Hello all,

went to the (reasonably) local HD dealer yesterday to check out the new bike models.  Going on past experiences a look was all I was expecting really.  Service? Nah.  BUT folks, the sales guy insisted I take a Fat Bob for a ride, so off we went. 

Now, the 'Bob was the bike I was super keen on but after the ride I was surprised at the amount of vibration, yeah it shakes like a wet dog at lights but thats ok.  It was when riding, a gear to high and it would near shake my feet off the pegs, go down one  and it seemed to be reving a bit high.  Slowing down through the gears offered more vibes (plus some massive pops and grumbles from the pipes, loved it).  So. talking to the rep he had his doubts about that 2nd hand bike, he states FB owners never really worry about the vibes, they are just not that bad.  Perhaps the bike has an issue.

Anyway, he is a Softail fan.  And to decide on the best engine configuration (rubber mounted or Counter balanced) he was keen to get me out on a softail (my lucky day).  So off we go. The difference is amazing.  The softail is ultra smooth, no vibes any gear/speed. Very easy to ride.

The only HD I spent a few days on was an Ultra Classic a while back, rubber mounted engine.  I remember it being pretty smooth, but it was 2 up with luggage and I guess that would make a difference.

So, you experienced lot, do Dynas typically vibrate that much or has that Fat Bob copped a bit of abuse (it had Open pipes, big sucker air and power commander).

Can a softail be ridden hard?  Or is it really a straight line type bike.

I was pretty keen on a Bob, they offer a bit of handling and braking, but thinking in traffic it could become tiresome.  The softy was a nice ride but will I ever be able to take to the hils again?

Anyone swapped from one to the other and why?

Oh, and to anyone new like me, push the dealer to try both types of bike.  Bugger 'em its their job and your money.  

Regards,

Pete

 

Yes my dyna vibrates but I wouldn't swap it for a softail because I'm a fat bastard (the shocks are too soft for me) and they don't have as much cornering clearance.  I like a bit of vibration, adds character, too much?  Well that's an individual preference.  What's good to me might be too much to you or too little to the next guy.

I could see a road king in the garage after I retire and I've got time for that around Oz ride maybe... but softails don't do it for me.

People love their softails though and it'd be pretty boring if Harley only made one model.

Dyna for me and the more vibration the better(they are a v twin Harley Davidson) I can't ride softys like I can dynas (hard) cause I don't believe they handle as good. Everyone will have diff opinions on this and the debate will continue for another 100 years. Personal choice

 I havent been on a Dyna but was surprised at how my Softail Standard handles in the twisties. I was expecting it to feel heavy, mushy suspension etc after coming from a Speed Triple but it handles sweet for its intended purpose. And the pipes and filter give it a slight vibration. More than standard anyway. As these guys have said though, each to their own. Mine was love at first ride.

I think some Dynas (a lot in fact) had a really bad vibration bug that the dealerships were supposed to identify and fix by adding shims and shaving off a mount or two. There was a service bulletin earlier this year and to my knowledge it can effect every Dyna from way back.
I was under the impression that a Dyna should be "lumpy" at low speed and be a fantastic ride, smoothing out at higher speeds.