Newbie questions about Dyna models
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Novice
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From: Derbyshire , England
Newbie questions about Dyna models
Hi I am a Newbie from England & currently trying to decide which Harley to get.
At the moment I am trying trying to understand the differences between the models built within say the last 10 years.
Some of them are obvious such as Low Rider but what is the difference between the other models & what do the codes such as FXDWG mean?
Even with the 2010 brochure it all seems a bit confusing.
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers
Guy
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Indiana
Here is a pretty good overview with some descriptions of current models and what each alphabet designation is and why. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 467
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From: Lancs, England
Hi I am a Newbie from England & currently trying to decide which Harley to get.
At the moment I am trying trying to understand the differences between the models built within say the last 10 years.
Some of them are obvious such as Low Rider but what is the difference between the other models & what do the codes such as FXDWG mean?
Even with the 2010 brochure it all seems a bit confusing.
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers
Guy
Nice to see another Brit here, welcome to the forum. There are some very helpful folks here (and some not so helpful - just like on every other forum)
Derv
Last edited by Derv; Aug 4, 2010 at 05:38 AM.
Thread Starter
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Novice
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From: Derbyshire , England
Thanks Gentlemen.I now understand - Shame HD couldn't put that in the brochure so that we could all understand.
Now next question:are there any Dyna models made since 2000 to avoid OR actively seek?
What features are really desirable on a Dyna & what are the weak points?
Cheers again
Guy
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Thanks Gentlemen.I now understand - Shame HD couldn't put that in the brochure so that we could all understand.
Now next question:are there any Dyna models made since 2000 to avoid OR actively seek?
What features are really desirable on a Dyna & what are the weak points?
Cheers again
Guy
Hi from the UK! Just to add to the alphabet soup, FXDX models have twin front discs (rotors to our American cousins) and superior adjustable suspension. They fall in your ten year range but are no longer made. They are the antidote to the low models, as they have increased ride height hence cornering clearance and are as sporty as a big twin gets! My FXDXT has a small fairing and detachable saddlebags.
The most notable weak point of the TC88s is wear of the timing chain tensioners, which is widely known. The dealer fix (there are others) is fitting later spec tensioners, which come with an improved oil pump (as fitted to TC96s). If you consider buying an early TC make sure you see the evidence the tensioners have been done, or factor it into the price you pay.
If you find something that takes your fancy come back so we can help more.
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Novice
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From: Derbyshire , England
Hi Graham
Thanks for the info.
I am starting my research early! I will be in a position to buy from May 2011 onwards. Unfortunately I have a good mate who is selling his Dyna Low Rider which he took over to Germany but kept it as an English bike.
It ticks almost all the boxes for me & he would do me a very fair price.
One problem I haven't got the money at the moment & I don't want to borrow it.
I would prefer to buy second hand & would prefer a bike that is nearer to standard so that I can choose what I want to add/change.
Roughly what sort of difference would you think you would get by buying second hand and/or in winter. I would be happy to wait to make my money go further.
I could afford to buy new if I needed to - again what sort of discount for cash should you expect & is there an optimum time & place to strike
Cheers
Guy
Thanks for the info.
I am starting my research early! I will be in a position to buy from May 2011 onwards. Unfortunately I have a good mate who is selling his Dyna Low Rider which he took over to Germany but kept it as an English bike.
It ticks almost all the boxes for me & he would do me a very fair price.
One problem I haven't got the money at the moment & I don't want to borrow it.
I would prefer to buy second hand & would prefer a bike that is nearer to standard so that I can choose what I want to add/change.
Roughly what sort of difference would you think you would get by buying second hand and/or in winter. I would be happy to wait to make my money go further.
I could afford to buy new if I needed to - again what sort of discount for cash should you expect & is there an optimum time & place to strike
Cheers
Guy
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From: Bedford UK
Guy,
The UK market is in a funny condition at present. H-D UK has thrown its toys out of the pram and sacked three dealers that I know of over the last few months. In addition the credit squeeze of recent times has reduced new bike sales, which has left a shortage of good secondhand ones. It is said that during the depths of the crunch European dealers where buying up UK bike stock because the exchange rate was so good for them.
I suspect decent secondhand bike prices are holding up at present, they certainly are for cars. In normal conditions buying double-glazing and bikes around Xmas is a great idea, as they are keen to do a deal. You could wait and test the water then. By holding out until next May you will be waiting until the best summer weather arrives, hence demand will be at its highest. Not a good idea! When do you think soft-top cars sell?
On the other hand, if you have a keen seller and a bike you like don't let it go. See what you can do to make a purchase.
The UK market is in a funny condition at present. H-D UK has thrown its toys out of the pram and sacked three dealers that I know of over the last few months. In addition the credit squeeze of recent times has reduced new bike sales, which has left a shortage of good secondhand ones. It is said that during the depths of the crunch European dealers where buying up UK bike stock because the exchange rate was so good for them.
I suspect decent secondhand bike prices are holding up at present, they certainly are for cars. In normal conditions buying double-glazing and bikes around Xmas is a great idea, as they are keen to do a deal. You could wait and test the water then. By holding out until next May you will be waiting until the best summer weather arrives, hence demand will be at its highest. Not a good idea! When do you think soft-top cars sell?
On the other hand, if you have a keen seller and a bike you like don't let it go. See what you can do to make a purchase.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
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From: Derbyshire , England
Hi Graham
Unfortunately I can't buy until AFTER May 2011.
I suspect that in reality I will have to wait until winter 2011 to make my money go as far as possible.
It does seem to be true that bikes have gone from the UK to Germany.
This is certainly the case with Caterhams ( one of my other toys)
Cheers
Guy
Unfortunately I can't buy until AFTER May 2011.
I suspect that in reality I will have to wait until winter 2011 to make my money go as far as possible.
It does seem to be true that bikes have gone from the UK to Germany.
This is certainly the case with Caterhams ( one of my other toys)
Cheers
Guy
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 467
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From: Lancs, England
I noticed in your profile that you were a Caterham man Guy. I've been toying with the idea of one for some time and will probably go that way once I pack in biking. That day may not be too far away as I'm now approaching the grand old age of 60 and have a few joint & arthritic problems. I moved to a Harley last year after a liftime (riding since I was 17 in 1967) on all manner of bikes but most recently sports tourers. I'm only a short guy and was struggling with the seat height of those type of bikes as I got older - hence the Low Rider
I did a fair bit of research before settling on my Dyna, general concensus was that the 1999 - 2003 models had the better engines - being a proper forged steel crank rather than the pressed in type of the later bikes. Some of the early 99 TCs (first 6 speeders) had inner primary bearing issues so I steered clear of those. there are also some reported issues with the pressed steel crank. This was just stuff I picked up off here and other HD forums. I was very fortunate in picking up a 2002 Low Rider last year with just 54 miles on it, so the chain tensioner wasn't an issue and is something I'll not have to worry too much about until the bike's done over 10k miles, which is when I'll start checking them. As soon as they start showing any signs of wear I'll replace them. Not sure what the mileage is at the moment - I keep the odo on trip, but last time I looked it was just over 2k miles
All the info you'll ever need is on here, so just ask when th etime arises and someone will be along to answer any questions - you'll get many different answers but hey - variety is the spice of life so they say.
Some pics and the story of my Dyna here if you're interested:
http://www.oldgitbiker.pwp.blueyonde...ide_Page_1.htm
Derv
I did a fair bit of research before settling on my Dyna, general concensus was that the 1999 - 2003 models had the better engines - being a proper forged steel crank rather than the pressed in type of the later bikes. Some of the early 99 TCs (first 6 speeders) had inner primary bearing issues so I steered clear of those. there are also some reported issues with the pressed steel crank. This was just stuff I picked up off here and other HD forums. I was very fortunate in picking up a 2002 Low Rider last year with just 54 miles on it, so the chain tensioner wasn't an issue and is something I'll not have to worry too much about until the bike's done over 10k miles, which is when I'll start checking them. As soon as they start showing any signs of wear I'll replace them. Not sure what the mileage is at the moment - I keep the odo on trip, but last time I looked it was just over 2k miles
All the info you'll ever need is on here, so just ask when th etime arises and someone will be along to answer any questions - you'll get many different answers but hey - variety is the spice of life so they say.
Some pics and the story of my Dyna here if you're interested:
http://www.oldgitbiker.pwp.blueyonde...ide_Page_1.htm
Derv