Harley-Davidson Switchback

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SWITCHBACK

LONG - TERM

UPDATE

SWITCHING IT UP

When Harley-Davidson introduced the 2013 Dyna-series Switchback as a "light-duty touring model" we were intrigued. As fans of The Motor Company’s FL-series tourers and also its more nimble Dyna rides, we thought the bike was a smart mix. For $17,579, you get a tour-ready Harley that has light steering and a low seat (27.4 in. unladen), plus beautifully styled (although small) saddlebags and a touring windscreen that can be removed with magical ease.

The only problem? “Light-duty touring” wasn’t on the dance card for Cycle World’s long-term, ABS-equipped Switchback. Especially wWhen Contributing Editor Jamie Elvidge packed it up and headed out for a ridiculously long, grueling ride: 1600 miles in just 38 hours. “That kind of self-inflicted moto-masochism isn’t surprising to those who know me,” she said. “Some go to India for spiritual hermitage, I go to I-5.” What was surprising is that she arrived at her destina-

tion in way better condition than expected.

That’s not to say it was a cakewalk, as it might have been on an FL. The Switchback’s windshield is a head jiggler for an averagesized rider, and the Dyna chassis doesn’t do much to contain the mechanical energy

of the Twin Cam 103 before it radiates to limbs and digits and extraneous bits of the bike. A thousand miles in, both mirror assemblies (which include the turnsignals) were swinging around on their stalks and various bolts had loosened. We miss the days wWhen all models came with a tool kit. At the 1400-mile mark, the newly added, sweet-sounding Screamin’ Eagle Nightstick 2-into-i slip-on muffler ($249.95, plus $5° for installation and $154 for remap; harleydavidson.com) had severed a weld.

But still, the bike was comfortable to ride: roomy enough for an average frame, with relaxed ergonomics and a plush seat. The saddlebags hold enough for a weekend escape, but Elvidge was coming home from a long stint on the road, so she clipped on a neat MotoFizz Camping Seat Bag ($157-$197; aerostich.com). Even after the bike’s shakedown tour, she says she’s excited to ride the bike back to Southern California. In the meantime, she’s removed the windshield and is enjoying the Switchback for its guaranteed virtue as big-hearted, envy-stirring, out-for-the-day American cruiser.

HONDA NC700XD ABS

$11,533

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SWITCHBACI(

$17,579

COMMUTER PAR EXCELLENCE

Southern California has the busiest, most congested freeways in the country. Upside is, motorcycles can access

the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, and lane splitting—filtering between slower vehicles moving in the same direction—is legal. Few machines are better for this type of riding than our long-term NC700XD.

Staffers have raved about the ease with which the auto-shift NC makes short work of their daily grinds. So much time spent straight up and down, however, eventually led to irregular tire wear and poor handling. We’d intended to replace the original-equipment Metzeler RoadTec Z8s at the next scheduled service, but by 7300 miles, the center of the rear tire was well into its wear bars, with the front tire close behind.

We paid Huntington Beach Honda $117.23 to remove the worn RoadTec Z8s and mount and balance a new set of Michelin Pilot Power 3 2CTS ($186.95 front; $233.95 rear; michelinmotorcycle.com). Introduced earlier this year, the dual-compound Michelins have light-effort turn-in, great grip and excellent bump absorption. Freeway rain grooves and pavement seams disappear under the bike; you see them but don’t feel them.

After our last update (“Practically extravagant,” May), we installed four products that further improved the NC’s commuting capabilities. Twisted Throttle (twistedthrottle. com) supplied the MRA VarioTouring Screen ($149.99) and SW-Motech Universal Mirror Wideners ($69.99). The spoiler on the screen has seven manually adjustable positions, providing more protection and smoother

airflow than Honda’s tall accessory windscreen. The 1.5-inch-long Mirror Wideners expand rearward field of vision.

Beautiful and functional, Rizoma’s machined aluminum RRC brake lever ($122; rizoma.com) is six-way adjustable for span to fit a range of hand sizes. Finally, Galfer’s sintered HH 1380 front brake pads ($44.73; galferusa.com) improved initial bite and stopping power—just what you need wWhen an errant SUV lumbers across your bow.

BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK TRACK BIKE

cumulate long-term track Ninja miles continues while in to the accare of Yamaha Champions Riding School

instructor Ken Hill. After optimizing the stock chassis for track use in our previous update (August, 2012), Hill has since focused on budget-conscious engine and chassis upgrades working within a self-imposed $1500 limit.

To meet EPA noise compliance, Kawasaki strangles the ZX-10R, partially closing the secondary throttle butterflies in the upper revs and retarding the ignition timing in certain ranges. Lee’s Cycle Service (leescycle. com) flashed our stock ECU with a revised map based on that of Kawasaki’s race kit ECU. The $450 service boosted the engine’s output above 11,500 rpm and raised the stock 13,600-rpm rev limit to 14,100.

Hill also installed a Muzzy Catless Slip-on exhaust with black oval aluminum

canister with street-core packing ($489.95; muzzys.com), shedding 8 pounds while gaining an authoritative but not obnoxiously loud exhaust note.

The ECU/pipe combination helped the bike produce 174.2 peak horsepower (10.5 more than stock), but of even greater significance are the gains (as much as 25 hp) achieved across much of the upper 2500 rpm of the rev range. That’s a performance boon for track use, even if the stock setup produced 3-5 foot-pounds more torque between 3500-10,000 rpm.

Hill found the IOR’S 17/39 stock gearing overly tall, requiring the use of first gear at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway road course too frequently. Keeping with our inexpensive theme, he settled on a 16/41 steel sprocket combo ($75) that allowed use of the stock chain with a simple wheelbase adjustment.

That leaves $500 for the rear of the bike. While an aftermarket shock is out of the question, some cost-effective upgrades to the stock damper are under way. EUi

KAWASAI(I ZX-1OR ABS

$14,799