“The difference is chalk and cheese”. These are the words used by Sir Jack Brabham to flog a long forgotten brand of tyres about thirty years ago. Yet those same words kept ringing through my mind as I cranked the ’06 Dyna Lowrider through yet another tight, bumpy corner on the Reefton Spur. Ahead was the bulky frame of H-D Australia man Paul Bailey giving his Street Rod plenty of stick but the vastly improved Lowrider was staying comfortably in contact. In fact, I could probably have passed him but you don’t pick a fight with Bails without consequences!

We pulled in for a breather at the top of the range and to allow a few stragglers time to catch up. There was plenty to consider.

I hadn’t realised when the new ‘06 range was released that the Dyna range would receive such a comprehensive makeover. Indeed, many would argue that the current Dynas were the pick of the Big Twins for roadholding and agility anyway.

At Heavy Duty magazine we have just finished our 2003 FXD long-term project bike and apparently Harley must have been reading about the improvements we made to our bike as most of those areas have been addressed and delivered in the 2006 model along with fixes for some of the things we couldn't change like; the frame casting behind the primary that drags on the ground in left handers. All this is no more. The 2006 Dynas come with an all new frame and swingarm, wheels, bigger rear tyre, six speed gearbox, 49mm forks, new rear shockers, new front brake, one inch diameter axles and fuel injection standard across the range. And guess what readers… It all works beautifully!

There are two new models in the 06 line-up. The first is the FXDBI, a blacked out, stripped down ‘bobber’ style bike with mini-ape bars, single seat and tank mounted speedo. It sits low and cool in new matte Black Denim paint and is also available in Vivid Black, Black Cherry and Deep Cobalt. New model number two is the FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide which is meant to commemorate the original “boat- tail” FX, designed by Willie G back in 1971. There will only be 3500 manufactured of which Australia will receive bugger all (less than 100.) This bike is a rolling ad for all things Harley and really looks the part. The number of gawking onlookers during our press ride was proof enough of that!

The Street Bob lines are very pleasing to the eye and it proved a decent ride up the twisty ribbon of tarmac that is the Reefton. Those of you who have ridden Dynas will be reassured that the new bikes feel very familiar yet so much better on the road. They can be hustled into a corner pretty hard and still maintain composure. If you do overcook it, it can be slid through on the exhaust (right side) or footrest (left side) without any drama. The new frame and forks provide great stability and the rear tyre is now a 160/60-17 Dunlop - the same size as the Deuce – while the front Dunlop remains a 19 inch. The front brake rotor has been enlarged to 300mm and claims improved feel at the lever. I couldn’t tell the difference but both brakes did work well on the Reefton.

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