Switchback Question
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
I started with the FXD, the lightest and lease expensive big twin available.. It comes with a 29 deg. rake that keeps it nimble but still does great if your cruise 80+ mph down the interstate. This bike also came with mid control's (which I prefer) and alloy wheels that allow me to plug a tire and get back home. I added HD's quick detachable compact windshield and a qd medium low sissy bar with a luggage rack. I always liked naked bikes but also like to be able to gear up for a road trip. For all day comfort I added a mustang seat w/ passenger pillion and some quality shocks. The mustang seat sets me a little lower and is narrower in the front than my sundowner and makes it easier to plant my feet. Both are very comfortable seats for rider and passenger. I can gear up or strip everything down to a bare cruiser in a matter of minutes
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 10
From: TX
I think about the initial statement about bad back... Weight is an issue as well as ride.
I got ride of my big bagger for a Switchback and could not be happier...
I have a replacement knee and weight was an issue, Switchback actually handles and rides better than the EGC I had.... The dealer should let you ride both and then decide
I got ride of my big bagger for a Switchback and could not be happier...
I have a replacement knee and weight was an issue, Switchback actually handles and rides better than the EGC I had.... The dealer should let you ride both and then decide
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 3
From: Ca.
Put on a mustang wide vintage seat and some quality shocks and you wont be giving up anything, you both could ride in comfort until your hearts are content.
If your not racking up many miles there is less expensive dynas you could throw a quick detachable windshield, & etc...
If your not racking up many miles there is less expensive dynas you could throw a quick detachable windshield, & etc...
Installing some flat wound racetech springs up front helps bigtime with the plunging and bottoming out. I also added progressive 430's on the rear and it completed it. It rides pretty good after you do those two things. It's all money though. For just the above...about $700 or so.
That was my earlier point.
There's a guy on here named rubberfrog who made me some ingenious floor board extenders that pushed my boards forward about 3" and those really helped stretch it out too and made long trips much, much more comfortable along with the mustang seat and pillion you are mentioning.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: southeast texas
here is my opinion. i am 62 years old bad back many surgeries. i have a heritage springer and a switchback. i keep the springer for occasional riding because its my favorite harley based on looks. iride the switchback almost every day.its lighter better handling and just easier for me to get arond on.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 157
From: South Central Va
One thing to remember is the ST has the rear shocks mounted underneath the bike, which makes for very limited suspension travel(that can't be extended easily) and is easy to bottom out, especially two-up. Whereas a Dyna has more travel initially and can be extended if necessary.
Also a Dyna can be made into a comfy touring bike pretty easily. I picked up my nearly stock '07 last year and modded it with a quick release fairing, hard bags, and tour pack for trips:
btw that is a cooler on the back seat
Also a Dyna can be made into a comfy touring bike pretty easily. I picked up my nearly stock '07 last year and modded it with a quick release fairing, hard bags, and tour pack for trips:
btw that is a cooler on the back seat
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 72
From: North Dakota
Lots of good advise so far. If your wife is going to ride with you a lot, you may want to take her for a ride on both. I have never heard much mentioned about the Dyna rear foot pegs, but they are attached to the swing-arm rather than the frame. Additionally, the swing-arm on a Dyna is attached directly to the transmission/engine assembly. All that vibration is directly transmitted to the foot pegs in addition to the up and down travel with the suspension. The Heritage foot boards are attached to the frame of a bike with a balanced engine.
Personally, I ride my Dyna more than my Electra-Glide and also prefer it over my kid's Softail Deluxe.
Personally, I ride my Dyna more than my Electra-Glide and also prefer it over my kid's Softail Deluxe.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 156
From: florida
Personally, I would go with the FLD. I rented a heritage for 3 days and it is a nice bike but the difference in the ride quality was marginal at best.
Softails have poor lean angles, I scraped pegs on the first turn.
It was slower and more cumbersome than the dyna.
My 74 yr old father in law went from a road king to the switchback and loves the hell out of it. Put a sundowner seat and the lexan shield from a road king ( holes lined right up ) and he does 500 milers often.
Don't think i'll ever trade my wideglide but if I did!
Rent each one for a day and decide for yourself, test rides are too short.
Good luck!
Softails have poor lean angles, I scraped pegs on the first turn.
It was slower and more cumbersome than the dyna.
My 74 yr old father in law went from a road king to the switchback and loves the hell out of it. Put a sundowner seat and the lexan shield from a road king ( holes lined right up ) and he does 500 milers often.
Don't think i'll ever trade my wideglide but if I did!
Rent each one for a day and decide for yourself, test rides are too short.
Good luck!
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