The 2012 Harley-Davidson lineup has been announced for Canada, with an engine upgrade for the company’s Big Twins, as well as the usual commemorative and custom models, and the new Dyna Switchback.
Probably the biggest news for the 2012 lineup is the bigger engine for the Softail, Touring, and Dyna models (except the Dyna Street Bob and Dyna Super Glide). They’re getting Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 103 engine instead of the Twin Cam 96 motor. Supposedly the six per cent increase in power will give them up to 100 ft./lbs of torque. On the Touring bikes, the 1,690cc Twin Cam 103 will also come with an oil cooler.
Harley’s new-for-2012 Dyna Switchback gets the fuel-injected, rubber-mounted Twin Cam 103 engine with a chromed 2-1 exhaust, but also some other pretty cool stuff. It comes with colour-matched side bags and a fork-mounted windshield to enable long-distance touring. But, if you want to just go for a quick rip around town, the bags and windshield are quickly removable without tools.
It’s their lightest touring machine in this displacement category; it weighs 718 pounds, 94 pounds lighter than the Road King, so this machine may be more suited for “spirited” riding.
The Switchback isn’t held back by an old-fashioned springer front end, or similar nonsense; the bike rides on 41.3 mm front forks (with 20 mm cartridges) and a pair of nitrogen-charged rear shocks. Fuel tank capacity is 4.7 gallons. The saddlebags feature a combined luggage capacity of 30 pounds, so you’ll have to leave your gold bullion or anvil collection at home when you travel. Retail price for the Switchback is $17,559.
Harley-Davidson has also launched a new bike in their CVO (Custom Vehicles Operations) lineup, the CVO Road Glide Custom, complete with frame-mounted fairing, a Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio stereo, Wind Splitter windshield, a slammed profile, and more – all for $33,689.
They’ve also revised the Night Rod Special (lighter wheels, an inverted front fork, retuned rear suspension, improved ergonomics, new bodywork for the tail section) and introduced a V-Rod 10th Anniversary Edition (yes, it has been that long). The 10th Anniversary Edition has the same upgrades as the Night Rod Special, along with Brilliant Silver Pearl bodywork and a colour-matched frame, and some extra chrome bits, including a straight-shot exhaust with dual slash-cut mufflers.
The Sportster lineup hasn’t seen a lot of change for 2012, although they do have new colour options available through the company’s H-D1 Factory Customization program. All Harley’s Touring series, except the Ultra Limited model, will get a tubeless chrome lace aluminum wheel that’s also an an option with the Heritage Softail Classic and Softail Deluxe models. The Fat Boy and Fat Boy Lo models also have some minor changes this year, mainly in the ergonomics department.
