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Anonymous

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Phil West  says:

Harley-Davidson Switchback meets its match!

The new Harley-Davidson Switchback ‘bagger’ (or custom tourer) has already impressed MCN testers – but how’s it measure up against its closest rival, Victory’s Cross Roads Tour? In this week’s MCN we find out. Both are American, V-twin powered, pannier-equipped cruisers and at a quick glance are difficult to tell apart. Both also come in similar colour schemes and are priced...

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  • Posted 2 years ago (23 December 2011 13:31)

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SatNavSteve

Joined:

Sep 10

Posts: 705

SatNavSteve says:

I suppose when you get to these sort of prices, a £1200 difference does mean closely matched!!

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  • Posted 2 years ago (27 December 2011 18:55)
DonnieBenDonnie

Joined:

Dec 10

Posts: 42

DonnieBenDonnie says:

They are good

motorcyles.  The brand choices are for the customers to decide.  This Harley is the only motorcycle one could ever need!  I have sat upon this HD. All of the things here are in just the right places and have a good balance and feel; great seat hieght, location of foot boards, the levers and twist grips. These bikes are all day bikes for sure. Just keep in mind however that they are not labeled as touring machines, for the record. Yet no one says they can't be!  If you are wishing to tour many miles in one day, well the differences are in miles. A good example of touring are in miles a day; about  800 miles a day on an Electra Glide Harley Davidson- as compared to about 300 miles a day on the Switch Back. When you compare this with the Electra Glide, it's all in the frame. The FLHTC-Electra Glide Classic has a stereo and is a more stable all around motorcycle. That's the biggest deciding factor.

But again these are the only bikes one would ever need for many miles and many travels. Having put many miles on a sportster, I know this would be a step up from a 1200cc. 

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 02:05)
snev

Joined:

Jan 11

Posts: 2941

snev says:

DonnieBenDonnie...

You say that the Harley is "the only motorcycle one could ever need" With respect I beg to differ, the perfect allrounder would be able to do so much more than the Harley.

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 12:30)
sack1

Joined:

Aug 02

Posts: 153

sack1 says:

I have to agree. If you want a Harley then perhaps this is all the bike you'll ever need but there is so much more for people who aren't Harley shopping. I also tend to feel that merely sitting on one and feeling all is in order can be quite different than actually riding a bike. Whatever floats your boat!

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 13:41)
X2Glider

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May 10

Posts: 410

X2Glider says:

Snev

No one buys a cruiser when they're looking for the perfect all-rounder.  Why even say it?  People buy them to cruise and lazily admire the scenery to relax.

For a lot of people, these are all the bike many people would need if they're looking for a cruiser and that's the only type of riding they do.  Case in point, the old man bought a huge Ultra Classic a couple years ago and wishes he didn't.  It was great on a 12,000 mile trip from Texas to Alaska to Texas but on a daily basis, it's too much physical size.  A waste for tooling around withing an hour os so of home.  These smaller bikes are a great compromise for daily riding.

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 14:54)
HOSBUSA

Joined:

Sep 09

Posts: 343

HOSBUSA says:

Harley Davidson "Throwback" !

I think its a double bagger actually?

 

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 16:46)
spondonste

Joined:

Aug 02

Posts: 2580

spondonste says:

image over function or what?

Harley being 'all the motorbike you could ever wan't is akin to a hand cart being all the delivery vehicle you could ever want! They might appeal to some but they are massively away from being all the bike I could ever want (I'd like a bike that stops, and steers far far better than any type of cruiser for one).

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 17:37)
snev

Joined:

Jan 11

Posts: 2941

snev says:

x2glider

why not try reading my post properly, then you might understand my reasons for posting my comment.

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 18:54)
charlesq_70

Joined:

Aug 07

Posts: 43

charlesq_70 says:

Thanks HD!

I'm glad HD have done this (a 'convertible' bagger) -- hopefully it means that all the Japanese makers will be doing it in a year or two, but cheaper. Seriously, it's a great idea, and Harleys are awesome no matter what anyone says (although they still need to work on their finish). If they're not for you, don't bother commenting. It just looks like you're in denial. I'm glad Victory is around to give them a run for their money, and I'm glad they've stopped copying HD, but I still prefer Harleys overall.

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  • Posted 2 years ago (28 December 2011 22:00)
Piglet2010

Joined:

Oct 11

Posts: 744

Piglet2010 says:

Stay On the Paved Road

I would not want to go far on gravel or dirt on any cruiser, as the squirrely handling gets old after about 5 minutes.

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  • Posted 2 years ago (29 December 2011 03:52)

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