Wide Glide vs Softtail what's the true story?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 669
From: The Rust Belt!
Im not knocking any bike both are good for different reasons! But i owned both an here is my take. Dynas handle better in the twisties and feel lighter almost like a big sporty, engine vibrates alot more at idle but smooths out once you get going, For a taller guy you can feel cramped depending on how its set up,you got exposed shocks and battery, on the newer Dynas not as much passenger room... Softails.. bigger bike, clean hardtail look, hidden shocks, lower seat height for that down low seating position, Battery hidden under the seat,engine is counter balanced and runs silky smooth at idle and lower rpms but tends to vibrate allitle more at 70mph or higher,more passenger room, They hold there value better come trade in time. When i owned my 2007 street bob i was never satisfied i always felt like i needed a bigger bike! Switched to a Softail and never looked back..fits me perfect!
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: San Pedro,CA
i test rided a dyna wide glide and fatboy lo,deluxe and softail slim(all softails) and for me atleast, the softail wins hands down! much smoother ride,on the dyna u will feel all the bumps in the road as opposed to a softail where u wont feel anything.i cant stand the shaking at idle on a dyna and love the smoothness of a softail at idle.for me if all HD bikes were like a dyna i would not be a HD fan and i love HD! the dyna just feels cheap to me compared to a softail(sorry to all the dyna riders,just my opinion).one thing i will give the dyna over a softail,goddamn do they have some torque! u can accelerate like nobodys buisness!! i was thinking a fatboy lo or a wide glide just like you but after riding both fatboy all the way! but just like everyone said test ride them both and see what FEELS better!~ softail would probally be more comfortable 2 up and longer trips
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
the wide glide, like all other Dynas are a rubber mounted non-counterbalanced engine. They shake at idle but they will smooth out quickly. My fxd (superglide) is smoother than the Honda Ace I had. If the stock FXDWG shocks are the same as the FXD I highly recommend changing them to avoid feeling every nook and cranny in the road. I haven't rode the softtail. I chose the Dyna for the 70's style, lighter weight simpler design
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
From: Wis
i test rided a dyna wide glide and fatboy lo,deluxe and softail slim(all softails) and for me atleast, the softail wins hands down! much smoother ride,on the dyna u will feel all the bumps in the road as opposed to a softail where u wont feel anything.i cant stand the shaking at idle on a dyna and love the smoothness of a softail at idle.for me if all HD bikes were like a dyna i would not be a HD fan and i love HD! the dyna just feels cheap to me compared to a softail(sorry to all the dyna riders,just my opinion).one thing i will give the dyna over a softail,goddamn do they have some torque! u can accelerate like nobodys buisness!! i was thinking a fatboy lo or a wide glide just like you but after riding both fatboy all the way! but just like everyone said test ride them both and see what FEELS better!~ softail would probally be more comfortable 2 up and longer trips
I've owned both (not just test rides around the block) and there is a reason I don't ride softies anymore. Yes the engines are smoother at idle but start to buzz at highway speeds The Dynas vibrate at idle (real men like this) and it goes away when you pull away. Dynas feel like Harleys, Softies like...well you get the idea. Bonus...the Dyna 88/96ers will stomp the Softs 103 everyday all day.
Dyna by 2 miles!
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 641
Likes: 17
From: Daytona Beach
For me its no contest get a Softail,
I have owned both(as a matter of fact I still do) and Softails just have a better feel to them and the looks are far superior plus you won't get raped so bad at trade in time.
I never noticed the better handling mentioned here and anyway if you are looking for a bike for the "twisties" then a Harley is NOT for you anyway.
I have owned both(as a matter of fact I still do) and Softails just have a better feel to them and the looks are far superior plus you won't get raped so bad at trade in time.
I never noticed the better handling mentioned here and anyway if you are looking for a bike for the "twisties" then a Harley is NOT for you anyway.
Last edited by Jeffs386; May 24, 2012 at 09:34 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Canada
I'm on the opposite side of the fence. With the demise of the Softail Custom, there isn't ANY Softail that will ride as nice as ANY Dyna. (stock for stock)
I've owned both (not just test rides around the block) and there is a reason I don't ride softies anymore. Yes the engines are smoother at idle but start to buzz at highway speeds The Dynas vibrate at idle (real men like this) and it goes away when you pull away. Dynas feel like Harleys, Softies like...well you get the idea. Bonus...the Dyna 88/96ers will stomp the Softs 103 everyday all day.
Dyna by 2 miles!
I've owned both (not just test rides around the block) and there is a reason I don't ride softies anymore. Yes the engines are smoother at idle but start to buzz at highway speeds The Dynas vibrate at idle (real men like this) and it goes away when you pull away. Dynas feel like Harleys, Softies like...well you get the idea. Bonus...the Dyna 88/96ers will stomp the Softs 103 everyday all day.
Dyna by 2 miles!
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 8
From: Pa, USA
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
Im not knocking any bike both are good for different reasons! But i owned both an here is my take. Dynas handle better in the twisties and feel lighter almost like a big sporty, engine vibrates alot more at idle but smooths out once you get going, For a taller guy you can feel cramped depending on how its set up,you got exposed shocks and battery, on the newer Dynas not as much passenger room... Softails.. bigger bike, clean hardtail look, hidden shocks, lower seat height for that down low seating position, Battery hidden under the seat,engine is counter balanced and runs silky smooth at idle and lower rpms but tends to vibrate allitle more at 70mph or higher,more passenger room, They hold there value better come trade in time. When i owned my 2007 street bob i was never satisfied i always felt like i needed a bigger bike! Switched to a Softail and never looked back..fits me perfect!
(actually ~~ Great Post!)