Harley Davidson Dyna Glide: Buying Guide
Buying a new ride can be a daunting process. But, with this guide, we try to give you a quick rundown of things you should look for specific to the Harley Dyna Glide.
This article applies to the Harley Davidson Dyna Glide.
Buying any motorcycle, new or used, is never simple. It takes time, patience and a bit of luck to find the perfect one. However, knowing what to look for, how to haggle and where to shop can save you time, and result in you getting a better bike for your money in the end. Although these suggestions mostly apply to inspecting a used Harley Davidson Dyna, it would be wise to keep them in mind when looking at new models, too. You will be spending a large amount of money, so take your time to inspect every detail, discuss the service history, and negotiate the price and finance agreement (remembering that many Harley dealers will finance a 3rd party, person-to-person transaction). All in all, you should be able to ride away from a deal with no worries about the bike you've purchased.
Component Breakdown
The Dyna Chassis
The Dyna chassis was first introduced in the early 1990s, and over the years has included a bunch of different style bikes. It got a major update in 2006, but the basic twin shock frame, rubber engine mounting, and engine oil carried in the transmission sump is the same. There are many different Dyna models to choose from, with one of the biggest differences being that some have chopper style 32° rake, and some have a comparatively sporty 28°. You can also get a Dyna with a tall and skinny front wheel, or a wide fat one, plus models include both stripped down minimal bikes and touring bikes with windscreen and bags. Some of the sportier versions include the Super Glide, Fat Bob, and convertible touring bike, the Switchback.
Figure 1. Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide Sport. 
Figure 2. Harley Davidson Dyna Switchback. 
Figure 3. Harley Davidson Dyna Fat Bob.
The Dyna lineup also includes many bikes more suited for looking good and cruising the main street, than weekend touring or canyon riding. Some of these more laid back models include the Low Rider, stripped down Street Bob, and raked out Wide Glide.
Figure 4. Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider. 
Figure 5. Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide. 
Figure 6. Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob.
The Engine
Every Dyna is powered by a big Harley Davidson V-twin motor, but how big do you need it? From 1999 to 2006, they all had the Twin Cam 88 cubic inch motor. In 2007 every Dyna got standard fuel injection, and an upgrade to a 96 cubic inch motor. Then in 2012 the 103 cubic inch version of the engine came on line, and is now standard across the line. Of course, there were also CVO and Screamin' Eagle upgrade versions of these with a little more power and displacement, topping out at the current 110 cubic inch upgrade. All Dyna bikes feature a rubber mounting system to let just the right amount of engine vibration through, without loosening your fillings or blurring your vision. Prior to the 2006 model year, the Dynas all had a five speed transmission, but by 2007 they all came standard with six gears. Belt final drive has always been standard.
The Style
One of the most popular aspects of all the Dyna Glide models is the classic twin shock style each bike managed to maintain. The fact that the Dyna is the best handling chassis of any big twin is just the fringe benefit of it being engineered and designed recently. Dyna's are built for more aggressive riders that are looking for something with power, a low center of gravity, and a stripped down look. Even when outfitted with bags and a windscreen, like the Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport or the Switchback it still manages to look lighter and smaller than a Softail or bagger. One of the big reasons for the Dyna being popular these days is that it is the choice of ride for many of the outlaws on Sons of Anarchy
Inspecting the Bike Prior to Purchase
The Chassis
When you're inspecting a motorcycle, you're not there to make friends and everything a seller says should be taken lightly, until you can see the truth for yourself. Inspect the usual places for scratches and scoffs, like the lower edges of the exhaust pipes and foot pegs/floorboards for indications that it was being ridden hard. Look closely at the tank and fenders for mismatched paint, where dings and scratches may have been touched up. Look at the forks and shocks for any signs of oil leaking. Check out the nuts and bolts for any stripped off or damaged fasteners done by an inexpert mechanic.
The Engine
Feel the motor and see if it is cool, which it should be unless it was ridden to where you are inspecting it. Turn on the key and hit the button; a modern bike ought to start up with barely any cranking if it is in a good state of tune. Let it run and listen for bad noises, like loose valves. The 1999 to 2006 Twin Cam motors are prone to cam chain tensioner problems, so be sure to rev is a little and listen for a loose, jangling chain. With it running, look under the motor and transmission to see if there is any sign of oil leaking. The bike should be able to idle for more than a few minutes without stalling or getting hot, otherwise look for a carburetor or EFI tuning issue perhaps related to a previous owners "upgrades."
The Test Ride
It is not unusual for a private party seller to be reluctant to let you test ride their bike, but if you rode there yourself, give them the keys to the car you drove there in, or even your whole wallet, and you should be able to convince most sellers on a short ride. Even if everything looks to be in tip-top shape, you won't find anything out until you go for a spin. Test drives on a bike should last for a few miles, so you can get the complete feel for how it accelerates, stops, and handles. If they won't let you ride it out of a parking lot, you can still get some ideas. Lug the motor in a higher gear and try to accelerate to see how it performs under load. Rev it out in 1st gear with a good amount of throttle to make sure is run good up top. Should you experience any issues, you will have room to either haggle the price or walk away.
The Paper Work
If everything is perfect except the title, walk away! Everything on the bike should be current, with the title ready to be transferred. If the vehicle's title is in another person's name, there is a lien against it, or the VIN number does not match up, then walk away. Halrey Davidsons are some of the most stolen bike in the world, and it is better to not get this bike then to end up caught up in a mess of stolen property. Most of the time the bike is not worth the trouble and you can find another one.
Common Questions
How long does it take to find a used/new Dyna Glide?
Buying a vehicle can take a few days or several months. It really just depends on your market and how much you are willing to spend. If you are looking for a bargain, or a rare model, be prepared to search on the internet for weeks and maybe take a long drive to go get it.
What are the best places to search for a Dyna Glide?
Classified websites generally have the best deals when it comes to purchasing a local Dyna, but dealerships always have used bikes as well. It may cost more up-front, but you can generally not worry about the condition of a used bike from a genuine Harley dealer. If you keep track of when the new bikes start to be delivered each model year, you can often pick up recent trade in bikes for a good deal when they have too many bikes on the floor.
When can I find the best deals on used bikes?
If you have ever tried to sell a bike in the fall or winter, you know that is the time of year to buy. When the flowers start to bloom and the snow thaws everyone starts thinking about riding and that is the best time to sell, but the worst time to be shopping.
Common Issues
The Harley Twin cam motor has been relatively reliable since its introduction. On 1999 to 2006 motor, the cam chain tensioners are known to wear out much quicker than they should. The fix is either to go to gear driven cams, or retrofit the hydraulic tensioner that became standard in 2007. The primary chain tension can also have issues, but it is much less trouble than the cam chains.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
If you are interested in a certain bike, you can run the VIN on the Harley Davidson website to check out all the safety, other recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins here: Safety Recall Info.
Related Discussions and Site
- Any Tips About Buying Used? - HDForums.com
- Dyna vs. Softail - HDForums.com
- Twin Cam Chain Tensioner Issue - LawAbidingBiker.com
