Softail handling
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 12
From: Palm Bay
Softail handling
I have 7500 miles on a fat boy lo and about 1000 on a sportster. Obviously I do not have much experience. My question is The Dyna and the Touring owners say that they handle much better than softails. Those with experience of riding different HD bikes, do you agree?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 496
Likes: 1
From: 'neath a cactus
You're comparing apples to oranges...
There are few similarities in their handling characteristics. Think about the differences between riding a Sporty and a Softail. Both are related by heritage but not much more similarity exists.
In my opinion, the Dyna has certain handling similarities to the Sportster but it's still a much different ride. To me, touring bikes are big and heavy lumbering beasts initially but are very comfortable once you get used to them.
Personally I like how the Softail handles... it's a happy medium in between the hot rod ride of the Sportster and Dyna; and the big comfy couch that is a touring bike.
There are few similarities in their handling characteristics. Think about the differences between riding a Sporty and a Softail. Both are related by heritage but not much more similarity exists.
In my opinion, the Dyna has certain handling similarities to the Sportster but it's still a much different ride. To me, touring bikes are big and heavy lumbering beasts initially but are very comfortable once you get used to them.
Personally I like how the Softail handles... it's a happy medium in between the hot rod ride of the Sportster and Dyna; and the big comfy couch that is a touring bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,293
Likes: 6,322
From: Honah Lee
Well all I can say is after 10K my Softail fills a lot better now then it did when I first started but it's far from what I call smooth in turns. However I am sure that a softail fatboy with more equal tire radius would fill better. On the open rode and at legal speeds it handles and brakes well. My friends 04 RoadKing is not much different. The close in visibility on city streets makes it seem different.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
You're comparing apples to oranges...
There are few similarities in their handling characteristics. Think about the differences between riding a Sporty and a Softail. Both are related by heritage but not much more similarity exists.
In my opinion, the Dyna has certain handling similarities to the Sportster but it's still a much different ride. To me, touring bikes are big and heavy lumbering beasts initially but are very comfortable once you get used to them.
Personally I like how the Softail handles... it's a happy medium in between the hot rod ride of the Sportster and Dyna; and the big comfy couch that is a touring bike.
There are few similarities in their handling characteristics. Think about the differences between riding a Sporty and a Softail. Both are related by heritage but not much more similarity exists.
In my opinion, the Dyna has certain handling similarities to the Sportster but it's still a much different ride. To me, touring bikes are big and heavy lumbering beasts initially but are very comfortable once you get used to them.
Personally I like how the Softail handles... it's a happy medium in between the hot rod ride of the Sportster and Dyna; and the big comfy couch that is a touring bike.
Last edited by TheTroupe; Apr 6, 2012 at 02:05 PM. Reason: sp.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 7
All I know is one Harley...my Lo. Until it dies, I am very happy with it. If I start samPling... I will be so confused;p. Took mine on it's first all day trip this summer. Only complaint is that I didn't have an iron butt...now I do. Cornering, torque, etc,,,all is well. Soon as the wheels move it's cake.
Last edited by Josewales; Sep 25, 2011 at 03:48 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
I've been riding R6s for over 10 years. 2 years ago I bought my Fatboy. Last week I put on progressive shocks up front. Cut it 1 1/2 inches. Put a Shotgun shock on the back. I like to ride low. And now I'm as happy as a pig in chit. 
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I am very interested in any updates to this thread. I really like the looks of the Night Train, but have been told that at idol the Softail is nice and smooth but once you accelerate, it vibrates like heck at speed and that the Dyna is just the opposite. I have noticed the high frequency vibrations with my Sporty and that is one of the reasons that I am looking to change bikes. I realize this is a Softail thread, but any thoughts, opinions would be appreciated.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 496
Likes: 1
From: 'neath a cactus
One of my long term goals for my Heritage is to try to save some cash to invest in a set of shotgun shocks. I suspect that upgrade will make a tremendous difference to the ride...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Okay, handling.. I'm surprised no one has said this yet, because on these topics it's usually the second or third post:
You sit ON a Sportster/Dyna..you sit IN a Softail. My FatBoy Lo is 300lbs heavier than my sportster was, and IMO it handles much much better than the sporty did in the turns..and i think it all has to do with my position as the rider.. the Lo has such a low center of balance that i can take it as low as i need to and will hardly feel like i'm slipping at all.. whereas on the Sporty i always felt top-heavy on it and that I might tip over.. I'm still using the stock suspension, but in the next few weeks i'm going to be putting on a set of 422's in the rear, and RaceTech Gold Valve Emulators in the front to try to improve the feel and handling even further..hope it all works out well.