Difference in cornering with Dyna?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Brewster, NY
Difference in cornering with Dyna?
This is my first season with the Dyna (street bob) after a while with a Sportster and assorted metric cruisers. I realize the height, weight, and rake/trail are different on this bike compared to the 883L I put close to 10k on last summer. Also, this bike has forward controls while the Sporty and the metrics all had mid ones.
I noticed in my first few rides that my DB seems to take turns a bit wider, requiring me to put more into the handlebar movement than I am used to. Not a lot mind you, but I don't feel like I slice the curves as easily as I did on the Sporty. Of course, the 883L had the bad habit of scraping pegs, which the higher clearance of the DB should avoid.
Am I crazy? What is it, the forwards, or just the characteristics of the bike? I suppose I just need to get acclimated. Can any long-time Dyna riders offer any advice/suggestions as to the way it handles, coming from a background like mine?
I noticed in my first few rides that my DB seems to take turns a bit wider, requiring me to put more into the handlebar movement than I am used to. Not a lot mind you, but I don't feel like I slice the curves as easily as I did on the Sporty. Of course, the 883L had the bad habit of scraping pegs, which the higher clearance of the DB should avoid.
Am I crazy? What is it, the forwards, or just the characteristics of the bike? I suppose I just need to get acclimated. Can any long-time Dyna riders offer any advice/suggestions as to the way it handles, coming from a background like mine?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I've never owned anything but Dyna's and the best thing for you to do
is to find some mid-controls for it. I've rode both fowards and mids and the
mids give you a more aggresive riding style and the bike handles much better.
Another thing can be your handlebars. Try something like drag bars that will also
help.
is to find some mid-controls for it. I've rode both fowards and mids and the
mids give you a more aggresive riding style and the bike handles much better.
Another thing can be your handlebars. Try something like drag bars that will also
help.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Bigger and heavier for one. Most people will tell you to get True Track to help, which I have heard great things about.
Also, the bars on the Bob are much higher, which will affect turning. I love my bars, so I'm willing to accept the handling difference for the personal comfort.
Lastly, the forwards do make a difference. Changes your center of weight and gravity.
Also, the bars on the Bob are much higher, which will affect turning. I love my bars, so I'm willing to accept the handling difference for the personal comfort.
Lastly, the forwards do make a difference. Changes your center of weight and gravity.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Arkansas
when I first got my Dyna, it felt very stiff in the corners took a lot of effort to lean it over, checked my air pressure and they were way low, I put it back up and that fixed it for me.
-Asa
-Asa
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Brewster, NY
Yeah, asked at the dealer about putting mids on, but they want an insane $350 for the parts alone (+$250 for labor if they do it). I might by some used ones and get them put on. I see used ones for under $100 everywhere, since most people upgrade to the forwards.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 11
From: Sweden
I had an XL1200R for three years before buying the SB last year..the sportster was more nimble and out handled a lot of the bigger harleys...maybe thats why it's called sportster?lol..I even put mini apes on it and the forward controls plus beefed the suspension up harder,still cut corners quicker.It's just a whole different machine.
I fell in love with the SB as soon as the 06 hit the roads but could'nt afford one till last year and even then bought an 07 albeit still new from the dealer.Rode it a few months with mid controls and tried to do the sportster thing but without a lot of mods I dont think it could.It's still a fast Harley with plenty of guts if you have but it's more of a cruiser,I fitted forwards(which I actually believe gives more cornering clearance)and just happy with the way it performs,sometimes get a wobble on fast curves but I cut my riding style to compensate..I love the sb : )
I fell in love with the SB as soon as the 06 hit the roads but could'nt afford one till last year and even then bought an 07 albeit still new from the dealer.Rode it a few months with mid controls and tried to do the sportster thing but without a lot of mods I dont think it could.It's still a fast Harley with plenty of guts if you have but it's more of a cruiser,I fitted forwards(which I actually believe gives more cornering clearance)and just happy with the way it performs,sometimes get a wobble on fast curves but I cut my riding style to compensate..I love the sb : )
Last edited by Sumpnut; Apr 21, 2009 at 04:03 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
4" of wheelbase and 80+ pounds on a bike makes quite a difference,eh? I went from an '01 Sporty to an '01 FXDXT; even more difference and I wasn't satified, so took the FXDXT apart and did what I could...happier now, but it cost a lot; and it still ain't no 100hp Sporty. You'll find the Dyna more comfortable on the highway; especially if you do a lot of freeway riding. Myself; I'd like to have a hot Sporty again for the twisties and a current Dyna for touring...but that's not in my budget; so I'll make do with the T-Sport...
There's lots you can do, depending on what you are expecting the bike to do for you. Most seem satified to do a stage 1 or 2 hop-up and get used to the heavier handling (you should hop off an older Sporty and onto a Road King!)
There's lots you can do, depending on what you are expecting the bike to do for you. Most seem satified to do a stage 1 or 2 hop-up and get used to the heavier handling (you should hop off an older Sporty and onto a Road King!)
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I think you'll get used to it, as long as you keep in mind that you're now on a cruiser, not a sport bike. The rake is quite a bit more compared to the sportster and does take some time to get used to.
Just ride it and enjoy the slower, more relaxed pace.
Just ride it and enjoy the slower, more relaxed pace.
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Part of it I think, is just getting used to a new bike. My FXDB corners far better than I gave it credit for on my first couple rides. The thing impresses the hell out of me.
That said, I don't know if it'll ever feel as easy to sling around as an XL.
That said, I don't know if it'll ever feel as easy to sling around as an XL.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 6
From: Charlotte County FL
I suppose its all what you are used to, had a Sportster and thought I handled like shi!t compared to sport bikes I was used to. The Dyna I have now seems to handle much the same as the sporty, in some way its better the Sporty liked to jump sideways if you hit a bump while cornering, the Dyna seems to be a more stable ride. I rode a friends Sportster last fall just to compare the difference, and the Sportster seemed small after riding a Dyna for a couple of years now. Give it time you will get used to it.