Love that you used some clips from the FXDX video that I did - That’s my buddy Rob, he’s going to be psyched to know that he’s in a Matt Laidlaw video! ⚡️
I have a 2016 Dyna Switchback and absolutely love it. I've never had the saddlebag lids "fly open" while riding, and with some subtle changes (new bars, windshield, front fender, suspension, etc.) it's become a real joy to ride. It's small enough to ride around town but big enough for some weekenders or even longer trips, and it really looks the part now.
I got into Harleys because of this channel, and I continue to learn more about Harley Davidson through this channel. What an amazing motorcycle company.
My very first Harley I bought brand new was 2002 FXDL. In 2008 I rebuilt the top end and cam chest to 95ci all gear S&S. She sits in my driveway today next to my 2021 FLHRSX. I ❤ Dynas 🤘🏽
I get it, the switchback is a bit left field as far as Dyna’s go but I’m genuinely surprised how harshly you reviewed it! I absolutely love mine. Perfect balance of classic HD looks with the Dyna nimble frame. Love the saddle bags too!
I liked the concept of the Switchback so much that I turned my 07 FXDC into one. I purchased a complete front end, front and rear fenders, floor boards, softail front laced wheel to match the stock rear laced wheel, and of course the saddlebags.
What happened to the 1980 FXB STURGIS that WAS THE BIKE WILLIE G was talking about in your video!!! Hey dude you missed it by 11 years and YES I've had my FXB STURGIS since 2000 and it is a Beauty.
I can't make a big opinion about these bikes. I'm just here for the Harley-Davidson lore and history. Matt, does the best videos about Harley-Davidson motorcycle history
Great episode. The Dynas' are the unsung heroes of HD. Bigger than a Sportster but not so overblown as the bigger bikes. Street and Fat Bob are my favourites
Love this video. My Father in the early 90s was working at an Engineering company and they received a lot of contract work from Harley - York to work on the tooling that helped them mass produce parts. Dyna Convertible was my favorite. The black or red metallic with the gold Harley Logo, so beautiful.
Ironically, as I drove to work today I saw a gentleman riding a sweet purple Dyna and wearing a 3/4 helmet with a plastic bubble face shield. He looked cool as could be and didn't seem to have a care in the world. To me, the Low Rider and Wide Glide are the iconic Dynas.
Matt, Good Morning - I met you two weeks ago while I was there with my Dyna Wide Glide. You were kind enough to speak with me & told me of this upcoming episode. Thank you, thank you!
I bought a Dyna Superglide in ‘97, because it was all I could afford. I always thought the softail was a better looking bike, but I couldn’t afford one. But I still have that bike, and love it more today than ever. Too bad it was discontinued.
I had a ‘97 for a little over a year. It just left for its new home a few days ago. I agree with Matt that I don’t prefer the blonde motor. Had it been wrinkle black I may have leaned towards keeping it. I did love the States Blue Pearl Paint.
Hi Matt, My first Harley was a used 1997 AMF Superglide, it was funny how every now and then the carburetor would cough. I traded it for a 1984 FLHP. I loved that bike, wish I still had it, that carburetor never coughed. Eventually sold that bike in the late 1990's and purchased my current bike brand new which is a 2007 FXDC Superglide Custom Cobalt Blue. I then turned that bike into a Switchback by purchasing a complete front end, front and rear fenders, saddlebags, and a softail laced front wheel, all on eBay from different bikes. I added an FLH solo saddle seat like my 84 FLHP had, and used a bicycle shock to imitate the pogo stick. It took some trial and error to find the correct spring to support my weight without bottoming out, and giving me a little bounce. The last thing I'm going to do is add a Flash Gordon single muffler on the tow into one Switchback header. It will look old school when I'm done. John from NY State.
FXDXT#1. People bought/buy a FXDLS and add a T-Sport fairing, Leather Pros T-Sport saddlebags, switch to dual gauges up top and throw on higher rear shocks. The value is still there after 20+ years. A clean OG T-Sport can even garner the same price of a Lowrider S these days. Nonetheless, another great video.
I love my switchback and I agree with you it was definitely ahead of of its time and one of the best motorcycles of all time, thanks Mike , keep up the good work
At 16 the Sturgis came out, I loved it then. There years ago I found one in the next state, and now I own it...took some years I know...but worth the wait.
Excellent review, being a Dyna guy myself I pretty much agree with your top 10 list with my two favourites being the Dyna Superglide Sport followed by the Dyna Low Rider S.
👍 Great job and loved your dads perspective on sales of FXRs and Dynas at the time. I knew the FXDLRS would be #1 at the start. As a daily So Cal rider since late 80s I was always a big litre sportbike rider. Then 16 the LRS came out and I was finally sold on a HD purchase. I also grabbed a 16 SG and both have been built as performance rippers. Still own insane sportbikes, but enjoy humbling crotchrocketeers in the twisties with my HD builds.
Good stuff, really love these look back videos. Makes me really appreciate Willie G. His efforts to retain the heritage of Harley Davidson combined with the spirit of his Factory Experimental designs, the end result are a bunch of legendary bikes. And I love hearing your take on all of it. 'Road Prince', that's just funny stuff 🤣
Awesome video and review Matt!! I have visited the New England Motorcycle Museum in Connecticut. I live about an hour or so away. If you ever get a chance to visit the East Coast, or New England, I highly recommend checking that place out!! My favorite DYNA is the FXDWG3 or just the FXDWG .
@@MattLaidlaw , Great review on the 10 best softails also. I own a 2002 Fat Boy and my girlfriend owns a 1994 FXLR. They are both on my channel. Keep up the great work
I believe Up to and including ‘05 the Super Glide and Low Rider had different take angle. I lived through this time lusting after each of these bikes. This video very good. Can tell you put a lot into this one.
I had two Dyna Convertables, why? Almost all my miles were two up and it shined in that context. But placing it at #9 is spot on. What made it a great "riding" motorcycle is what crushed sales. The Dyna SuperGlide was offered during a period when our dealership couldn't get enough "big twins" to satisfy demand, so the low cost, lower margin SuperGlide wasn't offered or sold. The Low Rider and Dyna WideGlide was what was most in demand at our store in the PNW. Let me be clear though. A lot of Dyna WideGlides were sold to folks who weren't willing to wait for the Softail model that they really wanted.
Absolutely awesome video! I own a 08’ 105th Anniversary FXDWG 96’ twin cam. It’s bad ass to see other clips of RU-vid motorcycle dealers, and influencers! Kaplan & Kruesi clips is dope AF! I’ve been a fan of your RU-vid channel for years! Thanks for making such phenomenal videos about motorcycle culture!
Owned a 2017 low rider s, I regret selling it, but I only have so much garage space! Ultimately I am old and the bike was harsh on my bones, am riding a 21 street glide standard, and it is fast enough stock, low rider s was a beast!
Love your videos Matt! You always provide a ton of information in every one you do. My only wish is that you would slow down a bit. You speak so fast, and the ears on this old 71 year old Harley rider has trouble keeping up.
My childhood friend still owns his 1980 Stugis.He put 500 down and used Household Finance credit. Shovel Head EVO 4 speed kick start primary belt drive. ...One of my if not my favorite Harleys of all time Still riding my 95 FXDl but when I see the Sturgis I can't stop thinking how sweet it looks compared to my Low Rider.
First Harley was a new 1988 883, then got a 1995 FXDL evo in black. Now have a tc88 FXDL made 10/98 in blue/silver. It's a generation ahead of the evo. The rarest Harley is one that hasn't been the victim of the after market parts catalogue.
I've had my fxdls for couple of years now and if nothing suprising comes up I won't be selling that great bike easily. Here in Finland people don't realise the value of such bikes (and collectable cars also) before it's too late. When i bought mine there was 3 or 4 fxdls's on the market but only this one was still in stock configuration but was driven 40k miles but from first owner and with full dealer maintenance history it didn't bother me at all. So happy to own that bike. Because next options were Low Rider ST and that new Nightster what is sold under sportster brand in Finland.
Fantastic video. I really like the look of the Wide Glide. I think Harley needs a new bike in the Softail line that resembles one of the classic Dyna models.
I think the 1991 Sturgis should have been #1 on your list. Lol. That’s only because I own one that is all original with 15k miles on it. It’s a 10/10 condition. I’m not a collector but knew this bike was special when I seen it and got a great deal on it. I ride it 3-4 times a summer to keep it running good. Fun bike.
I love my 2014 FXDF! So much so I'm installing S&S 110 kit with S&S heads, plus a butt load more. HD made a big mistake dropping the Dyna, IMHO #bringbackthedyna
HI, Overall Matt an excellent tribute as always to the DYNA, the only criticism is placing the STREET BOB at a lowly no:8 I have owned my STREET BOB since 2012 and it is in pristine condition with somewhere around 1500 miles on the clock from new. They look superb, ride wonderfully and in my special factory paint job of BIG BLUE and black scallops hand painted on the tank is really a thing of beauty. Having had the engine uprated to 103 CUBIC, its spot on with power etc etc I have also owned a wide glide with orange flames and a first 2006 Dyna Street Bob with the 6 speed transmission. I would have placed it in the top 5 of best DYNAS, but like they say 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' Keep up the Good work. Best wishes from London, England
Yea, I struggled with the Low Rider. It could have been higher. I almost clumped the Low Rider and Low Rider S together. But decided not to because they were very distinctly 2 different models.
I still have my 09 fatbob, Rode it today . Bought it used in 2010. Miss my !994 FXconvertible and my 2001 Dyna WideGlide, dont miss my first Hog 1990FXSTC
Perfect top 10 list I don't think HD will ever come back with Fat Bob it was not popular on Dyna platform and also they missed on Softail. Sale numbers speak from themselves.
They need to. Probably won’t hear it talked about on this channel even though Mr. Germany is screwing with their jobs also and the only way it will change is if folks with platforms speak up louder.
I bought the new Fatboy S in 2016. I thought about the Dyna Low Rider S but I was pretty much a softail fan at the time. I wish I would’ve gotten the Dyna Low Rider S. It was a much better ride than the old softails were.
Another awesome video Matt! I’m really stumped on something though. Nearly all 1991 Sturgis models come with a single disc brake up front. There are only a few that come with dual disc brakes up front. Look closely at KAPLAN’s 1991 Sturgis…it has dual disc front brakes. My 1991 Sturgis has dual disc too. I’ve seen a few on the internet but 99% have a single disc up front. Can you please help me
Does National Powersports Distributors know how much of their footage you used in this video? I think you took it from stock footage to stock mileage lol! The Switchback is my all time favorite HD. I know it never sold well but I think its an amazing concept and could have been an even more amazing motorcycle.
There were 2 created before the CVO thing also that are considered total catches if you find them. They were both FXDWG's but they had excellent paint work and dripped in chrome. It cam in just 2 colors Red w/ orange flames or Blue w/ silver flames. Those two combined with the movie rolls they had helped make the public aware and just flashed it all over in the 90's.
Hi Matt 😀... I find your List ok ... I think the most Problem that HD have in the Futur for Market is, that the New Bike Aera is specialy in the Model-Ranch ... So that only Bike Bilder Specialists can give them a owen Carakter / Personaledy Look ... In the Past many People can created by self ( Mix the Parts ) and give so a owen Touch ... This was in the Past a very big + for HD against all other Brands ... But so what, we hold our old Bikes alive so long it goes ... And see ship HD away as one of all other Brands ... Thanks for your look over your Shoulder Matt, you are a fine Type of Man, Stay truely by yourself, simply in Core you are now 👋☺
Great content, I really haven't rode a Dyna so I don't have anything to compare to but my 22 Lowrider S is the best and most fun bike I have ever riden and I just had to put a stage 2 in it
This whole video is a testament to how much of their heritage Harley killed in 2018. I have owned 5 dynas and haven’t bought a Harley since 2018 because of their decision to prioritize production line efficiency (one frame production line) over an entire bike culture. And the patronizing argument that the “softail is a better bike” never washed either - if they’d wanted to HD could have improved the Dyna line without compromising its essential style and pedigree (flowing through from the fxr).
I have an OG FXDL, 1994. Fun fact is that they shared the same frame as the FXDWG in the beginning. Rake was greater on the DL and DWG(32 degrees), vs the 28 degree Super Glide. I believe they went away from that but a neat bit of history. And just my opinion but all Evo Dyna bikes have much better styling!
After nearly two years on my 2003 FXDWG and while I understand why they couldn't absorb all of the Dynas into the Softail line, I kind of feel like they could have benefitted by absorbing the Wide Glide somehow.
I would love my FXDLS if it didn't need the entire motor replaced with barely 5 digits on the odometer and I haven't had it for over 2 months. By the time I get it back, it'll be just in time to not ride it even more bc of rain. I absolutely regret buying it from you guys.
