when i was looking for a bike, i was told the night train "is a soft tail..." and the dynas "handle better" but what do they mean?&nbsp\\; the bikes are apples and oranges...the touring bikes have a swing arm suspension and a rubber mount motor so what makes them so nice??
&nbsp\\;
what am i missing loving the night train ride??

 

btw, one magazine article said the dynas were "a riders bike."&nbsp\\; what the hell does that mean???

 

test ride a variety and go with your own instincts.

 

Softail is the designation for the line of bikes with the rear shock under the seat/frame.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; In the picture below you can not see the rear shock(s).



Compare that to a Dyna which has the shocks in the "traditional" mounting on each side of the rear wheel.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;



Look at the bike ... not the softail behind it.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;

The suspension setup between the three models (softail, dyna, &amp\\;\\\\\\; touring) are fairly distinct from each other.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; For the casual rider on regular roads it is hard to tell a lot of difference.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; But start on a long ride or hitting some large bumps and you can feel a difference.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;

 

I love my softail. I was under the immpression all Touring Bikes were air ride rear.

IMO, the difference between the Dyna line and Softail line is the rider. Both are Big Twin platforms, yet different in just about every way. Alot of the Dyna line shares commonality with each other\\; in a good way. Softails have alot of "distinct" models based off the same frame.

Both families are great for all purpose riding and both can be fitted for touring. Personally, I love the look of the softail. The looks of a hardtail with a suspension that doesnt clutter the lines of the bike. As far as the "riders bike", its simply one person's opinion.

If the Night train speaks to you, then you found your ride!

 

It's all good.

 

&nbsp\\;
If you love your Night Train, then you are missing nothing.&nbsp\\; Everyone has an opinion&nbsp\\;and most recommend what they ride.&nbsp\\; HD makes a great line of bikes for a variety of riders needs and personal preferences.&nbsp\\; Form your own opinion and enjoy what you ride.

 

&nbsp\\; the difference in the bikes are the ride quality.&nbsp\\; The softtails ride harder so they are great arround town bikes for a couple hundred miles a day.&nbsp\\; the dynas ride can be softened up so they can be rode some longer.&nbsp\\; the touring bikes are road bikes and are great for long rides. I can easily roll 4-500 miles a day on my ElectraGlide. &nbsp\\; and 7-800 miles days are not hard.&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\; The softtails shock/spring set up can be some adjusted but it is underneith the bike and harder to get to.&nbsp\\; the dynas shocks are on the side and can be adjusted easily and alot of tourning bikes do have air ride and can be sooooo&nbsp\\; comfey.
&nbsp\\; now you can ride any of these bikes hundreds of miles a day after day if yur *** is tough enough.
&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\; I LOVE the looks of a Fatboy, but I ride 20K a year and&nbsp\\; I love the ride of the ElectraGlides so I ride an Ultra.&nbsp\\; If I was you I would&nbsp\\; give&nbsp\\; alot of thought&nbsp\\; to how much yu ride and&nbsp\\; then look at the bikes that are designed for that kind of ridein.&nbsp\\; And then look at the different bikes in that class .

 

I agree. harley makes many different bikes for many different riders. You just have to figure out which one is YOU.

 

"Ride" and "handling" means something different to each person...that's why the MoCo makes so many different models...my best friend bought a Street Glide in '07 same time I bought my Train, and occasionally when we're out, we switch bikes...we both enjoy the benefits of the other's bike, I enjoy the couch rocket ride of the SG, and he likes the low slung hot rod&nbsp\\;riding style&nbsp\\;of my Train...but at the end of the day, we're happy with what we got...I would never talk down anyone else's ride, they've got what suits them, same as I do...just ride and enjoy...[8D]