I had an 04' 1200R and it is a fine machine. Slap a sundowner seat on it and it's fine for short two up rides. You may want to check out a used Dyna sport, they are cool bikes. You definately can feel the additional torque that the stock twin cam provides over the evo. Ride 'em, then decide. whether the extra dough is worth it; only you can decide that.
Sportster Vs. Dyna
I have been thinking about buying a Sporty for a few years. But, many people say to go for the Dyan because of the bigger frame and it being more comfortabel. But, the Dyna Street Bob and 1200Low are $5000 difference in price. I like the looks of the Sporty better, too. Is the extra cost really worth it??
Thanks.
Thanks.
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
You know, over the past thirty years I have asked myself the same questions.
During the early 1970's I rode with a Madison club, but technically lived and worked in Milwaukee. To save money for college, my Dad provided low cost room and board during the summer months I worked at Master Lock.
Every weekend, I made the trip down the I-90 system.
I bought a new Sportster, and then a new Super Glide every other year.
When I had the Sporty, the wind bucked me on the open road. When I had the Glide, I had to kick start the beast and push it around for city driving.
I thought a bigger shovelhead motor in a Sporty frame would have done the trick. After all, that's what the Super Glide was supposed to be.
I love both bikes, and I have a 95-inch Dyna now.
For the past year I have been thinking about adding a plain-Jane black 883 with the traditional Sporty tank just for short hops.
During that open house last fall I did ride a 1200 model, and I think it has what I need.
During the early 1970's I rode with a Madison club, but technically lived and worked in Milwaukee. To save money for college, my Dad provided low cost room and board during the summer months I worked at Master Lock.
Every weekend, I made the trip down the I-90 system.
I bought a new Sportster, and then a new Super Glide every other year.
When I had the Sporty, the wind bucked me on the open road. When I had the Glide, I had to kick start the beast and push it around for city driving.
I thought a bigger shovelhead motor in a Sporty frame would have done the trick. After all, that's what the Super Glide was supposed to be.
I love both bikes, and I have a 95-inch Dyna now.
For the past year I have been thinking about adding a plain-Jane black 883 with the traditional Sporty tank just for short hops.
During that open house last fall I did ride a 1200 model, and I think it has what I need.
depends on your size too
I'm small, I like the fit of the sporty.....but big dudes seem to feel cramped on it.
I'm small, I like the fit of the sporty.....but big dudes seem to feel cramped on it.
I've had 3 sportsters and love those bikes. I now have a herirage softail classic and love it. I do miss the sportyness, if that's a word, of the sportster. they are a sport bike not a cruiser. if you can afford the extra cost get the bigger bike, as long as you've got experience on bikes. I'm looking at the prices and a FXDI super glide in black is $12,195, a 1200L is $9,395 that's 3 grand difference. I'll say this my wife has a 2005 1200c and it's a quick light bike that's fun to ride.
also save some cash and go to Ben Breece HD in Ohio and save some major cash. that may end your decision there. always msrp with free freight and set up.
419-523-4274
also save some cash and go to Ben Breece HD in Ohio and save some major cash. that may end your decision there. always msrp with free freight and set up.
419-523-4274
i wish i had a cammed sporty for my daily driver and an flh for long haul.
but i am poor so i bought a dyna-----------compromise is the word.
but i am poor so i bought a dyna-----------compromise is the word.
claydbal said:i wish i had a cammed sporty for my daily driver and an flh for long haul.
but i am poor so i bought a dyna-----------compromise is the word.
Amen to that!
The Sport is a great bike, love it.
I've had a Sporty 10 ears ago. Modded it since it has the look and the power of an real power cruiser (big tank, 130 front tire, fat fork, ...). But I was still looking for a "real" Harley. Don't get me wrong, but that's what i felt that days.
And it's not a sports bike, like an Kawasaki ZX-10R or Yamaha R1.
It's a sport bike if u think of Harley.
But since my old modell many things changed. The motor mounting ...
So if u like Sporty I would first ride a new modell and then a used one.
I bet u will choose the older, used one
Ride on!
I've had a Sporty 10 ears ago. Modded it since it has the look and the power of an real power cruiser (big tank, 130 front tire, fat fork, ...). But I was still looking for a "real" Harley. Don't get me wrong, but that's what i felt that days.
And it's not a sports bike, like an Kawasaki ZX-10R or Yamaha R1.
It's a sport bike if u think of Harley.
But since my old modell many things changed. The motor mounting ...
So if u like Sporty I would first ride a new modell and then a used one.
I bet u will choose the older, used one
Ride on!
It really depends on what you want.I almost bought a new 1200c then decided to order a Street Glide, wanted bags, radio, shield ect.Now if you like a little hot rod, you would need to dump a lot'a jack into a big twin to keep up with a new 1200 sporty with a stage 1.:boxin:
:yes: The sporties come out of the crate pushing more horses than a Dyna and weigh about 100 less lbs. The stock rear shocks sorta suck but that can be remedied easily enough. Wheel base is a little shorter, but when I'm sitting on my '05 XL1200C with my feet on the forward controls, I seem to have more room than on my E-Glide. Get a hi-volume air box, rejet the carb, add some performance muffs and you are set. Sorta like owning a 'discount' Harley. As was mentioned before, BT's need a lot of work to keep up with a staged one(d) sporty.....The new rubber-mounted motor makes quite the difference also. No more 'paint can shaking'. A little buzzy around 65 mph but after that it's relatively smooth. Longer tire wear also than a BT (10,500 miles on my '05 and probably have another 4 or 5 thousand left). The '04's and above have better oiling of the heads, high compression heads and more stock horses than previous models.......and no oil blow-by coming out of the air box (as with earlier models)wvwayne said:It really depends on what you want.I almost bought a new 1200c then decided to order a Street Glide, wanted bags, radio, shield ect.Now if you like a little hot rod, you would need to dump a lot'a jack into a big twin to keep up with a new 1200 sporty with a stage 1.:boxin:
We've had 2 of each in the family . Originally an 03 883 and 99 Superglide, now an 05 1200 Custom and 02 Wide Glide3. I've also ridden the 1200R and all the other models in HD's line. The new 1200C has good ergonomics , power and is a blast to ride, it is very smooth and a great value.
My wife lives hers. For me it is more a question of balance and stance. Even with a 1200C you sit on top of a sporty and they are top heavy. The Dyna's like all big twins has more torque and carries the wieght low and you sit in it. This is especially true of my FXDWG3 which is an inch lower than a stock WG.
From the motor perspective , there is a somewhat limited amount to do on the new 1200s. The Twinkie is capable of considerably more in terms of upgrade options.
My wife lives hers. For me it is more a question of balance and stance. Even with a 1200C you sit on top of a sporty and they are top heavy. The Dyna's like all big twins has more torque and carries the wieght low and you sit in it. This is especially true of my FXDWG3 which is an inch lower than a stock WG.
From the motor perspective , there is a somewhat limited amount to do on the new 1200s. The Twinkie is capable of considerably more in terms of upgrade options.
How do you figure this? As far as torque,I think the MoCo list the stock sporty as being down only 6 lb ft from a big twin. Not a lot in my book.:gun:nidan said:From the motor perspective , there is a somewhat limited amount to do on the new 1200s. The Twinkie is capable of considerably more in terms of upgrade options.
This is a little after the fact, but I'm a proud Sportster owner, and I absolutely love my bike, vibration and all. Still, if I had to pick between a Sporty and a Dyna (and money wasn't an issue), I'd pick the Dyna. Most likely the Street Bob. Better yet, I'd keep mine and add a Dyna to the stable. The Sporty is a classic, nimble bike — a real hot rod.
I am thinking about trading my sportster in on a street bob those are nice looking bikes. I've had my sportster now for over a year and a half and the wife wants to ride so i want something bigger. Something about that flat black on the street bob.
Sporty Fan
Like most people above, I'm sold on the Sporty. Krayven does an excellent job above describing the differences. Depends on what you want. While the Sporty might be a bit lighter on torque, it has more horsepower and a compression ratio of almost 10:1...tough to beat. Some people are more "techie" than others and like electronic fuel injection. The 06 Dyna also has a true 6th gear (not overdrive like on other Harleys) for those who need to shift into 6th at 85 MPH. In my opinion, the Sportster is a fast, nimble, versitile bike and, unless you're riding 2-up with a 250 lb wife, it's plenty of bike.
Like most people above, I'm sold on the Sporty. Krayven does an excellent job above describing the differences. Depends on what you want. While the Sporty might be a bit lighter on torque, it has more horsepower and a compression ratio of almost 10:1...tough to beat. Some people are more "techie" than others and like electronic fuel injection. The 06 Dyna also has a true 6th gear (not overdrive like on other Harleys) for those who need to shift into 6th at 85 MPH. In my opinion, the Sportster is a fast, nimble, versitile bike and, unless you're riding 2-up with a 250 lb wife, it's plenty of bike.
Well didn't you open a can of worms :blink:
All I can say is they are different horses.
I've had Sportys both Iron and Evo as well as a Superglide for 10 years and a couple of Eglides and they are just different.
Go rent a couple of bikes and see the differences in each and decide what you like and dislike about them.
I like them all and have an '04 Sporty and an '00 Electraglide in the stable right now.
I'm jones'n for another Super pretty bad though :corn:
Y2K
All I can say is they are different horses.
I've had Sportys both Iron and Evo as well as a Superglide for 10 years and a couple of Eglides and they are just different.
Go rent a couple of bikes and see the differences in each and decide what you like and dislike about them.
I like them all and have an '04 Sporty and an '00 Electraglide in the stable right now.
I'm jones'n for another Super pretty bad though :corn:
Y2K
My problem with the Sportsters used to be that at 70 mph and above, it was like riding a Home Depot paint shaker, and it would take some time for the feeling to return to my hands and feet. Since 2004 that is no longer the case. My problem with the Dynas used to be that they had the narrow front end and fairly skinny rear tire, more appropriately sized to the lighter, nimbler Sportster. Since 2006 that is no longer the case, and the new Dynas are pretty darned nimble for their size/weight. So in my mind the differences are blurring a little with the new models, both of which are very, very nice. Temporarily I have one of each, and for long distances, or carrying a passenger, I'll take the Dyna. For a short, solo ride, the Sportster is more fun. They both have all the performance, sound, look and quality I could ask for. Sure is nice on cold mornings, though, not to have to fuss with a choke on the FI Dyna - so my daughter is inheriting the Sporty, she's a lot younger and more nimble than me anyway, and the Dyna fits my fat a$$ better.
I have to agree with the posts above. They are very different rides for very different purposes. A Sporty is quicker off the line and nimbler and a Dyna. Both are a lot of fun on the twisties. For longer rides (200 Miles) or trips (2k+ miles). The Dyna is a lot more comfortable and serves as a better pack mule.
'05 FXDLI
'02 1200C
'05 FXDLI
'02 1200C
I have a both a Sportster and a Super Glide -- both black and both "tricked out" identically. Most folks can't tell them apart. The Sportster is a 1995 1200 with forward controls. The Super Glide is a 2002 with forward controls. I'm 6"3'' and there is not all that much difference in the riding position. I actually have more legroom on the Sportster. Why do I have to almost identical bikes? Simple. A wise old biker once told me, "You should never sell your first Harley". Made sense to me. I have put 35,000 miles on the Sportster with several 1000 mile days. You can't go wrong with either bike and if funds are the determining factor, I'd go with the Sportster, especially with the recall on the 2006 Super Glide. Makes you wonder what else might be wrong.
Tom
Tom
I believe that the Dyna Super Glide is only about 1-1/2" longer than the Sporty. But I can tell you you do feel like you have a lot more room on the Dyna. Felt cramped on the Sporty with my wife on the back and she only weighs 100 lbs. I had a 97 Sporty and was going to get a new Sporty but for comfort and better highway manners I went with a new 05 Super Glide.
The Dyna has better rear shocks and the front forks don't dive as much as on a Sporty.
Try to go to a Dealer open house and ride both. Then you will know which one you really want. It is not a ton more per month if you are going to go from the Sporty to the Super Glide. If you are thinking Wide Glide, Street Bob, Low rider then it is a lot bigger jump.
LeavenworthJeff
05 FXDI SIlver
The Dyna has better rear shocks and the front forks don't dive as much as on a Sporty.
Try to go to a Dealer open house and ride both. Then you will know which one you really want. It is not a ton more per month if you are going to go from the Sporty to the Super Glide. If you are thinking Wide Glide, Street Bob, Low rider then it is a lot bigger jump.
LeavenworthJeff
05 FXDI SIlver
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