Switchback = Road Queen?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
Switchback = Road Queen?
posted this in another section and probably should have been in here.
So I was just reading another post about the switchback in the dyna section and the salesman for the HD dealer said that someone with a smaller frame that could not handle the Road King is the target market for this bike.
So it's smaller than a RK, it's got smaller lockable hardbags than the RK, but with the Dyna frame it's actually a nice bike for a woman.
So, does that beg to differ that the nickname would be Road Queen?
I know I have seen shift linkages with that name, so I am not making it up, but is it a better fit on the Switch than on a RK that happens to be owned by a woman?
I am not trying to start some war between the Dyna and Touring section, I am actually interested in speculation if that was HD's motivation or target market behind the design?
So I was just reading another post about the switchback in the dyna section and the salesman for the HD dealer said that someone with a smaller frame that could not handle the Road King is the target market for this bike.
So it's smaller than a RK, it's got smaller lockable hardbags than the RK, but with the Dyna frame it's actually a nice bike for a woman.
So, does that beg to differ that the nickname would be Road Queen?
I know I have seen shift linkages with that name, so I am not making it up, but is it a better fit on the Switch than on a RK that happens to be owned by a woman?
I am not trying to start some war between the Dyna and Touring section, I am actually interested in speculation if that was HD's motivation or target market behind the design?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Yeah ... the burgeoning ranks of female buyers ... I have not seen actual market share figures, but I've got to assume it is still relatively miniscule ....
Let's think about it for a moment: same size motor with 90 lbs less GVW than the Road King ... (i.e., better power-to-weight ratio) that's an especially important feature for the lasses (NOT) ... like the Sportster ....
I volunteered elsewhere the MoCo should have given it the letter designation STFU ....
I'll readily admit the Switchback name is a rather weak m o n i k e r .... Think the MoCo could've done much better in coming up with a name ....
If you can't tell ... I am a fan of the new model (if not of H-D's job of naming it) ... I don't understand all of the hate ....
R/
'Chop
Let's think about it for a moment: same size motor with 90 lbs less GVW than the Road King ... (i.e., better power-to-weight ratio) that's an especially important feature for the lasses (NOT) ... like the Sportster ....
I volunteered elsewhere the MoCo should have given it the letter designation STFU ....
I'll readily admit the Switchback name is a rather weak m o n i k e r .... Think the MoCo could've done much better in coming up with a name ....
If you can't tell ... I am a fan of the new model (if not of H-D's job of naming it) ... I don't understand all of the hate ....
R/
'Chop
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Aug 19, 2011 at 03:12 PM. Reason: Why would the site edit out the word m o n i k e r ...??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 474
On the subject of name calling I can recall people calling the Dyna as a over-sized Sportster.
(Please don't Hate on Me , I ride a Dyna too)
The new bike fits market share why bash the company for a bike that will sell. I'm sure the company held focus groups and had a marketing plan before the design team started the project. Otherwise the bean-counters wouldn't approve the project even to go into the design stage. I think the company used it's resources wisely given today's business climate. If the Switchback doesnt sell the company will discontinue it in short order. Seems like the Rocker and Cross Bones didn't last too long.
Not every rider has the physical size or experience to handle a full size bike. So why not make a smaller tour bike?
Stop the name calling and let everyone enjoy the size bike that they handle.
(Please don't Hate on Me , I ride a Dyna too)
The new bike fits market share why bash the company for a bike that will sell. I'm sure the company held focus groups and had a marketing plan before the design team started the project. Otherwise the bean-counters wouldn't approve the project even to go into the design stage. I think the company used it's resources wisely given today's business climate. If the Switchback doesnt sell the company will discontinue it in short order. Seems like the Rocker and Cross Bones didn't last too long.
Not every rider has the physical size or experience to handle a full size bike. So why not make a smaller tour bike?
Stop the name calling and let everyone enjoy the size bike that they handle.
Last edited by Chicago Ken; Aug 19, 2011 at 04:11 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Yeah ... the burgeoning ranks of female buyers ... I have not seen actual market share figures, but I've got to assume it is still relatively miniscule ....
Let's think about it for a moment: same size motor with 90 lbs less GVW than the Road King ... (i.e., better power-to-weight ratio) that's an especially important feature for the lasses (NOT) ... like the Sportster ....
I volunteered elsewhere the MoCo should have given it the letter designation STFU ....
I'll readily admit the Switchback name is a rather weak mo****r .... Think the MoCo could've done much better in coming up with a name ....
If you can't tell ... I am a fan of the new model (if not of H-D's job of naming it) ... I don't understand all of the hate ....
R/
'Chop
Let's think about it for a moment: same size motor with 90 lbs less GVW than the Road King ... (i.e., better power-to-weight ratio) that's an especially important feature for the lasses (NOT) ... like the Sportster ....
I volunteered elsewhere the MoCo should have given it the letter designation STFU ....
I'll readily admit the Switchback name is a rather weak mo****r .... Think the MoCo could've done much better in coming up with a name ....
If you can't tell ... I am a fan of the new model (if not of H-D's job of naming it) ... I don't understand all of the hate ....
R/
'Chop
Gonna be a lot of Road "King", and Glide owners red faced when enough SBs hit the street and they get left behind at the traffic light. Gonna be an awesome bike.
What was HD's motivation? Probably enough notice that people liked the lightweight, agile, powerful, dyna family of bikes and were trying to tour on them. And it's not the first time the MOCO has done this kind of thing. I think it'll sell better than those earlier examples.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,598
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From: 27°51' N, 082°17' W
Less than 3" shorter and about a 1/2" seat height difference. Wheelbase 0.7" shorter
Fuel Capacity 4.7 gal. vs. 6 gal.
Weight, As Shipped 696 lb. vs. 775 lb.
Weight, In Running Order 718 lb. vs. 812 lb.
Numbers are all very close
Fuel Capacity 4.7 gal. vs. 6 gal.
Weight, As Shipped 696 lb. vs. 775 lb.
Weight, In Running Order 718 lb. vs. 812 lb.
Numbers are all very close
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
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Banned
Joined: May 2005
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From: Bama
Harley CEO is doing an interview on CNBC right now and was talking about the new switchback. He said about the switchback, and I quote "we have geared the switchback convertible towards younger female riders"
There you go, straight from the horses mouth on CNBC.
There you go, straight from the horses mouth on CNBC.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Well, I'm 56, so not a "younger' female rider. I really liked the looks of the Switchback and went and test road one. I also test road the Heritage, which is a bike I had always kept in the back of my mind as being a possibility for me. I ended up trading in my Street Bob for a 2012 Heritage. Surprisingly the riding position on the Switchback was not all that comfortable. I am short - under 5'4", and yet my legs felt like they were really angled high up compared to the Heritage. The Switchback was peppier in that the throttle is more responsive. (and yet both have the 103 engine). But the Heritage just felt like a smoother ride. (difference between a Dyna and a Softail, I suppose?). So even though there was a price difference which maybe was a stretch for my budget, the Heritage won my heart, hands down. I ride with a windshield and saddlebags 99% of the time, and so both bikes would have provided me with that. But personally like the more classic look over the Switchback, and chances are, i wouldn't take the bags and/or shield off very often anyway. Although I do still like the Switchback and think it will do very well. The price is right for what you get.
And when I was there, the salesmen were referring to it as the mini-Road King. Of course difference in ride and comfort I am sure are huge so calling it a Road Queen probably wouldn't fly, since they aren't in the same category.
And when I was there, the salesmen were referring to it as the mini-Road King. Of course difference in ride and comfort I am sure are huge so calling it a Road Queen probably wouldn't fly, since they aren't in the same category.
Last edited by June Bug; Aug 19, 2011 at 04:15 PM.