2012 HD Dyna Switchback

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by Savoir-Faire

Who ever heard of a Dyna with an FL fork? Weird.

Who ever heard of an FL with a Sportster fork? Weird!

[Lopoetve]

Originally Posted by jmlmjmjm

I like it but I don't see much value.

For the same price ($16K) you can get a Victory Crossroads which has more power, more luggage capacity, standard ABS (a $1200 option on the HD), a true 6-speed overdrive transmission, more suspension travel, more cornering clearance, longer floorboards, adjustable shifter and brake pedal, a speedometer not in your lap, aluminum frame, larger gas tank, standard oil cooler, longer wheelbase, a lower seat height, 5K mile service intervals, more, more, more.

You DON'T get a dealer in every town, 100+ years of heritage and inclusion in the club....if that's important.

Just to correct a couple... It comes with the 103, so IIRC power is pretty close (not sure on the vic), the Dyna has a 6-speed overdrive, and the HD also has 5k service intervals now, and the seat height is all dependent on the person (I HATE low seats, but I have a 34" inseam and am 6'2), and the longer wheelbase isn't always plus for me either (but I'd be taking the boards off and putting pegs on instead, if possible, to switch it to mids and boost cornering, and the longer base makes turn-in slower).

[jmlmjmjm]

Originally Posted by Lopoetve

Just to correct a couple... It comes with the 103, so IIRC power is pretty close (not sure on the vic), the Dyna has a 6-speed overdrive, and the HD also has 5k service intervals now, and the seat height is all dependent on the person (I HATE low seats, but I have a 34" inseam and am 6'2), and the longer wheelbase isn't always plus for me either (but I'd be taking the boards off and putting pegs on instead, if possible, to switch it to mids and boost cornering, and the longer base makes turn-in slower).

Just to correct a couple....Yes it has the 103 but it is still down on power and torque compared to the Victory. Per Motorcycle Consumer News: HD, 66HP-81TQ, Victory 80HP-93TQ. Power's not everything but still....

The Dyna does have a 6-speed transmission, however it is not an overdrive. Not an engineer here but the final drive is not less than 1-1 whereas the Victory is .93-1 for true overdrive.

Regarding the seat height, sit on both, forward controls or not you will have more room for everything on the Victory and you can adjust the pedals (shift and brake) to suit your preference.

[JerseyBiker]

Test rode one on Friday and fell in love! Heavy enough to be stable, light enough to feel easy to ride.

Went and sat down to dicker and after the usual BS, the manager told the saleswoman that HD is only giving each dealer 1 for the first 60 days and based on that, the dealer wouldn't come down a dime from MSRP.

I've no idea if the above is true, only what I was told.

So, I left with no new bike. :(

[g_e_young]

Originally Posted by 996DL

There, at least the thread is started, they're gonna sell a lot of these.

Downsides at least for me, single disc front brake and the dresser look front forks are basically a parts bin swap from the FL series, therefore not based on the Dyna's oversized 49mm fork tubes.

Upsides, numerous, one of the smartest moves HD has made in years.
Looks, pricing, weight loss over existing dressers, yadda, yadda...

I'll leave it up to the tech savy ADV inmates, to download the photos etc...

996DL

Imo, this is proof that Harley is getting the message that their bikes are too heavy. I'll bet we'll start to see weight reductions across the lines. Weight is the only real issue remaining to be solved for Harley, imo. Their bikes handle well, look good, are reliable and well build. Once their weight comes down (which helps braking and acceleration) their performance will be on par with the competition. g-

[Glenngineer]

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Opinion of course, but you also don't get a good looking motorcycle.

I'll agree, I wish I could like Victories, but they're almost universally ugly. The Vision is my favorite, but I still wouldn't buy one.

[rhys]

I went to the local dealership to look at the Switchback...... my short legs don't permit my feet to reach the controls.... atall.

But they have a 2010 XR1200 that they want to sell me, asking "$9,995" ....... quick to add that they need to get rid of the bike to get future allocations. I think I've read that the '09 & '10 can be had for as little as $9,000.

All this while riding my Bandit 1250 with it's new Spencer seat mod..... pretty comfortable! Oh..... and the guy told me to strip my 1250 of everything I put on it, sell it all myself, and he'll give me as much money as he can so get rid of that XR Sportie.......

[NHADV]

The new Dyna looks sweet and with the 103 engine! I haven't seen one in person yet. Now they just need to bring back the FXDX!

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by jmlmjmjm

The Dyna does have a 6-speed transmission, however it is not an overdrive. Not an engineer here but the final drive is not less than 1-1 whereas the Victory is .93-1 for true overdrive.

This is meaningless. Who cares how it is geared? What matters - among other things - is the combination of the following three things at cruising speed 1) available power 2) engine vibration transmitted to the rider and 3) piston speed. Whether or not 6th gear is 1:1 or .xx:1 is completely irrelevant. It's like saying a bike is better because it has a longer exhaust pipe, because you aren't taking into consideration a hundred other things which work with gearing to produce a specific result. "overdrive" is marketing at work. No production bike is a true overdrive anyway, because the crank always turns at a higher rpm than the rear wheel. Like I said, marketing hype. Don't drink the kool aid.

[FLYING EYEBALL]

Victory's are ugly as fuck and have horrible resale value...

good talk

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by Bueller

...Like I said, marketing hype. Don't drink the kool aid.

Yeah-- stick with a no-hype, non marketing driven brand.

Like H-D

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by FLYING EYEBALL

Victory's are ugly as fuck and have horrible resale value...

good talk

Which happens to be a shame, because they build a good motorcycle.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Yeah-- stick with a no-hype, non marketing driven brand.

Like H-D

You won't see me on a harley because some marketing jackass said "it has mountains of torque". You'll see me on a harley if I enjoy riding it. Wtf is "mountains of torque" anyway? Am I really supposed to believe an air cooled V twin can move a mountain?

[XT_Driftwood]

I could see the Switchback as a replacement for my T-Sport in a year or two. I like the looks and the 103 with 6-speed and EFI would be awfully nice. I wish it had double disks on the front though.

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by Bueller

You won't see me on a harley because some marketing jackass said "it has mountains of torque". You'll see me on a harley if I enjoy riding it. Wtf is "mountains of torque" anyway? Am I really supposed to believe an air cooled V twin can move a mountain?

I've never met a rider, H-D or otherwise, who said the marketing program of the manufacturer was the reason they bought whatever they were riding.

Besides, if the marketing programs worked the manufacturers would stick with them instead of all the changes they make all the time.


errrr, never mind.