so should i get a Dyna or a Softie?

[Eric The Welder]

i decided against the sportster and now im looking at late 90s dynas and Soft tails. i cant really decide what i like better. but i really dont know too much about either one or the difference between them.

im gonna go to the harley store near me tomorrow and look at the two, but how are the late 90s different between the 09s? besides fuel injection are there any major differences?

[XDixiecratX]

Yes, and you would be wise to stay at 2000 or newer, bearing problems up to 99. Just sayin

[Eric The Welder]

i cant afford a 2000. im look 95 to 98 gotta keep it under 7k

[XDixiecratX]

Look on craigslist, all kinds of 2000-2004 wide glides, fatboys for $7000 or less. people hurtin and winters here.

[XDixiecratX]

Ill get on there tonight and if I see anything Ill post it for ya, where you at anyway?

[geouhl]

Originally Posted by Eric The Welder

i decided against the sportster and now im looking at late 90s dynas and Soft tails. i cant really decide what i like better. but i really dont know too much about either one or the difference between them.

im gonna go to the harley store near me tomorrow and look at the two, but how are the late 90s different between the 09s? besides fuel injection are there any major differences?

Hey Eric and welcome to the forum. I'm in the SW burbs so hope to see you around town.

Don't know what your build is but I'm 6' about 230 and the Dyna Wide Glide fits me much better than a softie. Forward controls on the Dyna's are further than the forward controls on the softies that I've been on. Almost picked up a springer but after I rode it a bit it was really cramped. Could have extended the foot controls but just didn't feel right. Longer trips on the dyna will be more comfortable. I like the lines on some softies since there's no rear shocks to see but I'm looking for comfort and I still love the looks of my WG. I also much prefer foot pegs to boards so a lot of the softies have boards but these can be changed. With only 7 to spend you can check Craigslist, Ebay and also look into Cycletrader online. There are some good deals there. Also have seen Libertyville HD dealing on used bikes (almost bought that softie from them).

Good Luck!

[nolonger8]

welcome from buffalo!

[chris_lacey]

Originally Posted by Eric The Welder

im gonna go to the harley store near me tomorrow and look at the two, but how are the late 90s different between the 09s? besides fuel injection are there any major differences?

Eric, the difference between the 90's stuff and the late stuff is huge. The 90's stuff has the 80CID Evolution engine. A very good engine, but the 90's units need inner cam bearings at around 50K ,miles. They have the 5 speed trans and are generally a good bike. I'd go for the dyna in this vintage as it has better handling and the rubbermount engine. They are belt drive just like the new ones. I haven't ridden an Evo softail, but handling is supposed to be questionable at best.

The new bikes (2000 up) have the 88CID or 96CID Twin Cam engine. Power is not a lot more than the Evo, but they are heavily pollution controlled. The Softails in this group have a counterbalance shaft in the engine/trans assemblies to smooth the vibration to dyna levels. The softail chasis is totally different (better) Evo to Twin Cam. 2007 and up have the 6 Speed Trans and a higher final drive ratio for easy hiway cruising.

The twin cams up to 2008 have their own cam drive issues with the tensioner shoes. Not a big deal, and there are fixes out there.

If you get an EVO, call up NorthShore Motorcycles and order their Andrews EV27 cam kit and install it or have it installed. The kit includes the inner cam bearing, adjustable pushrods, gaskets, cam etc all for around $259. Now you are making Twin Cam level power and your bearing problems are fixed forever.

[Eric The Welder]

Thanks for the input. I'm in Chicago, if I could find a 00+ dyna for 7k I'll be all over it. But so far the only ones I find in my price range are 96/97s. Also I'm 6' 200lbs.

[Eric The Welder]

Well I think I want a dyna, just feels better. Gotta find one with forawrd controls though.
I found a 96 wide glide with 18k miles, for $6200, Problem is it's purple so i would want to paint it flat black. How hard is it to take off the tank and fenders?