As a proud owner of an 08 FatBob, it is useless to say that my judgement would be fair in comparing dyna's to softails. However, i have recently had the chance to take a buddies FatBoy for a spin and was pleseantly surprised ; ) The handling was very well despite the extra weight and cornering was quite smooth too. Another + was the close to none vibration.

So as i started contemplating about my experience i came to a conclusion that it is best to compare these families by asking 4 simple questions:

1. How is the handling and rider comfort on each?
2. Power and torque?
3. Availability of after market products?
and last
4. Pricing?

Your feedback would be highly appreciated.

 

1. Well you already answered #1 in your opinion and that's the most important
2. I believe the power and torque are slightly lower on the Softails due to the counter balanced motor
3. The Softails usually have more after market products for them
4. As for the pricing look on the HD site

 

True that i like the handling, but ive only been on a softail once, and for a brief spin, so that doesnt qualify my judgement. I mean ive had my FatBob for a little under a year now, and been through thick and thin with it, so im pretty comfortable with how it handles. And given the excess weight on the softy i thought it would be much harder to hanldle.

 

Well the Fat Boy only weighs 11 pounds more than your Fat Bob so there isnt enough weight difference to notice betweeen those 2.

 

I've owned both and I definately prefer the dyna. I had a 94 fatboy and loved it while I had it but, when I was looking for another Harley in 2002 I went into the dealer with another fatboy on my mind and left with a new wideglide and never looked back. The handling for me was far superior in the corners with the dyna. I also don't do well with boards. They get in the way in the twisties. I picked up an 08 Fatbob in May and I just got back from a road trip through Canada with it. I love that bike. It performed great. Anyway, that's my humble opinion between the two. Just ride!

 

There are at least 10 times the aftermarket parts for the softails over the dynas if not more.

 

I like how a softails lines run...looks like an old school hardtail with the simple rear end. They've also got an immense aftermarket. Many companies, like HeartlandUSA make parts exclusively for softails...I find that incredibly frustrating when trying to find parts. But those are the two things I think they may have on Dynas.

Dynas have better power/weight ratios and I find them to be more comfortable and handle better, and they're more affordable. Dyna's are referred to as "rider's bikes" for a reason. I wouldn't trade my Bob for anything.