Street Bob vs. Night Train
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 8
From: Indiana
Put Progressive 430's on, dropped in some Progressive springs, added polyurethane bushings, kept the mid controls, but added highway pegs so I can have a couple positions for my legs and love the way my SB rides now.... It's a different bike than when I bought it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
Well, I don't have any real experience with a NT, but my buddy has a softail standard with risers and drag bars, which is pretty much the same as a NT, and I've ridden that.
Shifting: No idea why your SB is clunkier shifting. My SB w/ forwards shifts smooth as silk. No difference between the two bikes. Different primary oil perhaps? Also, check to make sure your shifter linkage moves with no obstruction.
Steering/Cornering. The SB has way less rake than the NT. This means the NT is stable as a freight train in the straights, but takes more steering input to turn. The SB will be more "twitchy" meaning it takes less steering input to turn. As far as having to "I feel like I need to hold on or else." Unless your bike is screwed up, you probably just need to get used to it. I've ridden my SB for miles no-handed on the slab, and it doesn't feel unstable at all to me.
Forward controls: The dyna forwards have you way more stretched out than the softail ones, that's why they feel different.
Clutch: I believe it was 2006 that Harley put a new clutch spring in the big twins, resulting in easier clutch activation. The cable on your NT may have needed lubrication also.
Throttle: The NT had drag bars on tallish risers, resulting in much more of a stretch to the grips. I actually have run that setup on all my bikes, as I have "monkey arms" that need to have the bars forward for a comfortable position.
Braking: I think HD may have upgraded the brakes between 2004 and 2007. Also, the SB is a lighter bike, but not by a lot. (around 10lbs)
Overall Handling: As far as the NT feeling more balanced at a stop, the NT seat height is 25.2" and the SB seat height is 28.8" More than an inch and a half lower for the NT which is a huge difference when balancing the bike.
I hope you come to like your SB, and have may enjoyable miles on it.
Crazy
Shifting: No idea why your SB is clunkier shifting. My SB w/ forwards shifts smooth as silk. No difference between the two bikes. Different primary oil perhaps? Also, check to make sure your shifter linkage moves with no obstruction.
Steering/Cornering. The SB has way less rake than the NT. This means the NT is stable as a freight train in the straights, but takes more steering input to turn. The SB will be more "twitchy" meaning it takes less steering input to turn. As far as having to "I feel like I need to hold on or else." Unless your bike is screwed up, you probably just need to get used to it. I've ridden my SB for miles no-handed on the slab, and it doesn't feel unstable at all to me.
Forward controls: The dyna forwards have you way more stretched out than the softail ones, that's why they feel different.
Clutch: I believe it was 2006 that Harley put a new clutch spring in the big twins, resulting in easier clutch activation. The cable on your NT may have needed lubrication also.
Throttle: The NT had drag bars on tallish risers, resulting in much more of a stretch to the grips. I actually have run that setup on all my bikes, as I have "monkey arms" that need to have the bars forward for a comfortable position.
Braking: I think HD may have upgraded the brakes between 2004 and 2007. Also, the SB is a lighter bike, but not by a lot. (around 10lbs)
Overall Handling: As far as the NT feeling more balanced at a stop, the NT seat height is 25.2" and the SB seat height is 28.8" More than an inch and a half lower for the NT which is a huge difference when balancing the bike.
I hope you come to like your SB, and have may enjoyable miles on it.
Crazy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
Im not sure what you're looking for here, as you posted this up in the dyna section...
Nt a flame at you at all, just I think it'd help us all if you told us what youre looking for in terms of responses.
I made the switch from a heritage/fatboy to my street bob but it'd be useless to compare them as the softail was a carbed evo 5 speed and of course the dyna is an efi twin cam 6 speed.
As you can see, the bikes are set up completely differently as well...making comparisons even more useless.
Not everyone is comfortable on my bike, but I am and that's all that counts. The rideis hard, im slammed down low on a stripped barebones seat, my bars are high, pipes are loud, forward controls, on and on. But I set it up for me not anyone else.
Again, I'm not much help as I don't know if you were looking for opinions, if you were endorsing the dyna, or what...but that's my experience
Nt a flame at you at all, just I think it'd help us all if you told us what youre looking for in terms of responses.
I made the switch from a heritage/fatboy to my street bob but it'd be useless to compare them as the softail was a carbed evo 5 speed and of course the dyna is an efi twin cam 6 speed.
As you can see, the bikes are set up completely differently as well...making comparisons even more useless.
Not everyone is comfortable on my bike, but I am and that's all that counts. The rideis hard, im slammed down low on a stripped barebones seat, my bars are high, pipes are loud, forward controls, on and on. But I set it up for me not anyone else.
Again, I'm not much help as I don't know if you were looking for opinions, if you were endorsing the dyna, or what...but that's my experience
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo Ca
i went from an 09 night train to my 2011 sb. sb is in sig and night train is my avatar pic. My sb outhandles the train by a mile. the train looked good and rode good on the freeway but thats about it. turning, power, and fun all go to the sb. change out the shocks for some nice ones also it makes a world of difference.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Thanks everyone!
You have all answered any questions I asked or didn't ask, for that matter.
I should have jumped on my Street Bob right after riding the Night Train before I posted this thread. I can honestly say I now operate my Street Bob more confidently and nearly everything seems easier and more comfortable. I am sure many of you have experienced this as well when going from one bike to another.
This forum is great!
@toastman: no worries. I posted the thread just to share my experience. I asked for input here and there and got exactly what I wanted.
Here in Iowa it will hit 70 degrees fahrenheit today! Tomorrow: 52 degrees!!! Comfort season is almost over. I need more thermal clothing ;-)
I should have jumped on my Street Bob right after riding the Night Train before I posted this thread. I can honestly say I now operate my Street Bob more confidently and nearly everything seems easier and more comfortable. I am sure many of you have experienced this as well when going from one bike to another.
This forum is great!
@toastman: no worries. I posted the thread just to share my experience. I asked for input here and there and got exactly what I wanted.
Here in Iowa it will hit 70 degrees fahrenheit today! Tomorrow: 52 degrees!!! Comfort season is almost over. I need more thermal clothing ;-)
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Western KY
I've had both, a 2008 Train, and now the 2011 Bob. I loved the Train, and it sure was a fun ride, but now that I have a Dyna, not sure I would ever go back to the Softie. Now, when the time comes, I will be getting me another bagger...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
You have all answered any questions I asked or didn't ask, for that matter.
I should have jumped on my Street Bob right after riding the Night Train before I posted this thread. I can honestly say I now operate my Street Bob more confidently and nearly everything seems easier and more comfortable. I am sure many of you have experienced this as well when going from one bike to another.
This forum is great!
@toastman: no worries. I posted the thread just to share my experience. I asked for input here and there and got exactly what I wanted.
Here in Iowa it will hit 70 degrees fahrenheit today! Tomorrow: 52 degrees!!! Comfort season is almost over. I need more thermal clothing ;-)
I should have jumped on my Street Bob right after riding the Night Train before I posted this thread. I can honestly say I now operate my Street Bob more confidently and nearly everything seems easier and more comfortable. I am sure many of you have experienced this as well when going from one bike to another.
This forum is great!
@toastman: no worries. I posted the thread just to share my experience. I asked for input here and there and got exactly what I wanted.
Here in Iowa it will hit 70 degrees fahrenheit today! Tomorrow: 52 degrees!!! Comfort season is almost over. I need more thermal clothing ;-)
Like rounder said, it sounds like you need to make a few front end adjustments to your bike.
I've locked the throttle at 75 and taken my hands off the bars without giving it a second thought.
52 is still sweatshirt weather. Break out the cold gear when it's 32 lol.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
I've only test ridden a fatboy which I didn't really like. I find the gear change on my Fat Bob really good, and getting better as I put the miles on. Not as slick as my Honda, but not bad at all.
If you want clunky gear changes you should try a BMW. I had a ride on a boxer and that really had a bad gear change.
If you want clunky gear changes you should try a BMW. I had a ride on a boxer and that really had a bad gear change.