Howdy All, Having ridden Jap sports bikes for the past 10 years I have recently sampled my friend's Sportster 1200 Custom. To say that I am "hooked" would be a gross understatement. To me this is what bikes are all about: Sound of a big twin, feeling of a freedom. etc. (I won't bother you anymore with my motorycle zen...). A day later I began my quest to find the answer to only one question that has been on my mind for the past month: "Which Harley do I get???) Over the past month I have been to various Harley shops and looked at many different models. While I managed to narrow down my list to a several models I am yet to choose the "right one". ( I am looking at 2007-2008 models) In Softails I have tried: Fat Boy and Softail Custom. I loved them both, but Fat Boy feels very heavy on the front and I am worried about how nimble would it be through tighter corners. I also don't like the riding boards on the Fat Boy and much prefer the forward mounted controls. I was also told by numerous people that Softails are much smoother than Dynas. Apparently Dynas handle much better and provide much better feel of the "v-twin" power. In Dyna's I like the Superglide Custom and Street Bob.
To summ up I have several questions: 1. Does Dyna handle much better than Softails? 2. Having an unbalanced engine, does Dyna v-twin feels much rougher than the Softail? How did you guys/girls make your first choice? Any info/recommendations would be greately appreciated. Thanks Vlad
as others have said... take the ones that take your fancy for a ride. I went with Dyna Street Bob... offered me the most flexibility and I liked the retro look with the Pewter Denim. I'm not after all things chrome and I like something different. (i.e not many FXDB's around) and it fitted my budget.
Thanks for all your advice, opinions and recommendations guys. Much appreciated and please keep'em coming.
The type of riding I prefer would mostly be a day-long weekend trips down our famous coast roads (plenty to choose from here in Melbourne). While handling is important to me, I have no illusions that I am not buying another "R1" here.. and in fact I am not interested in "knee scraping around corners" . Yesterday I went to Harley Heaven here in Melbourne for a HD 2008 model line-up launch. Saw quite a few bikes up close and personal. So far, the Superglide Custom really appeals to me. It just feels "right" when I sit on it. Compared to the FAT Boy it jus feels more nimble. I also saw the new FAT Bob which , to be honest, didn't do anything for me. Right now I am down to either Superglide Custom or Street Bob or a Softail Fat Boy. Last saturday, I saw a heavily customised Street Bob being picked up from Harley Heaven by the customer. The bike completely mesmerized me. It was "almost" rocking from side to side just at idle. Absolutely loved it, at least up until the sales man told me that the customer spent an extra 15k customising it. I have now arranged for a day off work to test ride everything on my short list. Lets hope that this would be enough for me to finally choose my own Harley.
On more personal note, choosing from a Harley model line-up has proven more difficult then I initially anticipated. Every model has details which are particularly desirable. If only I could, I'd have one from Dyna series and one from Softail. oh and to top it all off, I'd love Superglide Screaming Eagle (CVO) which I saw at Harley Heaven on display. (only 50k mind you.....)
cheers Vlad
btw, Sportster - Certainly like the bike but who can go past the 1500CC v-twin offered with dyna's and softails.
Don't just ride the 2 bikes you think you like,ride the whole line up if you can,some models might surprise you !!!!!
As far as not being able to go past the 1500cc motors,well it is actually a lot closer to 1600cc.But you will find that on the road that the sportster is still a quicker bike,better power/weight.The Fat Boy may feel a little heavy when you sit on it,but when you ride it,it feels much lighter,that is why they are marketed as boulevarde cruisers,as they are easy to ride around town.And on long day trips or longer,nothing comes close to a bagger,and I know a few that will go around corners with the best of them
nobody
I've got two demo rides booked in for this Saturday. Street Bob (close enough to Superglide Custom) and Fat Boy. So far I am more inclined towards Superglide Custom but Fat Boy might surprise me. Will let you all know how I go.
Vladt, don't listen to all these WA dyna poofs in here mate, they are all on drugs over there. Softails are great but they just won't admit it ! ... Just shit stiring.
HD's are the best, it's just which one is best for you, and only you can answer that. Savor the process. It's one of life's great pleasures.
Hi Bobtail,
I have also decided to with a Softail. However so far on the short list are: Rocker C (if it ever comes downunder), Fat Boy and Softail Custom. I am riding them all this weekend which should hopefully help me decided.
I didn't have a problem choosing mine,saw the bike I wanted 20 or so years ago and just went to the dealer and bought it 20 years later ! Never changed my mind during that time and I have never even thought about whether I should have bought something different. Just buy the one you like to look at and make it work for you!! None of this means I would not buy a different Harley, but I just think you can buy so many parts for a HOG that you should be able to turn the model you like into whatever you want. I have seen a sportster turned into a pretty good 2up touring bike,so whats to worry about??
personly i love my dyna STREET BOB
i dont miss the crapy handling of the soft tails [ NIGHT TRAIN ] , and i do appriciate the amount of work u guys with softys do put in when racing in the hills
but i do miss the lenth of the soft tails a little at 1st ,
if ur 6ft u will notice that,
the soft tail will always hold its $ a lot better than a dyna
I wanted something a little all round, bit of a retro look, not a lot of chrome etc etc... liked the night train for all but handling but dollars were too much and liked the way I could throw the bob around in traffic. At 6'3 I am keen to put extended forward controls on the bob and am also aware I may loose a little of the handling.
im 6 3" and 135kg they recon i look like an elefant on my bob mids is the main reason i bought it,
think cause me back rooted its just comfy 4 me
I think that if this is your 1st Harley then buy a Dyna, you may think that you are ready to give up the knee dragging shit but the 1st time you decide that you still want to have a play the Softail will leave you disappointed. The ground clearance, bigger front wheel diameter and the shorter rake on a Dyna allows you to get around corners a whole lot faster than on a Softail. Softails are great if you like the sound of metal dragging on the ground when the corners get tight especially if you are a big bloke.
