2013 Slim vs 2013 Street Bob
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
2013 Slim vs 2013 Street Bob
Newbie poster here. I've done a ton of reading and would welcome some input from the guys in the know here.
I'm a L O N G time dirt bike rider. Started riding at 10 and I'm 50 this year. In the last few years have had a couple of nasty crashes and now looking to cruise more low-n-slow as it were.
I'm 5'7 185lbs and now have a "pirate limp" from a recent broken leg (more dirt bike fun)
So I been researching the 2013 Slim. Love the retro look and minimalist bling. I went into Dudley Perkins HD this weekend for a test ride.
Liked the bike. The heel shifter bugged me but that can be removed. The hollywood bars are cool but full turns at slow speeds are a reach for me. The bike felt solid yet heavy, but not too bad concidering it was my first time on a big cruiser.
Came back and talked to the sales guy (later found out his last name was Perkins) about the ride. After chit chatting a bit he said "you know you really should try the Street Bob. Has the bobber look you want and dirt bike guys really seem to gravitate towards it"
So I took it out for a ride. The bike "fit" a bit better. The power with the 96" was plenty. Turned better and felt a bit more in control at slower speeds and slow turns. But the front end seemed to bounce more on the rough road I was on. Not sure if the narrower wheel is the reason or the thin forks.
Anyway I really liked both bikes for different reasons. I can't buy both so I'm stuck.
Any opinions or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance . . .
I'm a L O N G time dirt bike rider. Started riding at 10 and I'm 50 this year. In the last few years have had a couple of nasty crashes and now looking to cruise more low-n-slow as it were.
I'm 5'7 185lbs and now have a "pirate limp" from a recent broken leg (more dirt bike fun)
So I been researching the 2013 Slim. Love the retro look and minimalist bling. I went into Dudley Perkins HD this weekend for a test ride.
Liked the bike. The heel shifter bugged me but that can be removed. The hollywood bars are cool but full turns at slow speeds are a reach for me. The bike felt solid yet heavy, but not too bad concidering it was my first time on a big cruiser.
Came back and talked to the sales guy (later found out his last name was Perkins) about the ride. After chit chatting a bit he said "you know you really should try the Street Bob. Has the bobber look you want and dirt bike guys really seem to gravitate towards it"
So I took it out for a ride. The bike "fit" a bit better. The power with the 96" was plenty. Turned better and felt a bit more in control at slower speeds and slow turns. But the front end seemed to bounce more on the rough road I was on. Not sure if the narrower wheel is the reason or the thin forks.
Anyway I really liked both bikes for different reasons. I can't buy both so I'm stuck.
Any opinions or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance . . .
Last edited by Calif Fat Bob; Jun 11, 2013 at 12:27 PM. Reason: clarity
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
From: WY
Came down to the same 2 bikes for me also. I studied these two for weeks, but finally I decided I liked the Slim the best as the ride was very spirited for a softail and the front end handled bumps and milled pavement better. I was also concerned that the constant vibration of the Street Bob would bother me. These are only my opinions and your mileage may vary!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 653
Likes: 116
From: Texas
I have owned a Street Bob and several other Dynas and then bought a Fatboy last year.
For me I could never get situated on the Dynas where I was totally comfortable for all day riding. Further back seat and highway pegs just didn't satisfy the comfort factor.
The softail with footboards seems easier to make comfy adjustments.
The trade off is with the Dyna the you can really lean over into curves and softails are prone to dragging the footboards (and potentially exhaust pipes).
I live in Texas where it is flat and you have to travel far to carve canyons. If I lived where I could ride the Dynas like they can be ridden then I probably would not have bought the softail.
So in the end I'm happy with the softail even though it drags the footboards in the curves. I like to dink around making it look vintage and softails are easy to modify due to the availability of parts whearas the number of parts and components for the Dynas are very few.
Good luck !
For me I could never get situated on the Dynas where I was totally comfortable for all day riding. Further back seat and highway pegs just didn't satisfy the comfort factor.
The softail with footboards seems easier to make comfy adjustments.
The trade off is with the Dyna the you can really lean over into curves and softails are prone to dragging the footboards (and potentially exhaust pipes).
I live in Texas where it is flat and you have to travel far to carve canyons. If I lived where I could ride the Dynas like they can be ridden then I probably would not have bought the softail.
So in the end I'm happy with the softail even though it drags the footboards in the curves. I like to dink around making it look vintage and softails are easy to modify due to the availability of parts whearas the number of parts and components for the Dynas are very few.
Good luck !
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Newbie poster here. I've done a ton of reading and would welcome some input from the guys in the know here.
I'm a L O N G time dirt bike rider. Started riding at 10 and I'm 50 this year. In the last few years have had a couple of nasty crashes and now looking to cruise more low-n-slow as it were.
I'm 5'7 185lbs and now have a "pirate limp" from a recent broken leg (more dirt bike fun)
So I been researching the 2013 Slim. Love the retro look and minimalist bling. I went into Dudley Perkins HD this weekend for a test ride.
Liked the bike. The heel shifter bugged me but that can be removed. The hollywood bars are cool but full turns at slow speeds are a reach for me. The bike felt solid yet heavy, but not too bad concidering it was my first time on a big cruiser.
Came back and talked to the sales guy (later found out his last name was Perkins) about the ride. After chit chatting a bit he said "you know you really should try the Street Bob. Has the bobber look you want and dirt bike guys really seem to gravitate towards it"
So I took it out for a ride. The bike "fit" a bit better. The power with the 96" was plenty. Turned better and felt a bit more in control at slower speeds and slow turns. But the front end seemed to bounce more on the rough road I was on. Not sure if the narrower wheel is the reason or the thin forks.
Anyway I really liked both bikes for different reasons. I can't buy both so I'm stuck.
Any opinions or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance . . .
I'm a L O N G time dirt bike rider. Started riding at 10 and I'm 50 this year. In the last few years have had a couple of nasty crashes and now looking to cruise more low-n-slow as it were.
I'm 5'7 185lbs and now have a "pirate limp" from a recent broken leg (more dirt bike fun)
So I been researching the 2013 Slim. Love the retro look and minimalist bling. I went into Dudley Perkins HD this weekend for a test ride.
Liked the bike. The heel shifter bugged me but that can be removed. The hollywood bars are cool but full turns at slow speeds are a reach for me. The bike felt solid yet heavy, but not too bad concidering it was my first time on a big cruiser.
Came back and talked to the sales guy (later found out his last name was Perkins) about the ride. After chit chatting a bit he said "you know you really should try the Street Bob. Has the bobber look you want and dirt bike guys really seem to gravitate towards it"
So I took it out for a ride. The bike "fit" a bit better. The power with the 96" was plenty. Turned better and felt a bit more in control at slower speeds and slow turns. But the front end seemed to bounce more on the rough road I was on. Not sure if the narrower wheel is the reason or the thin forks.
Anyway I really liked both bikes for different reasons. I can't buy both so I'm stuck.
Any opinions or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance . . .
I had a Dyna last year, and ended up trading that in on a Slim.
With the balanced engine, the Slim rides like a Cadillac by comparison, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the floorboards over pegs.
This bike is one smooth cruiser - I would do it again in a heartbeat...
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Softail (Slim) for comfort.
Dyna (Street Bob) for speed/agility.
which one gave you the most grin factor? Go based on that because "it's all about the ride man"!
Dyna (Street Bob) for speed/agility.
which one gave you the most grin factor? Go based on that because "it's all about the ride man"!
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
I'm a lot like you, size-wise, age-wise, and also with a bad back & knees.
I had a Dyna last year, and ended up trading that in on a Slim.
With the balanced engine, the Slim rides like a Cadillac by comparison, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the floorboards over pegs.
This bike is one smooth cruiser - I would do it again in a heartbeat...
I had a Dyna last year, and ended up trading that in on a Slim.
With the balanced engine, the Slim rides like a Cadillac by comparison, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the floorboards over pegs.
This bike is one smooth cruiser - I would do it again in a heartbeat...
Jam436 Your Slim is how I found Slims
I had been searching Slims last year and saw yours on this forum and in your threads. That headlight setup and blackout front end looks great!
I'm leaning (no pun intended) towards the Slim.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
Maybe I need a floor boarded Street Bob Slim?
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
