Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Balanced engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 01:30 AM
  #11  
rockon's Avatar
rockon
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 15
From: Conifer, CO
Default

Originally Posted by wallyn
A softail will pull a touring bike any day just because it is lighter overall so the balancer is negligible.
And likewise with a Dyna vs. a Softy.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 02:29 AM
  #12  
Stretchman's Avatar
Stretchman
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 446
From: South Florida
Default

The HP and torque measurements on HD's website show that the Dyna has 3 more ft lbs of torque, but as someone said earlier, the motor get's torqued around in the frame on the mounts, while the ST is solid mounted and may deliver about the same to the rear wheel.

The real difference is that the 88B motor is smoother in the city than the Dynas are, and make for a much better city cruiser/barhopper. On the highway, with the new 6 speed, the balancers don't make that much of a difference up to about 90 or so. Above that, the dynas have it.

If you want pure HP, get an earlier FXST with an EVO, and put a bigger lump in it. Otherwise, it doesn't make that much of a difference. The older Dynas couldn't jan dle as much power, becuase the frames would flex and sometimes get twisted. The FXR frames were stronger.

Any way you go though, and I don't think you'll be too disappointed, unless you go riding with guys who race from light to light.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 03:09 AM
  #13  
deadeye's Avatar
deadeye
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
Default

I think its like 5 hp difference between stock engines 96A & 96B. After mods such as pipes, AC, EFI I don't know what the difference will be--probably not much. Personally, when riding a Dyna or Bagger, I notice the engine shake of the 96A but not a couple extra hp.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 06:51 AM
  #14  
HDHornet's Avatar
HDHornet
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Default

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I guess I'm just afraid of trading in the Sporty for a Train and then regretting it later.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 08:51 AM
  #15  
tk353's Avatar
tk353
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
Default

What every feels best for you. Some like the shake at idle.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 01:29 PM
  #16  
rockon's Avatar
rockon
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 15
From: Conifer, CO
Default

Originally Posted by HDHornet
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I guess I'm just afraid of trading in the Sporty for a Train and then regretting it later.
Two words..........test ride.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 01:39 PM
  #17  
thomaskray's Avatar
thomaskray
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Carroll County, Maryland
Default

Personally, i like the shake at idle. feels like its ready to pounce. like a hot rod sitting at the drag strip.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 02:37 PM
  #18  
HDHornet's Avatar
HDHornet
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by rockon
Two words..........test ride.
I've already test rode one, bike felt great, fit perfectly, maybe I'll have to take another test ride since the first one was only 5 minuites.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 05:47 PM
  #19  
gaffney's Avatar
gaffney
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: South Western Pennsylvania
Default

Do it. If you can, test both. You'll find one that rides the way you like it.

For me it was a toss up between the Fat Bob and the Night Train. The dealer I go to only had a Fat Bob in vivid black and couldn't get any other color since they already went through their allotment. I sat on it and on a Train and decided I like sitting on the Train better. Those two facts are what convinced me to buy my '08 Train this past May. I haven't regretted that decision yet and I've put over 5100 miles on it.

I'm willing to bet that if you wanted to basically turn the 96B into a 96A, all you'd have to do is change the crank. LOL
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 06:11 PM
  #20  
rbabos's Avatar
rbabos
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Default

All you have to do is take the chain off the balancers and you have the A Motor, but what's the point. It's smooth, reliable and if you want that couple of extra ponies, a couple of bolt on items will match and exceed the minimal loss of hp. I still remember my panhead vibration, so not much chance that I would ever remove them
Ron
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:16 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE