10 Things You Didn't Know About the Harley Davidson Dyna
The Harley Davidson Dyna Line was popular even before it was featured on the hit television series "Sons of Anarchy." The chassis for the line was first introduced in 1991 and was offered in a variety of models with Harley's characteristic continual improvement schedule. If you're not familiar with this amazing bike then here are ten things you probably didn't know about it but should.
1. The name has real meaning
Harley Davidson doesn't just choose random names for their new models out of the air. There is always a value to the name and an important meaning. The word Dyna means power.
When you place the word in front of any other word, it implies the addition of power and that was the intention behind the name that distinguished the line. It was about adding extra power and the very name has a psychological effect that hints at the thing that makes it special, if not set apart from the others.
2. Engineers made an error judgment on the first Dyna
In 1991, when design first started on the Dyna, the intention was to replace the FXR chassis and it was accomplished through the Dyna chassis. The first model in the line was the FXDB Sturgis, in a limited production.
The design team made a change to the engine mounting system and altered the three rubber mounts, reducing them to just two. This caused less vibration control which wasn't the best possible solution, but it did make production line assembly go faster.
3. The Dyna is considered Harley's "Middle Child"
In families, there are bigger brothers and little brothers, but the one in the middle is the kid that generally gets less attention than the other two. This is a characteristic that the middle child shared with the Dyna, which didn't get as much attention as the smaller Sportster or as the larger Tourers.
It also shares the size differential, landing in between the two, however, it attracted a niche crowd of Harley riders who are not shy about sharing their preference for the Dyna line.
4. The Dyna is customizable for both short and tall riders
At least part of the attraction to the Dyna is the fact that seasoned Harley riders had the understanding that the bike wasn't difficult to customize to accommodate excessive height or a lack thereof.
Tall riders could alter the bike through the installation of forward controls that grant additional leg room. Short riders achieved the necessary lowering of the bike by using shorter shocks.
5. The Dyna was distinguished from the others
Although the Dyna didn't always get the level of attention that some of the others in the Harley lineup of families, it was distinct and remarkable. The feature that separated the Dyna line from all others is the frame design. The Dyna models all share a common frame that is made of tubular steel.
6. The Dyna was the replacement for the FXR
As the new kid on the block, the Dyna took the place of the outgoing FXR family. The new chassis was stiffer than the FXR. The new design was requisite to hold the new Evolution engine and followed the pattern of excellence that Harley had established.
7. Harley-Davidson Ditched the Dyna family
When the new Softail lineup was presented for 2018, there was one family missing. The Dyna has been discontinued. The decision was made in favor of bikes that feature easier handling, faster acceleration, and a lighter weight.
8. Some Harley riders are ticked that the Dyna is discontinued
The Dyna is a model that had special meaning for some Harley riders. From the time that the bikes were released, it created a nostalgic glance back to the Super Glides of the '70s and '80s. This is a model that many riders appreciated.
Where would they be able to find another middle child that met with their demand for the ideal size and fit? There isn't one and that's reason enough to be mad about the decision.
9. Some Harley purists are insulted by the Dynas departure
The argument posed to Harley purists who disagree with the decision to discontinue the line is that it's difficult to tell a Softail from a Dyna and these are going forward in production. Herein lies the problem.
The differences are only invisible to the untrained eye. Proficient and expert Harley enthusiasts DO understand the differences. They're big enough to matter to them. They know their stuff and for many, they demand a bike that caters to their preferences to a Tee and the Dyna is the model that did just that.
10. There's a silver lining for the Dyna
There's always the chance that Harley Davidson will bring back the Dyna family. If they don't, the Dynas will become collector's pieces. There are currently no new models coming out in the foreseeable future. However, there are still plenty of Dynas to go around. If you want one bad enough, vintage has its own special appeal as well.
The fuss that's being raised over the ending of the line speaks well of the Dyna family. Also to the success that HD has experienced through the creation of a family of bikes that people appreciate.
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Written by Garrett Parker
Read more posts by Garrett Parker
