I'm a shorter rider at 5'6". I haven't ridden in 8 to 10 years and I am looking for a short ride with some comforts ( as i am 51.) So I have narrowed myself to 2 separate bikes. A 2012 Dyna switchback or a 2012 to 2015 Softail Fat Boy low. I have not test rode either bike. Being these bikes are 60 plus miles away it makes it more difficult to ride and decide. So I thought know better way then to post something with experienced riders in my situation. And yes i do have a budget.

 

You would be fine with any Dyna especially one with mid pegs . You would probably look more at ease on one than I do at 6" with my knees almost level with the top of the tank .

 

The softail lo seat height is almost 2 inches lower. And I suspect it’ll have a noticeably lower center of gravity. Which both of those attributes will aide in you touching the ground easily and handling the bike in a garage and parking setting.

but without sitting on both you just don’t know how big the difference is or actually feels, because a softail lo with a wider seat will be harder to reach the ground with than a dyna with a skinnier seat. Which brings up seats… you put the right seat on either bike and you won’t have any problem. But I suspect the the softail lo will be a better fit for you right out of the box. However I’m 5’9” and my dyna felt huge for a while until I got used to it. Now it almost feels like a toy. You get used to either one and won’t even think about it. There are people shorter than you riding both of these bikes.

 

A major thing to keep in mind is just about every model, someone makes an ez reach seat. This will increase your options...

 

I have a Switchback and Love It! Ride both and decide.

 

I’m 5’6 with 30” inseam. The Softails are lower, but I fit my Dyna just fine and MUCH prefer the feel of the motor on the Dyna. Rubber mounted with no counter balancers to rob power. The low speed vibes are fun and its smooth as glass at higher speeds.