Bike change conundrum: Dyna or Softail?

[Mawsley]

I have a conundrum.

 

Heart: Been offered a straight swap on a 10yr old dyna Street Bob with 11K on the clock. Thing is, it's absolutely tricked out to the tits with farkles & paintjob & has a 107 piston & cam kit - it's awesomely lovely.

 

Head: Been offered a better trade-in value on a '19 Street Bob with half the mileage at half the age. It's Black. None more black. Not really farkled, but it has a Stage 1 done.

 

Genuinely don't know which way to go. Heart wants the lovely thing, head says get one with fewer miles and newer/bigger engine.

 

I need Harley people's opinions and insight. Please.

[Copycat73]

depends on which one has the higher scrap value .. 

[Simon Davey]

What kind of warranty on the 10 year old? 

With only 10k on the clock, that's merely the milage of a three year old. 

At 5 years old, the 19 has just as much chance of being a problem as the 10 year old. 

I'd go with comparing the condition, and a comparison of the care that's been given to each. 

Checking for any corrosion on bolt heads etc, look underneath the frame, lift the seat (if possible) just to check condition. 

If they're both mint, what's the difference? Just 5 years which isn't a lot. 

Edited October 18, 2024 by Simon Davey

[AstronautNinja]

I'd be going for the tricked up one. 

 

Post some pics let the community vote 

[Old-codger]

I think you need to wait it sounds like you are still heavily medicated after your Operation. 

[Mawsley]

38 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

What kind of warranty on the 10 year old? 

With only 10k on the clock, that's merely the milage of a three year old. 

At 5 years old, the 19 has just as much chance of being a problem as the 10 year old. 

I'd go with comparing the condition, and a comparison of the care that's been given to each. 

Checking for any corrosion on bolt heads etc, look underneath the frame, lift the seat (if possible) just to check condition. 

If they're both mint, what's the difference? Just 5 years which isn't a lot. 

 

12 months warranty, full service.

 

The older one has had loads of work, it was obviously a passion project and done really well imo. Looks mint.

 

I think it's more the engines I'm thinking of. I know the older one will potatopotato better, I know the newer one will be smoother - but as big tours no longer happen I don't think the smoothness will bother me - I did Europe on my old 2008 FLHTCU a few times.

 

I was 50/50. Ran through my thoughts with the wife and I'm now pretty 70/30 for the 2014 one. Unless an HD expert pops up before long to scream at me not to, I think the decision is almost made and I'm ready to be an owner of agricultural machinery again.

 

[Mawsley]

59 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

I'd be going for the tricked up one. 

 

Post some pics let the community vote 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

In my experience no-one's dying words were "I wish I'd listen to my head more than my heart."

[Ian Frog]

I am no HD expert but I went for a 2011 Dyna and then sold it to get a modern Fat Boy with a stage 2, the Fatty was a fantastic motor but I just didn`t bond with it.

After a summer with the Fat Boy I found a 2008 Dyna Lowrider with only 1500 miles and so I changed back and haven`t regretted it for a minute.

 

Cheers

Ian

[Mawsley]

6 minutes ago, Ian Frog said:

I am no HD expert but I went for a 2011 Dyna and then sold it to get a modern Fat Boy with a stage 2, the Fatty was a fantastic motor but I just didn`t bond with it.

After a summer with the Fat Boy I found a 2008 Dyna Lowrider with only 1500 miles and so I changed back and haven`t regretted it for a minute.

 

Cheers

Ian

And there’s the reply I’ve been waiting for, confirmation bias at its best. Top marks, Ian, you’ve just been the spark to make the bike swap real. I knew the older engines had more soul! Email despatched!

 

Conversely, I’m holding you legally responsible if I do not find my life filled with daily joy as a result of this choice - like a McDonald’s customer who blames the company for them being fat. 

[Ian Frog]

7 minutes ago, Mawsley said:

And there’s the reply I’ve been waiting for, confirmation bias at its best. Top marks, Ian, you’ve just been the spark to make the bike swap real. I knew the older engines had more soul! Email despatched!

 

Conversely, I’m holding you legally responsible if I do not find my life filled with daily joy as a result of this choice - like a McDonald’s customer who blames the company for them being fat. 

Lol happy to help however like the aforementioned purveyor of heartattack fuel and dodgy chips I take no responsibility for your daft interpretations of my stupidity.

On the upside I hope you will really enjoy it I know I don`t regret my decision for a second and I find I tend to ride the Dyna more often than anything else for small often two up trips normally involving breakfasts or a qiuet pint.

Cheers

Ian

[Ian Frog]

@Mawsley I just thought when you get the new wee beastie a stage one is easy and worthwhile, so if it hasn't been done ( which I doubt) give me a shout and I can help you out with it. 

Cheers 

Ian 

[Mawsley]

1 hour ago, Ian Frog said:

@Mawsley I just thought when you get the new wee beastie a stage one is easy and worthwhile, so if it hasn't been done ( which I doubt) give me a shout and I can help you out with it. 

Cheers 

Ian 

Given what has been done I'm reckoning it probably has...but we'll meet up regardless

[bud]

Good luck with the new purchase. 

Some of the Harleys you see have so little mileage, it's almost like a new bike.

I just haven't got a clue what all the letters mean. So I couldn't possibly help. All I can say is someone at work has just brought the 750 Harley. But I wouldn't consider that.

 

[AstronautNinja]

I very nearly bought a HD as a second first bike, awesome thing next to the bike I was viewing 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2024 by AstronautNinja

[Ian Frog]

2 hours ago, AstronautNinja said:

I very nearly bought a HD as a second first bike, awesome thing next to the bike I was viewing 

 

 

Sorry but that is one of the very new models and I suspect it`s not the best place to start.

Cheers

Ian

[bonio]

13 minutes ago, Ian Frog said:

Sorry but that is one of the very new models and I suspect it`s not the best place to start.

Just curious - whyzzat? 

 

[Ian Frog]

10 minutes ago, bonio said:

Just curious - whyzzat? 

 

Long conversation that will be ! 

I will revisit this during the next day or two when I have worked out the best way to express the difference between the very new Harleys and the recent ones (i.e 2015 - 2021) then I have to work out how to explain the gulf between the very new and the earlier twin cam models (sort of 2005 to 2012 ish) .

I am no expert but I am sure there are books that explain it far better than I ever will.

Cheers

Ian

[Mawsley]

Deposit paid.

 

Woot!

[Simon Davey]

Awesome! 

Are you sure you've made the right decision

[bud]

1 hour ago, Simon Davey said:

Awesome! 

Are you sure you've made the right decision

We will soon find out. 

[Mawsley]

On 20/10/2024 at 08:13, bud said:

We will soon find out. 

 

Not that soon.

 

Told the soonest they can get it to me is the 6th - and I run out of patience waiting for toast. Passed it by the boss and was told in no uncertain terms I can't ride down next week. 

 

 

Have asked the dealer if they take wives in p/x for machines. You know where you are with a bike and they never tell you to do things you don't want to do.

[Mawsley]

Pfft.

 

They aren't interested.

 

[Ian Frog]

54 minutes ago, Mawsley said:

 

Not that soon.

 

Told the soonest they can get it to me is the 6th - and I run out of patience waiting for toast. Passed it by the boss and was told in no uncertain terms I can't ride down next week. 

 

 

Have asked the dealer if they take wives in p/x for machines. You know where you are with a bike and they never tell you to do things you don't want to do.

Where is this dealer?

For a very reasonable fee I could ride your A/T down and the Dyna back.

Cheers

Ian

[Ian Frog]

Wow I expected a fook off reaction lol.

Cheers

Ian