Style vs. Functionality Question!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
If you plan on traveling at all keep the stock fender and full length shocks.If most of what you do is short haul the choice is obvious.I think a Bob can look OK with bags especially leather throw overs.But, If you want bigger or hard bags it looks better with a full length fender.There have been some really cool FL style conversions done with these bikes but IMO hard bags look hella stupid with a bobbed fender.I chopped my stock 06 fender and it really limits what I can do with the rear end.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Trick up the dyna, (sounds to me like that's what you really want to do) then pick up a used Electra Glide off ebay for when you travel or need bags. From what I see, there seem to be plenty of them and pretty cheap.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
I know this isn't the same, but I've recently lowered my softail 2" and ride comfort does not seem to be compromised in any way (so long as the road is smooth). It still tracks good, and highways are still fairly pleasant. So, I don't see how lowering 1" will be a big difference in that regard. But, again, softail vs dyna...if you catch my drift.
If you keep your struts, garage leathers makes some bags that look really good. I think they complement the bike very well. http://garageleathers.com/bags
I personally think that the stock fender looks good. BUT, lowering it even one inch will make a BIG improvement in the looks department.
If you keep your struts, garage leathers makes some bags that look really good. I think they complement the bike very well. http://garageleathers.com/bags
I personally think that the stock fender looks good. BUT, lowering it even one inch will make a BIG improvement in the looks department.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I havent ever found bags that look "cool" or that I would rather leave on than take off. The best looking luggage is the sissy bar mounted Super T bag which allows alot of space and its very quickly removable. My idea of good looking luggage is the kind that I can ditch in my tent or Hotel room and go riding without leftover ugly hardware when removed. Luggage is luggage and no matter how nice it is the bike will look better without it. That is my opinion and I am sure many others have different ones. I had to give ya a hard time about that voodoo kit. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
get the voodoo fender, that thing is the ****.
as far as your luggage concerns, i have a kuryakyn roll bag that attaches to my bars.
this past summer i packed a week's worth of clothes in it and went on a trip.
rolled up 5 t-shirts, a pair of jeans, a bathing suit, 5 pairs of socks, and a few wife beaters. bungeed a sweatshirt and a jacket on top of that and went on my way.
as far as your luggage concerns, i have a kuryakyn roll bag that attaches to my bars.
this past summer i packed a week's worth of clothes in it and went on a trip.
rolled up 5 t-shirts, a pair of jeans, a bathing suit, 5 pairs of socks, and a few wife beaters. bungeed a sweatshirt and a jacket on top of that and went on my way.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Special Ed: do you regret chopping it?
Doc J: You said highway is fairly pleasant, whats the negative side?
Parts Eeter: Hahaha yea yea yea, but its a sick fender!
Toastman: Wow I never even thought about the front roll lugage, that would def work with a backpack too which would allow me to chop my fender...hmmm...good point!!!
Doc J: You said highway is fairly pleasant, whats the negative side?
Parts Eeter: Hahaha yea yea yea, but its a sick fender!
Toastman: Wow I never even thought about the front roll lugage, that would def work with a backpack too which would allow me to chop my fender...hmmm...good point!!!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
Although I can feel the road more, the quality of feel going down the highway does not seem to be overly compromised. Meaning, when there are grooves, I can feel them a bit more, but I can still go just as far as I did before without issue.
I hope that helps. Going 1" lower is a good compromise, I think, between function and style. You still keep most all the comfort, and gain a lot of style points.
(But, then again, I have a friend lower her dyna 3" (don't know how...her husband insists it is a secret...) and she rode it trouble free from Joplin, MO to Sturgis this last year. Put over 2k miles on it in a matter of days. I have a lot of questions myself. lol)
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
A handlebar rollbag definitely opens some possibilities.
Something you should also consider if using the Voo Doo fender is that ALL of the bikes pictured with that fender have 18x5.5 rear wheels.
A positive to that fender is that you can adjust the fender down to tighten the clearances in between the tire and fender without having to lower it drastically.
I was going to use that fender with my 18x5.5 rear with a 200/55/18 tire. Adjust the fender down as far as possible. Use 11.5 Progressive 812s I believe with the lighted top option and make those shock lights the turn signals.
This combo would allow use of that fender while retaining stock footpeg height and a tighter gap within the fender to tire. I say if you are diggin it do it. It is the best looking bolt on fender made for that bike.
It will be
That fender does hold weight so throwover bags will work as well.
Something you should also consider if using the Voo Doo fender is that ALL of the bikes pictured with that fender have 18x5.5 rear wheels.
A positive to that fender is that you can adjust the fender down to tighten the clearances in between the tire and fender without having to lower it drastically.
I was going to use that fender with my 18x5.5 rear with a 200/55/18 tire. Adjust the fender down as far as possible. Use 11.5 Progressive 812s I believe with the lighted top option and make those shock lights the turn signals.
This combo would allow use of that fender while retaining stock footpeg height and a tighter gap within the fender to tire. I say if you are diggin it do it. It is the best looking bolt on fender made for that bike.
It will be
That fender does hold weight so throwover bags will work as well.