I want to begin by saying I have no desire to get on a land yacht.

I bought my first Softail in 1985 and am currently on my 3rd one.
After multiple injuries and resultant surgeries, my back ain't what it used to be and the ride of my current FXST is starting to make riding somewhat less than pleasurable.
Mine has Progressive rear shocks and is about as good a ride as Ive had on a Softail but it's gotten to the point that it's not good enough.I've got the preload set as stiff as it will go and it's still not as good as I'd like.

A neighbor of mine and I were talking last week and he mentioned how he can't ride anymore due to issues with his hands and is considering selling his 05 FXD and offered it to me for what I consider to be a great price.
I've never owned a Dyna and haven't even ridden one in probably close to 30 years.
I am unable to test ride his due to it having mid controls which keeps me from being able to bend my right leg far enough to even put my foot on the peg due to several knee surgeries.
I even have difficulty putting my foot on the board, or using the rear brake of a RK.

This brings me to asking for some input from any of you that have owned both Softail and Dyna.
My local dealer has a used WG which I plan on throwing a leg over today to see how it would be regarding that issue.
If it gives me enough room, that will answer that question and I could buy his, put on forward controls and still be getting a great deal on the bike.
It will not however, help me to determine the ride differences which is why I am asking for real world experience from y'all.

How would you compare the rear suspension of the two as far as bumps go?
I am not concerned about handling, just comfort.

Thanks for any insight anyone can offer.

 

Dyna is far superior to the Softail for suspension. Softail is all about the look, those little shocks tucked under the frame cannot keep up with a Dyna. Add in the rubber mounted drive train and for flat out riding, the Dyna is better all day long.

 

I would agree with this assessment. Every Softail I owned bottomed out and just never seemed to be "right". The Dyna suspension (my V-Rod has basically the same suspension setup) is far better.

 

Your question got me thinking. I have owned multiple soft tails and dynas. I screwed my back all to h**l years ago picking up a 727 main wheel. I have never kept a soft tail over 6 months due to the pain they caused riding them. All my dynas were sold when I wanted something different. So I have to conclude the dyna has a superior suspension for an old man with a bad back. YMMV.

 

One thing to consider about the Wideglide is that that longer wheelbase (longest of any Harley) really helps out with the ride. Dressed mine out with bags, shield, footboards and loved it. The only reason I am not still riding it instead of a Roadking is it had no cruise control.

 

I've recently had both, had an FXD "Street Bob" that I converted a bit into an older SuperGlide look, had a Shovelhead FLHS, and had a mid 90's FXSTS Softail Springer. Wife had a Sporty.

I'm 6'5", approx 210 lbs, and have a very bad lower back, most of my lower disks are severely degenerative.

My Springer was the most comfortable bike I owned. And it was also slammed on the rear, 1 1.2" lower than stock...and progressive shock under there. I often rode 2-up, wife on the back. Yet the Softail...she was just the most comfortable for me. It was like going down the road in a lazy boy recliner...leaning back...legs way out front.

The FXD and the FLSH were more "upright".

Also a big deal for me, with my bad lower back, and...my "dead leg" at times from my lower back, was the much lower center of gravity of my Springer...it was easier for me to sit at stoplights, stopsigns, esp those on hills. My wife even loved riding it more than her Sporty...which has the highest COG of Harleys.

Handling wise, yeah, the FXD chassis handles better ....can throw into the twisties a lot harder, and it doesn't bottom out as much if you 2-up a lot. But....I'm old, the days of rippin' twisties is behind me.

To me, comfort is mostly about 3x things that you can customize on any bike.
*Seat...get one that can support your lower back properly. Choice of seat can impact your height on the bike too...as well as if you're forward a bit, or back a bit. I had a pair of seats on my Shovel, could swap them out and that made for a really different ride.
*Foot controls...position of your legs and feet is important. Be it mids, or forwards
*Bars...have your paws 'n arms at a comfortable level for you.

that's just my input and opinion...being an older, tall guy with a really bad lower back and having had all 4x Harley chassis in my stable. (FXD, FLHS, FXSTS, XLH)
And next year I'm on the hunt for another 90's Springer.
Of course, everyones body is different. Depends on your specific lower back issue also, mine preferred the more laid back position, some peoples back problems may prefer the more upright position of the FXD chassis.

 

I owned a first year TC88B, 2001 FLSTF. It was a great bike but as mentioned, I feel like the ride suffered for looks. It often bottomed out and was a nightmare to have a chick on the back. Fast forward and I have a 2017 FXDB and stock to stock the comfort level is 100% better. I have since redone the suspension, 14" Legends in the rear and +2 RaceTech springs in front and it is plush but also handles great, very confidence inspiring!

My wife has a 2022 FXBBS and I will say that the new Softail platform is a tremendous leap over the original dual bottom shock design. It is far more comfortable that the '01 and handles far better as well...I think I'd still take a stock Dyna over it though.

 

Ask the Motor Clothes sales lady, if it makes your *** look big

 

I did, and she does.
I love my FX so in a last ditch effort, I ordered one of these today.
I had a similar one on my TC Springer and it gave a great ride.
https://www2.vtwinmfg.com/black-police-solo-seat.html

 

I agree with all the opinions about Dynas handling being far superior than the old Softail. One thing you should consider with the FXD. (I own an 09) I bought it with forward controls and hated the ride. I don't think the 30 degree rake works with forward controls and replaced them with mids. I have owned a Wideglide and the forwards worked great, but you are looking at way more rake. I loved the old Wideglide (I put over 100K miles on it) and would not hesitate to buy another if I got the right deal. I find that the FXD is more of a sport cruiser, which is cool in the twisties.