Oops, forgot something. '06 was a generation change, if you will. Frame change, 6 speed gearbox and wider rear tire, to name a few. I think '07 brought the 96" motor, 88" up to '06. Fat Bob also had wider rear tire, as well.
Oops, forgot something. '06 was a generation change, if you will. Frame change, 6 speed gearbox and wider rear tire, to name a few. I think '07 brought the 96" motor, 88" up to '06. Fat Bob also had wider rear tire, as well.
FlightService wrote: The perfect HD? In order: Honda Fury chopper Kawasaki Vulkan 1700 Voyager Suzuki M109R
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
I am not a fan of Harley. Mostly because they sell 1950's technology at 2050 prices. The best bike in their lineup, IMHO, is the V-Rod which most HD owners don't like (designed by Porsche.) They are made in Mexico and China just like everyone else. They are assembled here.
I'm not a fan of import bikes. Mostly because they sell cheap copies of an American icon. Also, I know, as fact, the manufacturing and assembly of engine parts is done here, in Wisconsin. My company does the machining of done of them.
The #1 thing about HD? Status, thank you HD marketing department. I will spend my money on substance thank you very much.
I'll spend my money on something that will hold its value, thank you very much.
HD also makes bikes in PA and just signed a deal to start assembling them in India. I think calling a Dyna "sporting" is pretty darn generous. More accurate would be sporting...for a Harley. But even then, I think the HD Sportster is a more well-rounded bike. Even among the big twins, I think the older FXRS had a better frame, if not a better engine. After owning a couple Harleys and riding several more, I think they're okay bikes, but way overpriced for what you get. If you want it because of the icon/brand name factor, then nothing else is going to do it for you. If you don't care about the "icon" factor and don't feel the burning need to dress like a pirate/Judas Priest-reject, there are bikes that do everything that Harleys do, only better, cheaper, and often, more reliably. For touring, there are Gold Wings and BMWs. For sport-tourers there are FJRs, and Concours14s. For more all-around bikes, there are FZ1s, Bandits, CB1200s. For sporty nakeds, there are Speed Triples, Street Triples, XB12s, and Monsters. For muscle bikes, there are V-Maxes and M109Rs. For sportbikes, there are a ton of them.
If you are deadset on a Harley, I'd take a hard look at used Sportsters as they offer a lot more bike for the money compared to a lot of the big twins. Get one made from the 90s onward (Evo engines, 5-speed tranny, and belt drive). 2004+ offers a rubber-mount engine for a little less vibes, but about 50-75lbs more weight.
DISCLAIMER: I personally will never buy a new Harley after how badly they screwed over Buell. What they did was wrong and mean-spirited.
FlightService wrote: My personal favorite, but I think it is in a different class, like the V-Max I introduce the Ducati Diavel
that is the most awful looking bike since the new V-max. I don't care how it rides - if it looks that bad I wouldn't want it for free.
I like the V-rod a lot. I have rented three different models and they are a lot of fun.
If they were $7k, I would buy one. At $15k there is no way.
Timeormoney wrote:Dr. Hess wrote: The Perfect Harley:Can you share what makes it perfect? Ride, reliability, value? The pure awesomeness of Dr Hess as its rider :) What model/generation is this? Sometimes I wish i knew bikes like I know BMW's. I have read lots of posts about your megasquirting them and am very glad you joined in.
The above pictured bike is perfect because... It's mine. Here's another Perfect Harley:
It's perfect because it's Dr.Linda's, a 1987 883 XLH Hugger. My point is that whatever Harley you get will become perfect as you mold it into what you want. Now, there are some better bikes to start with. My bike is a 1986 FLHT. Not a FLHTC (Classic), a stock FLHT. It is an Evo, or Evolution engine, which saved the motor company (MoCo) from bankruptcy and destruction. HD had to get their act together or go under. The bottom end is basically the same as since time began (1936) with modern construction techniques and materials, and the top end was designed by Porsche. With minor maintenance, 100K+ miles on a rebuild is common.
What's perfect for you depends on what you want, how you ride. My bike corners very well, for a 1000 lb 25 year old bike. The FXR series from that era has been called the best handling Harley, if that's your thing. The FXRT is an FXR with bags and a frame mounted faring. CHIPS used them for a while. Some people just want the classic look. A softtail (FLST, etc.) works for them, but my bike will out corner them without even trying. A softtail has the classic hard tail frame look, but with a rear swing arm. Geometry is basically the same as a 1936 hard tail through 1980-ish solid mounted FLH. I had a 1979 FLH Classic POS when I bought my bike. I had been riding the FLHT for a while and took the FLH to Austin and damn near killed myself because I was used to how the FLHT cornered. The softtails corner like the '79 FLH. But, they have the classic old style look. Google up a 1936 Knucklehead or a 1949 Panhead and a modern softtail and you can see the similarities. Sportsters, like Dr.Linda's, also corner very well. A friend of mine had a bike like Dr.Linda's and about a '87 low rider, basically a FXR. He used to race sportbikes. I asked him which cornered better and he said the Sportster.
Anyway, what's perfect for you? What do you like? Classic looks, better handling, stoplight drag racing? Any Harley post 1984 (86-up for Sportsters) is good. Some have advantages over others, they probably all need "something" over how they come, whether a different carb or a EFI tune, or just cosmetics if you need more chrome. All can be set up just how you want them. I've always like Dressers, that's what I have. Dr.Linda likes a smaller bike that she can handle better, and she wanted it to look like a piece of turquoise. There's also very few men that can keep up with her on that bike. My friend has a Deuce softtail. He walked to a dealer while waiting for his truck to get serviced and test rode a V-rod with a dyno tune putting down >140HP. He bought it. Now he has 3 (also an iron head sportster that I told him NOT to buy. You DON'T want an iron head sportster or a shovelhead, unless you just want something to keep you busy wrenching on.)
I agree with the good Doctor that there is not a perfect Harley that can be had new off of the showroom floor, but what disturbs me is how un-perfect some of them can be. I am on my third Ducati Monster and like a Harley, there is a large aftermarket of performance, comfort and appearance items that will allow you to turn a stock bike into a racer, tourer or show queen. The difference between the Ducati and a lot of Harleys is that the stock Monster is such a good bike that it doesn’t require that it be modified.
I have ridden several air cooled Harleys and will probably own one some day. I would love to build a flat tracker or café racer out of a sportster. I really liked the Fatboy that I rented and some of the new sportsters that they are coming out with. I just can’t stomach their pricing on new bikes (and remember – I am a Ducati rider!).
mpolans wrote: ... dress like a pirate/Judas Priest-reject...
I really don't get this. Sure, I've seen HD riders with a wooden leg*, hook hand and/or an eyepatch, but that was from combat in the jungles of Vietnam, not swashbuckling on the high seas of the Carribean. I have yet to see a parrot on a guy's shoulder.
I think if you look back through history, HD riders were wearing black leather a few decades before Rob Halford took the stage.
If anything, chaps and a vest is more akin to cowboys than pirates.
On the other hand, I've seen many non-HD riders that want to look like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. 
FlightService wrote: [Harley] sells 1950's technology at 2050 prices.
What '50s technology?
Fuel delivery? All HDs, even the cheapest Sportster, has had fuel injection since 2007. Yet, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all still sell bikes with carbuerators.
Cooling system? Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all have air cooled bikes, too.
Ignition and emission control? I'm not going to bother researching the Japanese bikes, but all HDs have ECMs, O2 sensors, etc.
Prices?
Honda Shadows, Yamaha VStars, Suzuki Boulevard 50s and Kawasaki Vulcan 900s are priced the same as HD Sportsters briefly mentioned by others.
Honda VTX 1300s, Yamaha Raiders and Warriors, Suzuki M109Rs, and Kawasaki Vulcan 1700s are priced very much like, if not more than, the HD Dynas the OP originally asked about.
Sorry for the post whoring. I just get a little miffed at ignorant comments that put down HDs.
/rant
There is some awesome information here folks! I really wanted to learn about what HD has done and how their bikes can cross over different markets/needs. At the end of the day, I will need to buy what I can afford; but maybe HD is THE answer for folks that can afford to make them exactly what they want. It almost makes them the GRM of bikes, buy stock modify to your own special needs; sell it for most of what you have in it when you want something else.
I appreciate everyone's time.
ST_ZX2 wrote: The FatBob (in the photo) is IMO the best all-around Harley now. It definately can be pushed in the corners, as shown there. It is the only current Dyna that has dual front brakes...and it has the largest front tire.
While the FatBob is definitely nice....it is also a $25,000 motorcycle. You can buy a C5 Z06 for less than that!
The regular Harleys though (Sportster, etc.) are pretty reasonably priced, as RealMini said, and have FI/rubber mounts/etc/etc., so a lot of the old gripes aren't really applicable. Don't knock them until you wander around their website for an hour or two. Even better would be go to the dealership, they do a great job letting you try the bikes to find what you like.
Having said that...I just bought a metric
Flynlow, The FatBob is a $14999-$15,374 list bike brand new; I'd be happy to sell you one at a discount too.
Flynlow wrote: While the FatBob is definitely nice....it is also a $25,000 motorcycle.
That's for a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) Fat Bob. Regular Fat Bobs are $15k.
RealMiniDriver wrote: That's for a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) Fat Bob. Regular Fat Bobs are $15k.
Ah...well, I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong. I must have been on a strange part of their site, was trying to spec a 2010 FatBob in basic black, and that was the only option.
Thanks for the clarification! 
ST_ZX2 wrote: Flynlow, The FatBob is a $14999-$15,374 list bike brand new; I'd be happy to sell you one at a discount too.
Thanks for the offer! I actually just bought a smaller cruiser (coming from sportbikes, I wanted a lightweight, cheaper entry first to see if I like it). If I do, I'll probably upgrade, and definitely give you a call if the offer's still open. Going to cross-shop the FatBob/FortyEight/Midnight Warrior, and a couple others.
More food for thought:
HD Dynas aren't that heavy.
Honda VTX1300C 678lbs
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic 761lbs
Suzuki M109R 764lbs
Yamaha Warrior 650lbs
HD Dyna Super Glide Custom 676lbs
RealMiniDriver wrote:FlightService wrote: [Harley] sells 1950's technology at 2050 prices.What '50s technology? Fuel delivery? All HDs, even the cheapest Sportster, has had fuel injection since 2007. Yet, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all still sell bikes with carbuerators. Cooling system? Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all have air cooled bikes, too. Ignition and emission control? I'm not going to bother researching the Japanese bikes, but all HDs have ECMs, O2 sensors, etc. Prices? Honda Shadows, Yamaha VStars, Suzuki Boulevard 50s and Kawasaki Vulcan 900s are priced the same as HD Sportsters briefly mentioned by others. Honda VTX 1300s, Yamaha Raiders and Warriors, Suzuki M109Rs, and Kawasaki Vulcan 1700s are priced very much like, if not more than, the HD Dynas the OP originally asked about.
But they still sound like ass.
93EXCivic wrote: But they still sound like ass.
To each his own. I think the wail of eleventeen million RPM Japanese bikes sounds like ass +1.
RealMiniDriver wrote:
I'll spend my money on something that will hold its value, thank you very much.
Got three guys at work that would argue the hold your value part, kind of like a Porsche you end high but you started much higher. Unlike a Porsche, no substance.
As for the made in Wisconsin, maybe a few parts but if you want to spend the money on the plane ticket we can go to Chongqing, China and I will take you through the foundry that does some of the other parts. Nice facility, they do some stuff for a wide range of people. Cleaner than any caster I have seen in the States actually.
Chromy trim bits china (Watched a dealer in TN pull the made in china sticker off a Fat Boy new out of the crate.)
electrics mexico (written on the side)
Just like most everything "Made in America" just means it's assembled here.
As far as the flattery, hell I would sponge off of HDs marketing team too given what they have invested in it. You can get a bike from anyone else with 3 times the quality, 10 times the technology, at half the price. Isn't funny that the bike labeled as a bad boy bike is now primarily ridden by Dr's and Lawyers?
Maybe that is why I don't do cruisers.
All kidding and "your bike sucks and my bikes better" garbage, have they gotten them to stop? The last one I rode (2009 Fat Boy) wouldn't stop if you hit the Empire State building? Thing are just too heavy with not enough brake.
My last bike ate Linguine not Rice in case you were wondering.
RealMiniDriver wrote: Honda VTX 1300s, Yamaha Raiders and Warriors, Suzuki M109Rs, and Kawasaki Vulcan 1700s are priced very much like, if not more than, the HD Dynas the OP originally asked about.
I would like to see a new Dyna Glide on a dealer floor for $12,900
Electric fuel injection has been on cars since '57.
Who said anything about liquid vs air cooled as a statement of technological presence? I know of none of the Jap or hell even European manufactures that doesn't use at least oil cooling on their bikes.
I am talking about the wonderful "mis-teak" of the vibration and that annoying noise coming out of those damn gutted pipes. Oh that wonderful thing that slings bolts (My duc was bad for it as well, one of the reasons I am glad it is gone.) Ever heard of Loc-tite? They charge enough for them they should at least give me that much. The flow rates for the intake and exhaust and maximum RPM on HD is gawd aweful. That much displacement and almost the entire lineup will be beaten by some squid on a 600cc sport bike! Look at Suzuki's old Intruder 1400. "Classic" styling and it's day it was the 2nd quickest bike available, only to the V-max!. Every mean HD I have seen has aftermarket heads, chips, and a list of mods that would let you buy two sport bikes for the same money.
I am all for made in America and pride in what we do, but for God's sake produce something that will compete.
I thought Buell was on it's way with the upcoming, now dead, V-Rod engined based bike, but instead they got an engine from Rotax. I miss Buell, they were the last hope for HD IMHO. They at least gave them something of a complete lineup.
I think it is funny the people on this forum defending one of the heaviest CC for CC bikes on the planet, when in every other post, we all preach light is right.
Boggles the mind.
And before anyone quips, yes I know the company that built my bike was owned by HD for a while, and a few times.
Oh yeah, one last thing
The Diavel ain't pretty, never said it was, I just like it for some reason. Maybe the whole "bulldog syndrome" so ugly you like it type of thing
Sorry for ranting and post whoring, but I have worked in shops and seen too much money thrown at these machines for no good reason with a false sense of value and quality.
You get sick of it after awhile
Maybe that was two things. 
FlightService wrote: I would like to see a new Dyna Glide on a dealer floor for $12,900 I got mine for $11,000.Who said anything about liquid vs air cooled as a statement of technological presence?Noone. I was merely guessing at things you may have meant by "50s" technology.I think it is funny the people on this forum defending one of the heaviest CC for CC bikes on the planet, when in every other post, we all preach light is right.Go back and look at the weights of comparable models to the Dyna. Only the Honda is lighter, and not by much.
Timeormoney wrote: There is some awesome information here folks! I really wanted to learn about what HD has done and how their bikes can cross over different markets/needs. At the end of the day, I will need to buy what I can afford; but maybe HD is THE answer for folks that can afford to make them exactly what they want. It almost makes them the GRM of bikes, buy stock modify to your own special needs; sell it for most of what you have in it when you want something else. I appreciate everyone's time.
Pissing contest aside, if you're serious - or even just curious - about the Dyna line, go try them out. Fat Bob to get the feel of drag bars and forward controls, Street Bob for the feel of mini apes and mid controls, and Super Glide for standard bars and mids. If one of them fits your budget, but you like features of a different one, change things as your wallet (or wife) allows.
racinginc215 wrote: I pushed my last Harley into the back of a rental truck 400 miles from home for the last time 2 years ago. I don't see where that bike held it's value at all. I lost almost 2 season of riding and over 12K on that little Ultra Classic adventure. The brand new bike just came home yesterday. 2011Triumph Rocket III Touring. If it makes it more then 400 miles without blowing up the inner primary it will be way better then the last HD I owned,
That is biggest problem for me with Harleys I hear about Harleys falling apart all the time.
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