Why did you switch from a Dyna to a Softail?
Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Connecticut
Really like both of them having had both. Dyna handled great it was a fun bike I but prefer the softail, not as much vibration as a dyna and still very smooth and fun to ride. Both great choices and handle great.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Hey,
As I have already stated in earlier post not that I am bored with my RK I am just bored with riding it for across and around town. Seems I might be weary of the low RPM shaking in town.
I have a strong desire for a new bike, love my RK but cannot afford to keep it if I get another bike.
Figure maybe three or four times a year I will do some eight hr long rides but in and across town I will do just about everyday.
I have never ridden a Softail, I hear the Slim handles pretty good so I can not wait to ride one in a few more weeks when I get back to the states. Got the fever bad!
But when I am out of town near some twistees I would hope I can hit'em as hard as I do on my RK
Anyway, according to the Dyna (Not HD Gospel) forums the Sofatails do not handle nearly as well as Dynas. I imagine this is true depending on what model is being compared.
What I am wondering is if there are Softail riders here that switched from Dynas?
One Dyna guy said his RK and Dyna both handled better than his Softail. What?
I will see for my self in a few weeks but love to a here what made you switch.
Thanks.
As I have already stated in earlier post not that I am bored with my RK I am just bored with riding it for across and around town. Seems I might be weary of the low RPM shaking in town.
I have a strong desire for a new bike, love my RK but cannot afford to keep it if I get another bike.
Figure maybe three or four times a year I will do some eight hr long rides but in and across town I will do just about everyday.
I have never ridden a Softail, I hear the Slim handles pretty good so I can not wait to ride one in a few more weeks when I get back to the states. Got the fever bad!
But when I am out of town near some twistees I would hope I can hit'em as hard as I do on my RK
Anyway, according to the Dyna (Not HD Gospel) forums the Sofatails do not handle nearly as well as Dynas. I imagine this is true depending on what model is being compared.
What I am wondering is if there are Softail riders here that switched from Dynas?
One Dyna guy said his RK and Dyna both handled better than his Softail. What?
I will see for my self in a few weeks but love to a here what made you switch.
Thanks.
I switched from '09 Dyna Superglide Custom to an '05 Softail Deluxe for a better ride and better handling. That simple.
Only thing the Dyna had over the Deluxe was better low end punch.
I'll hazard a guess that you're experience is all going to be determined by riding style. IMHO lean angle and floorboard/peg scraping is over rated. For most people, they don't come close to pushing the capabilities of their bike. And, good effective safe riding means that you stay well within capabilities of bike so you have that headroom if needed.
Heavier bike = smoother ride. Better ergonomics = improved slow speed handling.
Extremely happy that I made the upgrade.
Bones.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Yorktown Va
I think, for the way you're planning to ride, you'll be more than happy with a Softail. IMO, both the Dynas and Touring Models handle better in the twisties, but not so much that you can't keep up. I don't think you'll be able to be as aggresive as you may have been with your RK. The fact that the Softail is so much easier in town and rides well enough on the highway, will more than compensate for the lack of performance in the twisties. Plus, no matter which Softail you get, it will look better than any other family of bikes Harley has 
I can ask lots of questions but I will know better when I ride a Softail. I guess the way I worded my thread did not come across as I meant. I did not ask "Should I get a Dyna or Softail" I asked why other people switched from a Dyna to a Softail but the thread quickly turned into what bike I should get.
I just thought it would be cool to read replies from riders spouting the awesomeness of their Softail.
Peace.
Last edited by tripleb1911; Sep 16, 2014 at 05:02 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 96
From: Eastern North Carolina
Yes indeed, I was wondering how the folks with pegs make out as far as scraping their softails. I only seem to hear this about the FL softails.
I much prefer my Heritage Softail to my Dyna. Much more comfortable ride, and when I want to get aggressive in the twistys I don't mind the floorboard scraping.
I can go faster on the Dyna, but not nearly as comfortable.
I can go faster on the Dyna, but not nearly as comfortable.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 153
From: Midlands of SC
I traded in a 04 lowrider for a 13 deluxe. Reason is I am getting older and sitting in the deluxe as opposed to riding on the dyna is way mo better. Much easier to maneuver and less vibration all around. I dont care what the dyna guys say, my lowrider vibrated pretty good at any rpm. Ya know, I never really thought about it and it didnt ever bother me. I came up through the sprint, ironhead, and shovelhead time. I now realize that the vibration was pretty bad after now owning the deluxe with the B motor . 103 cu with stage1 aint to bad either.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: East Stroudsburg PA
Coming from an 07 Street Bob to the 13 Breakout I feel like I can definitely whip my Bob around better on turns etc etc. I have already scraped the pegs on the Breakout 3 times and turns my Street Bob never had a problem with
Saying that, I love my Bob but the Softail Breakout is such a nicer ride and is just a great all around bike for me. I feel like I can drive the Breakout anywhere and be comfortable doing so. With the Bob it was ok for a little while but started to get rough after a few long miles
Saying that, I love my Bob but the Softail Breakout is such a nicer ride and is just a great all around bike for me. I feel like I can drive the Breakout anywhere and be comfortable doing so. With the Bob it was ok for a little while but started to get rough after a few long miles
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Yorktown Va
With my brawler seat on my RK I do have a bit of a slung back in the bike feel, but just a bit. On the open road the RK feels pretty darn balanced. But with the 5 speed and cruising at 80 its not as smooth as silk, there is some vibration.
I hear I will get a Buzz with the Softail. Many say they do others say the dont, we will see.
When I first got it the RK I loved the motor shake until the rpms were up. Riding all day was easy.
But the last two years I simply work too much. Most rides are not open road, I have to admit the low rpm vibration annoying me is probably the thing I have been in denial of the last year at least.
I am pretty certain the Slim is going to be a great alternative. Beautiful bike, less weight, less vibration. Cant wait!
I hear I will get a Buzz with the Softail. Many say they do others say the dont, we will see.
When I first got it the RK I loved the motor shake until the rpms were up. Riding all day was easy.
But the last two years I simply work too much. Most rides are not open road, I have to admit the low rpm vibration annoying me is probably the thing I have been in denial of the last year at least.
I am pretty certain the Slim is going to be a great alternative. Beautiful bike, less weight, less vibration. Cant wait!
Last edited by tripleb1911; Sep 16, 2014 at 10:05 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 872
Likes: 7
From: Edmonton
My Rocker with forward controls, my heals scrape & with the Bones, the boards scrape. You get used to it. Can't comment on a Dyna, haven't tried one, on my list of bikes to ride next Harley demo ride.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I very recently switched from a '12 street bob to a '14 slim...I can say that slow speed handling and comfort ( smoother ride and better at taking bumps / masking road imperfections ) are better on the softail. Also the combination of a smaller front wheel and larger tire make a difference I'm sure, as heading into a curve is effortless as compared to the street bob. I've only ridden the slim a few hundred miles, but I'm really enjoying it so far.