Soft Tail vs Dyna Glides?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: West... It's better out here!
Soft Tail vs Dyna Glides?
Hey all, I'm new here and will be purchasing a HD later this summer.
This would be my first cruiser and also first bike in ~10yrs...
The Fat Bob first caught my attention, then the Wide Glide... Then a Softtail caught my eye...
I'm curious what the differences are between Dyna Glides and Soft Tail models are....
After a brief look, it seems the visable rear shocks (Dyna) and hidden suspension (softtail)
I'd mostly be riding around town and taking it up in to to the Foothills of Colorado's front range but also some trips over to Cali and up to Montana as well...
Any thoughts would be good...
Thanks!
Junior
This would be my first cruiser and also first bike in ~10yrs...
The Fat Bob first caught my attention, then the Wide Glide... Then a Softtail caught my eye...
I'm curious what the differences are between Dyna Glides and Soft Tail models are....
After a brief look, it seems the visable rear shocks (Dyna) and hidden suspension (softtail)
I'd mostly be riding around town and taking it up in to to the Foothills of Colorado's front range but also some trips over to Cali and up to Montana as well...
Any thoughts would be good...
Thanks!
Junior
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Milton, Vermont
Hey all, I'm new here and will be purchasing a HD later this summer.
This would be my first cruiser and also first bike in ~10yrs...
The Fat Bob first caught my attention, then the Wide Glide... Then a Softtail caught my eye...
I'm curious what the differences are between Dyna Glides and Soft Tail models are....
After a brief look, it seems the visable rear shocks (Dyna) and hidden suspension (softtail)
I'd mostly be riding around town and taking it up in to to the Foothills of Colorado's front range but also some trips over to Cali and up to Montana as well...
Any thoughts would be good...
Thanks!
Junior
This would be my first cruiser and also first bike in ~10yrs...
The Fat Bob first caught my attention, then the Wide Glide... Then a Softtail caught my eye...
I'm curious what the differences are between Dyna Glides and Soft Tail models are....
After a brief look, it seems the visable rear shocks (Dyna) and hidden suspension (softtail)
I'd mostly be riding around town and taking it up in to to the Foothills of Colorado's front range but also some trips over to Cali and up to Montana as well...
Any thoughts would be good...
Thanks!
Junior
One difference is the engine and mounting... current model year Softails use the 96 inch engine with counterbalancers rigidly mounted to the frame. This setup reduces vibration and gives a smoother ride... more like a tourer. The current year Dynas use the same engine, but withOUT counterbalancers and they are rubber mounted to the frame which allows for a lot of engine shake at idle and low RPM.
For 2012, the Softail family will be getting the 103 inch engine while the Dyna line (not sure if all models apply) will still have the 96. Check out the link on this thread (I would look myself, but I am restricted from downloading files on this work computer). https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...-exciting.html
Personally, I prefer the look of not having exposed shocks... the Softails look more like rigids.
Last edited by FatVermonter; Jun 18, 2011 at 12:00 AM. Reason: added 2 cents
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,909
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From: Kalifornia
Hey Junior, welcome to the forum. I am far from an expert on things Harley but here are a couple of things I know about Dynas and Softails.
1) Dyna owners will claim that their bikes handle almost as well as their old sportbikes.
2) Softail owners will claim that their bikes are smoother than butter and look way cooler than Dynas.
Both are great bikes and you need to test ride a few different models to really know which you like better.
Both will be fine for around town use or cross country trips.
Good luck with your search.
1) Dyna owners will claim that their bikes handle almost as well as their old sportbikes.
2) Softail owners will claim that their bikes are smoother than butter and look way cooler than Dynas.
Both are great bikes and you need to test ride a few different models to really know which you like better.
Both will be fine for around town use or cross country trips.
Good luck with your search.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
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I have a 09' Xrossbones and my buddy has a 11' Wide Glide. We both have a stage 1 upgrade and the Wide Glide feels faster and has better throttle response due to it being 80lbs lighter and the A motor dynoed a few more hp and tq. The ride is completely different as well, the Xbones has much less vibration, and the suspension seems to absorb more of the bumps. The springer front end is a lot firmer than the wide glides and doesn't dive as much under braking. The suspension on the Wide Glide felt soft compared to the xBones, but the handling was lighter and more nimble. To me the Xbones feels more planted to the road and is more of a cruiser, while the WG requires less rider input to react and wants to be ridden more aggressively.
I think both are equally good as they both have plusses and minuses.
You decision should be based on what feels more comfortable to sit on and which one you rather look at everyday.
I think both are equally good as they both have plusses and minuses.
You decision should be based on what feels more comfortable to sit on and which one you rather look at everyday.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: West... It's better out here!
Thanks for the info on the engine mounting and counter-balancing of the motors... Good info!
I posted this in the Dyna forum as well to try to get a well rounded reply... hehe...
I totally agree here! Now if I could just smash the three bikes in to one.... And I'll be test riding some next month! <happy dance>
I posted this in the Dyna forum as well to try to get a well rounded reply... hehe...
Your decision should be based on what feels more comfortable to sit on and which one you rather look at everyday.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 192
From: Lakeland, FL
When I bought my Fatboy, I had to decide between it and a wideglide. I love my bike, but I'd probably go with the dyna the second time around. The softail can make for a rough ride sometimes. I'm guessing the shocks must be pretty stiff due to their short travel and the long travel at the wheel. The counterbalanced engine is nice at idle, but it will vibrate/buzz at higher rpms. It's not bad, but it's there.
Hey Junior,
Welcome to the forum from NW Mississippi.
There are many significant differences between the Softail and the Dyna families...and there are some pretty significant differences WITHIN each of the families.
As pointed out, one of the biggest is the A vs the B motor.
The only way you're gonna know which one is best for you is to spend some time in the seat of the different ones that you are interested in.
Have fun shopping/test riding!
Kevin
HDF Contest
Welcome to the forum from NW Mississippi.
There are many significant differences between the Softail and the Dyna families...and there are some pretty significant differences WITHIN each of the families.
As pointed out, one of the biggest is the A vs the B motor.
The only way you're gonna know which one is best for you is to spend some time in the seat of the different ones that you are interested in.
Have fun shopping/test riding!
Kevin
HDF Contest
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From: San Tan Valley, AZ
As someone told me that I completely agree with is:
"You know it's the right bike for you when everytime you see the bike, you get a feeling of pride and think Yes that's my bike."
"You know it's the right bike for you when everytime you see the bike, you get a feeling of pride and think Yes that's my bike."
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
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From: Central Jersey
The looks are different, the motors in the Softails are the B motors for balanced (as people have said), and the suspensions are different..
truth be told, make a list of the bikes you want to test ride, call your dealer and say "Do you have X, Y, and Z in stock? If so, I'd like to take them for a few test rides" and let your butt do the choosing.
As for distance, I've gone 500 miles in <20 hours on my FatBoy Lo and was able to get off the bike and walk around just fine, the ride for me is very nice and comfortable, but it may not be for everyone.. anywho. Yeah. damn 103"'s.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
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From: Republic of Texas
My first Softail was in 91 when I graduated from high school. I rode that bike all the way up til 2001 and sold it. In 2009 I decided to buy another bike and for some ungodly reason decided to buy a Street Bob. Big Mistake!!!!! I did not mind the vibrations, after all it is a Harley. What I did mind was the rear wheel shimmy in the curves. That can be cured with a bracket system that ties the engine and transmission into the frame better. The Dyna Swingarm is mounted directly to the rear of the transmission. The transmission is mounted to the frame via a rubber mount. So when the engine and trans move around because of the rubber mounts, so does the swingarm. It's not a very rigid system. It can feel a little unstable in the smallest of curves because as I said previously the swingarm is basically rubber mounted. Needless to say I now have a Softail Deluxe. So from my experience stock for stock a Dyna doesn't perform near as well as a Softail in smoothness of ride or cornering stability.