Sat on a Switchback... did not like the the dealer's pitch
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 63
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From: Long Island, NY
Sat on a Switchback... did not like the the dealer's pitch
So I stopped over at my local HD dealer for some parts (what else is new), and they had the new '12 Switchback. Salesman was a tool, so my conversation was not smooth. I had a few questions about it, one being what the advantage was of buying this over a Road King? I caught him toatally off-gaurd with that one.
His answer was that it's meant for a 'smaller' guy to ride. The Road Kings are bigger and harder to handler, so if a lesser sized man wanted that same look and feel, he could buy the Switchback. Puzzled, I looked at him and said... well, why not buy a Heritage then.
Also he mentioned that everyone wanted floorboards so Harley designed the bike around that aspect.
Some people should not be in sales. It was a nice bike, but I felt it looked like a scaled down cross between a Heritage and a Road King, with less dress and more paint. I don't think the price was worth buying it over a Road King, it was about $1200 MSRP cheaper. I'm 41, 5'10", 190 (in shape)... to me, I'd cough up the cash for the RK. Anyway, I'll keep my FXDWG.
What do you guys think of the new Switchback?
His answer was that it's meant for a 'smaller' guy to ride. The Road Kings are bigger and harder to handler, so if a lesser sized man wanted that same look and feel, he could buy the Switchback. Puzzled, I looked at him and said... well, why not buy a Heritage then.
Also he mentioned that everyone wanted floorboards so Harley designed the bike around that aspect.
Some people should not be in sales. It was a nice bike, but I felt it looked like a scaled down cross between a Heritage and a Road King, with less dress and more paint. I don't think the price was worth buying it over a Road King, it was about $1200 MSRP cheaper. I'm 41, 5'10", 190 (in shape)... to me, I'd cough up the cash for the RK. Anyway, I'll keep my FXDWG.
What do you guys think of the new Switchback?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
I think that 16,000 is a little to much.
I think there is better value to be had in other bikes.
Personally, I'm also not a fan of paying more for a bike because of the accessories, like the bags and windshield, IF you finance any of the bike.
My philosophy is to buy a stripped bike, so that I'm only paying interest in what is absolutely necessary, and to pay it off as fast as I can, while paying CASH for the bags, windshield, etc. so that a 500 dollar set of bags doesn't end up costing me 700 dollars over the life of a loan.
My opinion on the bike itself? nice to see a dyna with boards, I think. I like the front end, fenders, and pipes. I'm not crazy about the "cobbled together" look of the Dyna line, but all in all I think the bike is otherwise aesthetically pleasing. But not for 16K
I think there is better value to be had in other bikes.
Personally, I'm also not a fan of paying more for a bike because of the accessories, like the bags and windshield, IF you finance any of the bike.
My philosophy is to buy a stripped bike, so that I'm only paying interest in what is absolutely necessary, and to pay it off as fast as I can, while paying CASH for the bags, windshield, etc. so that a 500 dollar set of bags doesn't end up costing me 700 dollars over the life of a loan.
My opinion on the bike itself? nice to see a dyna with boards, I think. I like the front end, fenders, and pipes. I'm not crazy about the "cobbled together" look of the Dyna line, but all in all I think the bike is otherwise aesthetically pleasing. But not for 16K
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Wide Glide also priced @ $16k? And that being without hard, painted saddle bags, a wind screen, rims, and floorboards? Please don't take this in any wrong way... I'm am being serious and curious about the price differences. And by the way, I really like the Wide Glide much better. 
...But not as much as my Low Rider. 
...But not as much as my Low Rider.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,777
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Wide Glide also priced @ $16k? And that being without hard, painted saddle bags, a wind screen, rims, and floorboards? Please don't take this in any wrong way... I'm am being serious and curious about the price differences. And by the way, I really like the Wide Glide much better. ...But not as much as my Low Rider.
...But not as much as my Low Rider. Anyone that wants a Switchback is getting a good deal, and those that don't want one would complain if it was priced less than an 883 Iron. There are plenty of us that would like a bike that is good for the open road and does not approach the bulk of a Goldwing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I personally don't care for it.
Single disc front brake, smaller bags, wheels don't match the era look of the rest of the bike.
The DYNA to have is the Superglide Custom and then the Wideglide. Sure wish you could still get the old bobtail rear fender on the WG.
~Joe
Single disc front brake, smaller bags, wheels don't match the era look of the rest of the bike.
The DYNA to have is the Superglide Custom and then the Wideglide. Sure wish you could still get the old bobtail rear fender on the WG.
~Joe
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,777
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
You can, just trade me a Switchback for my 07' WideGlide
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 351
From: Wisconsin
Plenty of Dyna owners end up spending the $$ to put on detachable/lockable bags, a windshield, floorboards, upgrade to 103" and even 7" headlight. So to me it's just a Dyna with a bunch of accessories attached from the factory. But I'm not sure why they changed the front end to the FL style.
I agree with traveler, the mags don't fit the rest of the styling.
As for the price points approaching the RK, maybe some people don't want a RK. Just saying.
I agree with traveler, the mags don't fit the rest of the styling.
As for the price points approaching the RK, maybe some people don't want a RK. Just saying.