Dyna vs Sportster...
Yes, they can both be improved, as stated.
However, if you ride your 883l to a dealership and test ride a Dyna, you will be amazed the difference.
I put airshocks on my sporty low and it was a huge improvement. But when I get off it and get onto the stock suspended Wide Glide at the shop, it is still significantly a better ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
My first Harley was a 2008 883L. Had it for a year and traded for a 2007 FXDC. Thinking back, I should have gotten the 883R as its a much better handling bike than the low. I am 5'6"", 190 lbs.
The Dyna is much better at handling and higher speeds. The center of gravity seemed to be lower so I felt more comfortable. Also the 5 speed tranny on the 883 was too buzzy at speed and really needed higher gearing. Suspension wise, I think the L was softer, but then the FXDC isnt that great either.
You wont go wrong with the Dyna.
The Dyna is much better at handling and higher speeds. The center of gravity seemed to be lower so I felt more comfortable. Also the 5 speed tranny on the 883 was too buzzy at speed and really needed higher gearing. Suspension wise, I think the L was softer, but then the FXDC isnt that great either.
You wont go wrong with the Dyna.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Stiperstones
I had an '05 883 Custom for 6˝ years. During that time I tried a number of different shocks:
I was around 210 lbs, BTW. I had Progressive lowering springs, and latterly Ricor Intiminators, in the forks.
- Stock 11ž",
- Progressive 412 11",
- Progressive 440 11",
- Ultima air shocks 11ž",
- Home assembled shocks with the bodies and preload adjusters from one type of H-D shocks, the springs from another, and homemade spring spacers cut from polypropylene chopping boards with two sizes of holesaw,
- Öhlins S36E # HD 745 11.65".
I was around 210 lbs, BTW. I had Progressive lowering springs, and latterly Ricor Intiminators, in the forks.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Stiperstones
I haven't had a Street Bob long, but here are my initial impressions of the differences vs the Sportster:
It actually has a seat height lower than any Sportster model, and with much better suspension. Yes, it's heavier, but it's not that much heavier. And the bigger engine more than makes up for it. I'm not sure exactly how the power to weight ratio compares to a 1200 Sportster, but there's quite a bit more torque. It's certainly a lot faster than my (mildly tuned) 883.
It's more comfortable: I feel the bumps in the road far less than on the Sportster. It definitely feels like the centre of gravity is lower, which gives a more reassuring, but less dynamic, feel in corners; with a lower CofG, it seems you need to lean it more. Generally, though, I'd say the handling is quite similar to the Sportster.
When riding I don't really notice the few more inches of wheelbase or the extra weight; it doesn't really feel like a bigger bike particularly.
It has different characteristics of throttle and clutch control, which need more care at low revs. In very slow turns, or when going around roundabouts (traffic circles, rotaries?) I often have to slip the clutch a little, whereas on the Sportster I could just use the throttle, and leave the clutch completely alone.
The mini ape bars mean that you sit in a much more upright position, and this makes the wind at highway speeds much more uncomfortable than it was on the Sportster. I do love the mini apes though.
It actually has a seat height lower than any Sportster model, and with much better suspension. Yes, it's heavier, but it's not that much heavier. And the bigger engine more than makes up for it. I'm not sure exactly how the power to weight ratio compares to a 1200 Sportster, but there's quite a bit more torque. It's certainly a lot faster than my (mildly tuned) 883.
It's more comfortable: I feel the bumps in the road far less than on the Sportster. It definitely feels like the centre of gravity is lower, which gives a more reassuring, but less dynamic, feel in corners; with a lower CofG, it seems you need to lean it more. Generally, though, I'd say the handling is quite similar to the Sportster.
When riding I don't really notice the few more inches of wheelbase or the extra weight; it doesn't really feel like a bigger bike particularly.
It has different characteristics of throttle and clutch control, which need more care at low revs. In very slow turns, or when going around roundabouts (traffic circles, rotaries?) I often have to slip the clutch a little, whereas on the Sportster I could just use the throttle, and leave the clutch completely alone.
The mini ape bars mean that you sit in a much more upright position, and this makes the wind at highway speeds much more uncomfortable than it was on the Sportster. I do love the mini apes though.
I went from a 09 Nightster to a 12 Wide Glide and can say the ride is so much better.However I had stock suspension on both bikes so I can't comment on how either bike would ride with a upgraded suspension.The sportster handled a little better at slower speeds not much though and it was quicker out of the hole,but I had some "stuff" on it where as the WG is stock aside from some V&H slip ons.I miss my Nightster but given the choice i would choose my WG over it,more comfortable ride for me and the wife.Good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Finland
I had 08 Nightster, and loved it. I just had a need for something older, with carburetor and rubber mount. While have already had Sporty and Softail, I thought, hell, lets try Dyna. I got 1995 FXD old enough, but not too old to be unreliable condition. I dont regret the change, but sometimes I miss my Nighty....
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: new jersey
i had a 05 sporty 883xl converted to 1200. shortly after getting the bike i swapped out the front and rear suspension with progressinve shocks and springs.
that bike would see a manhole cover coming and bottom out in fear before even hitting it.
once i swapped out the suspension, it was fine.
i now ride a 09 fxdc, and am still running with the stock suspension. one up, or two up, it handles the bumps just fine.
eventually when the shocks wear out on the dyna, i will switch over to progressives again, but it will be due to mileage and wear, not because they were weak from the get go.
that bike would see a manhole cover coming and bottom out in fear before even hitting it.
once i swapped out the suspension, it was fine.
i now ride a 09 fxdc, and am still running with the stock suspension. one up, or two up, it handles the bumps just fine.
eventually when the shocks wear out on the dyna, i will switch over to progressives again, but it will be due to mileage and wear, not because they were weak from the get go.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 239
From: northeast
i went from a nightster to a WG back in june and the difference is night and day
you can get all the opinions in the world but until you take a test ride as someone
suggested you wont really know for sure..... go take a test ride
you can get all the opinions in the world but until you take a test ride as someone
suggested you wont really know for sure..... go take a test ride
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
I bought an 06 1200 sportster custom in feb this year, put around 15000 km on it then traded it for an 11 superglide in Sep which I put around 5000 km before putting it away.
I did a sort of test by doing a similar ride with both bikes. The ride was around 850 kms long with a mix of road types and basically same conditions. At the end of the ride with the sportster (I had installed 12" 412's about 200 kms before), I was tired and a little sore, with the superglide I was OK, not nearly as tired and not sore at all. I think it has something to do with the weight of the superglide it doesn't seem to hit bumps as hard nor react as harshly as the sportster did.. result is a smoother ride. I also did a 1000 kim/ 14 hr ride on the superglide and could have gone further, with the sporster I would have been much more tired and pretty much done for the day.
I did a sort of test by doing a similar ride with both bikes. The ride was around 850 kms long with a mix of road types and basically same conditions. At the end of the ride with the sportster (I had installed 12" 412's about 200 kms before), I was tired and a little sore, with the superglide I was OK, not nearly as tired and not sore at all. I think it has something to do with the weight of the superglide it doesn't seem to hit bumps as hard nor react as harshly as the sportster did.. result is a smoother ride. I also did a 1000 kim/ 14 hr ride on the superglide and could have gone further, with the sporster I would have been much more tired and pretty much done for the day.