Harley Davidson FXDB/I Dyna Street Bob

When friends and family ask me how long I've been with Cycle World, I don't say, “Since the debut of the Harley-Davidson Dyna platform.”

But I could.

Although Harley claims that the Dyna family can be traced back to the first factory custom, the 1971 FX Super Glide, the actual platform, with its reconfigured frame and vibration-quelling, engine-isolation system, debuted with the 1991 FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis.

It was the first Harley created with Computer Aided Design, and with its pair of composite rubber-and-steel engine mounts (two fewer than were used on then-current FXRs), set a new standard for smooth.

“At idle,” noted our October, 1990, road test of the monochrome machine, “when the engine's power pulses are at their most violent, some booms and throbs make it all the way to the footpegs, seat and handlebar, but they hardly are annoying—in fact, they make for a rather pleasant sensation. And once the revs climb above 2000 rpm, the shakes and quakes are all but eliminated.”

I was reminded of this as I tooled toward Long Beach on Pacific Coast Highway aboard the solo-only Street Bob, a factory homage to bob-jobs of the past and one of six Dynas in The Motor Company's lineup for 2006. The carbureted, 1340cc Evolution V-Twin that powered the Sturgis has long since given way to the fuel-injected, 1450cc Twin Cam 88, further refined this year with a host of internal improvements, but, overall, the on-the-road experience is much the same.

Startup is immediate, and the black-powdercoated engine (matching the console, battery box and belt guard) settles almost as quickly into an even idle. Regardless of rpm, throttle response is hiccup-free. Output is sufficient for getting away first from stoplights but never intimidating. This is a most pleasant and charismatic powerplant.

Right up there with the engine in terms of user-friendliness—if not spiritual presence—are the new six-speed Cruise Drive transmission and easy-squeeze clutch. The first-gear “clunk” remains, as Harley intended, and the throws are positive. I never missed a shift.

This one might take you back to the middle of the century when riders looking for a little extra speed and a unique custom look on a Harley® started stripping off the shiny parts. Check out the raked front end, solo seat and Black Denim paint option. Now get ready to put two fists in the wind, courtesy of factory ape hangers framing the road ahead. The emblem on the Fat Bob™ tank looks like it was carved from a block of solid metal. Laced wheels. Black powder-coated, polished Twin Cam 88® powertrain. And the new 6-speed Cruise Drive™ transmission via mid-mount controls. Kick it into gear and you’re riding clean and pure. It’s just what the open road calls for.

FXDBI Dyna Street Bob™ Model Overview
The new FXDBI Street Bob takes minimalist styling to a new extreme. Inspired by the post-World War II "bobber" movement, the Street Bob discards any component not required by law ... a passenger seat and pegs, for example. A solo seat sets the tone for a motorcycle designed for the individualist. Seat height is just 25.8 inches. Mini ape-hanger handlebars, the classic Fat Bob fuel tank, a new wrap-around rear fender and steel laced wheels complete a profile that will stand out in the cruiser crowd. A new wrinkle-black finish is applied to the battery box, console and belt guard. Four color choices include new Black Denim, a flat-black finish.

Vibration-isolated Twin Cam 88 engine with ESPFI
Black powder-coated engine with polished covers
Chrome staggered shorty dual exhaust
New 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
New 49 mm forks
New 29 degree fork angle/29 degree steering head angle
Mini ape-hanger handlebars
Fat Bob fuel tank
Street Bob air cleaner trim ring
Special tank emblems
Wrinkle-black console with turn signal indicators
Wrinkle-black battery cover with polished trim
Wrinkle-black belt guard
Tank-mounted speedometer
Solo seat
Mid-mounted foot controls
New wrap-around rear fender
New 160 mm rear tire
Steel Laced wheels
New Black Denim paint available