2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback Review

[Admin]

Harley-Davidson's new Switchback offers built-in touring features that give it the flexibility to go from Dyna-based boulevard profiler to weekend warrior in a matter of minutes.

The Switchback joins the CVO Softail Convertible as the latest motorcycle from Harley that can morph from a laidback, cool guy cruiser to a modest touring machine in a heartbeat by virtue of quick-release saddlebags and windscreen. The CVO Convertible, now in its third year, sets itself apart as a member of the CVO family by adding in a quick-release passenger backrest, an MP3 player-capable sound system and numerous upscale treatments that only CVO motorcycles enjoy.

Powering the new Switchback is the Twin Cam 103, an engine that cranked out 66 hp and 81 ft-lb of torque when we tested it in our 2011 Bagger Shootout. The TC103 is now standard in all FL (Touring) models, Softails and Dynas, save for the Street Bob and Super Glide Custom. Keeping the Twin Cam 96 in the Street Bob and SG Custom was more a matter of maintaining a price point for these models rather than randomly denying them the upgrade to the 103, according to Harley-Davidson.

More: 2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback Review on Motorcycle.com

[Half_crazy]

Road King light?

I think the concept of making the bike more versatile (convertable) is great. Saw the bike pictured gassing up in Delaware probably 3 weeks ago... took as second to figure out what it was...

Bags are kinda small. Windshield will need lowers to stop updraft. It's gonna need some more horsepowr too, but I like it.

[Birddog415]

"Powering the new Switchback is the Twin Cam 103, an engine that cranked out 66 hp and 81 ft-lb of torque when we tested it in our 2011 Bagger Shootout."

Really ..thats all it produces? My '02 carbureted 95 incher(2 stage, gear drive cams) cranks out more power than that . I don't understand how the MOCO can just keep on expanding the vtwins to a monstrous size and only get 66 hp...whats the R&D dept doing? How about they just hang on to one size motor and get that right before they move onto another one with problems. I still love my carbed motor just for this reason. Once I got the jetting right ('88 sportster needle , 42 slowjet, 190 main jet...all adjusted just right), it starts and runs like a top. Take all the electronics(injection) off the bikes and lets ride .Nothin like a CV carb once its dialed in...and I get 40 mpg too.

[ultraplusrotax]

Originally Posted by Birddog415

Take all the electronics(injection) off the bikes and lets ride .Nothin like a CV carb once its dialed in...and I get 40 mpg too.

Back in time with Birddog. Not.

[KingRoadKing]

my 88 makes more power and I was really loving this bike until that...

[WideOne]

I took one for a test ride here in FL. The only part of the bike I don't like are the modern 5 spoke mag wheels. It would more like an old FLH if they stuck w/ spokes. I loved the 60 second conversion from dressed to stripped.

[Bureaucracy_fab]

gut the cat change the cams power vision tuner open cap on the super trap and the bike will haul ass
mine is fast as **** 100 miles an hour no problemo dead stock other than the muff.
no one is smokin me off the line
I know there is a lot more HP on tap in there too

[Arlo Pipensmite]

I dont like the name of it. where do they come up with these names?

i dont like the forks either. those bags are really ugly too. i dont like the mags.

it looks way heavy to have one brake setup front. On a 10 scale a 6 and only because its a still a harley.

[ScottyR]

To me it looks as if Harley is trying to bring what other people are doing into their product line. Seen several others turn their Dynas into an older looking FLH and now Harley has done it. Each time something or someone does a good job, you see it on a factory bike sooner or later.

[tubby57]

Before you criticise try it you might be suprised! I KNOW I was and I've bought one. It's stock and brilliant!

[DagoFairings]

Hello I have a shop in SD And its so funny to see this bike I was doing this to my wifes dyna 5 years ago and I make a quick install kit for dynas and have had bags on my bike since I got it I like my Dyna And my Road Glide so I wanted what my Road Glide has hard baggs and a Fairing

[DagoFairings]

Originally Posted by ScottyR

To me it looks as if Harley is trying to bring what other people are doing into their product line. Seen several others turn their Dynas into an older looking FLH and now Harley has done it. Each time something or someone does a good job, you see it on a factory bike sooner or later.

Hay I have been doing this in my shop and showed it two years a go and had a lot of intrest from HD Phone calls and photos back and forth trying get make it big wwith a new Hd and they took it and ran and im out I make fairings in SD and now I waiting for sumeone to still it to.