Test ride DYNa sb
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 27
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Test ride DYNa sb
Dyna bob test ride
I currently ride a Triumph SM which I enjoy but really would like a bike with more displacement so I have been eying a blacked-out dyna Steet Bob with the denim paint scheme. I was out riding with my bud who just recently purchased a RK a couple Saturdays ago and we ended up in the HD dealer in Sherman, TX. His salesman offered me a test ride on their Dyna so I gladly accepted.
observations:
Brakes. The single front disk brake is underwhelming. I suppose I could get used to it…
The bike feels bouncy/jittery when riding almost like riding a go-cart. Will a new set of shocks fix this?
Highway. The bike never felt stable above 75mph. The front-end felt really bouncy like the tire was not balanced correctly.
I was unimpressed with the torque produced by a 96ci engine. I was expecting a lot more ‘kick in the ****’ when I rolled on the throttle. My much smaller engine ‘felt’ like it had much more pep accelerating than the dyna which was a complete shock.
I cut the testride short after riding about 5 miles on the interstate, u-turned back to the dealer thinking there was something very wrong with the bike. The sales rep had a mechanic take it out and when he pulled back into the dealership he told me there was nothing wrong with the bike. He blamed it on the small front tire?!?
Questions: I still love the looks of the street bob and was wondering if those that have rode other bikes could chime in.
Was the demo bike just a dude or do other dyna SBs provide a similar riding experience? Do other dynas (wide-glide/low rider…) handle better than the SB?
Still interested but after the test ride my interest has lessened considerably. I will likely go to another dealer and ride another SB in hopes that there really was an issue with the
I currently ride a Triumph SM which I enjoy but really would like a bike with more displacement so I have been eying a blacked-out dyna Steet Bob with the denim paint scheme. I was out riding with my bud who just recently purchased a RK a couple Saturdays ago and we ended up in the HD dealer in Sherman, TX. His salesman offered me a test ride on their Dyna so I gladly accepted.
observations:
Brakes. The single front disk brake is underwhelming. I suppose I could get used to it…
The bike feels bouncy/jittery when riding almost like riding a go-cart. Will a new set of shocks fix this?
Highway. The bike never felt stable above 75mph. The front-end felt really bouncy like the tire was not balanced correctly.
I was unimpressed with the torque produced by a 96ci engine. I was expecting a lot more ‘kick in the ****’ when I rolled on the throttle. My much smaller engine ‘felt’ like it had much more pep accelerating than the dyna which was a complete shock.
I cut the testride short after riding about 5 miles on the interstate, u-turned back to the dealer thinking there was something very wrong with the bike. The sales rep had a mechanic take it out and when he pulled back into the dealership he told me there was nothing wrong with the bike. He blamed it on the small front tire?!?
Questions: I still love the looks of the street bob and was wondering if those that have rode other bikes could chime in.
Was the demo bike just a dude or do other dyna SBs provide a similar riding experience? Do other dynas (wide-glide/low rider…) handle better than the SB?
Still interested but after the test ride my interest has lessened considerably. I will likely go to another dealer and ride another SB in hopes that there really was an issue with the
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Keller , Texas
RE: Test ride DYNa sb
The shocks can be adjusted for s stiffer ride if thats what you looking for.Off the dealership floor they are set to the softest setting.The dynas are a smooth riding bikeandAs for being unstable at over 75 I cant see why it wasnt .Ive had mine to 110 and its as solid as a rock. A dyna is a dyna is a dyna , the ride and the engine will be the same on the LOW or WG for the most part. The WG is more raked and has a better feel to it than a Bob ( IMHO ) but they are what they are. You say you ride a Speedmaster? Dude its got a max torque of 51Ft.Lb at 4800 rpm as compared to theDynas 92 Ft.Lb at 3000 Rpm. I open mine up and it takes off - it doesnt rip me out of the seat but it still accels smoothly. What exactly are you looking for? It doesnt sound like a Harleys for you since your unimpressed. Maybe you should try the Rocket III ?Good Luck in whatever bike you choose!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario Canada
RE: Test ride DYNa sb
Just got in from a quick jaunt myself and my bike is stableup to140kph - I've not had the ***** to go faster than that on the highway - but I'll add this:
First thing the bike needs: let it breathe! I put a PCIIIUSB, K&N and Big Shot Stag. on mine and NOW I FEEL THE TORQUE. Crack the throttle anywhere up to, say 50kph and you will FEEL the thrust. They come, in my opinion, tame- prolly due to EPA regs.
and mine's the 88...
I love mine, there's no question that it's not the fastest bike out there, but it's perfect for what I wanna.
D
First thing the bike needs: let it breathe! I put a PCIIIUSB, K&N and Big Shot Stag. on mine and NOW I FEEL THE TORQUE. Crack the throttle anywhere up to, say 50kph and you will FEEL the thrust. They come, in my opinion, tame- prolly due to EPA regs.
and mine's the 88...
I love mine, there's no question that it's not the fastest bike out there, but it's perfect for what I wanna.
D
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Test ride DYNa sb
echoing the above ... each criticsm can be overcome ... i sat on mine at 100 for 30min yesterday and was very comfortable ... the power in a Harley is different than a sport bike ...
To each his own ... I'm a recent convert from sport bikes ... after 2500miles doing route66 last year ... but they are completely different from any bike you are used to.
Mat
To each his own ... I'm a recent convert from sport bikes ... after 2500miles doing route66 last year ... but they are completely different from any bike you are used to.
Mat
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
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RE: Test ride DYNa sb
What I am looking for is how to overcome the limitations. I LOVE the looks of the SB and was hoping to hear some of the posts regarding the stability of the bike being unique to THAT test/demo bike I rode. I plan on taking another demo ride on the WG since I have heard that is the best riding of the DYNAs and another tool around on the SB. I will be getting an American bike (HD or Victory) but am leaning towards HD because they have much more dealers to choose from.
thanks for your input. Hopefully I will be joining the forum as a dyna rider.
PS: I found a LOT I liked about the bike but why post the 'likes' since they are not a concern? I posted my 'dislikes" hoping to get more of a technical "how I can fix them", for example power, and "that bike had something wrong with it" type responses.
thanks for your input. Hopefully I will be joining the forum as a dyna rider.
PS: I found a LOT I liked about the bike but why post the 'likes' since they are not a concern? I posted my 'dislikes" hoping to get more of a technical "how I can fix them", for example power, and "that bike had something wrong with it" type responses.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Test ride DYNa sb
You'll never get the zing of a sports bike with a big twin ... but u'll be surprised at how much power is really there ... and a lot more can be released with some simple mods. I played with a sports bike that screamed past me recently (650 suzuki) ... it was a windy road and he had just a bit too much attitude as he went past so I sat behind him and kept the revs down ... while he was trying to cut corners and overbraking/accelerating I kept the wide line and used the torque ... he was getting so upset i had to back off before he ended in a hedgerow (he hadn't p'ed me off that much) ... my bike had plenty in reserve and although he should have left me behind in the corners it was very much a moral victory for experience.
The handling is a lot different ... if you want to ride hard and a Dyna is not doing it for you then take a look at a 1200 Sportster (nightster perhaps) ... there's only so much you can do with a bike as big as a Dyna (my pegs are well worn already) ... I still find it a bit squirrely on long corners at 80 plus but I didn't buy a HD to race on. I don't recognise the front end being 'bouncy' ... not my experience of the SB.
Good luck with the choice ... if you want a big American twin that handles pretty well then you'll buy a Dyna ... it'll be interesting to see which one you settle on.
Mat
The handling is a lot different ... if you want to ride hard and a Dyna is not doing it for you then take a look at a 1200 Sportster (nightster perhaps) ... there's only so much you can do with a bike as big as a Dyna (my pegs are well worn already) ... I still find it a bit squirrely on long corners at 80 plus but I didn't buy a HD to race on. I don't recognise the front end being 'bouncy' ... not my experience of the SB.
Good luck with the choice ... if you want a big American twin that handles pretty well then you'll buy a Dyna ... it'll be interesting to see which one you settle on.
Mat
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 340
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From:
RE: Test ride DYNa sb
the ride will sofen up alot after a few miles, and the brakes will get better after they get brokein.as far as high speedcrusing gos i dont get what your sayen.the only guys that complane abouthallin a$$ on the highwaythat I ride with are the vtx1300 ,intruder and the triumph