The Poor Harley Switchback...
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 22
From: Australia
ill first say i didnt read every single point made in this tread but i read a good deal. a point i wanted to make that i didnt see covered was about the comment made about the cheap plastic forks on the touring bikes( im paraphrasing). the switchback has the same exact forks on it as the road king, the street glide, and the ultra. yes they put touring forks on it. reason behing this was to get rid of the crap ride of the dyna. yes i know ill get flamed for that comment but someing from someone who owns a sg its so true.
Just like everyone who is oh so overwhelmed how " great " the breakout is. that bike makes you feel like your squatting to take a dump. its all personal preferance in the end. i personally think the switchback looks kinda nice for a wanna be bagger. and yes it does make me think of the road king which i honestly think they made it as the poor mans roadking. i mean the forks are the same it has hardbags all your missing is the cruise. as far as the colors them are basic colors how much you think that bike would be is it had a greenflek option another grand atleast just for the paint. so imo it is the "poormans" roadking......
Just like everyone who is oh so overwhelmed how " great " the breakout is. that bike makes you feel like your squatting to take a dump. its all personal preferance in the end. i personally think the switchback looks kinda nice for a wanna be bagger. and yes it does make me think of the road king which i honestly think they made it as the poor mans roadking. i mean the forks are the same it has hardbags all your missing is the cruise. as far as the colors them are basic colors how much you think that bike would be is it had a greenflek option another grand atleast just for the paint. so imo it is the "poormans" roadking......
Please compare the two parts diagrams below. The Switchback, I believe, is the first Harley to use a modern cartridge fork, whereas the RK uses an oil bath fork.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....-FORK-ASSEMBLY
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....RING-MODELS%29
The Switchback ain't no wannabe bagger or poor mans roadking. Dynamically, it runs rings around them. 100lbs lighter, best forks on any Harley, and the same 103 motor. Could do with a second front disc. If Harley offered it without bags and screen, we'd be talking about it being a modern interpretation of the first swingarm Harley FLH's.
Personally, I think the stock seat makes them look too tall in the rear end which gives them an awkward stance. Fitting a solo seat, or low profile seat cure that. The stock exhaust is pretty lame too.
Cheers
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 52
From: Pt. Jeff Sta. L.I., N.Y.
Hit the nail on the head.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 3,724
From: Hill Country, TX
Originally Posted by Chinashop bull
The Switchback ain't no wannabe bagger or poor mans roadking. Dynamically, it runs rings around them. 100lbs lighter, best forks on any Harley, and the same 103 motor.
Overall, I don't find anything wrong with the Switchback. I think it looks just fine. We'd all put our own customizing touches on it to make it our own.
I was buying parts at the dealership the other day and I saw a dark blue Switchback on the showroom floor. I though it looked pretty damn nice. I wouldn't mind riding one to see how it handled. Handling wise, anything would be an improvement on my Street Glide.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 982
Likes: 356
From: Wisconsin
I can't think of any model harley that doesn't fit that description, out of the box, except maybe the Rocker or the Vrod.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
Back in 2011 when I was looking for a new (or late-model used) bike, the SwitchBack caught my eye in the showroom.
My first reaction was, "a 3/4-sized Road King" (even though it's on a Dyna frame). Sitting on it, it "picked up" light and easy, and had the same "heft" about it as did my old FXRS "Low Rider Sport". I haven't ridden one, but I'll guess it's a good handler, though I've heard something about "too much vibration" on them, vis-a-vis other Dyna models.
It looks like the front end has the same attachment dimensions as does a Road King, so anything that would drop into the detachable mounts on the Road King would fit the SwitchBack as well. I'm thinking, "removable fairing" -- for both wind protection and MUSIC. Not sure how a full-sized batwing fairing would look on it, though. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already tried it.
As others have mentioned, the bags are too small. I'd like to see them longer and wider -- perhaps with a "curved cutout" around the shocks. Didn't look to me like they'd have enough carrying capacity.
My first reaction was, "a 3/4-sized Road King" (even though it's on a Dyna frame). Sitting on it, it "picked up" light and easy, and had the same "heft" about it as did my old FXRS "Low Rider Sport". I haven't ridden one, but I'll guess it's a good handler, though I've heard something about "too much vibration" on them, vis-a-vis other Dyna models.
It looks like the front end has the same attachment dimensions as does a Road King, so anything that would drop into the detachable mounts on the Road King would fit the SwitchBack as well. I'm thinking, "removable fairing" -- for both wind protection and MUSIC. Not sure how a full-sized batwing fairing would look on it, though. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already tried it.
As others have mentioned, the bags are too small. I'd like to see them longer and wider -- perhaps with a "curved cutout" around the shocks. Didn't look to me like they'd have enough carrying capacity.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 22
From: Australia
They did. So the FLD has the best for on any curently available Harley.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 22
From: Australia
Stock FLD Switchback
Early 60's FLH Duo Glide
My FLD after a mod or two.
The bags really are too small, both from a carrying capacity and asthetic point of view and the mag wheels are a matter of personal preference. No prizes for guessing my choice.
All those that say it's not a man sized Harley are effectively saying that about all swingarm Harley's before the touring chassis. Yes it's small, just like Harley's used to be.
Cheers
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