Softail vs Dyna - Purchase Decision
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 677
From: Arm pit of America, S.D.
I wouldn't change just for ride quality (unless your just plane unhappy with your dyna) before checking your seat, shock & hand grip options , I went through 4 different seat styles before I found a good fit for my butt & back,
But to each there own, ride & enjoy
But to each there own, ride & enjoy
Last edited by m1369x; Aug 31, 2020 at 02:15 PM.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: Portugal
So, along with the general ride comfort, especially at low speeds (which is nill...), i'm starting to consider other more "extreme" measures... like changing the ride altogether.
Last edited by Mkorny; Aug 31, 2020 at 06:05 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
Likes: 34
From: ME
Definitely try the NT and Deuce and see how they feel. Be forewarned, however. A Deuce will be more expensive to mod as a lot of parts are Deuce specific. I bought my Softail Custom new in 08 and like it more than the day I bought it. It just fits.
The only other I would consider would be a Heritage. I consider it the most versatile Harley ever made.
The only other I would consider would be a Heritage. I consider it the most versatile Harley ever made.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
I've only ridden a few Softails at dealer demo days. So I can't really compare them to the Dyna's I've had.
But, the seat and shocks on your bike make a huge difference in comfort. I put a set of touring bike air shocks and progressive springs along with a Sundowner seat on a 1200 Sportser. I did a 4,500 mile trip around the US on that bike. Just sold it and bought a 2019 Ultra Classic. I did about 1,200 mile trip this past weekend on the Ultra. Just looking at Ride quality, I expected a lot more out of the new touring bike. It's not much better than my Sportster was, especially for six times the price.
My 200 Dyna has progressive shocks and springs and a Corbin seat with a back rest. It just glides over little bumps that are jarring on the touring bike.
I probably need to play with the suspension settings on the Ultra some more, it really should ride better than it does.
Guess what I'm saying is you can improve the ride of your Dyna by upgrading shocks, replacing fork springs, changing fork oil weight and getting a new seat. Those are all things you may have to do to a Softail to improve it's ride as well.
But, the seat and shocks on your bike make a huge difference in comfort. I put a set of touring bike air shocks and progressive springs along with a Sundowner seat on a 1200 Sportser. I did a 4,500 mile trip around the US on that bike. Just sold it and bought a 2019 Ultra Classic. I did about 1,200 mile trip this past weekend on the Ultra. Just looking at Ride quality, I expected a lot more out of the new touring bike. It's not much better than my Sportster was, especially for six times the price.
My 200 Dyna has progressive shocks and springs and a Corbin seat with a back rest. It just glides over little bumps that are jarring on the touring bike.
I probably need to play with the suspension settings on the Ultra some more, it really should ride better than it does.
Guess what I'm saying is you can improve the ride of your Dyna by upgrading shocks, replacing fork springs, changing fork oil weight and getting a new seat. Those are all things you may have to do to a Softail to improve it's ride as well.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
I've only ridden a few Softails at dealer demo days. So I can't really compare them to the Dyna's I've had.
But, the seat and shocks on your bike make a huge difference in comfort. I put a set of touring bike air shocks and progressive springs along with a Sundowner seat on a 1200 Sportser. I did a 4,500 mile trip around the US on that bike. Just sold it and bought a 2019 Ultra Classic. I did about 1,200 mile trip this past weekend on the Ultra. Just looking at Ride quality, I expected a lot more out of the new touring bike. It's not much better than my Sportster was, especially for six times the price.
My 200 Dyna has progressive shocks and springs and a Corbin seat with a back rest. It just glides over little bumps that are jarring on the touring bike.
I probably need to play with the suspension settings on the Ultra some more, it really should ride better than it does.
Guess what I'm saying is you can improve the ride of your Dyna by upgrading shocks, replacing fork springs, changing fork oil weight and getting a new seat. Those are all things you may have to do to a Softail to improve it's ride as well.
But, the seat and shocks on your bike make a huge difference in comfort. I put a set of touring bike air shocks and progressive springs along with a Sundowner seat on a 1200 Sportser. I did a 4,500 mile trip around the US on that bike. Just sold it and bought a 2019 Ultra Classic. I did about 1,200 mile trip this past weekend on the Ultra. Just looking at Ride quality, I expected a lot more out of the new touring bike. It's not much better than my Sportster was, especially for six times the price.
My 200 Dyna has progressive shocks and springs and a Corbin seat with a back rest. It just glides over little bumps that are jarring on the touring bike.
I probably need to play with the suspension settings on the Ultra some more, it really should ride better than it does.
Guess what I'm saying is you can improve the ride of your Dyna by upgrading shocks, replacing fork springs, changing fork oil weight and getting a new seat. Those are all things you may have to do to a Softail to improve it's ride as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
Hi all,
I'm currently riding a Dyna Low Rider with full Stage 4, with Progressive top grade shocks, and am planning on changing it for a more comfortable ride.
The missus is also not enjoying the ride too much... and honestly, I moved on to the Dyna from a Sportster, thinking it would be much more comfortable but after a few thousand miles I found otherwise...
An additional point, is that i'm feeling this engine is definitely not for me as I'm a pretty smooth-rider, rarely revving too much, or going too fast...
So, after some thought and test-driving one, I feel i'm not yet at the "tourer" level, so I'm aiming for a Softail before taking the Tourer/RK leap... also I don't think it justifies to have such a bike to ride like... 300~500 miles per month...
So, I've been searching all over the web but not finding anything too clear about Softail vs Dyna... in terms of comfort, or just very inconsistent feedback...
I've shortlisted my options to 2 bikes so far, but would love to hear opinions from more experienced riders... especially as i've never ridden Softails...
Right now i've come to:
2004 Softail NightTrain and 2000 Softail Deuce
Will have them available for test driving for a few days next week... will put some good miles on them to test...
I'm currently riding a Dyna Low Rider with full Stage 4, with Progressive top grade shocks, and am planning on changing it for a more comfortable ride.
The missus is also not enjoying the ride too much... and honestly, I moved on to the Dyna from a Sportster, thinking it would be much more comfortable but after a few thousand miles I found otherwise...
An additional point, is that i'm feeling this engine is definitely not for me as I'm a pretty smooth-rider, rarely revving too much, or going too fast...
So, after some thought and test-driving one, I feel i'm not yet at the "tourer" level, so I'm aiming for a Softail before taking the Tourer/RK leap... also I don't think it justifies to have such a bike to ride like... 300~500 miles per month...
So, I've been searching all over the web but not finding anything too clear about Softail vs Dyna... in terms of comfort, or just very inconsistent feedback...
I've shortlisted my options to 2 bikes so far, but would love to hear opinions from more experienced riders... especially as i've never ridden Softails...
Right now i've come to:
2004 Softail NightTrain and 2000 Softail Deuce
Will have them available for test driving for a few days next week... will put some good miles on them to test...
Along cane my friends 2000 Pearl White Heritage 32k miles.
Best decision ever to get back on a Harley and have it be a Heritage. JMO but I cant believe there is another model as comfortable and traditional as the Heritage
Whatever your decision......enjoy the ride
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