Dyna vs Sportster Vibration Qn

[Shackdaddy]

I can see with my talk of fairing & bags that I may sound like I want a tourer, but to be more clear I am more interested in a cruiser - Sporty/Dyna/Softail type - for the 90% of local driving I'll use it for, but still have the capability to go on longer weekend or weeklong rides a few times a year. However if an E-Glide can be had for that cheap, now you've really messed up my choices and confused me with more possibilities I hadn't consdered LOL.

I did the same thing you did I hadn't rode in a while and decided to get back into it. I had a FLH in the seventies and really liked it but wanted something more sporty and nimble. I bought a FXDI and couldn't be more happier. I bought removeable everything bags, windshield, sissybar.
When I use it for a daily rider I can remove what I want. When I go on a long trip I have everything I need and when I get there I can remove everything and cruise.

As for the vibration I also have a 72FX and I ride it once and awhile just to remind me how smooth the 06 FXDI really is.

[GJarrett]

That's really exactly what I have in mind and what I want mine for. Something with better handling than a touring bike and with removable/detachable extra stuff that I can put on when I decide to go for a few hundred miles on a weekend.

After reading all these posts, I think it's obvious I need to go try a demo again - maybe rent it - and get it on the highway for awhile to see how I like it. As a demo ride I was allowed only on a short side street roundtrip and though I tried to get it up in RPMs and speed, by the time I did I had to shut it back down. My primary concern is if it buzzes on the highway because I am afraid that will numb that left hand nerve problem I mentioned. My hand can handle shaking but I don't know if it could handle all-day long continuous buzzing.

I contacted a mortgage company to get my house refinanced and get that out of the way so I can buy the Harley and was informed that with the craziness going on in the markets right now, 15 yr fixed rates went from the mid-five percent range a week or two ago to the mid six percent range today, crap! I'm going to wait this out a couple of weeks to see if it settles back down before refinancing.

I do appreciate all the help and will let ya'll know what happens when I get my new Harley

[murphdog]

GJarrett, if you do decide to get a Dyna (or any other model for that matter) try your best to test ride the particular one you're going to buy before you sign. Some vibrate more than others, mine being a good example.
H-DOG will let you take a test ride if they think you're serious about buying. Take it south on I-385 a few miles at 70 mph and see what it feels like. Agreed, the 2 mile loop you get to ride on demo days isn't enough to tell much.

[jhawkr]

I bought a 2006 Sportster 1200 in 2005 and rode it until this past spring when I bought a new 2008 FXDC. At some speeds I do notice the SG has more vibration coming through the handlebars that the Sportster did. But don't be fooled thinking these are similar bikes as they are not even remotely similar. The Sportster is faster, quicker, better handling and way more fun to ride on a twisty road. The Super is heavier, virtually impervious to all but the really strong cross-winds, way more comfortable after 30 minutes in the saddle, smoother riding and for a much bigger bike, handles pretty darn good! I think you rode a SG with some mount problems. My advise is to try another. Also, if you put a detachable windshield, new seat (you will), sissy bar and bags, you will have added about $1700 to the price of your bike. I know because I did that. I really love my SG and on a recent 500+ mile jaunt through north-western Illinois and south-western Wisconsin, it performed flawlessly and I actually averaged 54 mpg! I would have loved to take my old Sportster through some of those roads but it would surely have killed my butt and my back, even with the touring seat and windshield I had on it. Bottom line, unless you plan on staying close to town, stay away from the Sportster. Find another SG to test ride and make sure the vibration issue you experienced is going to be an issue on all SG's before you write it off. A Softail might be a smoother ride but my buddy's Fat Bob is not near as much fun to ride as my Super.

[GJarrett]

jhawkr, you nailed exactly why I am looking at a Super Glide and are confirming my initial interest in that model. I want something sportier than a touring bike but that I can still take on an extended trip when I want to without killing my comfort level. I noticed that you pointed out that the SG does have more vibration coming through the bars at certain speeds but you still said it is a smoother riding bike. I figured on spending another $1300 or so on the extras but that's not including a new seat... I thought I'd try to live with the stock one for awhile.

murphdog thanks for the additional help. I do plan to take that SG on a longer demo ride either on I-85 or I-385 and you're right, they don't have a problem letting me play on it a little longer now that they know I'm a serious buyer. A few miles at 65~70 mph will tell me what I need to know.

Once I do that I'll probably see what kind of deal they'll make with me on a different colored one and I'll just order it and wait for it to come in. Then you'll have to look me up and tempt me to leave work for a cruise every once in awhile.... I'm a part-time pastor at Brookwood Church which should be pretty easy for you to find, LOL.

[Fred1369]

find a used fxdx-t. wunnerfull bike.

http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictur...port-2003.html

[GJarrett]

Awesome ~ Exactly my vision of what I want. I just did a cycle trader search nationwide and not a single one was for sale though. That's okay; I'm shopping new and can always have a target vision to customize into

[Orange1200R]

I would just do an engine mod on the Dyna you will never have to cruise above 3500rpm unless you are cruising at 100mph (not recommended and expensive). I have owend both the rubbermount sporty and an 08 dyna the suspension in my opinion is way more suitable for highway riding on the dyna. The added weight also helps from being blown around by big trucks and high winds. The vibration has never bothered me on either to tell you the truth and it only does it on the dyna at idle.

[murphdog]

GJ, demo rides at Greenville Harley again this Saturday 12 til 4.
Same bikes they had a couple weeks ago. Go take that FXDC for another ride!

[GJarrett]

My plan exactsomely

[gizz46]

I agree the Dyna should not have as much vibration as the sporty, But a Harley has a lot more vibration than any Honda I ever rode. But I have an 02 FXD and love it. I was a Honda mechanic for 30+ years but nothing rides like a Harley.
But for you I think I would look at the Road King or FLH Std. I would not even look at a Sporty at all.

[GJarrett]

I have been doing some test-riding on a friend's 2008. I just made an offer on a FXDC at the Greenville dealership via email but the salesperson is out of town for a couple of days. We'll see what happens.

[xtheunknown]

I just traded an '06 XL1200C for a 2009 FXD. I find that at ALL RPMs the Dyna is much smoother. Plus, because it is bigger it absorbs the road bumps much better than the Sporty. I put windshield, bags, sissy bar and rack on the Sporty and it always looked a little weird because of the small size of the bike. I am glad I bought the Dyna.