So what is the critical difference between the two ? Noticed a thread where a Switchback (described as a small Bagger) was wrapped flat black......but one comment was that this WAS NOT A BAGGER. My Street Bob is only 2 inches shorter than a tourer and uses the same size engine.....it will shortly be sporting a King Tour Pak, wrap round LED lighting and an airwing rack.....is it still a ''Bobber''....or what ??

 

It is easier to answer what is the same between the two:
The drive train.

They have different:
frames
frame geometry
suspension

But,
There isn't any reason in the world you can't set-up your Dyna to tour.

I can "convert " my Dyna for touring in a very short time.
Pull the handlebars back as far as I can without them hitting the tank at the stops on each side.
Add mid pegs
Add a large detachable windshield
Add a tank bag
Add thowover saddle bags
Add T-bags
Now ready for serious mileage.

It isn't a bagger, but it will take you wherever you want to go.

 

Still a Bobber with bagger stuff. Suspension and the type of engine are different. Same size but different.

 

Critical difference? well the price I'd say! Sorry scot, I had to! It's a whole other kind of bike. those baggers weigh up to 950lbs. yours, ours are still not baggers whatever we add or do to them. I like mine stripped right down for looks , but 90% of the time I have those saddlebags (in my sig) on there and the HD detachable windscreen. Those are the two basic luxury's I can't seem to go without.

 

Bunch of BS is all. The frame and suspension has some differences, and the brakes are a little better, but nothing is stopping you from putting a set of bags on a Dyna and taking off cross country as long as your bike is comfortable enough for you. I am pretty tall and I feel like a cramped up giant on a touring bike, but feel just fine on my wide glide.

 

OH and I have to say, I have no limit to how long I can ride with my dyna. Week long trips long *** days.... bring em on!

 

Actually you are incorrect. The Dyna and Bagger models both have the Twin Cam "A" Motor that is rubber mounted. Same motor in the Dyna and the FLH models. A motor from a Dyna will bolt into a bagger and vice versa.

The Softail has a rigid mounted Twin Cam "B" counterbalanced version of the motor.

 

Don't get your undies in a bunch DM1975. To the OP, when someone refers to a "bagger", they're referring to a FAMILY of bikes, which covers all of the bikes in Harley's touring family. And as mentioned above, that doesn't mean that you can't ride what you've got all day and all across the Country.

 

Why in the **** do you feel the need to single me out? THAT pisses me off, not someone saying a Dyna isn't a bagger. I could give two ***** what you call it but in the end it is a bunch of BS. If you want to spend the extra for a damn garbage wagon then more power to you, but it doesn't make some super secret formula for being able to go long distance or carry something with you. It's still two wheels, the same damn motor and tranny, handlebars, and a seat.

 

I currently own both, an Ultra and an an FXDB. I might also add, over the course of several decades I have owned 3 Super Glides and 3 Harley Touring bikes. I have no idea how many I have ridden (that belonged to friends). I state that only so you can put my opinion in some context. IMHO they are both great platforms. Either will do any resonable type of riding and will do it well. I have in the past toured on a Dyna and a number of my friends still do. The advantage of the touring bikes is simple - pure comfort. The comfort extends to the passenger. Even today I could MANAGE to travel across country on a Dyna, but I would be unable to do so with my wife. With the Ultra the travel is much more enjoyable. I have storage for everything in the world, tunes, cruise, weather protection second to none, a great seat and my wife is happy. My Dyna satisfies my needs when I want a basic machine for around town, on a quick jaunt on the backroads or when out with the guys and the light weight and quick response of the Dyna better suits our riding style. In sum I love both bkes. To me they serve different purposes, but either in a pinch can perform the "job" of the other. What bike is rght for you depends on a number of factors not the least of which is - which style bike "floats your boat". Being married and where I am in life, if I could only have one bike, it without a doubt would be a touring bike. However, even today, if I was single and could only own one bike, it would be a Dyna (and while most my friends my age would disagree). I enjoy the performance of the Dyna so much that I would put up with some discomfort on our long trips.