Hi, l love the look of the 48, but as l have a Dyna, l wonder if l would miss the extra engine size? The physical size appeals to me, l like smaller bikes.
Anyone gone from Dyna to 48 and regretted the decision? Thanks.

 

That's a loaded question and has the potential to make this thread go sideways. I don't consider a Dyna an upgrade from a Sportster, it's just a different style of bike. I'm 5'7" and 155 lbs, I don't want a bigger bike. I purposely bought what I consider a middle weight cruiser, originally designed to compete with the British invasion, bikes from my youth.

If the physical size appeals to you then it's the right move. You won't miss the engine size, lot's of power if you are willing to spend the $ to get it. It's the actual physical size of the Dyna BT engine/trans/primary that turns me off. I like narrow motorcycles. The appeal of a V-Twin engine to me is how narrow the bike can be, that is lost with a BT. Sportsters and V-Rods make sense to me, as always YMMV.

 

power to weight ratio for a Dyna is around .13, on a 1200 its around .12

not much of a difference if you ask me. everyone thinks a sportster is this tiny, weak bike, when in reality its just as powerful as any of the overweight monster bikes.

you will miss the tank size, i guarantee you on that!

 

In 2004 I bought a new Low Rider FXDL and sold it to a friend later in 08, in late 2012 I bought a Forty Eight, a few months back my friend decided to sell the FXDL so I bought it back from him, so now I own two bikes but I really should have contemplated the purchase of the FXDL harder than I did because now it is just a bike that takes up space in the garage.

On rear occasions I will ride the FXDL mainly if I'm going two-up, it is more comfortable with two than the Forty Eight but as stated only when I go two up because 98% of the time I ride solo and the bike of choice is the Forty Eight.


Edit: Oh forgot, My friend that sold me back the FXDL now owns a 2014 Forty Eight..

 

Yeah, l see what you mean about sending the thread sideways. The post wasn't intended to suggest Dynas were superior to sportster, the reason l asked about regrets is that l tend to keep a bike for a long time and put some money into it ( don't we all!)
Thanks for responses. Power to weight is a big leveller.

 

I used to have a 2006 Streetbob and I traded it in on a 2012 RoadGlide. I recently bought a 2005 Sportster for my son and have test rode the 48 numerous times.

To be honest with you it really depends on what kind of riding you do. I modified my Streetbob to squeeze as much power out of the motor that I could and also added a bunch of touring do-dads to make it more comfortable for long hauls. No matter what I did it never was a good "touring" bike hence the reason I now own a Roadglide.

As far as the 48 goes, every time I test ride one I instantly want to make the purchase because it is by far the funnest bike I have ever ridden. It handles like a dream and the power is more than sufficient. I wouldn't want to take it on long journeys but if you are splitting lanes or tearing up the canyons then the 48 is the bike for you.

Just my .02.