Dyna or Sportster
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 20
From: Trophy Club, TX
Medic, lots of great advice here. Let me add my 2 cents worth. I owned a 1200C for nine years before trading it in on an 08 Super Glide Custom. While I loved the Sporty, I've found the Dyna to be an all around a better bike. More about that in a minute. Don't listen to folks who tell you that the Sporty's a beginner's bike, it's definitely not as a number of folks have mentioned. It presents a number of challenges that the Dynas and Softails don't in terms of riding position and set up. A lot of folks will tell you that it's a girl's bike, a tag that links back to the when H-D produced the "Hugger" model. Now it's called the "Low." If you look at what women ride, you'll see more on the BTs because most have lower seat heights than the Sportys. As for trading it in in a year or two, maybe, maybe not. I kept mine for 9 years and you'll find that Sportster riders are passionate about their bikes, for good reason.
Why is the Dyna an all around better bike? I think that it can do a wider variety of things with less effort, i.e. touring, sport riding, cruising, riding two up. Can you do all of that on a Sporty, yep, but it generally takes more work to get the bike set up. Additionally, for the long-term, I think that you'll find the Dyna much more comfortable. At high speeds I've found the Dyna to be more comfortable and more stable. Part of this is due to the additional weight and part is due to the riding height. I've also found that the Super Glide handles nearly as well as my Sporty did in the twisties and around town. Remember, the Dynas were originally based on the Sportster. In essence, they're Sporties on steroids.
Bottom line, rent both bikes, ride them, see which one you like better and then look at how comfortable you think you'll be in a year or so.
Good luck!
Why is the Dyna an all around better bike? I think that it can do a wider variety of things with less effort, i.e. touring, sport riding, cruising, riding two up. Can you do all of that on a Sporty, yep, but it generally takes more work to get the bike set up. Additionally, for the long-term, I think that you'll find the Dyna much more comfortable. At high speeds I've found the Dyna to be more comfortable and more stable. Part of this is due to the additional weight and part is due to the riding height. I've also found that the Super Glide handles nearly as well as my Sporty did in the twisties and around town. Remember, the Dynas were originally based on the Sportster. In essence, they're Sporties on steroids.
Bottom line, rent both bikes, ride them, see which one you like better and then look at how comfortable you think you'll be in a year or so.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 1
Domenic, love that low! Looks sick! I'll have to check out the low riders a little more.
Royce, thanks for the reply. I hope to get my wife on the back of the bike and I want to add some saddle bags to whatever I get. I'll check them both out more but I think I'm glad I didn't rush things and buy the nightster already. Since what I want is something to ride to work and cruise while learning, it sounds like the dyna might suit my needs better. Thanks to everyone who replied to my questions.
Royce, thanks for the reply. I hope to get my wife on the back of the bike and I want to add some saddle bags to whatever I get. I'll check them both out more but I think I'm glad I didn't rush things and buy the nightster already. Since what I want is something to ride to work and cruise while learning, it sounds like the dyna might suit my needs better. Thanks to everyone who replied to my questions.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
I did the MSF course in April 07, never rode anything over 300cc in my 56 years AND probably only had 200 miles under my belt total. After getting the license, I immediately went to the Harley store and rented a Dyna WG.... It seemed like one big S.O.B. first time out! Rent a few different models for a few days each, then make a decision. I was able to negotiate a good deal for 3 days mid week.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Detroit-ish
if I was 5'7 and 150 lbs I would prolly have hair again too, but that would mean that I would be riding a honda ascot 500 too......choices.......I agree with all who say demo both and go with what you like but I am a firm believer in buying used for your first bike, not only will you learn a thing or two about how it works (when it wont start on you in the spring) but you when you are making your first stop on gravel and it gets away from you, you arnt out $1000 in chrome(or flat black paint)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 1
From: England via the US
My Street Bob is my first bike and I love it. I originally wanted a Sportster but took the advice from friends and went with the Dyna and couldn't be happier. I will never get rid of my Dyna, it's just to important because it's my first bike, but I am going to get a second in about a year and a half when I get to England and it's going to be a Sportster. Probably an '05-'06 883R. Just something to play around with and work on myself.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Go With The Dyna
I had a Sporty 1200 Custom for a couple of years - and just recently got a Dyna Low Rider. Definitely go with the Dyna. You WILL want to make the switch sooner than later. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the heck out of the Sporty. There is no comparison to riding the Dyna. Much more comfortable, more power - basically a Sporty on steroids, as the Harley salesman put it. Go with the Dyna.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 1
From: ,,
160 and around 5' 7"/5' 8"
I had a 2007 Nightster that I bought on 7/7/07 rode it like a religion until May of this year I then decided to upgrade to a Street Bob. While the Nightster was awesome and my first Harley my Bob is the best purchase I think I have ever made, it bigger, way more power (especially at highway speed) and comfortable on bumps big and small.
Go for the Dyna you wont regret it. Also granted I did know how to ride before I bought a harley so there was never the fear of dropping the bike due to lack of skill.
I had a 2007 Nightster that I bought on 7/7/07 rode it like a religion until May of this year I then decided to upgrade to a Street Bob. While the Nightster was awesome and my first Harley my Bob is the best purchase I think I have ever made, it bigger, way more power (especially at highway speed) and comfortable on bumps big and small.
Go for the Dyna you wont regret it. Also granted I did know how to ride before I bought a harley so there was never the fear of dropping the bike due to lack of skill.
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
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
For many years I road an ironhead sporty. In '06 I bought a Dyna. Great bike, I love it. Try both bikes, but I would say go with the dyna. I will tell you that I test road a bagger this year and loved the ride. If you can afford a bagger buy one. I did.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
