I ride both my sporty and my lowriderand really have no problem adapting to the difference. Biggest problem is location of the controls in comparison to how I sit on each, (both have mids) Never thought I would like forward controls on the sportster but I am rethinking it.

 

I enjoyed riding my sporty, because it reminded me of my dirt bike days. My FXR handles great but not the same as my Sportster did. I still like them both!!
I guess it depends on how you ride.
The Sportster was fun for hot Roding
The FXR is a great for cruising

 

Over the past year, I bought an XL1200C, rode it for about 6 months and then traded on my Dyna. I had been away from riding for about 20 years before buying my Sportster.
I was pretty amazed at how much easier the Dyna was to handle then the Sportster. I really noticed it at slow speeds, making left hand turns from 4-way stops and such. On the road at highway speeds, for me, it's still a dream to ride. I just passed my DMV skills test on my Dyna (had a permit for the last year) and I'm really not sure I would have passed it on my Sporty, since the test included a lot of slow-speed maneuvers. I watched a guy fail it on a sport bike after I had finished.

 

Oh I liked the Sporster!

I had a 1200 custom and changed the front tyre to Metzelers and the rear shocks to Ohlins. It was a fun bike and I did 105- 110 mph, with the screen on no problems.

And then one fine day I thoughtt I'd have a test ride on a Street Bob…that was fatal. Within 30 meters the bike felt like I always had it, it was like coming home. I thought: "if there was one waiting at the dealer with a two up decent seat and back footrests, I'll go for it". Well I went back and there it was, waiting for me. I traded in the Sporty and got Thunder.

I wouldn't do 110mph on it, but I'd ride it all day with a big grin on my face. Even though we both crashed together that is very much my bike. In 30 years of riding it's the first time I feel this.