Dynas are Dead | Hot Bike Editorial
The guide book for Softails has been written, printed, and burned already, so as of today there are no rules for what the cool-guy bike is supposed to be.
By The Hot Bike Staff
Okay. Dynas aren’t really dead, but I got your attention didn’t I? For the past couple of years, it hasn’t been a secret the popularity of Dyna/FXRs is at all-time high. So what’s going to be next?
Trying to find the next trend is like trying to do a psychic reading when you’re not a clairvoyant. If you keep making enough general statements and happen to get one right, boom! You have just predicted the future. Ron Harris from Chop Docs in Florida has been telling me for years that the next big trend in V-twins is going to be Evo Softails. I think he just might be right, and here’s why:
The start of any trend depends on an overabundance of inexpensive bikes in the used market. Everyone wishes they could go out and buy a brand-new bike cash and then double the investment with accessories and shop work. For most working stiffs, a motorcycle is something extra, a luxury, or a hobby with limited funds available to upgrade. FXRs are now super popular on the used market and commanding over-inflated prices. There are still plenty of cheap used Dynas available, and despite my column title, that trend will continue for a while.
Evo-powered Softails are not especially cool or hard to find at the moment. That is the biggest key factor to making them the next big trend. Also, the Evo motor is a time-tested powerplant and has an enormous amount of aftermarket support and extensive knowledge base for modifications. Whether it’s a street screamer or boulevard cruiser, you can make this motor just about anything you want it to be. Lean toward the milder side and a solid-built Evo motor will provide you a lifetime of reliable service that can keep you riding on the road more than wrenching in the garage.
The styling of the Softails is also subject to a wide variety of choices. I myself prefer the slammed lowrider style that fits perfectly with this model. Classic Impalas are still built with small-block Chevy motors, and an Evo in a Vicla sits just as fine. Look back at custom bikes just five to 10 years ago and you’ll quickly find an unlimited amount of ways to hot rod a Softie for some serious street or strip running. The guide book for Softails has been written, printed, and burned already, so as of today there are no rules for what the cool-guy bike is supposed to be.
As 2017 kicks off a new year of customs, there’s my prediction for the next 12 to 24 months. I doubt this will be a drastic changing of the guards but will be more of a gradual migration to something slightly different. Time will tell if I’m correct, but if I’m not, I’ll just make up some other prediction like a cheap, fake psychic. Ha!
