Which should I get? Dyna or Softail?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
You know, it's really just a matter of personal taste. Since your looking at a new one I assume that the cost difference is not an issue. Anyway, I personally like the way a bike looks with the shocks. The soft tail is a great bike, but to me it looks like something is missing without the shocks. Old school I guess.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: ga
read dyna vibrations issues first
i owed a '95 DWG that rode like glass...various life changes occured had to sell it in '98. I just picked up a low mi '06 DWG and it rides like the pre-balanced softails of the '90s aka like shiat lots of vibration. be sure to read mudpuddles 'links-tips-etc' postie and scroll down to dyna vibrations before getting a dyna as far as comfort to you and your girl.
you may get a 'good' one w/no vibration problems or can monkey with the motor mounts or whatever everyone else has done and get yours riding like it should aka like an evo dyna!
some of the cons on softails i've read on here are the '07 and up 96 cu in softails are way too hot to enjoy in slow hot summer traffic. AND the softails have that wrap around oil tank under your seat too - i have not ridden one, but it would seem to be a heat issue with softails not only with the rear exhaust, but the hot oil tank under your butt/thighs!
i am currently PISSED at the moco for not addressing the vibrations of an 88 or 96 dyna and denying it even exits - from what i've read on this forum is: it might be fixable with shims under the front motor mount (why doesn't the moco fix this 'issue).
i AM a dyna guy, but if i had all my money back and a 'do over' i might would get an 06 springer with a 200 rear tire - wish they had a softail custom in 06, but it did not come back out until 07 and they have the 'hotter' 96 cu in engine and oil.
this is all used bike market...as far as new bikes, read someone elses take on the dyna vs softail view. Good luck
UPDATE: i did the 'monkey w/the front motor mount' and it FIXED my 'Excessive' vibrations on my 06DWG: SO!, Get a DYNA!
you may get a 'good' one w/no vibration problems or can monkey with the motor mounts or whatever everyone else has done and get yours riding like it should aka like an evo dyna!
some of the cons on softails i've read on here are the '07 and up 96 cu in softails are way too hot to enjoy in slow hot summer traffic. AND the softails have that wrap around oil tank under your seat too - i have not ridden one, but it would seem to be a heat issue with softails not only with the rear exhaust, but the hot oil tank under your butt/thighs!
i am currently PISSED at the moco for not addressing the vibrations of an 88 or 96 dyna and denying it even exits - from what i've read on this forum is: it might be fixable with shims under the front motor mount (why doesn't the moco fix this 'issue).
i AM a dyna guy, but if i had all my money back and a 'do over' i might would get an 06 springer with a 200 rear tire - wish they had a softail custom in 06, but it did not come back out until 07 and they have the 'hotter' 96 cu in engine and oil.
this is all used bike market...as far as new bikes, read someone elses take on the dyna vs softail view. Good luck
UPDATE: i did the 'monkey w/the front motor mount' and it FIXED my 'Excessive' vibrations on my 06DWG: SO!, Get a DYNA!
Last edited by getanxd; Aug 22, 2009 at 05:24 PM. Reason: update
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: ga
bump for edit update - vibrations fixed on dyna
i owed a '95 DWG that rode like glass...various life changes occured had to sell it in '98. I just picked up a low mi '06 DWG and it rides like the pre-balanced softails of the '90s aka like shiat lots of vibration. be sure to read mudpuddles 'links-tips-etc' postie and scroll down to dyna vibrations before getting a dyna as far as comfort to you and your girl.
you may get a 'good' one w/no vibration problems or can monkey with the motor mounts or whatever everyone else has done and get yours riding like it should aka like an evo dyna!
some of the cons on softails i've read on here are the '07 and up 96 cu in softails are way too hot to enjoy in slow hot summer traffic. AND the softails have that wrap around oil tank under your seat too - i have not ridden one, but it would seem to be a heat issue with softails not only with the rear exhaust, but the hot oil tank under your butt/thighs!
i am currently PISSED at the moco for not addressing the vibrations of an 88 or 96 dyna and denying it even exits - from what i've read on this forum is: it might be fixable with shims under the front motor mount (why doesn't the moco fix this 'issue).
i AM a dyna guy, but if i had all my money back and a 'do over' i might would get an 06 springer with a 200 rear tire - wish they had a softail custom in 06, but it did not come back out until 07 and they have the 'hotter' 96 cu in engine and oil.
this is all used bike market...as far as new bikes, read someone elses take on the dyna vs softail view. Good luck
UPDATE: i did the 'monkey w/the front motor mount' and it FIXED my 'Excessive' vibrations on my 06DWG: SO!, Get a DYNA!
you may get a 'good' one w/no vibration problems or can monkey with the motor mounts or whatever everyone else has done and get yours riding like it should aka like an evo dyna!
some of the cons on softails i've read on here are the '07 and up 96 cu in softails are way too hot to enjoy in slow hot summer traffic. AND the softails have that wrap around oil tank under your seat too - i have not ridden one, but it would seem to be a heat issue with softails not only with the rear exhaust, but the hot oil tank under your butt/thighs!
i am currently PISSED at the moco for not addressing the vibrations of an 88 or 96 dyna and denying it even exits - from what i've read on this forum is: it might be fixable with shims under the front motor mount (why doesn't the moco fix this 'issue).
i AM a dyna guy, but if i had all my money back and a 'do over' i might would get an 06 springer with a 200 rear tire - wish they had a softail custom in 06, but it did not come back out until 07 and they have the 'hotter' 96 cu in engine and oil.
this is all used bike market...as far as new bikes, read someone elses take on the dyna vs softail view. Good luck
UPDATE: i did the 'monkey w/the front motor mount' and it FIXED my 'Excessive' vibrations on my 06DWG: SO!, Get a DYNA!
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Once equipped with the correct seat and 3" fowards they get pretty derned comfy and a guy/gal? can really stretch out on em.
Out of all the 2010 bikes were I made to choose one just to start all over again on it would likely be the new Wide Glide. I dig Dyna's I dig Softails....Man I just dig whatevers cool and clever!
For now its my Night Train. 5 years from now? Who knows...May still be my Night Train unless I can steal a Dyna and maybe do one of those blacked out li' cafe fairing looking bikes. I do like those.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
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Thanks for all the great responses.
I went back into the local dealer, and the salesman was extremely helpful in getting me to choose. He had me sit on a Super Glide Custom, then a Softail Custom, and then finally a Fat Bob.
After sitting on the Fat Bob, and feeling how comfortable it was, I knew that's the bike I had to have. Although when I asked for a test ride, they told me they didn't have any demos available. Weird.
Working on getting the numbers to work; the dealer is of course trying to lowball me on my trade in. Going to check out another dealer about 30 miles north this week to see if I can get a better deal.
I went back into the local dealer, and the salesman was extremely helpful in getting me to choose. He had me sit on a Super Glide Custom, then a Softail Custom, and then finally a Fat Bob.
After sitting on the Fat Bob, and feeling how comfortable it was, I knew that's the bike I had to have. Although when I asked for a test ride, they told me they didn't have any demos available. Weird.
Working on getting the numbers to work; the dealer is of course trying to lowball me on my trade in. Going to check out another dealer about 30 miles north this week to see if I can get a better deal.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
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From:
Totally my opinion but I like Dyna's better but wish they had the options the softtail does. The Dyna is not counter balanced so it does not have the extra wieght to pull when you roll the throttle but with the softtail the counter balance adds wieght and maybe a few split seconds of response at the throttle. Hard to explain but the softtail engine has more wieght working against it. On the other hand...I love the softtails for the accessories. Softtails are better bikes when it comes to touring options and aftermarket accessories. Dynas are okay when it comes to touring capabilities and they do not have as many aftermarket accessories like the softail. I love the visible shocks on the Dyna because I think it is a cool look and am not a big fan of the softtail suspension.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Delaware, OH
Howdy, thought I'd chime in seeing as how the wife has a Dyna and I have a Softail.
Dynas are more agile and slightly more powerful, they are a good deal lighter (60-100lbs depending on models). However, my Fat Boy's center of gravity is absurdly low and it is very fun to throw around. Honestly hard to tell the difference in an "A" or "B" motor when it comes to off the line power simply due to the increased weight. Can't seriously believe anyone can feel the difference in 3 torque.
The Dyna is a lot of fun, it does seem to love higher RPMs than my Softail (However, they have entirely different intake/exhaust and tuners). So, once again hard to tell. I've never recieved any vibration on my Softail from the counter balancers at any speed, including 80+. Thing is glass no matter what RPM range you're flying at. The Dyna will shake pretty good near idle and anything under 2,000. The vibes are fun, though.
Riding 2 up has always been easier on my Fat Boy compared to the Low Rider. It's a larger bike, she has more room to get comfortable back there. The 200 rear tire leads to a wider fender which translates to a larger pillion (Plus the 200 rear tire is just flat sexy!). The ride is very smooth as well on the Softail. She often says the Fat Boy handles the bumps much better than hers (Course, decent after market shocks can help quite a bit).
In the end of it, just comes down to which you prefer. If you want to tour, they dropped the price on the 2010 Heritage by 1k. You can get bags, windshield, aux lighting, and sissy bar out the door and never look back.
I didn't get the Fat Boy for speed/agility. I love the fat stance. I think Arnold ruined it for me back in Terminator 2 (I was hooked ever since). Wife got the Dyna cause it fit her better. Fatty is too wide for her little inseam!
In the end, they're both fantastic machines!
Dynas are more agile and slightly more powerful, they are a good deal lighter (60-100lbs depending on models). However, my Fat Boy's center of gravity is absurdly low and it is very fun to throw around. Honestly hard to tell the difference in an "A" or "B" motor when it comes to off the line power simply due to the increased weight. Can't seriously believe anyone can feel the difference in 3 torque.
The Dyna is a lot of fun, it does seem to love higher RPMs than my Softail (However, they have entirely different intake/exhaust and tuners). So, once again hard to tell. I've never recieved any vibration on my Softail from the counter balancers at any speed, including 80+. Thing is glass no matter what RPM range you're flying at. The Dyna will shake pretty good near idle and anything under 2,000. The vibes are fun, though.
Riding 2 up has always been easier on my Fat Boy compared to the Low Rider. It's a larger bike, she has more room to get comfortable back there. The 200 rear tire leads to a wider fender which translates to a larger pillion (Plus the 200 rear tire is just flat sexy!). The ride is very smooth as well on the Softail. She often says the Fat Boy handles the bumps much better than hers (Course, decent after market shocks can help quite a bit).
In the end of it, just comes down to which you prefer. If you want to tour, they dropped the price on the 2010 Heritage by 1k. You can get bags, windshield, aux lighting, and sissy bar out the door and never look back.
I didn't get the Fat Boy for speed/agility. I love the fat stance. I think Arnold ruined it for me back in Terminator 2 (I was hooked ever since). Wife got the Dyna cause it fit her better. Fatty is too wide for her little inseam!
In the end, they're both fantastic machines!
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
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Well, I pulled the trigger yesterday and picked up the last 2009 Fat Bob they had at the dealership. Sunglo red, with the slotted aluminum wheels. I'm now officially a HD owner!!
I only got a chance to ride it home thusfar (darn rain), but I'm loving it already. It's not even comparable to my old Suzuki--it actually feels like a softer ride on the Bob.
I only got a chance to ride it home thusfar (darn rain), but I'm loving it already. It's not even comparable to my old Suzuki--it actually feels like a softer ride on the Bob.