Switchback Question
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 239
From: northeast
cant get photo to load to see whats wrong with it but even if you had to but a whole bag assembly at $8700 its a deal
also forgot to add earlier latching the bags is a bit tricky at first but once you get the hang of it you will do it second nature, the idea is to hook back side latch and pull up to make sure its hooked before locking latch and ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR BAGS ARE LOCKED IF REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY YOURSELF OR AFTER SERVICING.. many of the guys on the owners site have lost their bags because the inside cam wasn't locked properly...
also forgot to add earlier latching the bags is a bit tricky at first but once you get the hang of it you will do it second nature, the idea is to hook back side latch and pull up to make sure its hooked before locking latch and ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR BAGS ARE LOCKED IF REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY YOURSELF OR AFTER SERVICING.. many of the guys on the owners site have lost their bags because the inside cam wasn't locked properly...
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 14
From: Georgia
All the research I've done indicates that this job is a pain in the ****, especially for those without much technical ability. If so, it'd probably be a better option for my sanity to go with a new exhaust.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 34,325
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
Well, I pulled the trigger on the used 2012 Switchback. Completely stock except for the quick release backrest. Only 1496 miles when I jumped on it to ride home.
First impressions from the 180 mile ride home are -
1. You feel the bike much more than my Fatboy. More engine vibrations coming from everywhere.
2. Stock seat is actually really comfortable. No numb butt or back stiffness at all.
3. Highway speeds of 80-90 are the sweet spot.
4. The bags are a bitch to open. I guess there's some finesse involved that I'll learn as I go along.
5 Stock exhaust sounds like a sewing machine, but I've decided to keep it all as is.
First pic is from when I stopped for dinner on the way home. Not great quality, although everyone knows what they look like. The second was this afternoon after I took the bags, windshield, and backrest off to give it a good cleaning today. I got too busy trying to rearrange the garage to make room for it and didn't wash it. That will be tomorrow's plan.
First impressions from the 180 mile ride home are -
1. You feel the bike much more than my Fatboy. More engine vibrations coming from everywhere.
2. Stock seat is actually really comfortable. No numb butt or back stiffness at all.
3. Highway speeds of 80-90 are the sweet spot.
4. The bags are a bitch to open. I guess there's some finesse involved that I'll learn as I go along.
5 Stock exhaust sounds like a sewing machine, but I've decided to keep it all as is.
First pic is from when I stopped for dinner on the way home. Not great quality, although everyone knows what they look like. The second was this afternoon after I took the bags, windshield, and backrest off to give it a good cleaning today. I got too busy trying to rearrange the garage to make room for it and didn't wash it. That will be tomorrow's plan.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 27
From: Quiet end of Silicon Valley
Well, I pulled the trigger on the used 2012 Switchback. Completely stock except for the quick release backrest. Only 1496 miles when I jumped on it to ride home.
First impressions from the 180 mile ride home are -
1. You feel the bike much more than my Fatboy. More engine vibrations coming from everywhere.
First impressions from the 180 mile ride home are -
1. You feel the bike much more than my Fatboy. More engine vibrations coming from everywhere.
The "clevis pin" mod works for most but it did not completely subdue the unusual vibration to an acceptable level for me. Got rid of the bike but loved most all other aspects, especially the handling after I added Ohlin rear shocks.
I was considering another one but had not been able to determine if the vibration had been cured. Got the Low Rider S coming so it's too late to go back now.
Can someone tell me what the MoCo changed to fix the vibration?
Chonk
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 14
From: Georgia
I don't think the Switchback is the bike for me, folks. I was excited at the idea of a good deal much more than I was for the actual bike, and I think I'm going to let it go after just a few hundred miles. I was looking forward to taking it to Daytona next week, too. No sense in taking it down there and risking something happening to it if I'm just planning on selling it.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 27
From: Quiet end of Silicon Valley
I don't think the Switchback is the bike for me, folks. I was excited at the idea of a good deal much more than I was for the actual bike, and I think I'm going to let it go after just a few hundred miles. I was looking forward to taking it to Daytona next week, too. No sense in taking it down there and risking something happening to it if I'm just planning on selling it.
Chonk
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 14
From: Georgia
I didn't want to commit blasphemy in the Dyna forum by sharing too much, but the truth is I prefer the ride and characteristics of my Fatboy much more. I don't think it has anything to do with it being a Softail over a Dyna, though. More of the Fatboy is and has been customized to suit my style and needs.
I mainly grabbed the Switchback because it was a good deal. Hoping I can sell it quickly.
I mainly grabbed the Switchback because it was a good deal. Hoping I can sell it quickly.
Last edited by Gibler77; Mar 4, 2016 at 04:01 PM.
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Stage I
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I have a 2014 and it has ABS standard.
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