Touring on FXD
Harley Shocks & Harley Chassis IssuesDiscuss Touring on FXD in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Is there anyone out there who has done any extensive touring on a Superglide? I have an '04 Roadking and an '05 FXD. While I love the FLH for it's ...
Is there anyone out there who has done any extensive touring on a Superglide? I have an '04 Roadking and an '05 FXD. While I love the FLH for it's couch-like attributes on long rides, I don't really dig it for short range in-town cruising. I was thinking that I could just buy all the detachable goodies(Windshield, Bags, Touring seat, ETC)for my Dyna and try to obtain the best of both worlds. Has anyone out there done anything similar? Am I outta my damn mind for even thinking such things?
If we were having a couple at the bar and you asked that question this is how I'd answer it...
In the 50's and 60's about the only time I saw a bagger in the Bay Area was under an old guy, you know, geezer glide...
Most guys would buy a sickle like that and strip it down and do all their touring, runs, partying, travel and commuting on that bare bones bike... And in those days 999 outa 1000 guys could have only one bike, not like now... Then in the last decade or two, baggers made a steady come back... You see, your question has been answered a million times by all those dudes in the past, however the most important answer to you should be, do what you feel is the most beneficial to you, period, not what others feel is right for you...
Now, may I suggest this--- go do it on the FXD, then you will be the guy with the knowledge and EPERIENCE to answer that question for yourself,,, HANDS ON experience in this motorsickle life is everything... Yeah baby...
Very early in '04 I bought a new XL1200C with windshield and saddlebags. I pulled the faux leather bags off and installed color matched hardbags which makes it kinda like a bagger junior. I also put on the Sportster version of the touring seat. Made a big difference on long rides I'll tell ya. Anyway, in the past 2 years I put 28,000 miles on my Sporty and not a single complaint. I did however buy a new Heritage, but that's mainly due to my wife starting to ride with me. Good excuse to buy another bike, eh?
Point is, If I can do almost 30K miles on a sporty, surely you can do it on an Dyna. Most of my riding was day trips of 200 - 400 miles, but I did do a 1200 mile round trip a couple times. In addition to my saddlebags I have a T-bag for the rear and never had a problem with room. In case your interested, I posted pics of my sporty on Nov. 13th. Just go to the Bike pics and scan back to that date.
Das....I too have a Dyna and a Road King. I've ridden my Dyna over 1000 miles in a day. Rode it out to Sturgis some time ago. You can easily ride that bike just as far as any other. I still have the stock seat on that bike. As frisco said...just get on it and do it. Removable saddlebags and a T-Bag will do the trick. Botz
Years ago I owned and enjoyed my FXRS-Conv, which was sort of like a Dyna Sport but with factory installed and easily detachable windshield and saddlebags. I loved it - the best of all worlds. Touring when I was on the road and stripped down in 5 minutes for around town cruising. I say go for it, but make sure your brakes and suspension can properly handle the added weight of a touring set up.
I have to say, I have a 94 FXDWG and a 95 FLHT and I am building a 55 FL rigid. I do a week long trip on the Dyna every year and a week long trip on the bagger every year and I enjoy them both. Two yrs ago I went doen the Pacific Coast Hwy on my Dyna, left Salt Lake on Sat returned on friday did 2200 miles. No windshield and no saddle bags. I run a T-Bag handlebar bag on the front and the biggest T-bag I could get on the passenger seat and I camp out most of the time. Trick is to take half the clothes you need and stay at a hotel with a washing machine mid trip. I plan on doing trips on the Pan when I get her finished as well. Baggers are great if you are two up but if you are solo try it on the FXD and I am sure you will enjoy it.
Superglides rock!!!! I could have picked from a few different models last year when I was shopping for a harley. I owned or driven yamahas,hondas suzuki,kawasaki softails and tourers over the past 25 years. I ended up with an FXD that does it all and looks cool too. You can crawl along at a snails pace 2-up and not feel tippy,fill the saddlebags up and take off for a day trip in comfort or rip along an old country road hot-rodding. NOTHING else like kicking gears @ 4,000 rpm on a 70 degree summerday. I can't wait for warm weather!!!!!!!
I have a 2007 FXD that I'm turning into a "mini tourer". It looks to be an ideal "do it all" machine .... as a couple others pointed out.
One of the glitches in doing this is that skimpy dinky little ("Dyna-Looking") front fender. I'm not a wimp, nor a softie, and can take my share of "road hazards", but I do prefer function over form (in motorcycles), and for a touring bike that front fender just doesn't cut it well enough for me.
I don't believe that H-D has a larger front fender available for this bike. Does anyone know of a direct fit replacement .... one that is sturdy and large enough to afford better protection for the front of the motor (and me)?
Poki,
Most aftermarket catalogs sell a reduced width "full skirted" FL style front fender for FXs and XLs. Depending on which fender you choose, you may need to drill your own holes and buy spacers and longer bolts for the mounting. I know this is NOT direct fit, but it is not hard to do and it will give you exactly what you are looking for.
Das,
I had a Dyna Low Rider and I traded it for a '07 Road King classic. Two things to consider when converting your Dyna into a mini-tour. First, you'll likely have to relocate your rear turn signals and second, if you're riding with a passenger, she'll be much happier if you take the Road King.
Touring on FXD 
Linear Mode
