Harley vs. Indian... my experience (long post)
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 276
Likes: 147
From: Alabama
My good friend, Gary, just bought a new 2017 Indian Chieftain Limited in white smoke.
Damn, it's a beautiful bike! I rode to the dealer with him last week to pick it up.
It's currently on a trailer being towed to the Indian dealer in Huntsville, Alabama.
It has 140 miles on the odometer and is throwing out fault codes, the check engine light is on, and it won't start.
He's kinda pissed at the moment!
Damn, it's a beautiful bike! I rode to the dealer with him last week to pick it up.
It's currently on a trailer being towed to the Indian dealer in Huntsville, Alabama.
It has 140 miles on the odometer and is throwing out fault codes, the check engine light is on, and it won't start.
He's kinda pissed at the moment!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I liked the Roadmaster and its nostalgia look. I test rode them at Sturgis a couple of times but decided that the lack of dealerships and the fork mounted fairing was not worth going for it.
I must say any bike with an internal combustion engine even a 35cc Chinese moped interests me.
I am so heavily invested in tools, resource manuals and experience with H-Ds to even consider adding another brand.
However have you seen and read about the 18 Yamaha touring behemoth? Looks like the Camaro I had in 67.
It's like being married but I still can look.
I must say any bike with an internal combustion engine even a 35cc Chinese moped interests me.
I am so heavily invested in tools, resource manuals and experience with H-Ds to even consider adding another brand.
However have you seen and read about the 18 Yamaha touring behemoth? Looks like the Camaro I had in 67.
It's like being married but I still can look.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 345
Likes: 10
From: Monrovia, Ca
We rode out the Tombstone Az for Hellderado Days from SoCa. We rode out at 0500 am Thursday and just less than 12 hrs later we were in Tombstone. We rode out every day that we were there. Came back on Sunday and again 12 hours of straight riding we were back home. approx. 1500 plus miles total. My point is this, I bubby of ours rides an Indian. not sure of the model, but it resembles a Road King Classic. That machine is solid all around. It has an 111 engine, with true dual exhaust. It flawless and Its a thing of beauty and style. So if someone is thinking of buying an Indian get it and enjoy.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
I thought the saddle leather color seats and bags were cool but when I test rode one - I liked the HD Road Glide better. The Victory seemed like a nice (but expensive) ride too. I'm glad I didn't settle for it since they are gone now. I guess Polaris did away with their Personal Watercraft too. What's next - I'm sure Harley would like to see Indian gone too. They are taking to much market share away.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Indian does the best job of any Harley competitor in emulating the Harley look and ride. I rode a 2018 Chieftain in Daytona last week and it was reasonably close to a Harley SGS in performance. The only big downside was it ran extremely hot. Far worse than anything I've experienced on a Harley. The good news is they can be had pretty cheap.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 24
From: Washington
Even with the bad experience, I still feel the Indian is a good alternative to the Harley. There were things about it that I liked. Additionally I think it's important to remember that under Polaris ownership, the Indian brand is still relatively young. They will no doubt continue to get better with time, provided Polaris continues to invest.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 805
From: Washington
Thank You
I'd like to thank some of the previous 26 posters to this thread. You provided a lot of entertainment. But here is something for you to think about. If you are a HD stockholder the last thing you want to read about is someone who rented an Indian and loved it - powerful, comfortable, reliable, quiet, and got great gas mileage while being affordable as well. If you are a HD motorcycle owner that is exactly what you would like to read. We want the MOCO incented to build a Harley that has twice the performance at half the cost with an 8 year warranty while getting 50 mpg. Competition is good and it doesn't hurt (us) to have Harley's feet held to the fire.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 2,421
From: Pittsburgh, Pa
I like the new cheiftan and wanted to try one. What stopped is that the closest dealership is an hour away from me. So if anything happens, I have to trailer it. And I dont own a trailer. Also there isnt much of way to customize them; and what I saw they did sell, was nuts in pricing.
Nah, I will stay HD.
Nah, I will stay HD.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 585
From: Arkansas
I really think the Indians are ugly. Everything about them, to me, looks plastic. The flake "flatheads" look terrible. I've looked at some up close and they don't look finished. I really like the old Indians but in my opinion, Polaris tried too hard and overcompensated trying to look like the old Indians.
