Indian question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

dhornick · 10-18-2012, 02:06 PM

Not sure if the MODS will let this one fly but here goes, anyone know anything about Indian Chief's? Performance, reliability, maintenance, comfort? I've recently sold my Street Glide and Road King and am thinking of something a little different. I really like the history and old school look of the Indian Chief or Roadmaster's.

I want to be able to Tour long distances like I did on the Harley touring bikes and I want the same amount of comfort and reliability.

bcomes · 10-18-2012, 02:15 PM

I usually don't respond unless I can offer some sort of valuable information relative to what the original post is asking; however, in this case I can't help but to deviate a bit and comment on the price of the Indians. It's ridiculous! You'll need all the money from both of your recent sales to buy one Indian touring bike.

BTW, I like the heritage of the Indian bikes as well. My dad had an in-line 4. I sure wish he had kept it for me!

guydoc77 · 10-18-2012, 05:44 PM

Read a review on the Chief last year.
Dont recall magazine.
Do recall that the reviewer noted twitchy light throttle respone.
Reviewer also generally liked the bike though.
I agree that price is outrageous. Is why i dont have one.
For half the price you can have essentially the same bike in a Heritage.
Also, now that Indian has a proprietary engine and drivetrain, good luck trying to get someone to worwork on one aside from a dealer.

WEINERDOGBONE · 10-18-2012, 06:23 PM

I love them. If you can afford one, more power to you. The reviews that I have read are generally complementary. The bikes are described as well built with top quality components but I also read that they are a little bit behind in terms of technology and are similar in feel to an Evolution powered HD.

There is no doubt that they are beautiful. If I can find the last review, I'll post up a link.

smitty901 · 10-18-2012, 07:39 PM

Nothing special or old school about the Indian.
Just a frame with an s7s engine slapped in some funky fenders and a double what it is worth price sticker.
Try to sell it after you buy it good luck.
They were trying to make something out of them after the hype went dead but got no where.

guydoc77 · 10-19-2012, 08:02 AM

Agree Smitty.
Don't get me wrong. I think the Chief is an absolutely beautiful bike.
But I'm just not sure what they were thinking when, in 2009,their stripped down, entry level model was priced at $32,000.
Not a whole lot cheaper now either.
Somehow I got on IMC's email list and get their regular newsletters.
The newsletter has become somewhat of a "marketing gimmick of the month " thing.
I have not unsubscribed just because it's great entertainment.
They, unfortunately, still have '10-'12 bikes that haven't sold sitting all over the country .

smitty901 · 10-19-2012, 01:15 PM

If you want old school find an early EVO. And life will be good to you.
Any old you may need to expand your learning curve a bit.

squidly · 10-19-2012, 08:51 PM

I got to check one of those newer Indians out at Street Vibrations and I have to say the fit and finish along with the quality of parts on that bike is a step above anything Harley puts out. The CVO bikes it compares too price wise look gaudy and I am a Victory owner, so I know what gaudy tacky looking bikes are all about, I ride one. That Indian was beautiful and timeless looking. It is expensive, I wouldn't mind having one, but I don't believe I would spend close to as much for a motorcycle as I would for a decent car, the model I saw was $32000 + tax and registration so you are looking at $35000+ out the door.

I will add that the bike seemed like it was built for 6'+ tall guys, it is bigger and roomier than the Harley touring bikes. So if you are a big guy and you have a big wallet it might be worth checking out.

smitty901 · 10-20-2012, 02:36 PM

Unlike the oldest non stop manufactured motorcycle the Royal Enfield or the second oldest like HD.
The Indian of today has no connection what so ever with the Indian it pretends to share a blood line with. There is none.
Like the iron horse and bad Doggy it is just another over priced bar stool.

1bdBagr · 10-20-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty901

Unlike the oldest non stop manufactured motorcycle the Royal Enfield or the second oldest like HD.
The Indian of today has no connection what so ever with the Indian it pretends to share a blood line with. There is none.
Like the iron horse and bad Doggy it is just another over priced bar stool.

You said what i always say regarding Indian, no direct lineage from 1953, only people purchasing "rights" to a trademark. Rebadged Royal Enfields and Italian two-strokes don't count in my eyes, nor do swoopy fendered Evo Softail Clones. I think the proprietary engine was a great step towards creating it's own identity, but i heard they were a POS as far as reliability went. All the new ones offer is simply an high priced option and the "look at me, i paid double what a (should) bike cost club". At least a CVO has more to offer than a slightly upgraded Heritage Softail with a oddly shaped headlight....
Tim

Half_crazy · 10-20-2012, 07:39 PM

The proprietary engine was court ordered. "Get a proprietary engine within this time frame or lose the rights to the Indian name". The other contender for the name already had a proprietary engine...

A 100" EVO motor with round jugs... not impressive. The newer 105s are supposed to be better but who can afford to find out?

smitty901 · 10-20-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bdBagr

You said what i always say regarding Indian, no direct lineage from 1953, only people purchasing "rights" to a trademark. Rebadged Royal Enfields and Italian two-strokes don't count in my eyes, nor do swoopy fendered Evo Softail Clones. I think the proprietary engine was a great step towards creating it's own identity, but i heard they were a POS as far as reliability went. All the new ones offer is simply an high priced option and the "look at me, i paid double what a (should) bike cost club". At least a CVO has more to offer than a slightly upgraded Heritage Softail with a oddly shaped headlight....
Tim

The part I read from the start was the term old school.
Well old school from who's view point.
My sons are 35-36 what they view as old school is slightly used to me.
An early to mid 90's carbed EVO would be a great so called old school bike. Easy to work on can be built to a very reliable engine with good power. Parts can still be had and will be around for a long time IMO. As far as style goes you can take one in any direction you want old stripped do bobber to a dresser.
At least you would have something real. The EVO holds an important place in history, it is what saved HD when it was at a cross road.
I have a 1996 FB in the room parked right next to my 2013 RGU I still ride it . Still a great machine and a different ride.
Old school is a myth IMO many of the old bikes I had in the past were nightmares compared to what we ride today.
96 FB 60K still runs like new, and a bike that with a basic set of tools and an hour of time you can totally change it to another bike. And not over priced if you wanted to grab one.

guydoc77 · 10-20-2012, 10:07 PM

[QUOTE=Half_crazy;2188673A 100" EVO motor with round jugs... not impressive. The newer 105s are supposed to be better but who can afford to find out?[/QUOTE]

Well said.

Vettely · 10-20-2012, 11:49 PM

The Indian chief dark horse looks pretty nice.

Half_crazy · 10-21-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vettely

The Indian chief dark horse looks pretty nice.

Agree... but how many will buy one, knowing they could buy a Road Glide Custom AND a Wide Glide for the same money as this?:

I'll give it a couple of years and see what Polaris does with the brand. If they can get the prices under $25K and make something a man can RIDE, I'm in.