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I currently own a metric ('03 Suzuki VS800 Intruder) and want to move up to a larger HD bike. I have narrowed my choices down to either a Softail Standard or Duece or a Low Rider. I am 5'8 180lbs and most of the time I ride solo. I am targeting spending $10K or less and think that will get my into the 2002-2005 models. Any pros/cons on these three choices as well as which model years are better coices than others would be appreciated.
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I moved from a new 2003 Suzuki Volusia to a new 2005 Suzuki Boulevard C90 in a period of 2 1/2 years. I didn't like the C90 as much as the Volusia. It was too big, too soft riding, too everything. Traded that bike on a 2006 Street Bob when it came out.
I rode the Softail Night Train, the Dyna Super Glide and the Street Bob. The NT reminded me too much of the C90 in the way it felt. The SB was like the Volusia...only 1000% better. The SB is more nimble and a lot more fun to ride.
I'm 5'8", weigh 190 and always ride solo. I like the SB so much that I've kept it almost 4 years so far and have 28k on the odometer. I have no intention of trading it for some time to come.
I ride almost everyday during the riding season plus many weekend trips and a couple week long trips during the summer.
The Dyna is by far the best HD family. Well worth every cent.
If'n you are really serious about moving up to a Harley, go for an '06 Dyna. It has the larger engine and the beefed up front shocks. Plus other mods that were made standard on later model Harleys.
If you are looking for a dyna that is compairable to the Standard and Duece, check out the wide glide (wide front end, 21" front wheel) Pretty much a chromed out softail standard with exposed shocks.
Make sure you check each model to see if they are carb or EFI most models after 2003 are EFI. Some like EFI, I like carb, just nice to know up front.
FYI Softail models have a balanced engine. The balancer does slightly rob HP. They Dyna models have a rubber mounted engine and don't need the balancer. The Dyna (rubber mount) gives a slighly smoother ride than the Softail, and slightly more HP.
The Dyna (rubber mount) gives a slighly smoother ride than the Softail, and slightly more HP.
I find that to be true after about half way thru the rev cycle of third gear....completely smooth after that. Below that I get more vibration than even my dad's EVO Heritage. Not as bad as my old sportster but it is still there in the low gears.
Thanks for all the replies and none of the comments you made say I made poor choices of the 3 models I listed. My first choice was, and still is, the Dyna Low Rider with the Softail Deuce probably my second choice. I currently try to ride daily and most rides are in the 40-75 mile range with longer rides on weekends. I prefer country roads here in New England but my somewhat underpowered and not so stable VS800 is not a great choice for long highway rides to get to more of the country roads. I want a bike that will be good (or better than what I have) on the highway but still be nimble and manageable on twisty country roads. With that siad, are there any more suggestions or are the FXDL and FXSTD still decent choices?
Softail vs Dyna
