[Gonzo1970]

NOTE:

I really hesitate to do this, and normally, I do not post HD threads. However, the stark contrast from the new for 2012 HD SwitchBack and the VTX was noteworthy.... but, the thread will probably take a turn for the worse eventually.



Seems HD figured out that there was a market for a Hybrid Cruiser/Touring Bike just as Honda pretty much abandoned the line.. Which makes me wonder...
Was this in development for a long time?
Did they wait until Honda got out of the Cruiser Market? (I dont think the current VT Line is a cruiser.. your opinion may vary)

I wonder why make the line at all? You can pretty much take any Dyna and put a Detachable Windshield, Floorboards, and Detachable Hard Bags on it and you have a switchback for a few grans less??

((**Edit: Wrong on pricing.. Dyna's start at $13k and go to $15.5k so if you wanted the shield/bags/floorboards, it would be more expensive to add to a Dyna))


Only thing they're missing is the Detachable Fairing, which Im sure will be available aftermarket..

103ci - 1687cc (or 1700cc for all intents and purposes)

At $16k, its typical HD Over-Priced.. You can get a Kawasaki Vaquero for that.. But as always, you pay for the HD Logo, not necessarily the bike, and honestly, I would take the Vaquero over the Switchback hands down..

Here is the review:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/N...2111-harley-davidson-switchback-new-for-2012/

Try to keep it civil.

-Gonz

 

[epiphysis]

that's nice...........I now know one of the things I hate about HD's.......the front fender has no personality.....so plain it reeks of nothing......otherwise, not a bad looking bike!

 

[ridineasy]

Wow that does look like an X

 

[Spoiler]

Not a terrible looking bike, and some interesting wheels. But HD's look too short to me, lengthwise that is... I didn't see the overall length spec, but it looks like it's a foot shorter than my bike....

I won't be getting one.

Spoiler

 

[Gonzo1970]

I would have to see one in person to tell if it was too short/tall/long, etc. I just found it striking that HD put together a bike, extremely similar to the VTX that Honda just ditched.

Altho, I think I would get a VTX and build it the way I wanted it for around $8-$9k than spend $16 on a HD. Not to say $16 is out of reach as far as a motorcycle goes.. I think thats probably the most I would pay for a new motorcycle.. But like I said above, if I was out to spend $16k on a bike, I would get a Kawi Vaquero over the HD... but in all reality, I would probably just build another VTX instead.

-Gonz

 

[Bassdude404]

If I squint, it kinda looks like a VTX...If Honda would've offered hardbags, which they didn't....So I guess it doesn't look like a VTX at all to me....:nope:

 

[bryanova]

my first impression on seeing the pic was that it did look mighty vtxish.

 

[dugsamin]

Not a terrible looking bike, and some interesting wheels. But HD's look too short to me, lengthwise that is... I didn't see the overall length spec, but it looks like it's a foot shorter than my bike....

I won't be getting one.

Spoiler

I agree. I never realized how long the X is until I put it an a 10x10 storage and had a lot less room than expected. I've never measured it but it seems to be about 9 ft long. Am I wrong? :icon_eek:

 

[Abn1SG]

You know when it is all said and done, the bottom line is that Harley has always taken advantage of their global recognition and now has taken advantage that Honda ceased to produce the VTX.

The HD Switchback doesn't really look too bad; with a few modifications, I'm sure it would take on a life of it's own.

I'm sure that base price will not stay there long once they start selling due to the name, hype, new product, and to the fact that Harleys do not depreciate much in value and for some, this is a good purchase point.:hmm2:

I would not give up my X for it, however I would consider purchasing one if I was looking for an additional bike for the above mentioned comments. atriot:

 

[kahos_angel]

Can't find the X's overall length but the Switchback has about a 3 inch shorter wheelbase than the X. Myself, I kinda like it. It's too much money, but, it's got a bigger engine and 6th gear.

 

[vjp5]

Not a bad looking bike (I used to have a 97 Dyna Wide Glide so I am partial to the Dyna family), but not worth the $16k IMO. Comparatively speaking, I have a very customized X for roughly the same price as this stock Dyna. Yes.....I don't have a 6th gear and I'll take a beating if/when I go to sell mine. But I'll sure enjoy the hell outta mine in the meantime :choppersm:mosh:

 

[Vinish]

<snip>Seems HD figured out that there was a market for a Hybrid Cruiser/Touring Bike just as Honda pretty much abandoned the line.. <snip more>
I wonder why make the line at all? You can pretty much take any Dyna and put a Detachable Windshield, Floorboards, and Detachable Hard Bags on it and you have a switchback for a few grans less??

<snip still more>Try to keep it civil.

-Gonz

Isn't a good bit of the softail line in the "Hybrid Cruiser/Touring Bike" category already? I ride an HD Heritage Softail and my wife has a 1300R. Both are set up almost identically (soft detachable bags, foot beds, windscreens, after market seats, some extra chrome). Both have about the same degree of comfort, speed, acceleration (maybe the 1300R has a tiny bit more acceleration but maybe my wife is just a better rider). Both have around the same feel on the road. Both seem effected by the wind about the same. Both have about the same long distance comfort. Both have about the same manueverability. It would seem you are putting the VTX line into this "Hybrid Cruiser/Touring Bike" category but ignoring that HD already has a lot of bikes in this category. Your thoughts?

G'day,

Vinish

 

[SPyKER]

I would have to see one in person to tell if it was too short/tall/long, etc. I just found it striking that HD put together a bike, extremely similar to the VTX that Honda just ditched.

Altho, I think I would get a VTX and build it the way I wanted it for around $8-$9k than spend $16 on a HD. Not to say $16 is out of reach as far as a motorcycle goes.. I think thats probably the most I would pay for a new motorcycle.. But like I said above, if I was out to spend $16k on a bike, I would get a Kawi Vaquero over the HD... but in all reality, I would probably just build another VTX instead.

-Gonz

+110%. I was thinking the same thing when I saw it -- it looks like my R with hard bags. And for that price I also like the Kawi Vaquero better.

 

[whiskeyrockr]

as i've stated before...i like harley, i don't like that they moved part of their operation to india...but i do prop my hat up to HD for offering what people want instead of offering people what the company wants the people to have....options is what sets HD, Yami, Kawi, and Victory apart from honda...each of those companies will take ideas their customers suggest and test the waters and offer the folks what they want....honda is a good product with a weak leadership (i'll take the bashing for that comment) that is typical of an american company only run by japanese...telling the people this is what we're gonna make for you instead of what would you like us to change...

 

[LadyVTXRider]

I actually like the bike and have been thinking about it. My only problem is my X is close to being paid off, and I would have to find out what the payments would be on it to see what I want more, debt paid off or new bike.

 

[SPyKER]

...
but i do prop my hat up to HD for offering what people want instead of offering people what the company wants the people to have....options is what sets HD, Yami, Kawi, and Victory apart from honda...each of those companies will take ideas their customers suggest and test the waters and offer the folks what they want

What options do any of those companies offer that Honda doesn't? I'm not disagreeing, I'm asking, because I don't know of any off the top of my head.

And I'm kinda glad that Honda left us with a canvas we all have painted our own way. I would get tired of looking at the same bike with a different color over and over again.

 

[DKilleen]

Pretty pricey. When you convert 13,499 UK pounds you end up with $22,006.85.:icon_yike I think I'll keep my X for a while longer.

Ride Safe:choppersm

 

[whiskeyrockr]

What options do any of those companies offer that Honda doesn't? I'm not disagreeing, I'm asking, because I don't know of any off the top of my head.

And I'm kinda glad that Honda left us with a canvas we all have painted our own way. I would get tired of looking at the same bike with a different color over and over again.

several different baggers, more than one touring bike, a belt drive, 6 speeds, and bikes that aren't touring but have fairings from the factory with either installed radios are installed radio hookups, perhaps not taking away a bike because the sales fell off for a year, maybe when the public asked them (mainly kawi and yami) to offer a cruiser with a fairing and hard bags with 6 gears and a belt drive (i know i repeated it ), a small cruiser bigger than 750cc, a light tourer with hard bags, fuel gauages, hinged fuel caps...i don't know, that's just what comes to mind of the bat

as for the plain bike, any factory bike is a plain bike with a design that leaves for imagination...i don't care how you paint a kawi, yami, honda, hd, victory, or any other brand, no matter what you do to it it is still a factory produced bike and if 10 have a fairing, they still have a fairing just as the produced bikes with factory fairings, etc....i never said honda was a bad brand, as a matter of fact i've always stated honda is a good brand with a great reputation...but unlike other brands, i just don't think honda listens to the folks who buy their bikes and falling sales before the economy should have shown them something...

 

[Stump]

What options do any of those companies offer that Honda doesn't? I'm not disagreeing, I'm asking, because I don't know of any off the top of my head.

And I'm kinda glad that Honda left us with a canvas we all have painted our own way. I would get tired of looking at the same bike with a different color over and over again.

I bought a new Victory Cross Country that is loaded up right out of the crate with all of the things most VTX riders want on theirs. Bags, Larger Fuel Capacity, Fuel Gauge, 6th gear, Fairing, XM Satellite, Cruise, Crash Bars, , Gear Indicator, Passenger Floor Boards, Power Points, Tach, Braided Lines, Comfortable stock seat thats rider backrest ready etc etc etc. Whoever said some companies listen to customers and some dont nailed it.

Dont get me wrong I still love my VTX's and I have a Yami and a 113 S&S bike too. They all have their place in the food chain. HD's too. I like HD's. all but the fact they are too small. Sit on one look down wondering where it all went. The Victory is sized like a VTX. You know you have a bike between your legs when youre on it.

2012 Vic has a nice touring model now with taller sheild, bag guards and lowers. ( victory just bought out Indian too )

 

[Nam]

Looks like my 06,now if it was shaft drive water cooled i would give it a look.