Factory Press Releases
Harley-Davidson Model Explanations
Harley-Davidson’s FXDL Dyna Low Rider and the Entire Dyna Family
Story by Mark Barnett, Photos courtesy of Harley-Davidson Photography & Imaging
For those of you who are new to the Harley world, the 38 different models in the H-D line-up might seem impossible to classify and categorize. I see it in the eyes of every new salesperson I train. “I’m not going to be able to learn this,” appears in an imaginary word balloon above their heads at the beginning of every session. For those of us who grew up in the showroom, we’ve seen how the various models evolved, how the different families of bikes differ and what distinguishes each model within the family. Most of the older hands can’t remember a time when we didn’t know all these things.
Harley-Davidson has used rubber mounted engines for over 25 years. This allows the bike to keep its cherished, thumping big twin motor without any undue vibration being transmitted to the rider. Started on the dressers in the early 1980’s, it went into a “sport” line with the FXR models. When the FXR frame was growing a little old and getting criticized for looking too “foreign,” the Motor Company came out with a new rubber-mounted frame in 1991 and called it the Dyna Glide chassis. This frame went back to the trademark looks of the older bikes, with the battery on the side and fewer exposed frame tubes in the back of the bike. The Dyna had that “skeletal” look again, the frame being somewhat inside, with parts hung off it instead of hidden inside it or behind it.
Once this Dyna family was established, new members could be added. Currently, we have the Super Glide or bare bones model. There’s a Super Glide Custom which adds some polish and chrome, a Street Bob which is done up in a blacked out bobber style. At the top of the family are the Wide Glide with its semi-chopper styling and then the Low Rider, the fully outfitted, chromed and fancily painted version of the Super Glide. All the members of this family share the same frame, with just a little variation in the steering head angle. The Low Rider isn’t really much lower that the others, it is just further evolved, with more money spent on it. The engine is black and chrome, fancier paint options are available and there is more instrumentation. It is the King Ranch model of the Super Glide style bikes, if you are a truck person and that actually helps.
So who is a candidate for a Low Rider and how does this new one perform for 2007? First, I would say, anyone who likes the looks of this chassis is a possible customer. Some people feel that there have to be visible shocks on the back of a bike or it just isn’t right. This traditional suspension is lighter than the Softail arrangement and with upgraded, high quality shocks available from the aftermarket, this bike can be made to be smoother riding that most other bikes in the line up. Secondly, beyond the looks, the Dyna family in general offers big twin power in an easy to handle package. In fact, the factory came out with this style of bike in 1971 because their customers were making them themselves, taking the skinny forks off the Sportsters and bolting them onto the touring bikes. People wanted a lighter, quicker in town bike and Harley then delivered.
For those of you who know the models and the rest of you who just read that brief history and explanation, the questions is now, “how does this new one run?” Well, I hate to say it, because all Harleys pretty much last forever and don’t need to be replaced by the latest, greatest each year. But this new 96” engine is a peach. The engine is notably mechanically quieter, there’s lots of extra torque which can be felt immediately when taking off from a stop, and the bike is several steps more refined all around. The new forks which came out in 2006 in fact, are smooth acting, fairly widely spaced, and both look and work great, noticeably better than the ones they replaced. The clutch is getting so easy to pull that it feels almost disconnected; the transmission shifts extremely well, and even the stock pipes are a little throatier and nicer sounding. Though, culturally, you can be issued an enthusiast ticket of some sort if you leave the bike bottled up and the sound inherent in the design muted. (What a fine, miserable line – too loud, the police get you, too quiet and no one parks next to you, you become the kid who keeps his top button buttoned).
There are more Harley-Davidsons on showrooms nowadays, so if you are interested in trying one of these Low Riders or any model out, be a little insistent and I bet your local dealer will let you ride one. The factory’s Demo Truck combs the rallies regularly now and most dealers have at least two demo weekends a year if you are too timid to ask. Those of you who are new to the sport and finding it difficult to make up your mind, ride a Softail, a Dyna and a Road King at one of these Demo events, you’ll quickly be able to tell which chassis is for you. I can guarantee that this new motor fits everyone; it is easy to manage, smooth, and comes with plenty of power. Your own budget and sense of style can then help you select which model within the family is right for you.
FXD Dyna Super Glide |
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This is the entry level Dyna model. Seating for one, silver engine, a couple of color choices. It is the least expensive way to get into a Harley-Davidson big twin. Has a six-speed transmission, a rubber mounted engine, and after 2006, wider rear tire, stouter forks, larger axles, and an improved frame.
FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom |
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Same as above but seating for two, chrome rocker boxes, primary cover, and ignition cover which all really look good against the silver engine, very similar to what the Screamin’ Eagles used for a while. More and better color choices, fancier dash, like the one on the Wide Glide.
FXDB Dyna Street Bob |
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Blacked out, tough guy bobber-style. Nice bars, an immediate hit when released in 2006, popular to this day.
FXDF Dyna Fat Bob |
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This one is covered in its own article. Has a 16” fat front tire, different exhaust, tire tread, mufflers, air cleaner, handlebars, and more. Sort of tough guy, blacked out bike like the Street Bob, but distinctive enough to have its own following. Main difference is the short, fat front tire.
FXDL Dyna Low Rider |
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This one is covered in its own article. This is the top of the line Dyna Super Glide style bike, lots of chrome, lots of paint choices, lot of history in the Harley-Davidson line up, available since the 1970’s.
FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide
This is the Dyna model done up in a chopper style. The forks are set further apart, hence the “Wide” in the name. The bike has more rake and longer forks along with a stylish rear fender. Dropped for 2009, but dates back to the early 1980’s in the line up, will probably be back in a new, improved version soon. The Wide Glide was what you got in the 1970’s when you stripped down a dresser and extended the fork tubes. Harley made it a production model in 1980. In 1993, it was introduced as a Dyna model, with the new rubber mounted engine. I spent a lot of time riding Dyna Wide Glides, while stylish and chopper-esque, they can also be ridden quite quickly. Lots of people hop these up.
