Hi All, new to this but thought I would post a question to get some feedback/comments from those out there that may have something to offer.

I am about to purchase a 2008 Harley but still up in the air over the actual bike of choice. I rode Ducati's for years but have been off bikes for 2 years now due to a bad neck and shoulder. I was advised that Dyna's offer a smoother ride than Softails due to the rubber mounting of the engine and have decided to put a Dyna Superglide down as one of my purchase options. Option 2 is a 2008 Softail Custom and number 3 a 2008 Fatboy.

I am hoping to pick up the new bike within the next 2 weeks (assuming the right bike is in stock) and would really appreciate some feedback from those that have owned and/or would be able to provide some feedback on the models listed. I like the fat front-end on the fatboy but also like the look of the Softail custom. The only thing that holds me back on the Softail custom is the small front end and tyre. Likewise, the smaller tyres (front and back) put me off a little on the Dyna Superglide. Then again, I am told that the Dyna's handle better when cornering at speed.

Any advice on which bikes offer the most comfort, handling, cornering (which being a Ducati rider is something I love) and popularity as I am sure one day the resale will be something to consider???

Hi HD Convert,

Welcome to HDF Aust.

I have a 07 Softail Std with a little fruit and mods to pipes, aircleaner and I put in  a PC111 piggyback EFI. For me this bike is ideal, I did a lot of research and decided on the softy because it was right for me.

If I was to advise at all you should go to your local dealer and test ride some of the models you are interested in, if they see that you are genuinely interested in a new bike they will bend over backwards to help. When you have ridden a few different ones you will quickly get a picture of what is right for you

Good luck getting one straight of the floor.

Bt 

Hi Bt,

Thanks for the response. I am in luck, both the Softail custom and fatboy are available so I am hoping to make my decision this coming week and secure one before they go. I don't know much about the pipes being new to Harley's but was considering V&H Big Radius pipes. Any comments on these? What pipes did you end up going with and how much louder and deeper does the bike sound with the mods?

HD Convert

Heres my bike

The pipes are very loud and not as soft a rumble as I would like but I learned to live with it.

I have changed to these pipes and screaming eagle aircleaner with a PC111usb EFI unit to gain a few more horses and reduce engine temperature, in standard form the bike is tuned very lean for polution control reasons hence it runs hot.

Good luck in your choice and keep us informed

Bt

G'day and welcome to the forum.

 

Coming from sportsbikes to a Harley is a good thing as long as you don't expect it to handle anything like a sportsbike.

 

I have had many sportsbikes and now am the proud owner of a Fat Boy. I find the big front end on theses bike very very stable going though corners,especially when you hit a bump or pothole.

Take both bike for a good ride and see what one you like better.

 

Big Radius are very loud

 

I spose' like most of us I went through the same choices. I ended up with a superglide custom in 2006 and I'm happy.

I wouldn't worry about the difference handling between the softies and dynas so much, when it comes down to it they are pretty close, and lets face it, these are cruisers, not sports machines. The rubber mounting on the Dynas don't give you a smoother ride, in fact the Dynas shake vibrate a lot more than the softies especially at idle, becuase the softies engine has internal counter-balancing, the dynas don't, hence the rubber mounts on the Dynas. The dynas have a dual shocker suspension which does reduce wallow in the back end, but as I said, all things considered theres not a huge difference as far as I could tell. If you want something that does offer better handling and performance then go a V-rod, but I suspect you wouldn't like the riding position with your back.

You'll be going slower than the duke that's for sure, but you're back and neck will be better off, if you get the bike set up right. There's stacks of seat, bar and foot control options. I've been through a lot of these because I'm really tall.

If you want to go for outright comfort then get yourself something with a screen. The "Baggers" (as we call the touring line) come with big fairing screens, stereos, and a much more comfy pillion seat. Good for lots of Km's.

Good luck

Welcome to the forum HdConvert. Enjoy the trip and hope your decision makeing isnt too difficult.

Thanks again Bt. Your bike looks great. Those pipes and bars look great on the Softail custom. I am going for a ride on the three bikes I mentioned of interest this week and I am sure one will stand out of the pack once I get a good feel for each of them. Will let you know the outcome and thanks again for the info. I just read up a little on the temperature issues with 08 models. I am looking to a much hotter climate late this year so it's something I will keep in mind.

Hey Paul, once again, another very nice looking bike! I must admitt the big radius do look GREAT on fatboys. I was riding a 2001 fatboy over the Christmas holidays and it also had the same exhausts which I really like the look of. I hear you when it comes to the handling difference with a sportsbike. Whilst I don't expect it to handle the same as a sportsbike, I must admitt there is still a part of me inside that likes to throw a bike around. That said, I really enjoyed riding the fatboy at Christmas and don't think it will be long until the need for speed and throwing bikes around is out of my system once the new bike arrives. Providing I get the feel of the bike right I am sure I will love it. I will definitely stick with the Softail Custom or Fatboy I think, depending on which one wins over on the ride this week. I have also heard a few guys mention what you said regarding stability in the front end when cornering. The only issue I had with the fatboy was cornering with boards. I will probably look at removing the boards if the fatboy wins my decision - the one downside is I really liked the forward and reverse gears. I guess you can't have it all though.

Boofhead, thanks also for your info. A mate who rides a very nice springer and has been riding bikes for years as well as working in the industry recently mentioned that if he was on the market for a new bike he would look at Dyna's for one particular reason - he mentioned that when cornering at 180 kph the back-end starts to give out a little on his bike whereas apparently the Dyna's handle this better. Not that I am expecting to be cornering a Harley at 180 kph (I'll leave that for the racebikes) but it's nice to know there is a bit of technical difference in the backend. I have to admitt though the 200 backend on the fatboy and the Softail Custom looks great. Once again it will come down to the feel of the bike when I get out of the road this week.

Hi Scorp, thanks for your response also. The process is much more difficult than I thought. If I was on the market for a second hand bike it would probably be a little easier - I would find a bike I like and make an offer. Buying a brand new bike as my first Harley has made it much more difficult. I am really struggling with the decision as it's such a personal decision and one I have to live with once I fork out the money. There's no second chance if I get the bike wrong at that cost, unless I want to sleep on the couch for the next few months.

I am sure I will love which ever bike I end up going with, especially once I start the mods.

G'day HDC... best way is to test ride.... welcome to the forum

HDC,

 

When I feel the need for speed I just go to eastern creek and rent a bike for the day and have some fun

 

 

The Fatty is all about enjoying this great southern land.

G'Day from the Top End NT. Enjoy the ride.

Thanks Magilla & Paul. To keep this easy thanks to all that have and may respond in the coming days. I appreciate all the responses and hope to catch up with some of you on the road. Stay safe!

Thanks Crasher. Thanks again all for your feedback and/or intro's.

I went for several rides and found that the Fatboy and Dyna Super Glide Custom were like chalk and cheese. It ended up pretty simple though. I liked the look of the Fatboy but didn't think twice when it came to the ride....... the Dyna won by a long shot given my riding style. It handles much better for my riding style which loves to throw a bike around.

Question for anyone out there - I have requested Vance and Hines Side Shots be put on the bike. They also put the following items on the quote:

1. S/E Aircleaner kit
2. Dobeck Fuel management system (not sure if this is really needed)
3. V&H by pass module
4. V&H quiet baffles (not sure if the bike would sound better with baffles in)

I am not sure what is and isn't a must out of the list above. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I was told that the bike would likely cough and splutter and backfire when slowing down toward lights without the Dobeck Fuel management system. Is this true? I was also told that the bike would run much healthier with the fuel management system on.

Another question.... a lot of guys seem to be going with the V&H Big Radius. Any comments on the V&H side shots in comparison to the big radius? I keep hearing people say that the big radius are VERY loud. Is there that much difference in sound and volume between the two? I also heard that very few people are installing chrome side shots on their bikes which makes it a little more custom but don't want to make the wrong choice on pipes and have to double up by spending money to replace them for big radius pipes if I am not happy with the side shots.

If you are after one of the best handling 96 cube bikes, then go for the Dyna Fat Bob. I test road one and wanted one, only to be told of a 9 - 12 month wait. Went for the fatty instead, very comfortable and stable, but doesn't handle as good as the Dyna.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks hogbag & Loftybob. I ended up going with the Dyna Superglide Custom. I test rode this and a fatboy and found the Dyna handled much better like most people were saying. I picked the bike up last Friday and spent most of the weekend on it. Hogbag, I see what you mean about the wobble around corners when pushing it hard. I like throwing a bike around and coming from a sportsbike found exactly what you mentioned when cornering hard. Enjoying the ride though.