Hello,
I made a few posts and lurked, but now it is official. I am a Dyna. I am posting the ride differences that I posted on the Sportster forum and a pic.



From XL1200C to FXDC
Driving out of the dealership I noticed right away that the turn signal indicator on the FXDC is harder to see. Maybe I am used to it being in a different place from the XL but also the indicator bar is smoked and light up “filtered” compared to the XL which was brighter.
Of course it rides differently, but what is it…….. well for one the tank and motor is wider and I noticed that I feel the horn and AC cover more than I ever remember on the XL. In addition to the width, or maybe because of, it feels like the brake and shifter(forward controls) are closer to the bike and a little less accessible than the XL. If the shifter and brake pedal were extended out a little then I may have never felt this.
There is the other part of how it rides that is just due to the fact that it is a Dyna vs. Sportster. The ride is heavier, the lean is less(or it feels like less cause it is my first new Harley and I am not pushing it like I did on the XL) both front and rear shocks are better(again maybe this is b/c it is new bike vs. old),
The wider tires play a great role in comfort. I was very pleased with the 21front, but now I have the 19. Many try for the 16s front and back, but I enjoyed my 21 while I had it, and I recommend it. Now that my tires are fatter I think the ride is smoother over small road bumps.
I rode 160 miles with my dad. To the dealer for things he needed on his bike, then we went out to the Salt Lick for the worlds best BBQ. He has a root beer colored 2011 Softail Deluxe and along with my new bike and great Texas weather on great Texas roads we had a blast. There was a thread around here about “how do you wave” and we saw it all. From the “fist of power” to the common “wave down” to the excited “wave in the air”, every moto on the road was having a good time.
If any of you XL die-hards are thinking of going bigger without going bagger, after 160 miles of Dyna experience I would recommend it.
Ride safe.

 

congrats on the dyna and welcome to the dyna mania !

 

Congrats..Short Shots look great on it ! You won't be sorry you made the switch. Anytime I ride my wife's Sporty I can't wait to get back on the Dyna..

 

Good observations. Some of the "fit" issues are things you'll adapt to pretty quickly. I have both a 08 XL1200L and a 07 FXDB and go back and forth often.

Interesting that you didn't comment on the performance differences. This is where I find the biggest change.

Thanks for the input!

 

I dig that orange paint man!

 

Nice bike man, love the colr choice. I just made the switch from an 883 sporty to the 12 fxdc myself. Loving every second of it so far! Test rode one last weekend, then got depressed riding my sporster back home. Went and traded up the next day!

 

Performance was WOW. I was kinda waiting to be instigated with a comment like this... performance was very WOW.
still breaking her in so I have not driven her crazy yet. Have not gotten into sixth gear yet. gonna do that today. I'll keep you posted.

 

Just last week I also switched from a XL1200c to a Dyna (FatBob). The ride is great. Control accessibility is different as you say but I find myself adapting nicely to it. Heavier by quite a bit but the ride is smooth. The 6 speed tranny is a definite plus. Power with the 103 is outstanding. Two up which we do quite a bit is so much moe enjoyable.
The lean with the FatBob I find to be easier, better, and more comfortable at speed than the Sporty. You are right, the indicators are not as much in your face as they were but again it is just a matter of adapting from what we are used to! I also ended up with HD Orange!
Enjoy the ride.

 

Welcome aboard. I did the 883 to FXDC. a few weeks ago too. I miss my sporty but love the power and ride of the SG, especially 2 up. I too am a convert.
Great looking bike.

2012 FXDC Big Blue Pearl and acres of chrome

 

Whats uppppp!. Im gonna check spec differences on lean before I throw down any more comments about it. and My orange is HD Orange with Tequila Sunrise, my girl likes sparkly things......