When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
So my wife wants a Switchback. She started on an old iron head sporty that we still have. Then she gradually started riding my VRod. I have a Road King and was hoping she would also graduate to a King but she rode mine and said it was too heavy. I have heard a lot of negative stuff about the Switchback. People say theres a horrible vibration at highway speeds. I heard the bags are prone to falling off. I have owned a 78 Super Glide, an 09 King, a 15 VRod, and the 84 sportster, none of which are similar to the FLD. What are your experiences with your Switchbacks?
All those issues can be addressed. I personally love both of mine, yes I have two , one real and one sort of....
Its a dyna so the platform is the same as all dyna’s, so the same issues are present. Power train alignment and front motor mounts...other then that regular maintenance....
The stock exhaust can cause vibration issues due to how it’s mounted. A new aftermarket slip on will cure it if you don’t want to change your pipes completely.
on one of mine, I have the Harley nightstick and no vibration issue. My Superglide is running the Switchback header with bassani slip on.
The saddlebags DO NOT just fall off. They are a quick release set up, so you have to make sure that the locking mechanism actually “clicks “ into place. No click, no riding. I have not lost a bag on either bike. But if your concerned just run a zip tie though the mounting plates.
overall they are a great bike IMO...but I’m biased having two of them in my stable.
All Harley’s vibrate, this you know. But vibration is subjective, what I believe is normal you might think is excessive....but a bit of vibration through the bars and or foot pegs is normal. Not much you can do with a 45 degree V-Twin style of engine.
The Dyna ‘s as a line though, can have a more pronounced vibration, usually at idle, is actually due to how the bike was designed. To quote my friend Tarik....
There are two distinct halves to a Dyna: The front wheel, fork, and frame are one assembly. The rear wheel, swingarm, engine and transmission are a completely separate assembly. The two assemblies are connected to each other purely by the two rubber engine mounts, one in the front of the engine, the other on the back of the transmission. The top link is really just a stabilizer/locater for alignment purposes, and isn't really a structural link between the two halves. Any and all movement incurred by the engine is directly carried through the transmission to the swingarm and the rear wheel. If the engine vibrates in the longitudinal chassis plane, this isn't much of an issue. If it vibrates left to right, the swingarm and rear wheel move left to right. If the engine swings like a pendulum from the top link, the rear tire actually rolls onto it's sidewalls a little bit, back and forth. The purpose of all the different aftermarket stabilizers is to limit lateral engine movement, while allowing enough longitudinal movement to keep unwanted vibration in check. This architecture explains why a Dyna is much more sensitive to all chassis adjustments/issues than some bikes are... Air pressure, wheel bearings, steering bearings, swingarm bearings, and particularly drivetrain alignment... That's why the same outcome can be difficult to diagnose from bike to bike.
The good news is that when properly setup, a Dyna chassis is actually a very good handling platform.
My Super Glide and Sporty had a lot of vibration. The vibration at idle doesnt bother me as all my HDs except the VRod have it. The sporty has teeth chattering vibrations at higher speed. The Super Glide and RK do not have that issue. I was worried about excessive vibration at higher speed.
I find the faster and more RPM’s I’m turning the less vibration I feel. My Switchback is very smooth at highway speeds, and I already know my front mount has collapsed this summer as my alignment has shifted 4degrees out from zero. Even at that there was only a slight increase in vibration...still very smooth.
There is always the random chance the motor you get is a paint shaker due to flywheel alignment...but it’s not as common as you would think and any test ride will reveal this issue if present.
Personally, if I were, have her ride the bike. Then you ride the bike. Best way I know how of telling how much vibe your going to feel.
Put 37k miles on mine till health issues caused me to sell it. D&D pipe cured the vibration issue other than that I serviced it and put tires on it when needed, no problems.
Owned mine since new, 2012.
I test road 2, one vibrated in the most uncomfortable way, the other didn't.
I bought the one that didn't. I still did the "clevis-pin-mod" and I've been content.
Saddlebags have never jumped ship.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Switchback owners help
