Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback 2015 — Specifications

Are you looking for a Harley that doesn’t take up too much space in the garage but knows how to transform for holiday routes? In 2015, the Dyna Switchback played precisely that card, and that’s what made it successful. Faced with the Touring behemoths, it offers a lighter philosophy, almost a teaser. It sits on a Dyna base, with its characteristic twin-cradle frame and engine as a stressed member, but the spirit is turned towards the horizon. The secret? An integrated travel kit from the factory: a tall, upright windscreen, easy to remove, and two rigid side saddlebags, equally removable. In five minutes, you go from a comfortable touring bike to a streamlined custom. This ease of conversion has seduced thousands of riders, making this model a safe bet on the used market.

Under the nearly 18-liter tank beats the big V-Twin Twin Cam 103 of 1690 cm3. With 126 Nm available from 3500 rpm, you don’t need to look for peak power – just 75 horsepower – but rather that wave of elastic torque that pushes effortlessly. The engine runs on mid-range revs, ideal for swallowing up national roads without touching the six-speed gearbox. Compared to a Wide Glide which shares the same block, the Switchback is slightly less generous in torque, a probable concession to its more versatile positioning. But on the road, the difference is imperceptible. What is more noticeable is its weight. At 326 kilos all fueled up, it remains a substantial motorcycle, but it avoids the feeling of piloting a liner that comes with a Road King. The 109 mm ground clearance however recalls that this is not a sportbike, and tight turns are negotiated with anticipation.

Who is the typical rider of this Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback? Probably the one who dreams of long raids without wanting to be burdened with a 400 kilo machine on a daily basis. It’s an intelligently compromised motorcycle, perfect for the touring rider who still has urban use or the customizer tempted by adventure. Its new price of 17,590 euros made it a credible alternative to the more expensive and cumbersome Touring models. Today, its withdrawal from the market in 2017, during the replacement of the Dyna range by the Softail, makes it a desirable object for lovers of traditional mechanics. The forums are full of listings, and a good used deal remains an excellent plan.

So, a conclusive Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback test? Absolutely, for its time. It filled a gap between the pure custom and the integral touring bike. Its flaw? Perhaps a slightly hybrid identity, neither totally sporty Dyna, nor ultimate touring comfort. But that’s also its strength: it offered a freedom that few models offered. If you come across a Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback 2015 technical sheet in good condition, don’t hesitate. It’s a character motorcycle, mechanically simple, that breathes the authenticity of American big cubes, without the constraints of their older sisters. A Dyna frame, a big engine, and the road ahead. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.