2012 SwitchBack vs Fatboy Lo??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 348
From: Ione, CA
And while yer at it, sign up for Gold's Gym cause a Road King weighs close to half a ton, which means it's a total slug compared to the other frames.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Heck, for 1500 more I'd get a road king, just for the touring frame and the dual exhaust, the engine guards and the auxiliary lighting. If you'd put those things on your Switchback, it would cost you more then 1500. Actually, the bags of the switchback look pretty small too. I still like it, but if it was me, I know what I'd do.
The Switchback looks real cool. Got pretty excited about it until I saw the MSRP. I'm sure the pricing managers at the MoCo are very clever and all, but I did the same math as Frenchman here. No brainer. The Road King remains the best bang-for-the-buck Harley. Remember also that the Touring bikes' frame was just redesigned for '09.
IMO, the Fat Boy Lo is just a bar hopper. Horrible suspension/ride quality, no room for decent bags (unless you do something major with your pipes), doesn't come with a windshield.
If you want touring as an option for this bike, it would take a lot of money to get the Lo to have the same capability as the Switchback.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
A lot of interesting opinions here. I own a Dyna, but I've rented a softail, and I've demo'ed all the touring models. Except for the Road King, which for me, had the worst handlebars/seat combo, I liked them all. The Road King still appeals to me, mostly because you can pull the windshield. Plus, those awful handelbars can be easily replaced.
The Fat Boy Lo is around the same price as the Switchback. Nice bike; but you will have to throw more money at it if you want to tour with it (bags, windshield, etc.). Ask yourself, "What type of riding do I do most? Is it around town or is it long trips out on the highway?" Many of us would admit that most of our riding is around town and short trips (100-300 miles). The beauty of the Switchback lies in its ability to pull all the accessories off and have Bike Night cruiser, or leave it all on and go places.
If you plan on doing a lot of touring, especially with a passenger, reach for the Road King. If you're more of a Bike Night, around town rider, and just love softails (who doesn't?) go with the Fat Boy Lo. If you want the best of both worlds, go with the Switchback.
The Fat Boy Lo is around the same price as the Switchback. Nice bike; but you will have to throw more money at it if you want to tour with it (bags, windshield, etc.). Ask yourself, "What type of riding do I do most? Is it around town or is it long trips out on the highway?" Many of us would admit that most of our riding is around town and short trips (100-300 miles). The beauty of the Switchback lies in its ability to pull all the accessories off and have Bike Night cruiser, or leave it all on and go places.
If you plan on doing a lot of touring, especially with a passenger, reach for the Road King. If you're more of a Bike Night, around town rider, and just love softails (who doesn't?) go with the Fat Boy Lo. If you want the best of both worlds, go with the Switchback.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
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From: The Rust Belt!
Heck, for 1500 more I'd get a road king, just for the touring frame and the dual exhaust, the engine guards and the auxiliary lighting. If you'd put those things on your Switchback, it would cost you more then 1500. Actually, the bags of the switchback look pretty small too. I still like it, but if it was me, I know what I'd do.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Likes: 1
From: Durham, NC
I am a little biased, being that I own a Fat Boy. I have ridden several Dyna's, and they are great bikes. I preferred the ride quality of the soft tail, over the handling capabilities of the dyna though, but hey that's just me. The Switchback does look like a nice bike, but in reality Harley didn't really do anything that amazing here. Detachable winshields and bags have been around a few years now. I guess, i just don't get the novelty. My Fat Boy currently has the shield and bags off, and I can put them right back on very easily. Not trying to talk you out of the Switchback, if that's the direction you are leaning, but if you originally wanted the Fat Boy, I think you might end up regretting it.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 669
From: The Rust Belt!
I am a little biased, being that I own a Fat Boy. I have ridden several Dyna's, and they are great bikes. I preferred the ride quality of the soft tail, over the handling capabilities of the dyna though, but hey that's just me. The Switchback does look like a nice bike, but in reality Harley didn't really do anything that amazing here. Detachable winshields and bags have been around a few years now. I guess, i just don't get the novelty. My Fat Boy currently has the shield and bags off, and I can put them right back on very easily. Not trying to talk you out of the Switchback, if that's the direction you are leaning, but if you originally wanted the Fat Boy, I think you might end up regretting it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
Earth to bjewell, you ride it, you don't lift it. Golds Gym? My wife weighs about 110 and she can handle my RKC. Sorry you have such a slight frame that you can't ride a big boys bike. Maybe YOU should go to the gym....and start lifting with about 5lbs. Don't want to strain yourself.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
Earth to bjewell, you ride it, you don't lift it. Golds Gym? My wife weighs about 110 and she can handle my RKC. Sorry you have such a slight frame that you can't ride a big boys bike. Maybe YOU should go to the gym....and start lifting with about 5lbs. Don't want to strain yourself.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 27
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From: Virginia
I think Dickey and Frenchie nailed it, it's almost a cool bike...just lacking some stuff. Spend a few bucks more and get the bike the Switchback wants to be when it grows up. But I think the concept is good.
And GlennW...don't know what you mean about the "almost quick-detach windshield" on the Heritage. On mine you grab a release on each side and lift; no tools required.
And GlennW...don't know what you mean about the "almost quick-detach windshield" on the Heritage. On mine you grab a release on each side and lift; no tools required.
I think you misread me. What I said was that the Road King and Heritage do both have true quick-detach windshields, and the Switchback appears to also. I was referring to the earlier Convertible models requiring tools to detach.