Something faster.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
Hey all, I'm having a bit of an internal struggle. I love my wide glide, but something inside of me wants something faster. I am looking at the triumph speed triple right now, and am not sure if I want to pull the trigger on one. I can only afford one bike so having both is out of the question. Have any of you guys ever moved from a dyna to something a bit more sporty, or vice versa. Any input would be appreciated.
All depends on how far you want to go. As they say "how fast can you afford"?
For the bolt in crowd just pull your current motor for either a 120R or a 124, Slap on a set of 2-1 race pipes like the Bassani RR, install a set of Buell XB9 inverted forks, larger dual front discs and some light forged wheels (leaning towards a 16" front tire). Install a True Track, steering damper and install some nice rear reservoir shocks like Ohlins or Progressive 970's. Strap on a set of sticky tires and your heading the right direction.
Bob
For the bolt in crowd just pull your current motor for either a 120R or a 124, Slap on a set of 2-1 race pipes like the Bassani RR, install a set of Buell XB9 inverted forks, larger dual front discs and some light forged wheels (leaning towards a 16" front tire). Install a True Track, steering damper and install some nice rear reservoir shocks like Ohlins or Progressive 970's. Strap on a set of sticky tires and your heading the right direction.
Bob
Here's mine, does everything well.
Sport bike
I thought this was a Harley Forum. In my humble opinion there are 2 kinds of bikers. Those that have Harley's, and those that wish they had Harley's. Harley is best, F*** the rest. To sell a Wide Glide (my favorite Harley) to buy anything else is just plain crazy. But what the heck do I know, I have only been riding for 45 years.
If you really love your Wide Glide, just give it more power. Cams, bumping compression, and if you can afford it, head work will turn it into a different bike. Still will handle the same though, obviously.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 23
From: Heavenlies
IMO You have two choices if you want to stay with HD
1. Replace the motor in what you have with a 120" Jim's. That will def get you the speed your looking for.
2. Try out a VRod - you will be pleasantly surprised as they are probably as fast as any "built" Dyna.
And are extremely reliable and trouble free. Some high mileage ones on 1130cc.com many over 100k and a guy by the name of shoe that has one with 200k (pic attached)
I have had FLH FXS and FXD - Bought a VRod in 2009 traded for an 09 FLHR in 2010 (thinking I "had" to have a touring bike - BIG MISTAKE! Kept that slow FLHR for about 16 months and went back to the VRod.
I think you ought to at least try one out - the used ones are the deal of a lifetime as they are a real bargain.....if you look at used get an '08 and up as they have a 5 gallon tank and a 240 swing arm + Brembo brakes + they will def fill your need for speed. Check out www.1130cc.com and see for yourself. You may be surprised
1. Replace the motor in what you have with a 120" Jim's. That will def get you the speed your looking for.
2. Try out a VRod - you will be pleasantly surprised as they are probably as fast as any "built" Dyna.
And are extremely reliable and trouble free. Some high mileage ones on 1130cc.com many over 100k and a guy by the name of shoe that has one with 200k (pic attached)
I have had FLH FXS and FXD - Bought a VRod in 2009 traded for an 09 FLHR in 2010 (thinking I "had" to have a touring bike - BIG MISTAKE! Kept that slow FLHR for about 16 months and went back to the VRod.
I think you ought to at least try one out - the used ones are the deal of a lifetime as they are a real bargain.....if you look at used get an '08 and up as they have a 5 gallon tank and a 240 swing arm + Brembo brakes + they will def fill your need for speed. Check out www.1130cc.com and see for yourself. You may be surprised
Last edited by 10 RED RK; Jul 8, 2013 at 10:42 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
IMO You have two choices if you want to stay with HD
1. Replace the motor in what you have with a 120" Jim's. That will def get you the speed your looking for.
2. Try out a VRod - you will be pleasantly surprised as they are probably as fast as any "built" Dyna.
And are extremely reliable and trouble free. Some high mileage ones on 1130cc.com many over 100k and a guy by the name of shoe that has one with 200k (pic attached)
I have had FLH FXS and FXD - Bought a VRod in 2009 traded for an 09 FLHR in 2010 (thinking I "had" to have a touring bike - BIG MISTAKE! Kept that slow FLHR for about 16 months and went back to the VRod.
I think you ought to at least try one out - the used ones are the deal of a lifetime as they are a real bargain.....if you look at used get an '08 and up as they have a 5 gallon tank and a 240 swing arm + Brembo brakes + they will def fill your need for speed. Check out www.1130cc.com and see for yourself. You may be surprised
1. Replace the motor in what you have with a 120" Jim's. That will def get you the speed your looking for.
2. Try out a VRod - you will be pleasantly surprised as they are probably as fast as any "built" Dyna.
And are extremely reliable and trouble free. Some high mileage ones on 1130cc.com many over 100k and a guy by the name of shoe that has one with 200k (pic attached)
I have had FLH FXS and FXD - Bought a VRod in 2009 traded for an 09 FLHR in 2010 (thinking I "had" to have a touring bike - BIG MISTAKE! Kept that slow FLHR for about 16 months and went back to the VRod.
I think you ought to at least try one out - the used ones are the deal of a lifetime as they are a real bargain.....if you look at used get an '08 and up as they have a 5 gallon tank and a 240 swing arm + Brembo brakes + they will def fill your need for speed. Check out www.1130cc.com and see for yourself. You may be surprised
2.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Philly
I came from a vrod with minor work done. I used to kill all the Harley guys but it was so uncomfortable. Then I bought a 2000dyna sport, it is way more comfy but it was soooo slow, so I had a big bore, cams and head work done. I still blow away all the other Harley guys I ride with but in comfort now. If u love ur bike, dump some cash into some go fast stuff and go fast with comfort. But don't listen to the idiots that think Harley is the only real bike, IMO it's only a name and status that says u paid too much for your bike. Sorry, I know I probably offended some people but its just my opinion.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I had a nasty GSXR100 but now own a Superglide Sport (FXDX) I could never go back to the real race bikes, they just hurt my neck and back so much.
That being said, I like alot of different brands of bikes, but the Harley has that muscle car feel and sound that reminds me of driving an old car with a cammed V8.
That being said, I like alot of different brands of bikes, but the Harley has that muscle car feel and sound that reminds me of driving an old car with a cammed V8.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Seacoast of NH
Lots of great advice here, and some attitudes, but my .02 is wait til you can afford two bikes. You'll miss the other one if you switch.
I get it though, I love my Wide Glide; fast enough for me and loads of fun in the twisties, but I grew up on sport bikes and there is no comparison, they're just different bikes. I switched to cruisers a decade ago and at times I miss them too.
Its not just the speed, so mods won't help, and a vrod, while a fast bike may not do it for you either. Its the combination of speed, knife-edge handling, and the ride position (balance, etc) that seperates the breeds. There are times I miss it too, but mostly I can get my kicks out just fine on the back roads of New England on my WG.
I say wait til you can afford two bikes.
I get it though, I love my Wide Glide; fast enough for me and loads of fun in the twisties, but I grew up on sport bikes and there is no comparison, they're just different bikes. I switched to cruisers a decade ago and at times I miss them too.
Its not just the speed, so mods won't help, and a vrod, while a fast bike may not do it for you either. Its the combination of speed, knife-edge handling, and the ride position (balance, etc) that seperates the breeds. There are times I miss it too, but mostly I can get my kicks out just fine on the back roads of New England on my WG.
I say wait til you can afford two bikes.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
Another avenue. Yamaha is delivering the 2014 FZ-09 this fall. 850cc triple, 115HP, 65ftlb tq, 414lbs wet and $7990 price tag. Keep the WG and add one of these to the garage. It's almost a Speed Triple and costs thousands less. Keeping my Dyna and hopefully adding one of these by year's end...BTW it sits like a supermoto, not a sportbike...tp
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: in a BIG mansion with servants
If you want an agile, lightweight bike with real power, you'll never get there with any Harley, and trying is a fool's errand. You could spend a fortune tweaking a Harley to within an inch of it's life and all you would have in the end is a heavy long wheelbase bike with clumsy handling and a (now) unreliable engine that still can't keep up with a ninja 250 in the mountains.
However, if you like the feel/sound of twins, look at an Aprilia Tuono or Ducati Monster, in addition to the triple you're interested in.
They have all the soul of a Harley (it's different soul, but at least they have it unlike a generic four cylinder) combined with all the real-world performance you can use.
Sure, a 1000cc four is faster (a lot faster) but you can only use it on the racetrack, a well ridden twin is just as fast or faster on twisty public roads....and more fun.
Better still, keep your Harley for cruising and buy a used (cheap-ish) sporting twin for the twisties.
However, if you like the feel/sound of twins, look at an Aprilia Tuono or Ducati Monster, in addition to the triple you're interested in.
They have all the soul of a Harley (it's different soul, but at least they have it unlike a generic four cylinder) combined with all the real-world performance you can use.
Sure, a 1000cc four is faster (a lot faster) but you can only use it on the racetrack, a well ridden twin is just as fast or faster on twisty public roads....and more fun.
Better still, keep your Harley for cruising and buy a used (cheap-ish) sporting twin for the twisties.