Switchback Regret?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,982
Likes: 2,141
From: Ohio
Switchback Regret?
Something I've noticed that I'm very curious about. It seems like almost every HD dealer I've visited, and on "motorcycle for sale" websites all over the internet, there are lots of 1 year old Switchbacks, with less than 2,000 miles, that have already been traded in for something else. The dealers in my area have at least a dozen one year old Switchbacks in their used bike area. What's the deal with them being traded in so quickly? Are people that bought them that anxious to get rid of them? This is a serious question as I was looking at possibly buying one in the Spring.
Probably people trading for purpose built baggers. People buy what they consider a budget bike for touring purposes then trade when they want a bigger back seat or a better radio.
The Switchback guys here seem to be happy with their bikes. The only issue I'm aware of it the vibrations from the stock pipes.
The Switchback guys here seem to be happy with their bikes. The only issue I'm aware of it the vibrations from the stock pipes.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
I think there are a lot of Harleys traded in for different models. I bought mine at the dealer with 600 miles on it. The previous owner was trading for the second time in about 8 months. Just be sure of what you want, and if you like the Switchback, maybe you will be able to negotiate a really good deal.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: SW Missouri
I bought a switchback and love it. I think you are noticing the used switchbacks because you are looking at them. My local dealer has a 2011 WG with 1200 miles on it and a fat bob with 2000 miles on it. They just took back a Heritage with 250 miles on it. I don't think it is the bike, it is the people. I don't know what they are looking for???
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 2009 I bought a brand new 1200XLC Sportster and really enjoyed it as my first bike since the 1960s
when I had a '58 BSA 650. I really like the Sporty, but after a few months, I realized that I was now
primarily interested in long distance riding and while the Sporty was quite capable of it, I wanted a
bike that was less tiring on long rides so I traded it in after 6 months and 6,000 miles on a 2009 FXDC.
When I bought the Sporty, I was consciously trying to find a modern, improved, equivalent of the bikes
I'd ridden as a kid and the Sporty certainly filled that bill. What I hadn't realized that the opportunities
for incredible distance rides here in the Southwest were so vastly better than where I'd grown up back
East that my whole focus changed.
If I hadn't been so taken with distance riding, I'd still be very happy with the Sporty, but the FXDC is
just a much better compromise. It's fun to ride locally in basic form and it easily adapts to a whole buncha
quick load / quick unload gear for long rides (see sig pic). So I think sometimes people may have a pretty
clear idea of what they want, make a good selection based on those wants, but then find entirely new
interests that they never could have anticipated.
Last week I finished up a 4,100 mile, 14 day solo ride on the Dyna and my wife was amazed at how NON
stressed, NON beaten up I was when I got home. I could have done the same ride on the Sporty, but
it would have taken more out of me doing so.
Call it "buyer evolution"..
when I had a '58 BSA 650. I really like the Sporty, but after a few months, I realized that I was now
primarily interested in long distance riding and while the Sporty was quite capable of it, I wanted a
bike that was less tiring on long rides so I traded it in after 6 months and 6,000 miles on a 2009 FXDC.
When I bought the Sporty, I was consciously trying to find a modern, improved, equivalent of the bikes
I'd ridden as a kid and the Sporty certainly filled that bill. What I hadn't realized that the opportunities
for incredible distance rides here in the Southwest were so vastly better than where I'd grown up back
East that my whole focus changed.
If I hadn't been so taken with distance riding, I'd still be very happy with the Sporty, but the FXDC is
just a much better compromise. It's fun to ride locally in basic form and it easily adapts to a whole buncha
quick load / quick unload gear for long rides (see sig pic). So I think sometimes people may have a pretty
clear idea of what they want, make a good selection based on those wants, but then find entirely new
interests that they never could have anticipated.
Last week I finished up a 4,100 mile, 14 day solo ride on the Dyna and my wife was amazed at how NON
stressed, NON beaten up I was when I got home. I could have done the same ride on the Sporty, but
it would have taken more out of me doing so.
Call it "buyer evolution"..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 397
From: Nonya, BS
My problem with the switchback was size. I love the bike I love the platform but I always felt crampt on it like I needed another inch. I swapped seats, bars still nada (6'3" 280lbs). Kept the switchback (now wife's primary bike) traded her 1200c and got a CVO Road King. Just like my switchy only bigger and a little quicker but same versatility. ..
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
I'd guess its because they are a fugly motorcycle that look like they were bolted together from the left-overs bucket. Just a wild guess.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I'd guess its because they are a fugly motorcycle that look like they were bolted together from the left-overs bucket. Just a wild guess
If I wanted a touring bike I would buy a road king not a dressed up dyna
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
I rode tested a switchback and fat bob the same day. Switchback felt cramped (I'm 5'5") aje didn't stop well. Much better handling than the softail I owned. Overall I just wasn't a fan of the fld. I thought the bob was a much better riding machine.