Dyna vs Sportster
#71
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crusader1xxx (04-14-2020)
#73
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.
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.
I’m just days away from 64, by the way.
#74
#75
Your comparing apples to oranges to bananas...each model line is completely separate from each other in both build, style and function...with function being the biggest difference.
Two questions you need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on riding, and how many miles will you realistically do in a riding season...the bike for you might be the bike you already have...especially when money gets tight.
Two questions you need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on riding, and how many miles will you realistically do in a riding season...the bike for you might be the bike you already have...especially when money gets tight.
#76
Nah, if we ride 2 up it will be another bike. No way do I want to do a 2-300 mile day, 2 up, on a sportster. Solo, sure no issue with my bike, but I really don't want to tour solo, I want the wife along.
The REAL question, is will the 2 up rides be long enough to warrant an Ultra, or would something like a switchback do the trick? Thats my $50,000 dollar question.
I could easily get a switchback, and drop the sportster, but if I go with an Ultra, not sure I want to lose the sportster.
The REAL question, is will the 2 up rides be long enough to warrant an Ultra, or would something like a switchback do the trick? Thats my $50,000 dollar question.
I could easily get a switchback, and drop the sportster, but if I go with an Ultra, not sure I want to lose the sportster.
#77
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.
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.
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cliffd (02-15-2021)
#78
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cliffd (02-15-2021),
Garage Queen Rescue (02-07-2021)
#80
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.
I’m just days away from 64, by the way.
Last edited by Blue Bob; 02-07-2021 at 06:31 PM.