The Harley-Davidson Dyna family was introduced in 1991 as the company’s new performance-cruiser line.
Dyna motorcycles used a frame with a rubber-mounted engine and a separate transmission, a layout that helped distinguish them from Softail motorcycles. The design aimed to combine the visual character of a traditional Harley-Davidson with more responsive handling and a more active riding position.
The first Dyna model was the FXDB Sturgis, named after the South Dakota motorcycle rally town. The family later expanded to include well-known models such as the Low Rider, Wide Glide, Super Glide and Street Bob. Dyna motorcycles became especially popular with riders who wanted a lighter, more responsive alternative to full touring machines.
Dyna and Softail models are sometimes confused because both included cruiser styling and overlapping engine choices. Their frames and suspension layouts were different, however. Harley-Davidson discontinued the separate Dyna family after the 2017 model year and moved several related designs into the Softail range.