Can a Switchback ride as smooth as a Heritage?
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Virginia
Can a Switchback ride as smooth as a Heritage?
I posted this in Gen chat but thought it might get a better response here:
I test rode 2 bikes today, a heritage and a switchback. I thought the switchback was a very good handling bike until I hit some rough spots in the pavement. the kind that whit the bikes hits them jolt you. I don't know if the shocks were not adjusted properly for my weight or if this is normal for a dyna and there is nothing you can do about it?
The heritage when I tested it and rode over the same spots went over them smooth as anything. I hardly felt them at all.
I would really like to think maybe changing shocks on the dyna would make it ride like a heritage. Is that possible?
I test rode 2 bikes today, a heritage and a switchback. I thought the switchback was a very good handling bike until I hit some rough spots in the pavement. the kind that whit the bikes hits them jolt you. I don't know if the shocks were not adjusted properly for my weight or if this is normal for a dyna and there is nothing you can do about it?
The heritage when I tested it and rode over the same spots went over them smooth as anything. I hardly felt them at all.
I would really like to think maybe changing shocks on the dyna would make it ride like a heritage. Is that possible?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Virginia
Now that I know the shocks can be adjusted I will go back have them make the adjustment and take another ride. My weight is 183 and the bike really seemed like it hit bottom on those small patched areas. I really wanted the switchback to be the bike I was going to buy. For how I ride it fits my needs well.
Last edited by Mr.Softy; May 8, 2016 at 06:42 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: West Tennessee
My 2011 FXDC with all stock suspension rides as well as my 1500 Goldwing did and it was heads and shoulders above my 2005 Ultra in the ride comfort department. I don't even know where my shocks are set as I have never looked at them.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Vancouver
Your always gonna get that jolt to some degree. Those stock shocks are the biggest POS part on these bikes.
Either upgrade to a very plush seat like a sundowner. ..or even better just spend $500-$1000 and upgrade them. It's going to be one of the best investments you'll ever put into a dyna.
Either upgrade to a very plush seat like a sundowner. ..or even better just spend $500-$1000 and upgrade them. It's going to be one of the best investments you'll ever put into a dyna.
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
My FXD rode significantly smoother than my new FXDL. Could be one went a bit farther during it's 21 year life of service...
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: New York
I've been riding a Super Glide custom for three years with stock shocks. I just installed a set of nitrogen emulsion shocks from Harley Havidson that I bought from a forum member and I cannot believe the difference in the rear suspension feel when going through the local neighborhood. I cannot wait to get in on the highway.
I believe the stock shocks are a very weak link on the dynas. As a rule of thumb a pair of Coil Over shocks such as those on a Dyna should be "head over heals" better than the mono shock on a Softail. Also, you will be scraping the floor boards on the Softail A LOT. I am not disparaging Softails in any way, however, they just plain do not have the clearance of the Switchback. Give it another chance. The Switchback is a very versatile bike that you can make your own.
I believe the stock shocks are a very weak link on the dynas. As a rule of thumb a pair of Coil Over shocks such as those on a Dyna should be "head over heals" better than the mono shock on a Softail. Also, you will be scraping the floor boards on the Softail A LOT. I am not disparaging Softails in any way, however, they just plain do not have the clearance of the Switchback. Give it another chance. The Switchback is a very versatile bike that you can make your own.
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From: West Tennessee
Not knowing how you like to ride, and not putting down the Heritage as it is a nice bike, but the Heritage also has about the least lean angle of all the Harleys! A few years back we were riding and one of the guys had just traded his Fatboy on a new Heritage. We were on a road that puts the Dragon to shame and going around a sharp 90 degree curve at fairly low speed the frame where the swingarm meets dug into the pavement to the point of lifting his rear wheel off the ground. The end result was not pretty and ended with flipping nose over *** into a ditch and breaking the steering stem off the frame. Totaling the brand new bike of course. If you're looking for a long straight away cruiser the Heritage might be a good choice, but if you like to do a little more spirited riding go with the Dyna!
Last edited by tnriverluver; May 8, 2016 at 09:44 PM.
being what you weigh and the shocks in the #1 setting most likely that was the cause of the more uncomfortable ride... heck you've got 40lbs on me and I have to run my shocks on #2 and even then I bottom on a few spots in town.
But yes the stock shocks on most bikes from Harley are pretty poor, more of a friction damper and a spring. Not much dampening force, nor is it consistent. Get the Dyna and spend a little on a good set of shocks and you'll be happy. I plan to get Hagon Nitro's at 12.6in, so the nitrogen charged and oil emulsion shock with a little more travel than the stock 12in shock will make for a much better world.
But yes the stock shocks on most bikes from Harley are pretty poor, more of a friction damper and a spring. Not much dampening force, nor is it consistent. Get the Dyna and spend a little on a good set of shocks and you'll be happy. I plan to get Hagon Nitro's at 12.6in, so the nitrogen charged and oil emulsion shock with a little more travel than the stock 12in shock will make for a much better world.