Dyna vs Softail basic differences
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
The best thing for you to do is find a factory demo ride day at a dealer. There you will get to try about 6 different Harley's.
Then go to a local dealer and set up an appointment to do a demo ride. Say your favorite Dyna and favorite softail.
I'm 5'9", forward control on a fat bob too far to reach. The softail deluxe fits like the bike was tailor made for me.
For me the bike is the super glide, big twin, 6 speed, lightest big twin bike, better lean angle then sportsters, rides smooth, 5 gal tank, mid controls, like the handle bars.
There are things I like better on other bikes. Street Bob, for not having that big pimple of a tail light, having chopped rear fender, black wheels. The handle bars, ape hangers, kills this bike for me.
Like the sportsters, harsh ride negates how nice they look. 48's front tire wish the super glide came with one. There are people here that love sportsters and go on road trips with them.
Don't mention the fat bob, the front tire is the only thing I like about that bike.
As you can see choosing a bike will be a compromise of what matters most to you and what you can afford.
Emotions aside the Softails have less suspension travel, more weight, less lean, B motor has less power & more parts, more vibrations from no motor mounts, cost $5,000 more then dyna's.
The softails only offer is that they capture the look of oldtime bikes.
That's their hook. If you got to have that look then it's worth the $5,000. As long as you can ignore what you lose.
$5,000 less makes the monthly payments a lot less. Pay for new leathers and gear for you and the old lady.
We can point out mechanical and cost differences. Only you will know what moves your soul. As been said before buy what makes you happy.
Then go to a local dealer and set up an appointment to do a demo ride. Say your favorite Dyna and favorite softail.
I'm 5'9", forward control on a fat bob too far to reach. The softail deluxe fits like the bike was tailor made for me.
For me the bike is the super glide, big twin, 6 speed, lightest big twin bike, better lean angle then sportsters, rides smooth, 5 gal tank, mid controls, like the handle bars.
There are things I like better on other bikes. Street Bob, for not having that big pimple of a tail light, having chopped rear fender, black wheels. The handle bars, ape hangers, kills this bike for me.
Like the sportsters, harsh ride negates how nice they look. 48's front tire wish the super glide came with one. There are people here that love sportsters and go on road trips with them.
Don't mention the fat bob, the front tire is the only thing I like about that bike.
As you can see choosing a bike will be a compromise of what matters most to you and what you can afford.
Emotions aside the Softails have less suspension travel, more weight, less lean, B motor has less power & more parts, more vibrations from no motor mounts, cost $5,000 more then dyna's.
The softails only offer is that they capture the look of oldtime bikes.
That's their hook. If you got to have that look then it's worth the $5,000. As long as you can ignore what you lose.
$5,000 less makes the monthly payments a lot less. Pay for new leathers and gear for you and the old lady.
We can point out mechanical and cost differences. Only you will know what moves your soul. As been said before buy what makes you happy.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
32vld this isn't the first time you have said the Softails have more vibration. You are completely wrong. That was the whole point of the B motor. It has less vibrations.
I do agree though that if someone's main concern is trying to get the look of an old style bike at the expense of faking it then the Softail may be just the ticket. If you just want a nice riding and good looking Big Twin Harley without all the frills and just fun the Dyna is where it's at. If you want an old style looking bike that isn't trying to look like anything but itself you may want to look into the Sportsters. If you want a bike as comfy as a car with radio, huge windshield, cup holders a trunk etc then ... well just buy a car.
I do agree though that if someone's main concern is trying to get the look of an old style bike at the expense of faking it then the Softail may be just the ticket. If you just want a nice riding and good looking Big Twin Harley without all the frills and just fun the Dyna is where it's at. If you want an old style looking bike that isn't trying to look like anything but itself you may want to look into the Sportsters. If you want a bike as comfy as a car with radio, huge windshield, cup holders a trunk etc then ... well just buy a car.
Last edited by PigInaBlanket; Sep 13, 2010 at 10:07 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
The best thing for you to do is find a factory demo ride day at a dealer. There you will get to try about 6 different Harley's.
Then go to a local dealer and set up an appointment to do a demo ride. Say your favorite Dyna and favorite softail.
I'm 5'9", forward control on a fat bob too far to reach. The softail deluxe fits like the bike was tailor made for me.
For me the bike is the super glide, big twin, 6 speed, lightest big twin bike, better lean angle then sportsters, rides smooth, 5 gal tank, mid controls, like the handle bars.
There are things I like better on other bikes. Street Bob, for not having that big pimple of a tail light, having chopped rear fender, black wheels. The handle bars, ape hangers, kills this bike for me.
Like the sportsters, harsh ride negates how nice they look. 48's front tire wish the super glide came with one. There are people here that love sportsters and go on road trips with them.
Don't mention the fat bob, the front tire is the only thing I like about that bike.
As you can see choosing a bike will be a compromise of what matters most to you and what you can afford.
Emotions aside the Softails have less suspension travel, more weight, less lean, B motor has less power & more parts, more vibrations from no motor mounts, cost $5,000 more then dyna's.
The softails only offer is that they capture the look of oldtime bikes.
That's their hook. If you got to have that look then it's worth the $5,000. As long as you can ignore what you lose.
$5,000 less makes the monthly payments a lot less. Pay for new leathers and gear for you and the old lady.
We can point out mechanical and cost differences. Only you will know what moves your soul. As been said before buy what makes you happy.
Then go to a local dealer and set up an appointment to do a demo ride. Say your favorite Dyna and favorite softail.
I'm 5'9", forward control on a fat bob too far to reach. The softail deluxe fits like the bike was tailor made for me.
For me the bike is the super glide, big twin, 6 speed, lightest big twin bike, better lean angle then sportsters, rides smooth, 5 gal tank, mid controls, like the handle bars.
There are things I like better on other bikes. Street Bob, for not having that big pimple of a tail light, having chopped rear fender, black wheels. The handle bars, ape hangers, kills this bike for me.
Like the sportsters, harsh ride negates how nice they look. 48's front tire wish the super glide came with one. There are people here that love sportsters and go on road trips with them.
Don't mention the fat bob, the front tire is the only thing I like about that bike.
As you can see choosing a bike will be a compromise of what matters most to you and what you can afford.
Emotions aside the Softails have less suspension travel, more weight, less lean, B motor has less power & more parts, more vibrations from no motor mounts, cost $5,000 more then dyna's.
The softails only offer is that they capture the look of oldtime bikes.
That's their hook. If you got to have that look then it's worth the $5,000. As long as you can ignore what you lose.
$5,000 less makes the monthly payments a lot less. Pay for new leathers and gear for you and the old lady.
We can point out mechanical and cost differences. Only you will know what moves your soul. As been said before buy what makes you happy.
Softails are smooth, and smoother than all but the Touring bikes. That extra $5000 buys you a stable platform and complex suspension (and shiny bits). The difference comes in how you feel at the end of a 500-mile day, or better yet, at the end of the fourth 500-mile day.
And if you rode a Sporty much, you'd notice that there is a sweet spot in each gear where the mirrors stop vibrating and the bike just purrs. Makes highway cruising a pleasure.
Too bad that Super Glide you like so much is discontinued. Just get an FXDC, then. Dynas are great bikes, but their lean angle is nothing too impressive either. If you want lean angle, buy a sportbike.
Last edited by faber; Sep 13, 2010 at 10:21 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Bikes 20 yrs from now? How much more can be done to an air-cooled v-twin with pushrods?
Non-Harley bikes 20 yrs from now? different story.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: KC MO
I have owned 2 Dynas, and done 600+ miles in a day on them. Also done the same on a 99 sporty. As far as a softail goes, I have been on one, they are all right, not worth all the extra $ they wanted for one at the dealership. I think the best bang for your buck on the big twins is a dyna.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
I was deciding between an almost stock 09 Dyna Street Bob, or a customized 03 Softail Standard with 7000$ extra in chrome alone, been in magazines etc. Both were used bikes, and the price between the two were almost exactly the same, and i must admit that the Softail was winning, only problem was that i drove the Dyna first, so when it came to taking the Softail for a spin, it was too "Soft" for my liking. I think that the rubbermounted engine has a little more feel to it then the counterbalanced.
So i got the bob. (another reason was the fact that the softail was so "complete", couldn´t see myself doing anything with it, and for me thats negative )
The main differences between them has been mentioned, one thing that may or may not matter is that the parts aftermarket is a little bigger for softails.
It all boils down to what you like in the end, both types of bikes are great. Best way to decide is to try them out, as always.
So i got the bob. (another reason was the fact that the softail was so "complete", couldn´t see myself doing anything with it, and for me thats negative )
The main differences between them has been mentioned, one thing that may or may not matter is that the parts aftermarket is a little bigger for softails.
It all boils down to what you like in the end, both types of bikes are great. Best way to decide is to try them out, as always.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, UT
Dude, the best advice is to ride them both. If you still can't decide after that then start looking at things like the parts aftermarket and so forth. I ride a Dyna, not because of price point or parts but just because that was the bike that spoke to me. I have nothing against Softails or Sportys, I just like the FXDC the best. Next time out it might be different. Good choice on upgrading from a metric.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
So I guess you haven't ridden too many bikes--nothing wrong with that. Plenty of bikes from 20+ yrs ago out there, and still going strong. You don't have to be in your 40s or 50s to know what 20-year old bikes are like.
Bikes 20 yrs from now? How much more can be done to an air-cooled v-twin with pushrods?
Non-Harley bikes 20 yrs from now? different story.
Bikes 20 yrs from now? How much more can be done to an air-cooled v-twin with pushrods?
Non-Harley bikes 20 yrs from now? different story.
I should have started out with an older used bike, but my first two bikes I bought off the showroom floor.
I have never so much as sat on a Harley that predates 2005, but I'll take your word on it.
