Indian Chieftain

[Larry Gude]

This argument has gone on since 1905 and will continue LOL.

The argument ended decades ago. Harley won. Huge. The argument now has nothing to do with quality, fit, finish or performance. Harley riders are Harley riders. Period. The machines are good enough. The image, brand loyalty, takes care of the rest. Harley is Carlton; they'd rather fight than switch. Like Carlton, it's not about how good, or bad, the product. It's about the loyalty to it. And that is all fine.

Indian can have a lifetime warranty, buy your bike back for what you paid for it, have a better suspension, better motor and throw in a pack of gum and it will still not be a Harley nor attract the vast majority of HD riders. As long as HD continues to make solid, decent machines and make little improvements, like the bigger forks for this year, get rid of annoyances, like the stupid way their hard bags worked, better air flow, the little things, they're under no threat whatsoever.

They start having issues again...then the door cracks open some.

 

[desertrat]

Been looking at the Street Glide for a new bike. When I can afford one, it's going to be the Street Glide.

Harleys are for followers and Indians are for leaders. Enjoy your Street Glide Vince. You'll fit right in with the herd of Harley riders. The new Indian is in a far superior class.

Indian = 5 year warranty
Resale value guaranteed by Polaris
A modern V-Twin
Superior suspension
Better fit and finish
Way more torque....

Then there's the cool factor of having a great built bike for a price that's comparable to a lesser engineered HD that isn't a dime a dozen

I could go on but these are just a few of the things that put the new Polaris Indian leaps and bounds ahead of Harley.

Perfectly happy with mine. Except those bags. I have no loyalty to the brand, but are all over the place so I sort of feel like a big copy cat or O want to fit it. Not it at all. Just wanted to see what they were all about so I kept looking and found a low mile used one. I would try the Indian if I wanted to buy a new one, but I don't. I also like some of the Victory models.

 

[Vince]

Harleys are for followers and Indians are for leaders. Enjoy your Street Glide Vince. You'll fit right in with the herd of Harley riders. The new Indian is in a far superior class.

Indian = 5 year warranty
Resale value guaranteed by Polaris
A modern V-Twin
Superior suspension
Better fit and finish
Way more torque....

Then there's the cool factor of having a great built bike for a price that's comparable to a lesser engineered HD that isn't a dime a dozen

I could go on but these are just a few of the things that put the new Polaris Indian leaps and bounds ahead of Harley.

And you know me, so you know I fit right in with the Harley riders. When I don't care for a certain motorcycle or car, I have a reason, but you automatically put me in some mold as the "herd of Harley riders," which, I'm guessing, is a step down in your estimation.

 

[BlueBird]

No, they don't. Most HD riders want 'HD', period. Doesn't matter if it has a fairing or is a soft tail swing arm or traditional shocks. 88, 96, 103, 110, as long as it is a Harley. Most Harley riders readily concede the mechanical and engineering and reliability limitations of their bikes and, if all things were equal, would have a Japanese bike. But, all things are not equal. That brand is primary. Decent quality and performance and reliability matter next and, in all honesty, Harley's are decent bikes. This isn't AMF anymore. But, they know they're not gonna get the reliability and low maintenance that I get from my Star and they don't care. Which is fine.

Ad to that the changes they've made for '14. Mostly cosmetic but, also some practical improvements. Harley isn't going anywhere anytime soon and just as many guys, if not more, are gonna switch to Goldwings or GL1600's and Indian or Vic's. They are both niche bikes, not a thing wrong with them and not Harley's.

What you say is certainly true to an extent. 80 percent of all Indian sales thus far though are HD riders who are either trading in or adding to the stable. As more of the Harley clan make the switch more will follow. I traded my HD for one and it was the best thing ever did. I almost bought a Vic not so long ago but waited for the Indian. I suspect given the quality and reliability of the Polaris bikes that they will make a considerable dent in HD sales.

 

[BlueBird]

Vince,

Yes HD is a step down from Indian--absolutely. I've owned both bikes. You can get which ever bike you prefer but don't ever think that the HD is better than the Indian. I'm not saying HD's are bad machines, just simply stating facts.

Have you ever owned a Harley? Have you ridden both bikes? 20K plus is a lot to spend on a motorcycle and for me getting the best bang for my buck was important, but I love the look of the Indians, always have! Make sure you get the extended warranty with your Street Glide and just routine maintenance on an HD is expensive.

 

[BlueBird]

The argument ended decades ago. Harley won. Huge. The argument now has nothing to do with quality, fit, finish or performance. Harley riders are Harley riders. Period. The machines are good enough. The image, brand loyalty, takes care of the rest. Harley is Carlton; they'd rather fight than switch. Like Carlton, it's not about how good, or bad, the product. It's about the loyalty to it. And that is all fine.

Indian can have a lifetime warranty, buy your bike back for what you paid for it, have a better suspension, better motor and throw in a pack of gum and it will still not be a Harley nor attract the vast majority of HD riders. As long as HD continues to make solid, decent machines and make little improvements, like the bigger forks for this year, get rid of annoyances, like the stupid way their hard bags worked, better air flow, the little things, they're under no threat whatsoever.

They start having issues again...then the door cracks open some.

Do you know what put Indian on the sidelines? Do some research... Indian was building bikes to support our war effort and almost all of their manufacturing went towards building military bikes. During this period HD was just getting started and they were available back in the states filling the void for an American made motorcycle. When the war ended Indian was way behind the power curve and subsequently went out of business. Harley didn't win anything. Instead they capitalized on an opportunity when the Indian couldn't. Lets not forget that Harley has been on their face many times throughout their history and it was our Government that stepped in to prevent them from failing.
Many attempts to revive the Indian brand have been made but they were always made by companies lacking the ability to put out a product capable of competing with Harley at an affordable price point. All this has changed now with Polaris buying the right s to Indian and Indian isn’t going anywhere this time around. In fact, the new Indians are being sold as soon as they hit the show room floor and several dealers are on back order. It’s not even spring yet.
Like I said 80% of Indian buyers are HD guys like me. I was part of the herd to and I’m okay with that. You’re dead wrong though about the majority of HD guys not coming around. It won’t happen overnight but it will happen over time. Many of us (HD) guys were sold on the brand because it is American and we like the way the HD looks. Indian also has more American made parts than the Harley which is also important to me and probably important to the 80% that I can now be grouped with.

 

[Vince]

Vince,

Yes HD is a step down from Indian--absolutely. I've owned both bikes. You can get which ever bike you prefer but don't ever think that the HD is better than the Indian. I'm not saying HD's are bad machines, just simply stating facts.

Have you ever owned a Harley? Have you ridden both bikes? 20K plus is a lot to spend on a motorcycle and for me getting the best bang for my buck was important, but I love the look of the Indians, always have! Make sure you get the extended warranty with your Street Glide and just routine maintenance on an HD is expensive.

I've had two Honda's, Yamaha when I was younger, and I still have my Nightrain. Been riding this one for 5 or 6 years now. No trouble with it. :shrug: When I get in the market for another motorcycle, I might take a look at the Victory.

 

[Larry Gude]

You’re dead wrong though about the majority of HD guys not coming around. It won’t happen overnight but it will happen over time. Many of us (HD) guys were sold on the brand because it is American and we like the way the HD looks. Indian also has more American made parts than the Harley which is also important to me and probably important to the 80% that I can now be grouped with.

I'm fine with that if the majority of HD guys suddenly, or over time, decide that they will switch brands. I appreciate your optimism and hope Indian is turning out a great machine. For me, that's what I did when I chose my Strat, picked a great machine. It feels better, runs better, handles better and beats every Harley I rode in my fairly extensive process before I chose. It has shortcomings; suspension, small gas tank, no cruise, needs a 5th gear but, it was the right combination of big bike, V twin, handling and 'presence' (just felt right to me) over the HD's, Kawi's, BMW's and other Star bikes I test road and sat on and looked into.

 

[GURPS]

It has shortcomings; suspension, small gas tank, no cruise, needs a 5th gear but, it was the right combination of big bike, V twin, handling and 'presence'

you just go through tires like a fat man through oreos at a cookie eating contest

 

[Pete]

This argument has gone on since 1905 and will continue LOL.

Actually no since Indian went out of business a dozen times since 1905 only to have the trademark purchased by other people and resurrected.

 

[Pete]

What you say is certainly true to an extent. 80 percent of all Indian sales thus far though are HD riders who are either trading in or adding to the stable. As more of the Harley clan make the switch more will follow. I traded my HD for one and it was the best thing ever did. I almost bought a Vic not so long ago but waited for the Indian. I suspect given the quality and reliability of the Polaris bikes that they will make a considerable dent in HD sales.

When you say 80% of all saled what number are we talking about? 1,000 bikes nation/world wide? I bought into Excellsior Henderson when they tried to bring it back, Indian has been brought back at least 3 times by different people.

 

[bulldog]

Interesting read on a comparison test.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/1...guzzi-california-1400-custom-comparison-test/

 

[Larry Gude]

Interesting read on a comparison test.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/1...guzzi-california-1400-custom-comparison-test/

The Chieftain v. Street Glide review is pretty interesting too.

 

[Larry Gude]

you just go through tires like a fat man through oreos at a cookie eating contest

Ah! We shall see! I got me some Mich's this time that are reputed to make it to a relatively normal, and certainly acceptable, 8,000 miles. They're also 200's which gives me an enormous advantage over the stock 190. It's like going to 11.

 

[BlueBird]

When you say 80% of all saled what number are we talking about? 1,000 bikes nation/world wide? I bought into Excellsior Henderson when they tried to bring it back, Indian has been brought back at least 3 times by different people.

You should check out the Chief MC forum....

It's mostly HD guys who have made the switch and they, and many like them make up 80% of Indian sales thus far. I find value in folks opinions who have ridden Harley's for years and have switched. Their comparisons between the two bikes certainly helped me make up my mind before made the switch. By the way Indian has already sold way more than 1K bikes already and they haven't even been on the market 6 months yet, lol.