcan take the corners like you should.Softail with floorboards is more like a vespa.
Street Bob - for example-might feel a bit oversteering, but skilled rider would enjoyDyna´s moreaggressive nature. Besides, youcan take the corners like you should.Softail with floorboards is more like a vespa.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
every1 has differrent taste. If u like rigid hard suspension, u go with the softails. If you're type of person who wants to ride comfortably on bumpy roads with adjustable shocks, you go with the dynas.
i've had a '01 nightrain. It was a nice bike, black and stylish. Still quite easy to manuevre even with a laid back handle bar, but i found it quite hard to make a slow u turn, due to its longer front forks than others in the softail family. I'm not sure the shocks underneath can be adjusted. this nighttrain was quite stable at high speed, have tried 100mph, it was quite okay.
Now i have a '04 dyna super glide sport FXDX, bought it 2 months ago, havent really put miles in it. But so far, this bike is fun, easy, quick, power to weight ratio, wider rear tire. And the great thing is that the rear shocks are adjustable whether you're a hard hitter or soft hitter.
i some times ride my bro's '01 road king or dad's '07 ultra glide, these touring bikes really have nice suspension. And i think the dynas are in between the softail and the touring family.
I'm quite agressive on the roads, and i think any bike can go aggressively, it really depends on the rider.
i've had a '01 nightrain. It was a nice bike, black and stylish. Still quite easy to manuevre even with a laid back handle bar, but i found it quite hard to make a slow u turn, due to its longer front forks than others in the softail family. I'm not sure the shocks underneath can be adjusted. this nighttrain was quite stable at high speed, have tried 100mph, it was quite okay.
Now i have a '04 dyna super glide sport FXDX, bought it 2 months ago, havent really put miles in it. But so far, this bike is fun, easy, quick, power to weight ratio, wider rear tire. And the great thing is that the rear shocks are adjustable whether you're a hard hitter or soft hitter.
i some times ride my bro's '01 road king or dad's '07 ultra glide, these touring bikes really have nice suspension. And i think the dynas are in between the softail and the touring family.
I'm quite agressive on the roads, and i think any bike can go aggressively, it really depends on the rider.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: Does a Dyna Ride and Handle Better Than a Softail?
I'll put it this way, if there were more people that would take the time to ride and compare rather than buying what "Joe Neighbor" has to keep up with the Jones', you'd see more dynas on the road. The softails ride better but the dynas are more fun to ride, IMO. I think you should feel and hear a Harley and not just look like one. I'm not bashing the softails. If you can't stand a little vibration for the few seconds to a minute you are sitting still here and there, then the softail is the bike for you. Once I get moving, I don't even notice the vibrations and when I'm sitting still, I don't mind them, they are normal to me and, in my mind, they should be there. Just my 2 cents...