Difference in cornering with Dyna?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I went from a 99 XLH1200 to a 02 FXD, had to learn the characteristics of the big twin's handling, learned it again after putting on fwd controls. Two years later I got a 05 Lowrider, learning that over the superglide I just about ran out of pavement a couple of times in some nice sweeping turns. If I ride one home from work then hop on the other I just have to think about what bike I'm on.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Brewster, NY
Yeah, a couple of turns I almost ran out of pavement, freaked me out. I guess I will take it slower and steer it a little harder than I used to with the Sporty.
You are right about the stability on bumps and such the big bike just glides over things that used to rattle the Sporty. It's not that I am trying to race along, it's the vague uneasy feeling that I am not going to make a curve, which I am not used to. I am sure it is just an adjustment I will need to make in my head, as well as approaching turns differently.
You are right about the stability on bumps and such the big bike just glides over things that used to rattle the Sporty. It's not that I am trying to race along, it's the vague uneasy feeling that I am not going to make a curve, which I am not used to. I am sure it is just an adjustment I will need to make in my head, as well as approaching turns differently.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
I'm at a loss here. All of you guys coming from Sporties to Dynas noticed handling in favor of the Sportster. My own experience was just the opposit. I went from an 07' 1200 Roadster to the basic FXD and was really surprised at how much quicker I could take turns, especially the tight turns on my street, like the street intersections. I make these turns every day, so it's easily compared. Also, I find the FXD easier to flick around. My only thought on this might be my size. I'm pretty big and strong. I remember making the comment to the wife when I took it off the dealers lot that I was over compensating because it was so much easier to handle than the Sporty (I didn't have to manhandle it like the Sporty). Another thing, we have some on-ramps to the freeway near my house that are 1/4 mile long with the last 1/4 of that being a spiral that gets pretty tight as it connects to the main road. My Sportster would wallow pretty bad near the end as I layed it over, but the FXD digs right in and stays true. I haven't even given the TruTrak a thought because of that. I know I've been close to dragging parts, but I shift my body towards the road to allow me to maintain speed and keep from having to lean it so far (that is scary in just a leather jacket and jeans). I do feel that the mid controls allow you to use your legs for control a bit better than forwards, but I honestly don't think it makes that big a difference.
Is there that much difference in the FXD and the other Dynas? I've looked at the specks, and damned if I can see any. Could it be my weight that gives me an advantage? I know for a fact it keeps my tires on the road better, but the better handling compared to my Sporty has me baffled. Or.... could it be I fell for all the Sporty propoganda.. heh heh
Is there that much difference in the FXD and the other Dynas? I've looked at the specks, and damned if I can see any. Could it be my weight that gives me an advantage? I know for a fact it keeps my tires on the road better, but the better handling compared to my Sporty has me baffled. Or.... could it be I fell for all the Sporty propoganda.. heh heh
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
Mine too. My 07 XL handled like a pig compared to my 09 FXDC. The Super Glide may be a bigger bike, but it's more nimble than my Sportster ever was.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Never said I like the sporty's handling over the Dyna. The Superglide has great handling, one just has to learn it. The bike was loads of fun on Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 50
From: South Park, CO
Just some general rules
1) the CG of you and bike determine how far you must lean for a given speed
2) speed in curves is limited by the total lean angle you can achieve without scrapping
My wide glide can handle corners faster than my road king only because I can lay it over farther. The first thing my wide glide drags is my feet (heals) from the forward controls. If I want to go faster, then my feet need to be higher (mid controls). The first thing that drags on my road king is the floorboards. It's always something.
I can really lean on my R1200GSA because it is really tall. That doesn't mean I can run down sport bikes I just look really fast because of the exaggerated lean angle.
1) the CG of you and bike determine how far you must lean for a given speed
2) speed in curves is limited by the total lean angle you can achieve without scrapping
My wide glide can handle corners faster than my road king only because I can lay it over farther. The first thing my wide glide drags is my feet (heals) from the forward controls. If I want to go faster, then my feet need to be higher (mid controls). The first thing that drags on my road king is the floorboards. It's always something.
I can really lean on my R1200GSA because it is really tall. That doesn't mean I can run down sport bikes I just look really fast because of the exaggerated lean angle.
Novice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo
I went from an '01 1200C to an '08 FXDC. My initial impressions on the differences between the two was that I could maneuver the sporty more easily but I felt that my dyna was a more solid ride. My dyna seems to hold a truer line on entrance/exit ramps but takes a little more muscle to change directions in twisties. I would like to ride my old sporty today to compare the two now that I am much more comfortable on the dyna.
Just some general rules
1) the CG of you and bike determine how far you must lean for a given speed
2) speed in curves is limited by the total lean angle you can achieve without scrapping
My wide glide can handle corners faster than my road king only because I can lay it over farther. The first thing my wide glide drags is my feet (heals) from the forward controls. If I want to go faster, then my feet need to be higher (mid controls). The first thing that drags on my road king is the floorboards. It's always something.
I can really lean on my R1200GSA because it is really tall. That doesn't mean I can run down sport bikes I just look really fast because of the exaggerated lean angle.
1) the CG of you and bike determine how far you must lean for a given speed
2) speed in curves is limited by the total lean angle you can achieve without scrapping
My wide glide can handle corners faster than my road king only because I can lay it over farther. The first thing my wide glide drags is my feet (heals) from the forward controls. If I want to go faster, then my feet need to be higher (mid controls). The first thing that drags on my road king is the floorboards. It's always something.
I can really lean on my R1200GSA because it is really tall. That doesn't mean I can run down sport bikes I just look really fast because of the exaggerated lean angle.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
OK,
I guess I agree with FloridaDrafter. I just went from an '01 883 with forward controls to an '09 FXD with forwards and I am much more comfortable turning on the FXD. Maybe it's just my imagination.
I guess I agree with FloridaDrafter. I just went from an '01 883 with forward controls to an '09 FXD with forwards and I am much more comfortable turning on the FXD. Maybe it's just my imagination.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: North of Houston
I just had to get used to it. I had a Sporty and thought it rode like a dirt bike. I've had metrics all of my life and when I was younger had cafe racers that you could drag your knees in the corners. I have mids on mine and tried carving the corners with my feet on the highway pegs and it feels alot better on the mids.
I rode last weekend through my favorite 15 mile stretch of twisties and it just felt right. I was just getting used to the bike and the way it handled. At the light right before the twisties a bunch of rice rockets pulled up to me and thought they would blow me away in the twisties. Much to their suprise I kept right in the pack with them. After we got to the little town at the end they were telling me that I could ride that bike and couldn't believe I was doing it on a Harley. As I said you just have to get comfortable on it. I was also on a very familiar route that I don't think them kids have been on very much so I knew every turn and how to ride it. My bike seems to love it when you power though the turns. I give it some throttle and it will carve them up.
I rode last weekend through my favorite 15 mile stretch of twisties and it just felt right. I was just getting used to the bike and the way it handled. At the light right before the twisties a bunch of rice rockets pulled up to me and thought they would blow me away in the twisties. Much to their suprise I kept right in the pack with them. After we got to the little town at the end they were telling me that I could ride that bike and couldn't believe I was doing it on a Harley. As I said you just have to get comfortable on it. I was also on a very familiar route that I don't think them kids have been on very much so I knew every turn and how to ride it. My bike seems to love it when you power though the turns. I give it some throttle and it will carve them up.