Why choose a Custom over a Wide Glide?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
I just went with a new '11 Super Glide, but my motives may not be applicable to you. I was looking for a good low-mileage used Harley and discovered that due to unrealistic asking prices on used bikes coupled with price reductions on new ones I could do better buying new. Knowing that to my mind anyway most all Big Twins are just slightly different takes on the same theme and given my long history of love for all of them, I just went looking for the cheapest new one I could find and it turned out to be the FXDC. Heck, I never even drove it before I took it home.
So far I love the bike. Is it different from my '03 Fatboy? Yeah, but I love them both. Guess I ain't too picky; a 200 mile day is iron-butting it for me these days so I can pretty much live with whatever. And the FXDC is vaguely reminiscent to me of my old original '71 Super Glide. I haven't checked but I swear I think even the seat pleating is the same as my '71.
One thing I'd think about which luckily worked out for me is the foot controls. I'm 5'-11" but must have short legs or something. So while I really like the position of the floorboards on my Fatty I found the factory forward controls on the Dynas to be too far away for me to control the bike comfortably at low speeds. But the mids, while great for low speed control, seemed like they might cramp me up a little on longer rides. The solution for me was simply a set of plain ol' highway pegs and I now have the best of both.
I know most will disagree with this philosophy, but I say hey, don't overthink it. Just get what appeals to you and get out in the wind before it's too late for the season.
So far I love the bike. Is it different from my '03 Fatboy? Yeah, but I love them both. Guess I ain't too picky; a 200 mile day is iron-butting it for me these days so I can pretty much live with whatever. And the FXDC is vaguely reminiscent to me of my old original '71 Super Glide. I haven't checked but I swear I think even the seat pleating is the same as my '71.
One thing I'd think about which luckily worked out for me is the foot controls. I'm 5'-11" but must have short legs or something. So while I really like the position of the floorboards on my Fatty I found the factory forward controls on the Dynas to be too far away for me to control the bike comfortably at low speeds. But the mids, while great for low speed control, seemed like they might cramp me up a little on longer rides. The solution for me was simply a set of plain ol' highway pegs and I now have the best of both.
I know most will disagree with this philosophy, but I say hey, don't overthink it. Just get what appeals to you and get out in the wind before it's too late for the season.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
Narrower front tire will be effected more on steel grate bridges, rain groves, lane grooves, road surface irregularities.
Also as the front gets raked handling is lessened.
Wide front forks and tall skinny wheel makes the Wide Glide look unbalanced. As if the front is to lightweight for the rear. Causing the appearance that two wrecked bikes were put together. A light weight one with the rear damaged and one heavy weight one with the front damaged.
Any way you will get enough people to say this bike looks better then that bike. Or function of this bike is better then that one. People agreeing with you or disagreeing you is not how to decide which bike to get. You have to ask what you get for your money then decide.
This is what the Wide Glide gives you a look at the expense of handling, and HD charges $2000 more.
So how much do you valve look over function?
So how much do you mind paying $2000 more for a bike?
So how much would you rather save $2000 on the price of the bike and use that $2000 for accessories?
Also as the front gets raked handling is lessened.
Wide front forks and tall skinny wheel makes the Wide Glide look unbalanced. As if the front is to lightweight for the rear. Causing the appearance that two wrecked bikes were put together. A light weight one with the rear damaged and one heavy weight one with the front damaged.
Any way you will get enough people to say this bike looks better then that bike. Or function of this bike is better then that one. People agreeing with you or disagreeing you is not how to decide which bike to get. You have to ask what you get for your money then decide.
This is what the Wide Glide gives you a look at the expense of handling, and HD charges $2000 more.
So how much do you valve look over function?
So how much do you mind paying $2000 more for a bike?
So how much would you rather save $2000 on the price of the bike and use that $2000 for accessories?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Bel Air, MD
When I was looking I checked out both bikes and the Custom was a much better bike for me. I'm 5'9" so the mid controls feel perfect for me and like someone already mentioned I will put highway pegs on the engine guards and will have the best of both worlds. I love the looks of the WG, but I prefer the classic looks of the Custom much better. Only way to really make a decision is take them out and you'll know. I also couldn't really justify the price difference in the WG over the Custom. Either way both bikes are great rides!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
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