need opinions
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Intermediate
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need opinions
I currenty ride a V Star, which I will be selling next season to purchase a Harley. I will be using the long cold winter months to research. Right now I am looking at the Softail Standard the Dyna Super Glide Custom. I have sat on both and fit them both well, however the forward controls of the Softail are more comfortable. I have not ridden either one. Both are within several hundred dollars of the other and I am lucky enough to have a few dealers in my area that sell at MSRP.
I ride city and highway and my trips are usually between 50 and 150 miles. Other than the obvious that I can get from the Harley web site, what are the main defferences and the plusses and minuses between the two. I will be buying new and seeing that they are not cheap, I want to make the right choice for me. Thanks for the help.
I ride city and highway and my trips are usually between 50 and 150 miles. Other than the obvious that I can get from the Harley web site, what are the main defferences and the plusses and minuses between the two. I will be buying new and seeing that they are not cheap, I want to make the right choice for me. Thanks for the help.
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Joined: May 2005
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RE: need opinions
Diferences are mainly that the softail is rigid mount engine as opposed to rubber mount on the dyna and the dyna has a better suspension and Is a bit lighter too. The softail is a balanced engine and the dyna is not. The new dynas have a 6 speed trans while others have a 5 speed. The dyna has a closed loop injection system and the others do not.
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Intermediate
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RE: need opinions
Thanks for the quick reply TCSTD. I have most of the technical differences from my research on them. I would like to have some opinions on how the differences effect real world riding on them. Other than the looks of them, why do people prefer one over the other. Does the rubber mount vs rigid mount have a big effect on the bike? How does the different suspensions effect the ride and handling? Is either one easier or cheaper to maintain or do upgrades on such as the stage 1? Thanks again for your time.
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RE: need opinions
I think the biggest difference people realize is in the ride of the dyna being better. I've owned both and the dynas ride is better. The softails seem to have more goodies available for them than the dynas, but either is a good candidate for upgrades.
Both handle well, but I think the dyna has an edge here.
The rubber mount once off idle is very smoothe, while the rigid mount even with the balancers has a slight buzz to it
Both handle well, but I think the dyna has an edge here.
The rubber mount once off idle is very smoothe, while the rigid mount even with the balancers has a slight buzz to it
Intermediate
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RE: need opinions
I have not riden a softtail. I've got a '98 Dyna Superglide with 50,000 miles (all mine) on it. My longest trips from central Texas have been to Colorado and Milwaukee. The bike has been comfortable (considering temps in the low 100's) on the long rides.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
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RE: need opinions
I have a 02 Super Glide with a few extras. I love it, but one thing I've come across is that the FXD may be slightly more difficult and expensive to customize. The riding position is quite different between these two bikes IMHO. I do have forward controls on my Dyna and I really love them. At this point I'm looking for a change in my bars after one riding season though and wish I had a tank mounted speedo like on the Low Rider. Just a few quirks (for me) which are minor as far as quality but can make for expensive changes. Ohh, the ride, handling and power are absolutely awesome!!
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Road Master
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RE: need opinions
i currently ride a softail and i'll tell you DEFINATELY get the dyna. They handle way better, have more power and are just a better bike. (softails may have the edge in the style dept' but everyone's tastes are different)
I suggest you get the dyna and then add forward controls. They're very comfy and they allow you to stretch out more than the forwards on the softail standard because the HD forwards for the dynas are the extended forward controls.
Good luck shopping.
I suggest you get the dyna and then add forward controls. They're very comfy and they allow you to stretch out more than the forwards on the softail standard because the HD forwards for the dynas are the extended forward controls.
Good luck shopping.
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Road Master
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RE: need opinions
You never said how tall you are, but my height determined which model I bought. I am 5'9" tall with a 34" inseam. I was coming off a very uncomfortable Suzuki Marauder when I bought my Harley. The Suzuki was okay, but for some reason I could only ride it about 100 miles, then I'd get monkey butt and start looking for a way home. My best friend has a softail std and the seating ergonomics are very similar to what I had in the Marauder. I was actually going to buy an FXST, but when I sat on a Dyna Wide Glide it just felt perfect. My legs are stretched out just enough and the reach to the bars is perfect. Needless to say, I went with the Wide Glide. We rode it 220 miles last Sunday and I could've ridden another 200 with no problem. If you've got long legs, check out a Wide Glide, or any Dyna with forward controls. It's the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
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From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: need opinions
I've ridden both, prefer my Superglide. If you're dying to have forward controls and are looking for a new '06, recommend you look at a Wide Glide which comes with the forwards already installed. Can be a chore to have the forwards put on a stock Dyna due to the new transmission, the 6-speed. Personal preference, I like the cleaner looks of my Superglide also. While there may not be as many goodies for the Dyna line as the Softy's There are more than enough to allow you to spend your next year's paycheck upgrading or blinging out the bike as much as you'd like.
Another thing is the motor, rubber mount vs. internally balanced. I've read other posts that there is more performance to be had on the Dyna engine because it doesn't have the balancers. Anyway, that's my take on your question.
Another thing is the motor, rubber mount vs. internally balanced. I've read other posts that there is more performance to be had on the Dyna engine because it doesn't have the balancers. Anyway, that's my take on your question.