Softail Custom vs. Wide Glide
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 90
From: SE WI
Softail Custom vs. Wide Glide
I know one's a softail and the other's a dyna... I know one is counterbalanced and the other is rubber mounted. I am asking for your thoughts/opinions/experiences....I also know I have to ride each one and form my own opinion. I am just asking for your .02 or .03 or .04 here. Thanks!
What years are you looking at ? The new '10 Wide Glide is completely different. If you are looking at the previous generation WG, then I can give my thoughts on that. The main reason I chose the WG over the Custom, was comfort. The Custom seemed a little shorter at the controls to me, and I figured I didn't want to spend any extra money to make the Custom into what I wanted when the WG all ready had it. I also prefer the rubber mounted motor over the rigid/counter balanced... it just feels better to me. Both are great bikes.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 90
From: SE WI
The WG models 08 and earlier, yes. I am going to try each one out extensively in spring....just kinda want to get an idea what to expect, what to look for, etc. Thanks for your input!
TLM
TLM
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
I am with Jayson,
I figured it cheaper to go the Dyna route to get where I wanted, and can't get past the fact that they add a mechanism to "balance", vs removing material from the counter balances allready on the crank.
Besides, the Wide Glides sure are purdy.......Then again, there are some sharp Softails around...
You summed it up, in, you know the differences, need to ride both to figure which you prefer, and let the obsession begin from there.
I figured it cheaper to go the Dyna route to get where I wanted, and can't get past the fact that they add a mechanism to "balance", vs removing material from the counter balances allready on the crank.
Besides, the Wide Glides sure are purdy.......Then again, there are some sharp Softails around...
You summed it up, in, you know the differences, need to ride both to figure which you prefer, and let the obsession begin from there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
I prefer the WG because it seems more 'beastly' to me. I prefer the feel of the motor, the road feel... The softail custom just seemed to 'refined' to me, more like what I'd expect from a metric cruiser.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
While they are similar in appearance there are alot of differences and things I like about both depending on what year bike you are looking at.
In the end I love the rubber mounted engine so the WG would be my choice but some dont like it.
I like the 200mm rear tire on the newer Customs and if I rode 2up alot I would pick it over the WG. The Dynas just have to much vibration in the passenger pegs. I am a shorter guy so the softtail forwards fit me better as well. Lose the ugly stock seat off the Custom and its a sharp bike.
In the end I love the rubber mounted engine so the WG would be my choice but some dont like it.
I like the 200mm rear tire on the newer Customs and if I rode 2up alot I would pick it over the WG. The Dynas just have to much vibration in the passenger pegs. I am a shorter guy so the softtail forwards fit me better as well. Lose the ugly stock seat off the Custom and its a sharp bike.
Last edited by bberck; Sep 20, 2009 at 08:00 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 29
From: Baytown Tx.
I've ridden both, own a Wide Glide. They are both good bikes. The Wide Glide shakes at an idle and smooths out at speed. The Softy is smooth at idle, and has a little vibration/buzz at highway speed. The forward controls seem a bit more forward on the Wide Glide, so it has a bit more leg room. In my opinion the only way to really know which bike is right for you is to test ride both of them.