dyna or fat boy
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 171
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From: Hong Kong via Australia
dyna or fat boy
Hi, I have the choice of buying a 2008 fat boy or dyna super glide. i do a lot of city riding and don't mind either and since they have the same sized motor i am just wondering if anyone had any thoughts?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 44
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From: Panama City, Fl. U.S. Air Force 88-present
RE: dyna or fat boy
Fat Boy- I have ridden them all and while each model has it's own appeal to the people who love them, IMO the Fat Boy will give you the smoothest ride, especially in town. The Dyna's engines are rubber mounted and do not have a counter balance shaft- you get that classic engine "shake" at idle. While it does smooth out, especially at highway speeds, the Softail family (Softail Custom and Standard, Fat Boy, Heritage and Deluxe, Cross Bones and Rocker all have the Twin Cam 96 "B" engine. Solid mount, but with a counter balance shaft. Virtually no engine shake at idle to 55-60, you start to feel a little vibration from the engine around 65 and up, but not enough to even be uncomfortable, just enough to let you know it's there. The Super Glide has mid controls, a narrow glide front end( like a Sportster)and a shorter rake in the forks- can be more agile in traffic. Personally, I love the Softail family-I ride an 05 customized Standard, my wife rides an 08 Nightster. Again, my opinion, and you did ask for it ! In the end, it all comes down to personal preferance. Ride a model of both, if you can before you make a decision.
RE: dyna or fat boy
Good Morning hksb...
Man...jetwizard provided some excellent insight into the two very different motorcycles. His information is right on! But keep in mind that every single person has his or her own wants and needs when it comes to motorcycles.I am confident that you can find the 'right fit for you' as well as your 'dream bike' on the Harley-Davidson showroom floor, but it is not an easy task! I LOVE my Fat Boy (set up only for local cruising) and wouldn't get rid of her for love nor money, but shedoes not fit all of my needs all of the time! And most riders will tell you that exact same thing. Mine is perfect for cruising around town looking cool...but I am going to the Texas State HOG Rally the first week in May...800 miles one way! I'm thinking my 54 year old butt is going to getworn out! Again, the decision between models is not easy...take an afternoon off and spend it at your dealer. Sit on the bikes, look at the styling details, study the colors and how you are going to 'personalize' your new baby...and ride a demo or two or three! You'll find the right one!
Good luck...
Steve
Man...jetwizard provided some excellent insight into the two very different motorcycles. His information is right on! But keep in mind that every single person has his or her own wants and needs when it comes to motorcycles.I am confident that you can find the 'right fit for you' as well as your 'dream bike' on the Harley-Davidson showroom floor, but it is not an easy task! I LOVE my Fat Boy (set up only for local cruising) and wouldn't get rid of her for love nor money, but shedoes not fit all of my needs all of the time! And most riders will tell you that exact same thing. Mine is perfect for cruising around town looking cool...but I am going to the Texas State HOG Rally the first week in May...800 miles one way! I'm thinking my 54 year old butt is going to getworn out! Again, the decision between models is not easy...take an afternoon off and spend it at your dealer. Sit on the bikes, look at the styling details, study the colors and how you are going to 'personalize' your new baby...and ride a demo or two or three! You'll find the right one!
Good luck...
Steve
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
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From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
RE: dyna or fat boy
I faced a similar decision last year. I knew I wanted a Harley - just didn't know which one. it came down to a FatBoy and a StreetBob. (I'm a big guy - 6ft 235 lbs). a 2 hour test ride on each convinced me to go with the FatBoy.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 171
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From: Hong Kong via Australia
RE: dyna or fat boy
Thanks for all the help..
I have ridden a variety of bikes over the last 25 years including 2 hd's but i have never used forward controls... do I have to use heel and toe on the gears or just toe up and down? is it Ok for traffic?
I have ridden a variety of bikes over the last 25 years including 2 hd's but i have never used forward controls... do I have to use heel and toe on the gears or just toe up and down? is it Ok for traffic?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,432
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From: SW Ohio
RE: dyna or fat boy
heel and toe shift is a pain... I may remove mine this summer, not sure yet :
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
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From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: dyna or fat boy
ORIGINAL: hksb
Thanks for all the help..
I have ridden a variety of bikes over the last 25 years including 2 hd's but i have never used forward controls... do I have to use heel and toe on the gears or just toe up and down? is it Ok for traffic?
Thanks for all the help..
I have ridden a variety of bikes over the last 25 years including 2 hd's but i have never used forward controls... do I have to use heel and toe on the gears or just toe up and down? is it Ok for traffic?
And my opinion for which bike you should choose, I say go with the Fatboy. It'll just be more comfortable. Especially if you do a lot of city riding like you said. The Dyna will vibrate like crazy and it could get annoying after a while if you're doing a lot of stops in traffic.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 502
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From: currently NC
RE: dyna or fat boy
Test drive them! I have owned a Superglide and now I have a Softail Cross Bones, and they are completely different bikes. What jetwizard said is pretty accurate with the exception of the difference in the motors. My Superglide shook like an old school Harley at an idle, but it was smooth as silk once it started rolling. The ride was comparable to my Softail, but I find the highway vibration on the Softail makes my hands tingle after a while.Nothing major, just have to reposition and everything's fine. I didn't have that with the Dyna.The counterbalance seems to play a part in overall performance as well. My buddy had a Softail Standard the same year as mine with the same pipes and intake and I could smoke him every time on my Dyna. We even swapped bikes and mine still won. Sample them for yourself and see which one you prefer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
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From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
RE: dyna or fat boy
removing the heel shifter was the first thing I did when I got my bike home.
I'm worried about my FatBoy. it has yet to vibrate, shake or shudder at highway speeds. of course, I've only had itup to 75 MPH, maybe over that it'll shake. I've heard what everyone else is saying about the vibration of a softtail at 50 or 60 MPH, but I guess I got a good one... or a bad one....
I can attest to the idle vibration of the Dyna.... I couldn't even use my rearview mirror stitting still, but, it smoothed out immediately upon accelerating.
I'm worried about my FatBoy. it has yet to vibrate, shake or shudder at highway speeds. of course, I've only had itup to 75 MPH, maybe over that it'll shake. I've heard what everyone else is saying about the vibration of a softtail at 50 or 60 MPH, but I guess I got a good one... or a bad one....
I can attest to the idle vibration of the Dyna.... I couldn't even use my rearview mirror stitting still, but, it smoothed out immediately upon accelerating.