Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback FLD

Thursday, 19 January 2012 09:01

It was with a sense of trepidation and nervousness that I approached the Dyna Switchback on the day of delivery. I had no idea what to expect from this, the latest presentation from Harley-Davidson, with its improved, more powerful engine and the promise of better road-holding and comfort. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to the ride.

From the moment I approached the Dyna, I was impressed with the quality of the finishes on the motorcycle. The standard-fitted hard saddlebags are very neatly cut, and blend in well with the full rear mudguard. Also standard are foot boards, rather than normal pegs, which allow the rider more comfort on longer runs – as I found out on my trip to the Franschhoek mountains. The Dyna comes fitted with an easily removable front screen as standard. It transforms from a touring to a custom street bike in a matter of minutes.

My first ride took me into the city centre of Cape Town. It was while negotiating traffic on De Waal Drive that the Dyna first gave me a taste of how well it handles. It became crystal clear when I negotiated the bends of the Franschhoek Pass. Full marks go to Harley-Davidson for the development of the Dyna’s steering mechanics.

The mini-ape handlebars were perfectly suited to my arm length and seating position. The seat is typical Harley-Davidson comfort.

On my first ride, I used the Dyna in full Touring mode (all accessories fitted) and must admit that I found the swirling wind and strange noises emanating from the front a bit confusing. This took some getting used to, as I had only once driven a soft tail with the front screen in place. I have been told that the screen does wonders for the rider on a rainy day. I prefer the wind-in-your-face ride.

My second trip took me along the N1 in the direction of Paarl, and ultimately on the road to Franschhoek. This gave me the opportunity to use some of the grunt that I was feeling from the engine the previous day.

On idle, the Dyna gives the impression that there will be a lot of vibration emanating from the ride; however, it is quite the opposite, as the motor and ultimately the entire ride smooths out immediately upon pull-away.

I found it easy to stray over the speed limit, as the Dyna has more than enough power – this makes overtaking a pleasure.

On this occasion, I used the Dyna in Custom mode (front screen and saddlebags removed), and all the strange noises and swirling winds were gone – leaving me with the feeling that I was completely in control of the ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip through the pass, putting the Dyna through its paces in the corners. It handles very well, even in tight corners (taking into consideration that this is a touring bike and not a speedster).

With a combination of gear-shifting and braking, I found that the Dyna could be taken into any corner with confidence, with the exit supported by the more-than-capable engine. Doing this leaves you with a sense of satisfaction at having overcome a tough obstacle.

The brakes on the Dyna are excellent, and I had the opportunity to do a minor test – having to brake on a slippery section midway down the pass. It maintained a straight line, even though I had to apply more stopping power than normal since there was dew on the road.

I was most impressed with all the mod-cons fitted to the Dyna, particularly the self-returning indicator mechanism that comes fitted on each side of the handle bars. The nacelle-style headlamp looks the part, particularly when viewing the bike from the seating position.

Riding the Dyna Switchback has been a most enjoyable experience, and I can truthfully say that it will impress any current or aspiring Harley-Davidson owner with its appealing looks, extras and awesome power train.

Unfortunately, I am unable to provide fuel consumption figures, as I accidently reset the odometer midway through a tank of fuel.

The Dyna retails at R189 000.

Steven Boonzaier

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