Question: Softail and Dyna suspension
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 714
Likes: 126
From: Westchester cty. NY
You should go test ride both and see what you like. I have had both, a 98 Dyna Wide Glide and a 17 Softail Breakout. I did not like the Dyna, I'm a big guy and I could wipe out a set of rubber mounts every 4000mi. Stock suspension sucks on either one, both will be improved by quality aftermarket. I throw my Softail into the turns just as hard as I did the Dyna, lean angles are not as good as the Dyna as stated, but the exposed shocks really ruin the look of the bike IMHO. Ride what you like and what suits how you like to ride.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 7
From: USA
When I was in the research stage I was debating Dyna or Softail. I read that the Dyna's handle better and have a more comfortable ride than Softail's (I read that the Dyna was more comfortable than Softail's a bunch of times on many sites) and that the Softail suspension was all about looks and not ride quality.
I went to the dealership thinking I wanted a Dyna based on what I read and because I was looking for a comfortable ride (not looking for a touring bike). I checked them all out and had it narrowed down to a Wide Glide or Fat Bob. I did get to test ride a Fat Bob and a Low Rider. The manager happened to show up and I chatted him up about the most comfortable bike that wasn't a touring model. He pointed me to the Hertiage Softail but I just did not dig the looks. Next he suggested the Fat Boy.
I ended up riding the Fat Boy home. Whoever said the Dyna's are more comfortable than the Softail's either handle the rough roads better than me or have never ridden a Softail. My brother (who has a SGS) even commented how comfortable it rode compared to his previous Dyna.
Best thing to do is test ride whatever bike's you are interested in since you have to live with it. I wasn't disappointed in the Dyna ride by any means, I just personally felt like the Softail (Fat Boy at least) rode better.
I went to the dealership thinking I wanted a Dyna based on what I read and because I was looking for a comfortable ride (not looking for a touring bike). I checked them all out and had it narrowed down to a Wide Glide or Fat Bob. I did get to test ride a Fat Bob and a Low Rider. The manager happened to show up and I chatted him up about the most comfortable bike that wasn't a touring model. He pointed me to the Hertiage Softail but I just did not dig the looks. Next he suggested the Fat Boy.
I ended up riding the Fat Boy home. Whoever said the Dyna's are more comfortable than the Softail's either handle the rough roads better than me or have never ridden a Softail. My brother (who has a SGS) even commented how comfortable it rode compared to his previous Dyna.
Best thing to do is test ride whatever bike's you are interested in since you have to live with it. I wasn't disappointed in the Dyna ride by any means, I just personally felt like the Softail (Fat Boy at least) rode better.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 57
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I'll preface with, I've never ridden a Dyna. I've ridden a few Evo softails and own a '14 Slim. I've owned a few rubber mounts, an Evo FXR and a Shovel FLT.
For comfort, that FLT was the king, followed closely by the FXR.
My current softail, even with stock seat and stock shock is amazingly comfortable! The new motors are so much smoother than the older ones. The ergonomics of my current bike are perfect as well. I like the lower seat position (not that I'm short, I just like being down low). Yes, I drag the boards from time to time, and I am not a terribly aggressive rider. I did that on my FLT as well.
I read people picking apart all the models, or bragging on them as well. When it comes right down to it, it really is a personal preference thing. I think looks have a huge amount to do with it... When I owned my FXR, I loved my bike, but always wanted it to look like a Softail. Now that I own my softail, I love it pretty much just the way it is!
For comfort, that FLT was the king, followed closely by the FXR.
My current softail, even with stock seat and stock shock is amazingly comfortable! The new motors are so much smoother than the older ones. The ergonomics of my current bike are perfect as well. I like the lower seat position (not that I'm short, I just like being down low). Yes, I drag the boards from time to time, and I am not a terribly aggressive rider. I did that on my FLT as well.
I read people picking apart all the models, or bragging on them as well. When it comes right down to it, it really is a personal preference thing. I think looks have a huge amount to do with it... When I owned my FXR, I loved my bike, but always wanted it to look like a Softail. Now that I own my softail, I love it pretty much just the way it is!
The average Dyna has shocks that stroke around 4" compared to the Softails around 1 5/8". Longer stroke means better ride and better able to adjust or adapt the shocks to your liking.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
That would be a REALLY STUPID move for HD.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,176
Likes: 2,487
From: Nor Cal
When comparing completely different bikes with different geometries...think "Wheel Travel", not stroke (again, comparing different bikes)
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,919
Likes: 29,905
From: PNW
My sources tell me it's being changed for 2018. The twin shocks give way to a mono and mounted differently. Other changes as well (M8), but regardless, the line continues.
On the topic - in my experience Softails have less ground clearance and therefore less lean angle, and therefore less ability to run the curves vs a Dyna. Of course there are exceptions.
Softails also have a nice ride on smooth streets. On bad roads they bottom out harshly. Dyna handles the bad roads better imo.
On the topic - in my experience Softails have less ground clearance and therefore less lean angle, and therefore less ability to run the curves vs a Dyna. Of course there are exceptions.
Softails also have a nice ride on smooth streets. On bad roads they bottom out harshly. Dyna handles the bad roads better imo.
Last edited by nevada72; May 7, 2017 at 11:58 AM.