Originally Posted by handirifle

Not in a power contest or showdown, but as bikes overall. Is the Dyna just a BT version of a Sportster?

I want a touring bike, but at 5'5" Or so (now, used to 5'7") with a 29" inseam, I wonder if the touring bikes will be to difficult to handle maneuvering to park. Not the actual rolling part, even slow speed I think I will be fine that way. Rather more like backing in parking spaces etc. if its a little uphill, which I try to avoid, the touring bikes are a lot of bike to push around.

For the record I will be 67 in a month or so, and weigh 180, and in decent shape.

Originally Posted by Brad4321

handirifle - Directly comparing the suspensions of both bikes is difficult because of the way I have them setup and the miles on the dyna (nearing 75k). The sportster is stock, down to the stock shocks, but my superglide is not as I changed out the rear shocks a while back. From what I can vaguely remember the superglide was quite a bit softer in the rear (needed much higher spring rate)....and that is why I changed them. With the wife on the back we were bottoming out the suspension nearly all of the time and it would bottom often with just me. I went the cheap route with air shocks off a touring bike, changed to thicker oil, and run 25psi solo and 40psi loaded and she does much better, but we are still sagging more than I would like. With either bike properly setting sag is a challenge (or impossible) with the stock shocks. Admittingly, I could lose a few pounds as well (or 80). The lighter your load the better both bikes will feel, for sure.

To answer your question best I can, the dyna did feel softer than the sportster, but that wasn't a good thing. Both bikes have very little suspension travel in the rear and have crappy shocks and desperately need an upgrade. With a standard rebuild of the forks and thicker oil, I am satisfied there on both bikes.

In response to a few other people, the dyna does have more room, especially for a passenger, and that is why we got it, probably should have mentioned that earlier. The sportster was too cramped for the wife when she road with me. I didn't have any issues with the sportster solo. The stock 883 is no powerhouse 2up; it got us where we wanted to go, but I was eyeing the 1250 kit. We didn't need the big twin and I have no intention of upgrades for more power, even though it is an 88.

Originally Posted by David Earl ***

I just gave my ‘08 XL1200 to one of my stepsons after picking up a second Dyna as by backup scoot, an ‘04 FXDLI to go along with my ‘13 FXDC. I find the Dynas easier to handle in parking lot scenarios, although obviously heavier, but very stable and easy to maneuver. The Sportsters are much more nimble and a blast to ride, but not as comfortable for me on longer trips. The Dynas rule there.

I’m just days away from 64, by the way.