I'm looking at getting my first Harley. I really like the way that a softail looks. But, I ride somewhat agressively & have a a bad lower back (slouching is a big no-no for me). I will test ride, but figure that this is something I won't really be able to figure out w/o alot of saddle time.

Objective opinions please!

 

Hey, I have ridden a Dyna WG and now own a Softail Custom. In terms of comfort, the Softail kicks the Dyna WG a$$. The seats are very comfortable. You sit up straight and the bars are in a good position for that.
In terms of ride, all Dyna are Hard tails right. The suspension is really nice on the softails. Going over small to medium bumps, you barely notice. On the WG, you notice it. If you have a bad back, I would recommend the softail suspension.
I wouldn't trade the softail suspension for anything. (well maybe air ride!! )

Good luck with your decision. Also, incase you are considering the WG, I don't think they are making them anymore after 2008.

Ride Safe.

Ryan

 

I had a hard time to decide between a Street Bob and the Night train, I finally chose the NT. I have no regrets. I would test drive both. And then follow your heart...

 

i've always been told the dyna is the better way to go for performance due to the frame geometry.

 

Just sold my wideglide and moved to a fatboy the dyna definitely handled better in the twisties but i like the riding position of the fatboy better, if you really want comfort you should take a look at some of the baggers.

 

I know a bagger would make more sense. I'm just not ready for that yet, so it's between a softail & dyna

 

Fatboy! Softail suspension, FL front end, wide sticky front and rear tires, low center of gravity, makes a good handling bike with with a comfortable ride and a great look. Believe me there is a reason why this is one of HD's best selling bikes. Not to mention, throw a set of detachable bags and a windshield on it and you have yourself a sporty Heritage Softail, makes a pretty good touring bike, or you can strip the bags and windshield, throw on the solo seat and have a cool looking around town cruiser. IMHO one of the best all around bikes. I dont like the stock seat on the 07 and later bikes though, I perfer more of a deep bucket with some back support like the Sundowner.

 

This is kinda true. The shock setup (frame geometry) on the Softail is the reason they don't rubber mount the motor. It is hard mounted to the frame. This is why they use a counterbalancer in the motor. The counterbalancer is what is causing the loss of performance.

 

you maybe should cut the aggression down alittle with the lower back problem,but just a tad,fatboy is nice but tome best ride in softail is the deluxe,maybe try the fat bob or n-train indynas ,most comfortable ride will always be a bagger.with aggression try the rocker![sm=biker.gif]

 

You CAN change the shocks on the Dyna to help out the back end too.

Not to be derogatory, but if you have the skills (most of us don't if we are honest) to max out the handling ability of the softail, message the Dyna.

Softail eats bumps better no matter what though.