Rust In Peace DYNA

I see some new members joined recently - welcome - it’s been about four years since we last posted.

It’s slowly happened that when I go on group rides, it’s mostly the new softails out and about now. Especially Sport Glides. And Breakouts. It’ll only be another one old-timer and me with a DYNA.

I like my local dealership but I keep being told that the Milwaukee Eight is a much better engine than the Twin Cam and also much easier and cost effective to modify and tune. It was also so coincidental that my loaner bike recently was a 2023 Breakout 117, hey?

The Indian dealer was also keen to do a trade in for my DYNA so that I could get a new Sports Chief. Besides being a bigger engine, the Sports Chief also has riding modes, touchscreen controls and GPS. Most notably, it was outside shocks - DYNA style. I think I could even get them to throw in a T-Shirt, hey?

Looking around at the shiny new bikes with all their bells and whistles juxtaposed with my ten-year old DYNA, I realise than I am more like the “old-timer” than I care to admit, hanging on to a bike that’s shiny on the inside from wear and tear and still keeping up with the latest models. “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Truth is, it’s more than “ain’t broken”, it’s actually very much still a great bike to ride with 65,000 kilometres on the odometer, days with a sore bum in the saddle and many hours with the wrench, not all of them stress free, and I almost finally got her customised to almost exactly how I want her look and feel.

So looks like I’ll be keeping the DYNA, and this page will live on as a tribute to a really good MoCo model - it’s how you ride it and not the engine size anyway.

So 2020 has been a crappy year so far but at least I can still jump on my bike and hit the road. I sincerely hope that everyone here is doing well and staying safe and healthy.

Feel free to contribute memes, bike pics or even articles to share and hopefully the rest of 2020 will be better. Take care!

Rust In Peace DYNA updated their business hours.

Softail “Low Rider S”, ha ha

Actual feels.

Crude but not inaccurate.

It rIdEs BetTer ThAn yOuR DyNa, so suck our corporate d*ck and like it!

Still too soon.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=_sd9CqMqIZ4

R.I.P. Harley-Davidson Dyna R.I.P.

Pretty fair article that takes the new Softails at face value with no reference or comparison to the DYNA. Still doesn’t make me want one.

https://jalopnik.com/the-idiots-guide-to-all-eight-new-harley-davidson-cruis-1798636758

The Idiot's Guide To All Eight New Harley-Davidson Cruisers So you’ve heard Harley-Davidson has completely redesigned its cruisers and you’re wondering what the big deal is since the new Softails look like “every other Harley.” Here’s what these bikes are all about, and what they’re like to ride.

Just say “no”!

Harley-Davidson have really lost the plot and as much as I love my motorcycles, I no longer feel any connection with what the MoCo is today.

I've always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle because they were, to my young and impressionable mind, just really freakin' cool bikes. However, today, I feel alienated and cut off from the culture like when High School friends just come back from summer holidays overseas as totally different people and just ignore and stop talking to you.

Before the trolls come and abuse me, let me first qualify this post as the personal opinion of someone who currently owns a DYNA and a Sportster who has been riding bikes for about 20 years, since my late teens (in the army) and throughout most of my adult life (39 this year). So, not a Sons of Anarchy convert. My father rode bikes too and some of my fondest childhood memories are of us just going for random rides at random times. 5 am ride to look for breakfast; night ride to visit grandma to get a slice of cake; Sunday ride after washing and polishing the bikes- done; done; done.

As most riders do, I tried different brands and did my research by talking to other bike owners and riders but ultimately put my hard earned money on a Harley-Davidson. Twice. When it came to clothes and accessories, I was all "nah, it's ok, I'll pay more and get the Harley brand one because it's quality." I even signed up for HOG international and local membership so I could meet even more people to talk about bikes with all the time. I was always just popping into the dealership to look at new parts and models. Why buy that RM Williams belt for $100 when I can get a Darley-Davidson one for that price?
[Insert SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY meme here].

So what turned me off the shield badge logo? Well, it started when Harley-Davidson got on the hipster bandwagon circa 2015. Seriously, the kind of demographic does not exist in the HD ethos. Tattooed, manicured, weekend DJ types are more likely to restore an old J*p-bike or buy a Triumph because "everyone else has a Harley, so I want something different". They simply do not care, nor should they have to care, about an overpriced "branded" motorcycle and transportation today is considered a utility and not something you do for fun (it cuts into Netflix time, c'mon yo).

So who are real Harley-owners? Just regular people who just enjoy riding alone sometimes for the sake of the ride and not for social media "Likes". Parents who put on sissybars to take their kids and partners on rides (hopefully not at the same time) to simply share the joy of the ride. Aunts and uncles who keep their old small-sized helmets for their nieces and nephews to use when they come over for "quick rides around the blocks (but that's the last one, for reals this time, ok?!)" People, not airbrushed models.

While I can kinda sorta see that the MoCo is trying to reinvent itself for a new generation, the fact is that the demise of the DYNA is just one of the examples of how decisions seem to be made for economic reasons in a boardroom are diluting the existing culture. This dilution is necessary to make space for the "new HD" culture that has been spewing recently. For example, old HD was tried and proven quality bikes, new HD is new and innovative technology bikes; old HD had that distinctive sound and torquey feel, new HD feels like every other J*p bike out there... but its smoother than before so...

Also, HD says that they are trying to cater to women riders but from experience, women riders are riders by definition and can ride whatever a man can (and better even). So how does this "innovation" appeal to women who didn't even seem to ask for these changes either? Some ladies might say that they would prefer liter bikes which are easier to handle, but the new bikes are even bigger and heavier than the older ones, so much for that myth.

I don't know about you, but I didn't buy a Harley-Davidson motorcycle because I wanted an innovative electric bike or an adventure touring bike. I didn't even want a bike that had a smooth engine or other bells and whistles. I wanted a Harley-freakin'-Davidson freakin' cruiser so that I could let rip on the highway. I want to feel vibrations and blast down streets like a boss. Let me just say that the new bikes may be good bikes per se according to professional reviewers (whether HD advertising has anything to do with review score is still open for debate) but I still prefer my 103 DYNA for the way it feels and rides. Without that kind of bike, what is the appeal of paying more for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle?

In the HOG (Aus and NZ) magazine issue 034/2018, pg 13, Paul Skarie, MD of H-D Australia & NZ, "challenges each of you to find someone to introduce them to Harley-Davidson." No, Paul. Firstly, that's your job not mine. People who know me already know I ride a bike when I carry my helmet and gear into the office, if they wanted to know more about my organ donation lifestyle, we would have had that conversation already. Everyone else I know is already a bike rider who owns a Harley (or two). I'm already doing my part everyday by living my choosen lifestyle.

Secondly, what do I tell them? That HD used the make great bikes called DYNAs but yeah, now, yeah, the new bikes are not for everyone... but yeah, maybe you'll like them? No, I don't like them myself. Anyway, HD is really an innovation company now, so yeah, they make other bikes now, no, I haven't tried them, no. Yeah, I really do like my bike, but... Uh, they don't make it anymore. Yeah. Sorry. Oh, at least their clothes look nice... yeah, they are rather expensive. Yes, $50 a T-shirt seems kinda steep. Sorry, again.

I am writing to get this out of my system and not because I hope someone will read it and go, "oh, he's so right, lets start a revolution." If we were in a relationship, I'd say that you have really changed and I don't know or love you anymore. You're now some hipster, techno-executive who uses words like "radical changes", "new generation" and "growth forecast". Maybe I am a dinosaur who can't adapt fast enough but I just don't feel that connection anymore. I see nothing I like when I go to the dealership anymore... Heck, I don't even feel like going to the dealership anymore or buying HD merchandise, so where's my joy in life?

I did try and test ride the FXDR 114 but as I've said a couple times now, it just doesn't feel as awesome as my DYNA. And that was the only bike I actually liked out of the new models. Yes, it's fast, but so is are any number of Ducatis and Yamahas for half the price. So, nothing new or unique there. Good luck with the new guy or lady (its 2019 now, no judgement), I hope they like your new electric bikes and smooth "machines" and your non-existent new culture and all that.

Thanks for the memories and for the DYNA.

“Makeover”? Are we getting our hair done up then? Or maybe new shoes? *Squeals*

What’s wrong with this picture besides the lack of riding gear and the headlight that isn’t on?

Should be in your mail boxes soon, do the right thing...

And stop rubbing it in.

Seperated at birth.

From another group.

Credit unknown.

Somethings a healing factor just won't heal.

$30,000 + for a Harley-Davidson 114 Ci Fat Bob and I only get one shock?!

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2018-harley-fat-bob-overview-specs-price/

The 107 cube Fat Bob is expected to arrive in Australia around October and will sell from $27,495 rideaway, with the 114 cube engined model commanding a $2755 price premium for a sticker price of $30,250 inclusive of all on-road costs. Judging by social media reaction it seems that the updated Fat Bob is going to be a favourite amongst the Harley faithful in 2018.

Gone too soon.

How disappointing.

Still not over it?

The more things change... the more they suck.

Remember When the FXR Was a "Wannabe Harley?" Change is natural and good, and with Harley-Davidson’s recent launch of its revamped Softail line, there’s plenty to discuss. Sean MacDonald reminds everyone to embrace modern change and just love motorcycles!

Too soon?

Obey!

"Possibly".

This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Street Bob

True.

Fair point though since they are both extinct now...

Such is life.