Handling, Dyna V. Softail
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Halfway to Hell
I have a Softail that is slammed to the bump stops and a hardtail so let me offer some first hand experience.
The Softie can experience some wobble going wround high speed turns if the road has some bumps to it. Not a tank slapper but when the bike is leaned over and hits a bump the flex point becomes the steering neck and you'll get a little bounce from it. It can be disconcerting at first but nothing too crazy. Just stay calm and loose and everything is fine. I think it has to do with frame geometry etc. Not sure why it happens exactly.
The rigid doesn't do this. The rigid is so light that if you hit a high speed sweeper and catch a bump it hops in the rear.
I have to surmise that since the softie is considerably heavier than my rigid the energy is transferred through the frame to the only moveable spot. The rigid is just so damn light that it skips over small bumps as opposed to absorbing them.
Anyway, a dyna is going to handle better because they have narrower front ends with thicker fork tubes allowing less flex than Softails, they have less rake than a Softail, they have better rear suspension than a Softail, etc. It's just how things are.
The Softie can experience some wobble going wround high speed turns if the road has some bumps to it. Not a tank slapper but when the bike is leaned over and hits a bump the flex point becomes the steering neck and you'll get a little bounce from it. It can be disconcerting at first but nothing too crazy. Just stay calm and loose and everything is fine. I think it has to do with frame geometry etc. Not sure why it happens exactly.
The rigid doesn't do this. The rigid is so light that if you hit a high speed sweeper and catch a bump it hops in the rear.
I have to surmise that since the softie is considerably heavier than my rigid the energy is transferred through the frame to the only moveable spot. The rigid is just so damn light that it skips over small bumps as opposed to absorbing them.
Anyway, a dyna is going to handle better because they have narrower front ends with thicker fork tubes allowing less flex than Softails, they have less rake than a Softail, they have better rear suspension than a Softail, etc. It's just how things are.
Last edited by Shovelhead Jack; Mar 24, 2010 at 12:50 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,793
Likes: 1,133
From: NorCal916
You just opened a can of whoop-..s.
PS,if ya woke up one mornin with vaseline on yer ..s would ya tell anyone?
Last edited by wyndnface; Mar 24, 2010 at 12:52 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Halfway to Hell
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 6
From: Kalaui Kona HI
They are both good bikes, and all the trash talking is for the birds. Rent both and make up your mind its tough but asking on a forum like this only gets biased opinions. There have been a few mature though out comments I must admit, and they had nothing to do with same sex affiliation or putting down other HD models.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
