Pretty good review by Motorcycle USA for those that are interested. The Heritage got kudos for its comfort, smooth power delivery and excellent slow speed handling. If the floorboards didn't scrape so soon I think it would easily out handle the Indian in the twisties. The Indian Vintage got kudos for it's powerful 111 motor and excellent braking. Fit and finish was praised for both brands.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/10/171...f-Vintage.aspx

 

If the bags and seat were black without the tassels I would check one out. Not a big fan of the fender design. I wonder why they didn't compare it to the Road King.

 

They're spot on with the brakes and lean angle of the Heritage. These are my only two complaints about the bike. But I do love it none the less. That Indian Vintage is one good looking machine too. If I were serious about it, that's the one I would check out. Lack of dealer network and still too new for me to even consider one at this point however. Let's see where they are at in 5 or 10 years. Personally I hope they succeed. Good article. Thanks for sharing.

 

This is my favorite quote "And while we believed the two would perform almost identically based on their similarities, we couldn’t have been more wrong. They offer much different riding experiences, from the output of their engines to the way they handle and steer."

This has to be one of the worst comparisons I have ever seen by motorcycle USA and as usual the Harley loses. They should have compared it to the road king but polaris insist on comparing these new Indians to softails which is in a different class altogether and that was made evident by motorcycle USA review. The softail are nimble, easy to ride, city cruisers that you sit inside of. The Indians are too big and heavy for city cruising and better on the twisty and highway touring. You can't have it both ways which is why Harley has five different lines of motorcycles. No motorcycle in the world can compare with the softails because they are designed to look like classic Harleys knuckleheads by the same company and family that designed them nearly 80 years ago.

 

At first glance of the indian I thought "what a nice looking bike". After looking through pictures online I noticed the front fender...Terrible. Then I found pictures without the bags... Ugh that rear fender and side covers are also terrible. I would like the way it looks with the bags, but with a different front fender. I wouldn't be caught dead riding without the bags though.

 

Ditto in the fenders, ugly as... Otherwise they look pretty good.

 

I think the bikes are ugly in general, especially the front fender.

 

The article mentions this rivalry?
That was with a company that went out of business in the 50's.
Just because CMC or Polaris or someone else buys the rights
to use the Indian name doesn't make it an Indian any more than
I am.

I'm sure they're ok bikes now.
Just not a fan (of Victory either)

side note;
My grandfather was CHP. One of the first. If you ever look at the
picture of the Inaugural parade for the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937,
there are 4 Motor Officers leading it. He is the one on the right
with the American Flag.
He went to great lengths to see that CHP in all counties in Calif ran Harley's
NOT Indians. So much so, that Walter Davidson (himself) GAVE my
grandfather a BRAND NEW motorcycle. Not sure of the details, but whatever
was similar to the police issue was at the time. I am not sure of the timeframe. I think it might have been a 61 cubic inch Panhead.

 

The handlebars on the Indians look more like tillers. The Heritage, like all soft ails and Harley's in general,are way overgeared.

 

Now that is a cool bit of history there.................