Softail or Dyna??
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
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Softail or Dyna??
I will soon be buying my first bike to celebrate my 50th birthday. After hearing many experienced riders tell me that I'd quickly outgrow a Sportster, I rented one in Vegas last week and I agree with them. Now I would like some help deciding between buying the Softail Custom or the Dyna Wideglide. I prefer the look of the Softail but many Harley salesmen are telling me that the ride on the Dyna is superior. I plan to rent each of them before I buy. Until then any suggestions from this forum would be greatly appreciated. (I'm also going to post this on the Dyna forum).
Thank you--Gregmeister
Thank you--Gregmeister
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Softail or Dyna??
OK, let's analize this. The Custom and the Wideglide look similar, with both having the 21" front wheel/tire with a single disk in long forks and a small fender. Both have the same style Bobbed rear fender and forward controls.
So the difference is going to be how they feel to you and how they will work with your particular style of riding.
If you like to just cruise around without beating the road up, you'll be very happy with the Custom and its "B" motor.
If you prefer to really crank it through the twisties then the rubber mounted "unbalanced" engine and better suspension geometry in the rear of the Dyna is a better choice.
My experience with both of them is that you sit more "in" a Softail than"on" it like aDyna.
Atmy 5' 7" (plus a bit) height I can easily reach the forward controlsand flat foot my Custom.
Unlike theWideglide where Ihave to stretch a little each time I need to hit the brake or use theshifter, and I can only put one foot flat on the ground.
So if your not a six footer, a Dyna might be a great bike, but its not a very great confidence builder if your always having to "reach" for the controls.
In the end its going to be up to you what you like and what your comfotable with that will decide which is better for you. In any event I'm sure you'll be happy whichever bike you get.
Good luck choosing, and don't forget WE WANT PICS after you get it.
So the difference is going to be how they feel to you and how they will work with your particular style of riding.
If you like to just cruise around without beating the road up, you'll be very happy with the Custom and its "B" motor.
If you prefer to really crank it through the twisties then the rubber mounted "unbalanced" engine and better suspension geometry in the rear of the Dyna is a better choice.
My experience with both of them is that you sit more "in" a Softail than"on" it like aDyna.
Atmy 5' 7" (plus a bit) height I can easily reach the forward controlsand flat foot my Custom.
Unlike theWideglide where Ihave to stretch a little each time I need to hit the brake or use theshifter, and I can only put one foot flat on the ground.
So if your not a six footer, a Dyna might be a great bike, but its not a very great confidence builder if your always having to "reach" for the controls.
In the end its going to be up to you what you like and what your comfotable with that will decide which is better for you. In any event I'm sure you'll be happy whichever bike you get.
Good luck choosing, and don't forget WE WANT PICS after you get it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: Softail or Dyna??
Too bad they don't make a Dyna with a Softail B motor. I must be a wimp, but after 30+ years on Japanese and German bikes I can't deal with heavy vibes and the engine jumping around.
I remember in the 90s when the Twin Cam was first announced I was disapointed they didn't counterbalance all the engines. Seems to me a Dyna would handle even better with a solid mount engine too.
I remember in the 90s when the Twin Cam was first announced I was disapointed they didn't counterbalance all the engines. Seems to me a Dyna would handle even better with a solid mount engine too.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softail or Dyna??
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
OK, let's analize this. The Custom and the Wideglide look similar, with both having the 21" front wheel/tire with a single disk in long forks and a small fender. Both have the same style Bobbed rear fender and forward controls.
OK, let's analize this. The Custom and the Wideglide look similar, with both having the 21" front wheel/tire with a single disk in long forks and a small fender. Both have the same style Bobbed rear fender and forward controls.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
RE: Softail or Dyna??
I think your right about the Sporty. They are great bikes but many people buy them and trade to a BT in the first year or so if they get hooked on riding.
I did it the hard way , got back into riding after a long lay off and bought a 2004 1200 Roadster Sportster, less than a year went by bought a 2004 RK Custom and 6 months later bought a 2005 Fatboy. The Fatboy is the bike for me and I'm now happy with it and have more than 10,000 miles on it . But I lost a buch $ on the trades. They are all great bikes , you just have to find the one that suits you best if you cant afford to own them all. If I could find the time to ride more and had asome more disposable $ I'd also own a Street Glide.
Your asking the question on the Softail vs a Dyna on a Softail forum, so your going to here a bias for Softails. The biggest difference in the Softails vs any other HD is the "B" motor.
Best thing you can do is rent or borrow as many bikes as you can and ride them like you own them so that you can make your choice.
No matter what HD you buy they are all great bikes just different, but still HDs and built to ride like no other motorcycle.
I did it the hard way , got back into riding after a long lay off and bought a 2004 1200 Roadster Sportster, less than a year went by bought a 2004 RK Custom and 6 months later bought a 2005 Fatboy. The Fatboy is the bike for me and I'm now happy with it and have more than 10,000 miles on it . But I lost a buch $ on the trades. They are all great bikes , you just have to find the one that suits you best if you cant afford to own them all. If I could find the time to ride more and had asome more disposable $ I'd also own a Street Glide.
Your asking the question on the Softail vs a Dyna on a Softail forum, so your going to here a bias for Softails. The biggest difference in the Softails vs any other HD is the "B" motor.
Best thing you can do is rent or borrow as many bikes as you can and ride them like you own them so that you can make your choice.
No matter what HD you buy they are all great bikes just different, but still HDs and built to ride like no other motorcycle.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: RI
RE: Softail or Dyna??
Are you going to ride it or look at it? Just kidding, I have both and I think the Dyna is just as nice looking. The Dyna is more agile and a no brainer to ride. Corners great too. The softail is nice too, but a different ride. You need to ride them both, then get what suits your riding style. Either way, you cant go wrong.
ORIGINAL: Gregmeister
I will soon be buying my first bike to celebrate my 50th birthday. After hearing many experienced riders tell me that I'd quickly outgrow a Sportster, I rented one in Vegas last week and I agree with them. Now I would like some help deciding between buying the Softail Custom or the Dyna Wideglide. I prefer the look of the Softail but many Harley salesmen are telling me that the ride on the Dyna is superior. I plan to rent each of them before I buy. Until then any suggestions from this forum would be greatly appreciated. (I'm also going to post this on the Dyna forum).
Thank you--Gregmeister
I will soon be buying my first bike to celebrate my 50th birthday. After hearing many experienced riders tell me that I'd quickly outgrow a Sportster, I rented one in Vegas last week and I agree with them. Now I would like some help deciding between buying the Softail Custom or the Dyna Wideglide. I prefer the look of the Softail but many Harley salesmen are telling me that the ride on the Dyna is superior. I plan to rent each of them before I buy. Until then any suggestions from this forum would be greatly appreciated. (I'm also going to post this on the Dyna forum).
Thank you--Gregmeister
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