Night Train Vs Street Bob
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: The REAL Jersey Shore
Night Train Vs Street Bob
Ok....Im going to start this off with a statement. I am not slagging on Softails/Night Trains, I am just looking for some real information.
My friend has a new 08 Night Train, that has the following mods, SERT, Stage 1 intake and Vance and Hines radius drags.
I have an 09 Street Bob, my only mod is Cycle Shack Slipons.
We bought the bikes the same day at the same dealer and broke them in together. We swapped bikes a few times on rides to feel the difference between the two.
Now here is the thing.....When I rode the Night Train, there was a big acceleration difference when driven the same way I ride the St Bob.
The St Bob will absolutely rip when I get on it and the front end gets light and feels very powerful. The Night Train seems to rev more, but does not seem to have near the power of the St Bob. Its like night and day.
Also, you can lug the hell out of the Night Train and it doesnt feel like you are...the engine doesnt seem to protest at all. The St Bob lets me know when Im lugging it too much.
Its not just me, he feels the difference too and commented on it last night when he rode my bike again.....
I know the B motor has the counter balencers and is solid mounted, but this cannot create this much difference.
Is there a big gearing difference between the 2 bikes? That is the only difference I think there could be.
My friend has a new 08 Night Train, that has the following mods, SERT, Stage 1 intake and Vance and Hines radius drags.
I have an 09 Street Bob, my only mod is Cycle Shack Slipons.
We bought the bikes the same day at the same dealer and broke them in together. We swapped bikes a few times on rides to feel the difference between the two.
Now here is the thing.....When I rode the Night Train, there was a big acceleration difference when driven the same way I ride the St Bob.
The St Bob will absolutely rip when I get on it and the front end gets light and feels very powerful. The Night Train seems to rev more, but does not seem to have near the power of the St Bob. Its like night and day.
Also, you can lug the hell out of the Night Train and it doesnt feel like you are...the engine doesnt seem to protest at all. The St Bob lets me know when Im lugging it too much.
Its not just me, he feels the difference too and commented on it last night when he rode my bike again.....
I know the B motor has the counter balencers and is solid mounted, but this cannot create this much difference.
Is there a big gearing difference between the 2 bikes? That is the only difference I think there could be.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,456
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Could it have anything to do with the differences in the suspensions?That may explain the seat of the pants feel between the two bikes.I would have to say that the protest when lugging the engine would have more to do with the counterbalancers on the B engines of the softails in comparison with the rubber mount on the Dyna's.
There are a lot of sharp people on this forum,should be interesting reading.
There are a lot of sharp people on this forum,should be interesting reading.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,419
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From: Ashland Ore.
there are a couple of differences from the factory: Weight. the NT is 22lbs heavier, torque, the Bob has 5ftlbs more torque. the NT holds more oil and gas.And the NT cost 3K more.
Last edited by thedonthere; Jul 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: S.E. MO
A little lighter and a tad more power from the factory on the Bob but I would bet the biggest difference is mainly feel.
Another reason could be his tune. If your just running slip-ons you are probally running leaner than he is. I slightly lean bike runs good it just runs hot and parts wont last as long.
Again feel is probally alot of it. When I had my quad (Raptor 700) and a buddy had a YFZ 450 his felt faster to ride. When we ligned them up though I could walk all over him.
Another reason could be his tune. If your just running slip-ons you are probally running leaner than he is. I slightly lean bike runs good it just runs hot and parts wont last as long.
Again feel is probally alot of it. When I had my quad (Raptor 700) and a buddy had a YFZ 450 his felt faster to ride. When we ligned them up though I could walk all over him.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
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From: Baytown Tx.
Line em up and race em. Then you will know if your Street Bob is really faster. I would bet it is personally. Those counterbalancers definately hurt the softails performance wise. A few horsepower difference on an engine that only makes 60-65 horsepower to begin with is significant. I'm not bashing Softails. I would own a NT in a heartbeat. But, I have ridden Dynas, Softails, and Touring models, and the Softails are definately down on power. At least going with the seat of the pants dyno. Lol
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
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From: Baytown Tx.
Rounder has a good point too. Your stock headpipes and slip ons probably produce more torque than your buddies Big Radius. Especially if he has removed or modified the baffles.