Harley or Indian
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 61
From: Raleigh NC
I agree with you that competition is a good thing but insinuating that Harley doesn't innovate unless it's push by Indian is a ways off. Let's face it, the Rushmore gadgets is just to reaction to what is happening to the mobile tech market. Every car has the innovation and it was about time the motor company adapted.
When Victory launched you didn't see an increase in innovation from Harley. HD is more about evolution than revolution. The M8 was probably on the drawing boards way before the Indian launch or should i say relaunch 3.0. HD comes out with a new motor every 15 years or so. The 107 didn't happen because of Indian.
Oh, that 09' Touring frame ain't a minor change. Let's get real already.
I am hoping for Indian to do well though. It serves us HD riders just fine.
When Victory launched you didn't see an increase in innovation from Harley. HD is more about evolution than revolution. The M8 was probably on the drawing boards way before the Indian launch or should i say relaunch 3.0. HD comes out with a new motor every 15 years or so. The 107 didn't happen because of Indian.
Oh, that 09' Touring frame ain't a minor change. Let's get real already.
I am hoping for Indian to do well though. It serves us HD riders just fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
The engine changes like evo, twinkie, and M8 seem almost right on schedule. Rushmore was evolutionary, etc etc
I'm pretty sure that domestic competition is really really good for us consumers but I'm also pretty sure that Harley was never going to be totally static without Indian around either.
Even if there is absolutely zero outside competition the manufacturer is still going to want to build in desired change in its customer base. Put out new models and features to encourage some consumers to trade in and/or up.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Ma
I really have no idea how much change Indian caused... but it's not like Harley Davidson didn't make any changes all the years Indian and Victory weren't around.
The engine changes like evo, twinkie, and M8 seem almost right on schedule. Rushmore was evolutionary, etc etc
I'm pretty sure that domestic competition is really really good for us consumers but I'm also pretty sure that Harley was never going to be totally static without Indian around either.
Even if there is absolutely zero outside competition the manufacturer is still going to want to build in desired change in its customer base. Put out new models and features to encourage some consumers to trade in and/or up.
The engine changes like evo, twinkie, and M8 seem almost right on schedule. Rushmore was evolutionary, etc etc
I'm pretty sure that domestic competition is really really good for us consumers but I'm also pretty sure that Harley was never going to be totally static without Indian around either.
Even if there is absolutely zero outside competition the manufacturer is still going to want to build in desired change in its customer base. Put out new models and features to encourage some consumers to trade in and/or up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 429
From: E-town, Alberta
"Dealerships" are mostly existing motor sports companies that take on the brand, at least up here but that is changing slowly. Dissatisfied customers are fairly common on the .net site despite the low sales numbers, one guy has had his 2 yr old Roadmaster in TWENTY times for warranty. If you gotta drive an hour or two each way that would get old REAL fast.
The dealerships seem large and part to have the same kid that fixes quads and sleds all day also repair Indians and a lot complain they just start replacing parts till the problem is solved, they have a hard time troubleshooting the actual issue. Couple all that with the only certainty with their future is uncertainty, definitely buy at your own risk
http://www.indianmotorcycles.net/thr...product.16971/
Last edited by 'Ol dirty biker; Mar 10, 2017 at 05:17 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 619
From: North Dakota & Minnesota
HD resisted change in the past because they were selling "Heritage". The traditional Harley buyer is literally dying off so you are seeing change reflecting a new target, the younger rider with different needs. Might be difficult to understand for you. Are you a Taylor Swift fan by chance?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
Some have no problems and some have many problems, it's the same with any product, Harley included. It's how those problems get fixed. Polaris (and many of their dealers) are not known for good warranty support and are reported to be slow to provided repair parts. Their dealers seem to have a limited supply of repair parts on hand and their mechanics can be iffy. Polaris is also known to be slow to provide routine maintenance parts/supplies.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
Textbook first world problem 
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Ma
Some have no problems and some have many problems, it's the same with any product, Harley included. It's how those problems get fixed. Polaris (and many of their dealers) are not known for good warranty support and are reported to be slow to provided repair parts. Their dealers seem to have a limited supply of repair parts on hand and their mechanics can be iffy. Polaris is also known to be slow to provide routine maintenance parts/supplies.
This is our local Indian dealership.
http://www.momsouth.com/m/index.htm
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 61
From: Raleigh NC
HD resisted change in the past because they were selling "Heritage". The traditional Harley buyer is literally dying off so you are seeing change reflecting a new target, the younger rider with different needs. Might be difficult to understand for you. Are you a Taylor Swift fan by chance?
HD resisted change in the past because they were selling "Heritage". The traditional Harley buyer is literally dying off so you are seeing change reflecting a new target, the younger rider with different needs. Might be difficult to understand for you. Are you a Taylor Swift fan by chance?