Real world differnce in Dyna vs. Softail

[rauchman]

Greetings,

I currently ride a Yammie Roadstar and have rented a couple of HD's (Fatboy and Wide Glide).  I rented these bikes a couple of years apart so don't remember the ride qualities of them.  What is the difference in handling.."feel" between the Dyna style bikes (twin outboard shocks) and the the softail series (hidden monoshock)?  Which handles better?  What are the pros and cons of each?

[1KPerDay]

Ride them and see for yourself. For ME, the FLH series is a bit wobbly overall. Rubber-mounted swingarm. The dynas feel good... nice solid standard bikes. They need better shocks, though. I had Works Performance on my FXD and loved them. My brother has a softail Springer Classic (counterbalanced) and it actually handles very well... feels very solid and 'of a piece' in quick transitions. However, cornering clearance is dismal, as on all the softails. I also put a few thousand on a non-counterbalanced Heritage Softail and it went fine on the highway... turning and stopping weren't among its strong points.

The Dyna Superglide is probably the best bike H-D makes, IMO. Now that the Street Rod is gone. The forthcoming XR1200 will probably be better. Throw a few hundred in suspension upgrades at any H-D and it will get a lot better.

The Fatboy and Wide Glide are both definitely in the 'heavy and slow' category. The Wide Glide I rode felt flexy and shuddery, but I didn't put a lot of miles on it. If that's your thing, cool. Personally I like the look of the softails much better than the Wide Glide, particularly since they changed the rear fender on the wide glide. Yuk.

[st ryder]

...The Dyna Superglide is probably the best bike H-D makes, IMO....

I agree, Dynas are HD's best "family" of bikes.   (I prefer the Low Rider's trim/looks )

[stevent]

Ditto, I love my Superglide. Just a basic big twin, nothing fancy

[bizarro]

Here's another question for you in-the-knows: Is it possible to get a dyna with mid-placed foot controls and wire rims? Or does that have be done in the aftermarket?

[highside]

Here's another question for you in-the-knows: Is it possible to get a dyna with mid-placed foot controls and wire rims? Or does that have be done in the aftermarket?

Mid placed controlls are factory standard IIRC, at least they used to be.  The foreward controlls are "aftermarket" (still HD though). I cannot imagine that you couldnt get any HD in the lineup with wire rims standard, unless things have changed alot, then again I see a lot of cast wheels on their website now. HDs really don't start off as bad bikes, a lot of people make them into crap but off the floor they have sensible controlls and they are suprisingly quiet.

[1KPerDay]

Here's another question for you in-the-knows: Is it possible to get a dyna with mid-placed foot controls and wire rims? Or does that have be done in the aftermarket?

I believe you can get wire wheels on the standard FXD and Street Bob... both of those have mid controls standard.

The pegs still need to be futher back, IMO, but that's about as 'mid' as H-Ds come. I'd ride with my feet on the passenger pegs on long highway stretches. Felt like a Gixxer.

[bizarro]

Hmmm........

[bulabula]

The biggest difference between them to me is the lack of vib's at idle when sitting at a red light on a counter-balanced softtail.  First time I road a softtail I couldn't figure out what was different for a while.

Personally, I prefer the paint-shaker wobbling engine at idle;  its a Harley for gods sake.  The rubber mounted engine smooths out once the clutch is released.

[st ryder]

Here's another question for you in-the-knows: Is it possible to get a dyna with mid-placed foot controls and wire rims? Or does that have be done in the aftermarket?

Depending on model, you have either forward controls, ie Wide Glide, or mid mount like the Super Glide, or mid controls and forward pegs like the Low Rider. It's also possible to add floor boards, (if you can find them) or *both*, mid and forward controls to any Dyna, as the frames are the same, though some work is needed to remove or add mid controls, ie pulling primary case IIRC. These can be purchased from HD or the myriad of aftermarket vendors that cater to HD. In that regard, there's a lot more "stuff" in the aftermarket for softies than Dynas, since a lot of folks like the rigid look, and don't care too much about the handling, which is better on the Dyna.  And as has been mentioned, the "paint shaker" rubber mounts are not only cooler to experience, but they are smooth as glass at speed, and have a few extra ponies as no counter balancers to turn.  

Wheels? Lot's of choice. I prefer the stock cast wheels of the Super Glide/Low rider, but wires are available as are HD custom and aftermarket variations as well. Just do us all a favour, and stay away from designs that resemble, "...knives and stabbing weapons...".