2009 Indian .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Well let's see. History tells us that they haven't been able to stay in business, provide reliable parts, or support their warranty. Now they're asking us to support them once again. At $30K+ per bike, I'd be looking at a CVO model, that I know is going to be around next year to get whatever parts, warranty, etc., that I might need. Not for me. But they keep sending me their web ads for super deals on Indian clothing line, and their new bikes. Probably not going to be wearing Indian goods, and riding a Harley. JMO.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Oh, but I do like the lines on the new Chief. They are an elegant and exotic looking scooter, with nostalgic memories. Very clean, and attractive. Just not $30K+ attractive for me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
...At $30K+ per bike, I'd be looking at a CVO model, that I know is going to be around next year to get whatever parts, warranty, etc., that I might need. Not for me. But they keep sending me their web ads for super deals on Indian clothing line, and their new bikes. Probably not going to be wearing Indian goods, and riding a Harley. JMO.....
I had a 2000 Indian Chief.
It was very reliable but it wasnt a Harley.
And they never will be.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 954
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I used to work at an Indian dealership (the last time they were in business) and those bike are the BIGGEST PIECES OF $HIT that were ever sold!!!! Believe me when I say if somebody offered to give me one I wouldn't take it if I had to keep it!!!!! There were so many issues with them that I couldn't possibly list them. And on top of the reliability problems they rode like tanks! Hard to steer, rattles everywhere and stuff just falling off while you were riding. There was so much warranty work that they had to hire my brother to just do the warranty claims. That was his only job at the dealership and it was non-stop. One guy pulled up one day, parked in front and came in to make an appointment for some warranty thing and while he was inside the damn thing caught fire!!!!!!! Some kind of an electrical short in the voltage regulator. So me, being a retired firefighter, grabbed an extinguisher and put it out while everybody else froze with shock. Looking back, I'm sure he would have been a lot better off if I had just let it burn to the ground! I can't stress to you enough how far you should stay away from those rusting junkpiles. If you're brave enough to try one, maybe the third time for them will be a charm, but I seriously doubt it!!!! Then when Indian folded they started selling Big Dogs and don't get me started on them!!
Here's the buttons we all wore at the "Farewell, Good Riddance, Indian Going Out of Business" party we had after Indian Motorcycle Company put us all out of our misery by closing their doors (we thought for good). They're like a bad dream...they just keep popping up!!
Here's the buttons we all wore at the "Farewell, Good Riddance, Indian Going Out of Business" party we had after Indian Motorcycle Company put us all out of our misery by closing their doors (we thought for good). They're like a bad dream...they just keep popping up!!
Last edited by hawg08; Oct 21, 2008 at 04:19 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
Talking about what Indians used to be is irrelevant since the only thing these new Indians have in common with the old is the name. Having said that, it will be a cold day in hell before I lay down 30+ thousand on a bike whose manufacturer may not last as long as its warranty.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 814
From: Nevada
I agree. Indian has had too many false starts in recent years. If I was spending 30 large on a motorcycle, I'd go for a CVO bike for the same reasons listed above.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,084
From: NW AR
I've read that they are going to try and not build PoS' this time around. For thrity large. We saw one at Bikes, Blues and BBQ. They look nice, but for thirty large, it had better say "Harley-Davidson" somewhere on it.