Dyna Handling Performance
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Dyna Handling Performance
I'm looking into getting a Dyna and wanted to know how well they can be set up to run the twisties. I have an XR1200 and an Ultra Limited, great bikes but not up to hanging with my metric friends without a whole lot of effort. We a are not knee dragging, just spirited back road riding.
When I ride with them now it's on a metric sport tourer and really want to ride an HD with the group. The XR I have is fine for short rides but a long run without a 6th gear it gets a bit buzzy.
Any ideas or experience with a particular Dyna? Any suspension ideas? Maybe a link to a website.
Many Thanks
When I ride with them now it's on a metric sport tourer and really want to ride an HD with the group. The XR I have is fine for short rides but a long run without a 6th gear it gets a bit buzzy.
Any ideas or experience with a particular Dyna? Any suspension ideas? Maybe a link to a website.
Many Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
I ride 07fxdb, set-up with fxdx shocks in back, heavier fork oil in front. Very comfortable, great for twisties. fxdx shocks are Harley stock, from early 2000's Dyna model. Raises back about 1", for more lean angle. Adjustable pre-load and damping.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I'm looking into getting a Dyna and wanted to know how well they can be set up to run the twisties. I have an XR1200 and an Ultra Limited, great bikes but not up to hanging with my metric friends without a whole lot of effort. We a are not knee dragging, just spirited back road riding.
When I ride with them now it's on a metric sport tourer and really want to ride an HD with the group. The XR I have is fine for short rides but a long run without a 6th gear it gets a bit buzzy.
Any ideas or experience with a particular Dyna? Any suspension ideas? Maybe a link to a website.
Many Thanks
When I ride with them now it's on a metric sport tourer and really want to ride an HD with the group. The XR I have is fine for short rides but a long run without a 6th gear it gets a bit buzzy.
Any ideas or experience with a particular Dyna? Any suspension ideas? Maybe a link to a website.
Many Thanks
I like all the Dynas, if I had not had to shop the best price I would have bought a Fat Bob. But the Street Bob or Wide Glide or Super Glide are all nice bikes. I really like the trees and rake on the Wide Glide.
Ideally if I win the lottery I will keep my Bob and buy a Heritage also.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
dynas are great bikes. I can tour on mine and have lots of fun in the twisties. I have ridden the xr1200 and it handles great, but I dont know that i would want to ride it on any long rides.
mine is an 06 superglide. I have done the following over the years to improve the ride. Metzler tires front and rear, true-track, ricor intiminators and amsoil 10w shock therapy in the forks, 12.5 " ricor sport tuned rear shocks. Others will offer other suggestions and I can't compare mine to thiers, but I am very happy with the way my bike performs.
Superglides will have a little more suspension than say a low rider or street bob. Street bobs and low riders come with 12 rear shocks as regular superglide comes with 12.5. Wide glides are very nice bikes but come with a skinny front tire and more raked out front end, so that is not going to help you in the twisties.
mine is an 06 superglide. I have done the following over the years to improve the ride. Metzler tires front and rear, true-track, ricor intiminators and amsoil 10w shock therapy in the forks, 12.5 " ricor sport tuned rear shocks. Others will offer other suggestions and I can't compare mine to thiers, but I am very happy with the way my bike performs.
Superglides will have a little more suspension than say a low rider or street bob. Street bobs and low riders come with 12 rear shocks as regular superglide comes with 12.5. Wide glides are very nice bikes but come with a skinny front tire and more raked out front end, so that is not going to help you in the twisties.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
The fatboy is a softail. The fat bob is a dyna. The fat bob is probably a good choice. It is overall my favorite dyna, plus it comes with dual front disks.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
A quick check of the HD site shows the following pertinent specs:
Street Bob: rake 29 deg, trail 4.7 inches, weight 667+
Wide Glide: rake 34 deg, trail 5.2 inches, weight 665+
Fat Bob: rake 29 deg, trail 4.9 inches, weight 703+
None of these are candidates for keeping up with metric sport tourers...I've ridden the Fat Bob (and the XR1200) and if I had to replace my Dyna I'd look for a Fat Bob with mid-controls and do a 103 with an emphasis on torque...lots easier to ride in the twisties; will help keeping up to the metrics if they start to get away...also the dual front discs and larger front tire will be nice. I have a hard time keeping up to most metric Sport Tourers in the twisties, the torque helps...but big factors with HD's are the weight, crude suspension and tires designed for long life on heavy bikes...not to mention brakes.
I've also ridden lots of "other" bikes including Aprilia, BMW, Honda etc...
2001 FXDXT 103inch 111hp/117tq with 100ft lbs at 2200rpm. 607 lbs w/ half tank of gas
Street Bob: rake 29 deg, trail 4.7 inches, weight 667+
Wide Glide: rake 34 deg, trail 5.2 inches, weight 665+
Fat Bob: rake 29 deg, trail 4.9 inches, weight 703+
None of these are candidates for keeping up with metric sport tourers...I've ridden the Fat Bob (and the XR1200) and if I had to replace my Dyna I'd look for a Fat Bob with mid-controls and do a 103 with an emphasis on torque...lots easier to ride in the twisties; will help keeping up to the metrics if they start to get away...also the dual front discs and larger front tire will be nice. I have a hard time keeping up to most metric Sport Tourers in the twisties, the torque helps...but big factors with HD's are the weight, crude suspension and tires designed for long life on heavy bikes...not to mention brakes.
I've also ridden lots of "other" bikes including Aprilia, BMW, Honda etc...
2001 FXDXT 103inch 111hp/117tq with 100ft lbs at 2200rpm. 607 lbs w/ half tank of gas
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 839
Likes: 1
From: USA
I have a 2010 FXDC and my brothers have Honda ST1100s. You won't keep up unless they want you to. I tell them I will meet them at the end and to have my beer waiting. Dynas are cruisers and touring and thats why I bought it. I lost my nerve for the hair pins.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Originally Posted by From Harley's website
Super Glide - Lowrider - Street Bob
Length 92.9 in. - 93.1 in. - 92.8 in.
Seat Height
Laden 26.8 in. - 25.8 in. - 25.8 in.
Unladen 27.8 in. - 26.8 in. - 26.8 in.
Ground Clearance 6.0 in. - 5.6 in. -5.6 in.
Rake Steering Head/Trail 29.0ş / 4.7 in. - 29.0ş / 4.5 in. - 29.0ş / 4.7 in.
Wheelbase 64.2 in. - 64.6 in. - 64.2 in.
Give me a minute and I will find the wide glide spec
Here they are
Wide Glide
length 94"
Seat 25.5 and 26.7
Rake 34 degrees, looks nice and handles great at speeds, not as good I would think for curves though.
Wheel base 68.3"
------------------
Fat Bob (not Boy)
length 91.7
Seat 26.1 and 27
Rake 29 degrees
Wheelbase 63.7
Last edited by R_W_B; Mar 2, 2011 at 09:01 AM.