Handling, Dyna V. Softail
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
A Softails frame is really beefed up where the swingarm pivots are (that's why the Softail frame is much heavier than a rigid frame), and the very strong Triangulated swingarm is mounted to the bikes frame with strong steel bearings. A Dyna's swingarm is mounted with rubber bushings. And the swingarm is just two long sections of small boxed steel. I don't know where everyone is thinking a Dyna set-up is somehow stronger than a Softail????. Ever see a Ducati frame? lightweight and made up of a series of triangle sections. I've ridden them both A LOT. The Dyna will give you a much softer ride, Softail is much stiffer. Softail parts seem to be easier to come by.
Here's a post from another site that deals with Dyna's stability problems>>>
I had no idea that this issue is so common with the Dyna line and that there is an entire aftermarket that makes a product to help correct it. I'll bet that there are a bunch of Dyna owners out there that just accept the fact that their bike gets a little "shakey" cornering at speeds. Has anybody out there tried either the Sputhe or True-Track?
There's a reason they don't sell aftermarket handling "Fixes" for Softails>>>> Because you don't need them.
Here's a post from another site that deals with Dyna's stability problems>>>
I had no idea that this issue is so common with the Dyna line and that there is an entire aftermarket that makes a product to help correct it. I'll bet that there are a bunch of Dyna owners out there that just accept the fact that their bike gets a little "shakey" cornering at speeds. Has anybody out there tried either the Sputhe or True-Track?
There's a reason they don't sell aftermarket handling "Fixes" for Softails>>>> Because you don't need them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
A Softails frame is really beefed up where the swingarm pivots are (that's why the Softail frame is much heavier than a rigid frame), and the very strong Triangulated swingarm is mounted to the bikes frame with strong steel bearings. A Dyna's swingarm is mounted with rubber bushings. And the swingarm is just two long sections of small boxed steel. I don't know where everyone is thinking a Dyna set-up is somehow stronger than a Softail????. Ever see a Ducati frame? lightweight and made up of a series of triangle sections. I've ridden them both A LOT. The Dyna will give you a much softer ride, Softail is much stiffer. Softail parts seem to be easier to come by.
And how is that *anything* like a Softail frame?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: carrollton, tx
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
The Ducati trellis frame? Yeah, *very* strong. They mate to the engine from above with most models having no 'cradle'. The engine becomes a stressed member, providing torsional rigidity that counters externally applied torsion from the swingarm or subframe. The same frame technology that Casey Stoner enjoys is in every Duc, down to your $9K air-cooled Monster 696.
And how is that *anything* like a Softail frame?
And how is that *anything* like a Softail frame?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
As far as Dyna versus Softail, It's just personal preferance. I like Softails but two of my riding buddies like their Dyna's. For me, I feel more connected to the road with the Softail. I'm kind of partial to pre 99 ones. I like the fact that the Engine is bolted to the frame (metal to metal), Trans is bolted to the frame also metal to metal. I like being able to work on Softails with split Fatbob tanks and just being able to take off the rightside tank to access any wiring, breakers or the ignition. I like the way the shocks are tucked under the open area beneath the trans (good use of space).
I can shift the bike by using the "feel" of it when I'm accelerating. At bikeweeks when there are a group of us taking off and everyone is laying into the throttle it's hard to hear your own exhaust over the other 5 bikes. I know when to shift by how the bike feels. I can't do that on my friends rubber mounted Dyna, I can never tell if the motor is wound up or not. He HAS to rely on his tach.
If a person rides both bikes and says "I like the Dyna better, It handles better and I like the way it looks" I can respect that. I ride what I like to ride, and I'll buy what I want. The people that make me laugh are the ones who don't like Softails because the Supposed Hard core biker mags don't like them. Or my favorite "I don't like Softails because Harley tried to make them look like rigids"!! So What!!!!. If you are INTO Harleys and you can't tell the difference between a rigid frame and a Softail frame you better find yourself a new hobby.
I can shift the bike by using the "feel" of it when I'm accelerating. At bikeweeks when there are a group of us taking off and everyone is laying into the throttle it's hard to hear your own exhaust over the other 5 bikes. I know when to shift by how the bike feels. I can't do that on my friends rubber mounted Dyna, I can never tell if the motor is wound up or not. He HAS to rely on his tach.
If a person rides both bikes and says "I like the Dyna better, It handles better and I like the way it looks" I can respect that. I ride what I like to ride, and I'll buy what I want. The people that make me laugh are the ones who don't like Softails because the Supposed Hard core biker mags don't like them. Or my favorite "I don't like Softails because Harley tried to make them look like rigids"!! So What!!!!. If you are INTO Harleys and you can't tell the difference between a rigid frame and a Softail frame you better find yourself a new hobby.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,361
Likes: 117
From: auckland,new zealand
yeah joes its nice!
and shovelhead jack was gr8 too,but alas he has been banned for saying nothing wrong at all??especialy compared to some of comments on this thread????
no freedom of speech i guess,still trying to figure what was wrong with his post,his were best on this thread??mind boggles
and shovelhead jack was gr8 too,but alas he has been banned for saying nothing wrong at all??especialy compared to some of comments on this thread????
no freedom of speech i guess,still trying to figure what was wrong with his post,his were best on this thread??mind boggles
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Take a look again at the Softail's "swingarm" and see what they had to do to mate it with the main frame. The assembly may have two vertical triangular planes, but all that does is transmit any force to where the "swingarm" assembly mates with the frame. That is the weakest point.
And if a Softail has such a rigid, torsion-resistant, high-performance frame, as you claim, then why are we not seeing Softails in any racing applications?
Dude, a Softail is what it is. It is a heavy, plush ride with a "hidden" suspension. To achieve that "hardtail" look, HD made a series of design and performance compromises. (Actually, HD is not the original designer--they bought the Softail design from an inventor named Bill Davis.) The biggest advantage to the Softail design, aside from the suspension and look, is the large saddlebag capacity, unless you have a bike that has pipes getting in the way, like a Fatboy.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
Don' understand what hap'nd ta Shovelhead J......alway's like'd the dude's post's, and really don' see anything in this thread that would'a caused any action,other comment's and name call'n by others were far worse than anything he post'd....maybe talk to an Admin an' get that reversed, possibly.........
