My wife is really wanting a bike now. At first I was against it, but she has won me over and now I am as excited to get her on her own bike as she is. I am going to buy a rat bike for her to trash and she is taking the Riders Edge class. After we are both comfortable with her riding she definitely wants a Harley.

The question is which Dyna to buy. I have a new Street Glide and have owned a Sporty and Softail. I think I have been missing outriding that Softail Springer instead of buying a Dyna. I have been reading all the stuff on how well the Dynas handle. Back on track, sorry for chasing that rabbit.

She likes the feel of the Low Rider, but she likes the look and style of the Fat Bob. She has been able to sit on the LR but not the FB. I would likely have to change the bars on the Fat Bob so she is not stretched forward and maybe lower shocks or seat to get her nice and flat footed for more control. She is 5'7" with a 32" inseam. I will go with Mid Mount controls with either model. I think I like the idea of the fat front tire because I know my Springer definitely tracks in rain grooves on the road. The Street Glide is much more solid on the tracking.

Any ideas of which would be a better route for her Fat Bob or Low Rider. I don't want to lean her towards the Fat Bob just because I really like it.

Thanks

 

If you have a low rider let her try it if she likes it You can get a Fat Bob.

 

I don't have a Low. I have a Street Glide and a slammed '94 Springer Softail. The Springer is for sale so I can buy a bike for her.

 

The low rider has the lowest seat height so she will be able to put both feet flat on the ground which will give her more confidence and control and thereforebetter enjoyment. You don't want her feeling like the bike is top heavy.

 

This thing handles like a dream, however, with a 32" inseam, she shouldn't have a problem with any of the Dyna's, but you may want to get some more pull back on the bars. I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam and going on 63 years old.

 

dollar for dollar it's ahrd ot beat the Superglide. even if you added after market shocks for $230 or so yougot a lot of bike for the money.

 

well i test drove the superglide custom and the fat bob....and there is no doubt that the fatbob handles better...which could help with the safety factor....just my .02...

 

I have a 05 lowrider. It was the only one that I felt comfortable on. I am only 5'2".
But I must tell you, I have made some modifications. I got some pullback handlebars, kinda like mini apes and went ahead and added the diamondback cables at the same time.
For christmas I got the adjustable highway pegs, which is nice for an alternate position.
I couldn't reach the original highway pegs comfortably.

She just needs to sit on different bikes and see which one feels right to her. She should have
no problem being flat footed on some of the bikes now, and I agree, that you don't
want anything that is top heavy.

Good Luck and Ride Safe

 

The "both feet on the ground" is poor poor reasoning anyways, I wouldn't buy a bike based on that because it's NOT how anyone should be riding anyways, no matter what bike you have.
You should ONLY be putting your left foot down. Your right foot should remain on the rear brake, for a few good reasons. 1, your brake light will stay on, a great benefit esp at night so if you're sitting at a light or a stop sign waiting for traffic to clear, cagers coming behind you will be more apt to notice you. 2, if you do this out of habit, when you have to stop going up or down hill (for any reason) you can handle it alot better holding the bike in position with the rear brake, leaving your right hand free for just the throttle, not the throttle and front brake. You;re ready to base a purchase on a habit you/she shouldn't even be in (either that or spend a bunch of money fixing something that shouldn't even need to be fixed.
Gilly (former MSF instructor and WI DOT cycle examiner)

 

Every stop is diferent, I never say "always" do it this or that way. Ride to the situation not by the book is my deal, I LIKE being able to put both feet flat if I want or need to, its not what I do at every stop.My ole lady is contemplating a bike, and the entire fit counts, setting still, goin down the road, backing into a space, etc etc..too many variables to adopt one set method.
"2, if you do this out of habit, when you have to stop going up or down hill (for any reason) you can handle it alot better holding the bike in position with the rear brake, leaving your right hand free for just the throttle, not the throttle and front brake."
I would think that comes into the realm of "every stop is diferent" you use the combo that works best in that situation and usualy I would agree.
You should be ok working both I think, thats why they are there, yes its a little harder and you might wanna get a little riding under your belt but I use both regularly, works for me, if I need foot brake instead thats what I use.