Been riding this 1200R around for 2 years. Been having an itch for something more 'old man' and thought the Road King was the scratch. I went to a dealer yesterday morning and checked some out, and realized nearly right away that it's just more bike than I need. But what really did catch my eye in particular was the Switchback. Seems like a good compromise between the sportie and the RK. I'm smitten. Love the size, locking hardbags, detach windshield, FL front end looks tops and works good too. Not crazy about the forward floorboards. Started to scrape those on my test ride. Can longer shocks solve some of this? Salesmen told me there was no option for mid controls. The big issue though was the vibes. My 2006 sportster is butter and speed. I test rode a 2012 SB with 946 miles and, this sumbitch was giving me a foot massage the whole time. Tech told me something about the front motor mounts being too large or something.... Got home and starting reading a lot of reports about excessive vibes. Thats not cool. This may be the first brand new motorcycle I buy, maybe ever. But not if they haven't figured out the fix for this. But anyway. What's to know about the Dyna family? What's stopping me from buying any dyna and sticking some hardbags and shield on it?
I have an '09 'Bob. At first it seemed to vibrate a lot for a rubber mount. I had an FXR about 22 years ago that I remembered as being smoothe. You know how memory is though. I was riding a rigid Pan at the time. The FXR was an 80" whereas the 'Bob is a 96". After 24,000miles I don't notice the vibration. At first I started to buy a True Track for it because it felt a little squiggly sometimes on a groved surface or pushing in a curve. Now that dosen't bother me either. I was worried once the new wore off I would not like the SB. But I like it as much or more now. Keep your other bike though too. I need variety in my life. The 'Bob is not perfect but it is low maintenance, reliable, and feels good to ride. On the Mayport Ferry coming back from Biketoberfest last week
I have an FXRP, 32" seat height, floorboards are more mid mount, taller than a Dyna or standard FXR so she handles great (no scraping the boards in a lean), fantastic brakes, No vibration problems at all and a true all day bike. However its far from new but at 30k miles she will be around for quite a while. I wonder if a newer Dyna could be set up in a similar fashion?
Believe it or not a Power Commander or some other fuel management system and a good tune and they smooth right out. Lean engines tend to shake a bit and the Harley is very lean just off idle up to 2300 RPM or so.
Found a 2012 close by. Dealer offered me $4k for my sportie, unseen. and a grand off since it's a left over. So $11,613. Black too. Really got me thinking
There is/was a Switchback thread, started when they announced the model in August 2011: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712516
That's a lot less than a Road King. I'd like to ride this bike. The 103 is a very sweet motor, and with 100 lbs less to haul around than a touring bike it would be really nice. If I didn't have a Road Glide I would look at this bike. You can always put on a rack and attach a big bag on the back to give you the carrying capacity of a road king. Good luck! Cakeeater
A few months ago I got the itch for a Dyna. So, after a bit of shopping and 6k I ended up with this: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rudolf35/8089848435/" title="IMG_0006 by rudolf35, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8089848435_fde7eebeee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0006"></a> 2005 FXDC-I This is a fun bike; a little suspension work and a second disc will make it mine. It had 7045 miles on the clock and in 5 weeks I have it at 9k.
At one time a few years back with the current generation of twin cam Dynas, HD had a Dyna based police model with mid mount foot boards that could be fitted to any Dyna. I'm sure the parts are still available as there were quite a few of those sold. If you want to make a Dyna or FL chassis handle, check out the damper cartridges, fork conversions, and rear shocks from these guys: http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage35.html There are also Dyna FXDT or T Sport with good shocks, real suspension travel, and adjustable damping front forks. They were a late 90's early 2000 model.
I sold my Softail last year mainly because of suspension and braking deficiencies. I was thinking that Dynas would be better since they have conventional rear suspension but now you say that they scrape chromed bits too? Are there any Harleys that don't scrape when ridden in a "spirited" manner? :ddog
No. Well, maybe the XR? I scrape my R sportster on a regular basis. The switchback is a bit lower than other dynas IIRC. Even if not, it was the floorboards that hit first, I don't think other dynas have them. At any rate, I'm hoping this FLD will slow me down a bit. I'm going to get hurt or arrested if I keep doing what I'm doing
I have a 02 dynaglide sport that has the 95 cubic inch conversion. It shakes some below 2500 rpm but smooths out after that.It handles well but I am beyond the boy racer days.My wife and I can back for a weekend trip and still chase the sport bikes around. I have scraped bits on every bike I have owned. I guess the best part of a Harley is if you don''t like something there is a million places to get something better.
After 13 years of riding my 00 FLHT I'm wanting some thing lighter. My 09 BMW R1200R is a blast to ride but the ergos are killing me. I always rode super glides, fxr and dynas before the bagger with good luck. I'm going to sell the BMW and go with a switchback or a super glide custom. There are some deals on low mileage Dynas this time of year.... Any one want an 09 R-1200 R with really low miles...
I have an early (1999) FXDX. My favourite bike ever, it's real honest. I've had engine work done and now need to work on the brakes and suspension to keep the capabilities in line. I also have a Road King but it doesn't touch the soul in quite the same way.
i'm going to test run another switchback next weekend. I shouldn't, but I might walk away with it. If it agrees with me of course. Is there any hope of getting the dealer to throw in labor if I roll a stage 1 into the purchase price?
I was wanting H-D to build a touring model on the Dyna platform for a long, long time. When the Switchback came out I was excited - FINALLY!. Then I read the magazines about how a design goal was the short short suspension. Clearly the Switchback is amied at women. Daddy's on an Electraglide, Mom has a Switchback. I'll pass. I had picked up a 2002 Dyna in 2010 after I totalled my EG. It is the FXDX Superglide Sport, with longer travel, adjustable suspension. I put FXDP (cop) footbards and am now trying a cop bike solo saddle.
meh, are you really put off by the marketing? It's a great size. For me anyhow, at 5'8" 150lbs. The first thing I've done to nearly all 12 of my bikes is change out the shocks. Anyhow, I thought the ride was swell. Much better off from the factory than my sportster. Nice looking bike shupe.