I have two Dynas (2001 Low Rider with the 88 and 2016 FXDWG) and two soft tails (2012 FLSTFB and 2016 FLSTN) and it seems to me that the Dynas "like" to run at higher RPM than the soft tails. Does this have to do with the counter-balanced engines in the soft tail? The Dyna just feels a bit more peppy

 

Yes. You can't counter balance completely a V twin with rotating weights so they tend to vibrate at RPMs. Dynas are rubber mounted so they have issues at lower Rs. The Softails I rode did seem to rev slower. I suspect some of it was due to the extra balancers.