Differences between Harley's
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Joined: Jul 2006
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RE: Differences between Harley's
I bought my first "new" harley around a year ago. I didn't research it at all - I wanted a fat boy for years, and walked in, set on one, and hated the feel of it (I have ridden several since then that I love, though!). I purchased a night train, basically, because it felt great and looked killer! I LOVE my NT, but knowing what I know now, and the riding I do, I might have purchased differently. I initially thought I would ride mainly short, in-town rides, but now would like to take long, multi-day rides - the NT, is not the best for that - great for short stuff, not as "practical" for longer stuff, like a Road King, or touring bike. I can see myself purchasing a RK in the future for that very purpose (still keeping the the NT though!). My advice would be, to not only ride all the different families of HD's, but examine how you'll be riding it, will you be carrying lot's of stuff, passengers, highway or in-town, etc. The NT & Fat Boys are both in the softail family, but ride entirely different, in part because of the wider front wheel on the FB, the riding position is much different also. One other thing to remember is, whatever bike you purchase, you can make it "your own" - if you like the looks of a certain fender, or bars, but you've only seen it on a softail, you can put it (or something very similar) on a Dyna - someone said on the forum that HD's are like Mr. Potatohead, you can make it work! I worked very closely w/my dealer to build my bike just how I wanted, so I echo the earlier posts that you should spend as much time as you need talking to the dealer about the different bikes and what you are wanting from your bike. That's the great thing about people who own/ride Harley's - we're always willing to talk about what we've done to the bike, and the great thing about the company is they make so many different bikes that there is something for everyone! Take your time, find the right bike, don't sacrifice on your purchase, get the style, color, everything you want, and you'll never want to get off the bike!
Good luck, and keep us posted on what you get! And post some pics when you get it!
Good luck, and keep us posted on what you get! And post some pics when you get it!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 618
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From: Buffalo NY
RE: Differences between Harley's
Dont be intimidated by weights of the bikes either. My Fatboy at almost 700 lbs is one of the easiest bikes to ride that I have EVER ridden. Bikes with floorboards tend to be more comfortable for longer rides.You may also want to consider what you will use bike for and maybe you will want or need a bike with saddlebags or a shield. Of course you can always add that to any bike that doesnt come withthat stuff later. Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 648
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From: North Texas
RE: Differences between Harley's
ORIGINAL: mp
Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all totally different frames. All have conventional rear shock mounting except for the Softails which have horizontal shocks mounted under the frame. These shocks extend rather than compress when the rear tire hits a bump. This arrangement is so the bike can resemble the hardtails (no rear suspension) of yore. The Sportster is a smaller, lighter bike and sits higher in most cases. The wheelbase is shorter by far compared to the big twin bikes. The Sporty has two engines; 883cc-55ci and 1200cc-74ci. It's more of a handling bike than the big ones. The Sporty engines are rubber-mounted, as are the Dynas and the Touring bikes. Sporty engines are overhead valve engines with 4 cams.
The Dyna and Touring frames are more rigid than the Softail frame, with a box section frame piece under the gas tank. The Softail has a tube there. The Touring bike has the heaviest frame as it's the heaviest bike. It also has a shorter primary drive case than the Dynas or Softails (that big chrome thing at the bottom of the left side). The Softails have solid engine mounts which help somewhat to stiffen the frame. Their engines have a balance shaft on the front of the engine case to quell vibrations which are quelled by the rubber engine mounting of the other frames. All big bikes have the current 96ci engine.
It has two chain driven cams. All Harley engines are 45 degree, OHV, air-cooled V Twins.
This post does not acknowledge the existence of the V-Rod.
Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all totally different frames. All have conventional rear shock mounting except for the Softails which have horizontal shocks mounted under the frame. These shocks extend rather than compress when the rear tire hits a bump. This arrangement is so the bike can resemble the hardtails (no rear suspension) of yore. The Sportster is a smaller, lighter bike and sits higher in most cases. The wheelbase is shorter by far compared to the big twin bikes. The Sporty has two engines; 883cc-55ci and 1200cc-74ci. It's more of a handling bike than the big ones. The Sporty engines are rubber-mounted, as are the Dynas and the Touring bikes. Sporty engines are overhead valve engines with 4 cams.
The Dyna and Touring frames are more rigid than the Softail frame, with a box section frame piece under the gas tank. The Softail has a tube there. The Touring bike has the heaviest frame as it's the heaviest bike. It also has a shorter primary drive case than the Dynas or Softails (that big chrome thing at the bottom of the left side). The Softails have solid engine mounts which help somewhat to stiffen the frame. Their engines have a balance shaft on the front of the engine case to quell vibrations which are quelled by the rubber engine mounting of the other frames. All big bikes have the current 96ci engine.
It has two chain driven cams. All Harley engines are 45 degree, OHV, air-cooled V Twins.
This post does not acknowledge the existence of the V-Rod.
FD
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66
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From: North Shore, Boston MA
RE: Differences between Harley's
ORIGINAL: mp
Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all totally different frames. All have conventional rear shock mounting except for the Softails which have horizontal shocks mounted under the frame. These shocks extend rather than compress when the rear tire hits a bump. This arrangement is so the bike can resemble the hardtails (no rear suspension) of yore. The Sportster is a smaller, lighter bike and sits higher in most cases. The wheelbase is shorter by far compared to the big twin bikes. The Sporty has two engines; 883cc-55ci and 1200cc-74ci. It's more of a handling bike than the big ones. The Sporty engines are rubber-mounted, as are the Dynas and the Touring bikes. Sporty engines are overhead valve engines with 4 cams.
The Dyna and Touring frames are more rigid than the Softail frame, with a box section frame piece under the gas tank. The Softail has a tube there. The Touring bike has the heaviest frame as it's the heaviest bike. It also has a shorter primary drive case than the Dynas or Softails (that big chrome thing at the bottom of the left side). The Softails have solid engine mounts which help somewhat to stiffen the frame. Their engines have a balance shaft on the front of the engine case to quell vibrations which are quelled by the rubber engine mounting of the other frames. All big bikes have the current 96ci engine.
It has two chain driven cams. All Harley engines are 45 degree, OHV, air-cooled V Twins.
This post does not acknowledge the existence of the V-Rod.
Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all totally different frames. All have conventional rear shock mounting except for the Softails which have horizontal shocks mounted under the frame. These shocks extend rather than compress when the rear tire hits a bump. This arrangement is so the bike can resemble the hardtails (no rear suspension) of yore. The Sportster is a smaller, lighter bike and sits higher in most cases. The wheelbase is shorter by far compared to the big twin bikes. The Sporty has two engines; 883cc-55ci and 1200cc-74ci. It's more of a handling bike than the big ones. The Sporty engines are rubber-mounted, as are the Dynas and the Touring bikes. Sporty engines are overhead valve engines with 4 cams.
The Dyna and Touring frames are more rigid than the Softail frame, with a box section frame piece under the gas tank. The Softail has a tube there. The Touring bike has the heaviest frame as it's the heaviest bike. It also has a shorter primary drive case than the Dynas or Softails (that big chrome thing at the bottom of the left side). The Softails have solid engine mounts which help somewhat to stiffen the frame. Their engines have a balance shaft on the front of the engine case to quell vibrations which are quelled by the rubber engine mounting of the other frames. All big bikes have the current 96ci engine.
It has two chain driven cams. All Harley engines are 45 degree, OHV, air-cooled V Twins.
This post does not acknowledge the existence of the V-Rod.
nice info! great reply~tx!
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