2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback - VOTED: COOL

[totalmotorcycle]

NEW HARELY-DAVIDSON MODEL FOR 2012! FIRST TIME EVER SEEN:

2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... chback.htm







2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback

With Detachable Hard Bags and Windshield, Switchback is Two Bikes in One


The Dyna® Switchback™ is custom touring motorcycle with detachable hard saddlebags and quick-detach windshield. Remove those components in just seconds to turn the Switchback into a custom street cruiser. Chassis, suspension and tires are engineered to deliver light, confident handling.

The Switchback is the lightest custom touring motorcycle in its displacement category. Its styling evokes a classic proportion and clean, straightforward lines. The bend of the mini-ape handlebar and its pull-back riser combine with full-length rider footboards and a two-up touring seat to offer most Switchback riders all-day comfort.

The new Dyna® Switchback motorcycle from Harley-Davidson® is a quick-change artist. With its color-matched hard saddlebags and a fork-mounted windshield in place, the Switchback is a custom touring motorcycle. But in seconds, the detachable saddlebags and quick-detach windshield can be removed without tools. Now the Switchback is a custom street cruiser with a gleaming headlamp nacelle, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels and a mini-ape handlebar. When it's time to head out for a long weekend, simply re-install the saddlebags and windshield, and the Switchback is ready to roll for the state line.

The Switchback is powered by a muscular Twin Cam 103™ V-Twin engine that delivers strong performance on the boulevard and on the highway. The Switchback is the lightest custom touring motorcycle in its displacement category, and at 718 pounds ready-to-ride is 94 pounds lighter than a Harley-Davidson Road King®. New front-end geometry, premium suspension components, and a low-profile front tire give the Switchback a plush ride and responsive handling.

"The new front end geometry, wheel and tire specs, and cartridge fork are engineered to work together to produce steering that's light to input and immediately responsive," Brian Scherbarth, Switchback project lead engineer. "A demo ride will reveal that Switchback is a capable touring motorcycle that's also really fun to ride."

Designed to look great with or without its saddlebags, the Switchback is styled to evoke a classic proportion and clean, straightforward lines from its 4.7-gallon fuel tank to the sweep of its full-coverage rear fenders. The bend of the mini-ape handlebar and its pull-back riser, full-length rider footboards and a two-up touring seat offer most riders all-day comfort.


2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback - USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: Vivid Black $15,999, Solids $16,384 USD

Dimensions
Length 92.8 in. (2357 mm)
Overall Width 37.7 in. (958 mm)
Overall Height 55.5 in. (1409 mm)
Seat Height:
• Laden2 26.1 in. (663 mm)
• Unladen 27.4 in. (695 mm)


Ground Clearance 4.3 in. (110 mm)
Rake (steering head) 29.9°
Fork Angle 28.9°
Trail 5.84 in. (148.3 mm)
Wheelbase 62.8 in. (1595 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson® Series Total Motorcycle, bias blackwall front and rear):
• Front – Dunlop® D402F 130/70B18 63H
• Rear – Dunlop® D401 160/70B17 73H
Fuel Capacity 4.7 gal. (17.8 L) (warning light at approximately 0.9 gal.)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.0 qts. (2.8 L)
Transmission Capacity 1.0 qt. (.95 L)
Primary Chain
Case Capacity 1.0 qt. (.95 L)


Weight:
• As Shipped 696 lbs. (316 kg)
• In Running Order 718 lbs. (326 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1170 lbs. (531 kg)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating:
• Front 455 lbs. (206 kg)
• Rear 794 lbs. (360 kg)


Engine
Engine Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103™
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead Total Motorcycle valves with hydraulic, self adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3.875 in. x 4.38 in. (98.4 mm x 111.3 mm)
Displacement 103 cu. in. (1690 cc)
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Fuel System3 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Fiberglass media, washable
Lubrication System Pressurized, dry-sump


Drivetrain
Primary Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 32/66 ratio
Clutch Multi-plate, wet
Transmission 6-Speed Cruise Drive®
Gear Ratios (overall): U.S.
• 1st 9.311
• 2nd 6.454
• 3rd 4.793
• 4th 3.882
• 5th 3.307
• 6th 2.79


Chassis
Frame Mild steel, tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; forged fender supports; MIG welded
Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Forks 41.3 mm fork with 20 mm cartridge damping and triple rate spring
Rear Shocks Nitrogen charged 36 mm monotube damper with 5 step preload adjustable dual rate spring


Wheels4: Black 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum with highlighted rim
• Front 18 in. x 3.5 in. (457 mm x 89 mm)
• Rear 17 in. x 4.5 in. (432 mm x 114 mm)


Brakes:
• Caliper Type 4-piston fixed front, and 2-piston torque-free floating rear
• Rotor Type (diameter x width): Patented, total motorcycle uniform expansion rotors (floating, front only)
• Front (floating) 11.8 in. x .2 in. (300 mm x 5.1 mm)
• Rear 11.5 in. x .2 in. (292 mm x 5.1 mm)
• Anti-lock Braking System: Available


Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel 3.86 in. (98 mm)
• Rear Wheel 2.13 in. (54 mm)


Performance
Engine Torque5 (per J1349):
• North America 100 ft. lbs. @ 3500 RPM (136 Nm @ 3500 RPM)
Lean Angle (per J1168):
• Right 29°
• Left 29°
Fuel Economy6 (EPA urban/highway test) 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km)


Electric
Battery (per Battery Council International Rating)
Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca
Charging Three-phase, 40-amp system (493W @ 13.5V, 2000 RPM, 540W max power @ 13.5V)
Starting 1.2kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):
• Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
• Tail/Stop Lights 8W/28W
• Turn Signal Lights 28W self-canceling
• Indicator Lamps: High beam, neutral, TMW, low oil pressure, engine diagnostics, turn signals, low fuel warning, security system7 (optional), low battery, body controller diagnostics

COLOR OPTIONS
Solids
• Vivid Black
• Brilliant Silver Pearl
• Ember Red Sunglo


U.S. MSRP
Vivid Black $15,999
Solids $16,384

[ceemes]

Woo, removable hard cases and windscreen, radical......................not.

Sorry, but it just another Harley, nothing new here.

[totalmotorcycle]

This is going to be a really good Cool Wall bike I think as it's BRAND NEW from Harley-Davidson.

Lots to discuss about the new Dyna as well as what you think of the new Harley-Davidson 103 Cubic Inch V-Twin engines they have put in 95% of their 2012 models...

Let the games begin!

[jaskc78]

Torn between Cool and Uncool, decided to go with Cool.

I like it, but it's too much like a dressed-down Road King to anything truly "new." At $1500 cheaper than a Road King, though, I am very happy that HD has made a move to lower the price of touring-capable bikes. Reminds me a LOT of the 8-Ball series from Victory--a lower priced, slightly less outfitted version of their main bikes. Great idea to open up the segment to buyers who may not want to commit that extra money to a bike but would really love to own one.

Also, and this may be intentional so that others can't just blatantly copy/paste the info, but I like how the specs rundown is smattered with random references to Total Motorcycle and TMW. From the 'Engine' section of the specs list: "Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead Total Motorcycle valves with hydraulic, self adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder." Definitely adds to the cool factor.

[ceemes]

I went Uncool, but only because there wasn't an option between Cool and Uncool. Harley is basically sticking with what it does, cruisers and there is really nothing about this bike to make it stand out amoung the rest of the Harley herd. At least the V-Rod was something different, this machine, not so much.

[HYPERR]

Not actually the best looking Harley by a long shot.....

[totalmotorcycle]

I voted: COOL (but just for the black one as it matches the black mag rims much more)

In style, I donno, it might be a winner or maybe not, it reminds me a little of the Stratoliner or Roadliner in looks (30's type of style). Retro is in, but how much retro is too much?

I really LOVE how Harley-Davidon put the new 103 cu in Twin Engine in their bikes this year, smart move IMO. When I rode the 96 cu in it was good, the 110 cu in CVO Twin was much better and I felt there should have been something in the middle... now H-D riders got it! (maybe H-D read my review and said, Wow, Total Motorcycle says we should do this, so that's what Harley-Davidson will do for 2012 models!!!) (haha.)

I like the idea of a "light tourer" as well made from the Dyna line vs the touring line. The Street Glide was their lightest tourer before, now this. What concerns me most about the 2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback is the gas tank size. It's a standard Dyna tank (17.8l) and I ran out of gas (!) at 180km on the Dyna Wide Glide (17.8l tank as well). Now this 2012 has the 103 Twin engine in it and gets a little less MPG as well, so say you can get 170km out of a tank of gas before running dry... that's not really that far for a touring bike is it?

Ok, 1 more thing I would like to see addressed:

Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel 3.86 in. (98 mm)
• Rear Wheel 2.13 in. (54 mm)

2 INCES OF REAR SUSPENSION? For a touring bike?!? Dang, that's very little! I hope the seat is padded with more than 2" of foam!

Mike

[Gummiente]

I voted "cool", because there was no "cool, but seriously annoyed" option. This is my '06 Dyna Super Glide, this pic was taken shortly before I traded it in for the Road Glide back in the fall of '07...



HARLEY STOLE MY IDEA!!!

I went from an '04 Electra Glide to the Dyna because I wanted something a bit more nimble in the twisties but still capable of touring. Then I spent some coin on a quick detach windshield and colour matched not-so-quick-detachable hard bags and ended up doing so much touring on it that I decided to go back to the big arse FLH series. Should have just traded the Electra-Glide for the Road Glide and saved myself the hassle.

All that aside, I like the way Harley has set up this new Switchback and I think it will be a strong seller.

[totalmotorcycle]

I voted "cool", because there was no "cool, but seriously annoyed" option. This is my '06 Dyna Super Glide, this pic was taken shortly before I traded it in for the Road Glide back in the fall of '07...



HARLEY STOLE MY IDEA!!!

I went from an '04 Electra Glide to the Dyna because I wanted something a bit more nimble in the twisties but still capable of touring. Then I spent some coin on a quick detach windshield and colour matched not-so-quick-detachable hard bags and ended up doing so much touring on it that I decided to go back to the big arse FLH series. Should have just traded the Electra-Glide for the Road Glide and saved myself the hassle.

All that aside, I like the way Harley has set up this new Switchback and I think it will be a strong seller.

Wow, that is pretty amazing! I wonder if other people were doing the same and H-D saw it and thought, hmmm, we can make a model like that.

Hopefully you will get a change to ride the new Switchback and find out if it's much different than your version.

Hey, is that a Canadian flag on there?

Mike

[HYPERR]

Wow, that is pretty amazing! I wonder if other people were doing the same and H-D saw it and thought, hmmm, we can make a model like that.

Yep that is exactly what they do. Harley Davidson puts immense effort into studying what their customers like Gummiente do and copy ideas from them. Many of the design ideas that Willie G used were highly influenced by what he saw at big rallies. All this is good and is highly commendable that a company is so keen on what their customers are doing. The only thing that gets me is their arrogance and how they are always trying to patent, trademark or claim originality when many of their ideas were "stolen" from their customers to begin with.