New Bike Thoughts

It has been a while since I rode an Indian and when I did, I wasn't very impressed by them.

So why am I bringing this up again? Over this last weekend my wife Hot Rider and I were in Miami Florida. We met up with BaggerPaul and his wife for lunch and after lunch we were cruising around Miami and we decided to stop by an Indian dealership. This is the first time I have stepped foot in an Indian dealership since they were re-released with the purpose of really looking at them. Immediately, BaggerPaul and I were drawn to a specific bike, a Chieftain Darkhorse. To make this as short as I can, I will say that Harley Davidson has their hands full. Indian has come a long way in the short time that they have been back. At this point, I am not about to switch.

Watch Out Harley Davidson

Research indian recalls and reviews. They are having paint issues. Headlights that go out without notice and currently no fix at this time. Leaks in the tour pack that shorts out light. Not against indian. I like the roadmaster alot. In trying to learn more about it i looked up recalls and reviews and read scary stuff.

I think they've come along way but have more to go before i'm convinced. Look what happened to 17 years of victory loyalty.

I hated the Victory and everything about it. Arlen Ness ruined that bike before it ever got going. Victory was huge in my part of the country and yes there were a lot of pissed off people but oh well.

As far as their recalls are concerned, I don't care enough about the Indian at this point to overly concern myself with it. I just think that Harley will have their hands full. I would like to add though that we shouldn't pretend that Harley hasn't had their fair share of problems. With Polaris behind Indian, I'm willing to bet that they fix their issues sooner rather than later.

That 111 that Indian has is junk. I remember having a conversation with you on this forum about that engine after I first took one out for a test ride. I said it then and I will say it again, my 98" Twin cam would stomp the hell out of that 111" hands down. That 111" is a 3.98" bore by a 4.45" stroke. Even with their .585 cam upgrade along with their entire 116" big bore kit, my 98" would spank it without even really trying.