2014 Indian Chief

[Troll]

The guy I spoke to seemed to know a lot about the design, and had even figured out how to mount the hard bags from the Chieftain on a regular one. Very expensive proposition. mounting hardware, bags, paint and $1000 exhaust system mod. We looked at the shifter design, and there is a place to attach a heel pedal, but the floor board would be in the way...They seem quite well assembled, and the wiring, etc. is pretty well hidden. They have a cable clutch...In order to get all the goodies on the black one that are on the red one, it costs more than just buying the red one....$21639, as opposed to $21,399, but you  can get it in black, or red for $500 more than the "starting at" price of $18,999.......I dunno. seems like  lot of fooling around to get what I already have. You can bet there will be NO discounts...like buying a Corvette...M.S.R.P. plus
I asked him about the fender and he said it was a left over King's Mountain part...looks like my fender!

[49Reo]

 I like the Drifter better...and I agree, the Chieftain is...well...butt-ugly. 

[greenbarn]

...no heel shifter, or 2 tone paint, yet

Seriously?  That's hard to believe for the price tag on these bikes they can't spring for a heel shifter.  I think that's perplexing....
Two tone would sure be nice.   I've said it before: Man, I love two-tone paint on a Drifter.

[Troll]

YES ! I got to try one on for size. It fits me quite well. I was surprised. I expected the reach to the bars to be longer, and they make a ($200) bar that comes back 2" more...no heel shifter, or 2 tone paint, yet

[Troll]

And then:
and 290 miles.....at least it didn't snow
I'll let you judge, but the Chieftain is still....HIDEOUS!
The leather bags are really nice, but they are ABS with a steel top frame.

[greenbarn]

Shiney.

So what were your impressions?  I suppose they at least let you sit on one?

[Troll]

  Honestly...the stuff I do for you people! Went down to Mad Town this morning. 35 deg. when I left. Could not have done this without the heated gloves! ANYWAY.... I was fully expecting to be disappointed, of treated like a leper (been to too many H-D dealers) but none of that happened. I got 44 mpg running 75 mph on the Interstate in that cold weather, with the elephant ears on. Oh yeah, took some pictures, too

[greenbarn]

For those who don't necessarily read the blog and news sections, there was an article in cyril huze:

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=25928.0

[CDNRatMan]

ok I am waiting and will have hot coffee for you when you get here....

[Troll]

I'm going down there either sometime this week, or perhaps next weekend. Gotta adjust my schedule...BUT I WILL DO IT!!!

[CDNRatMan]

  Troll buddy just call me when you are like 15 mins out and I'll met you and we can ride to my house together and check it out......yes tell the dealer it is going to be a long test ride......

[greenbarn]

Troll's our man....   Troll, you better tell those folks your dealer shop you might be gone a while on that test ride....

[John Hopkins]

I am not in a position to test ride the new Indian, but if anyone can really test it to see what it really has to offer I would say it has to be a 1500 Drifter rider (I say 1500 because it is the nearest in size to the Indian)..I would like to know how it handles at top speed, what that top speed is, how it moves at walking pace, how hot it would get in heavy traffic of in a two hour funeral procession. (At my age I do a few of these.)..and of course what is better or worse than the Drifter.

Most of my questions are not what you get from professional reviews, they usually just take them on a road trip, open them up for a few miles and write a report.

John.

[gdrudd13]

I'd agree that the drifters look more like the old Indians. I do understand why they did make them more modern looking though. Right now, "retro" is cool. Look at many of the new muscle cars. Modernized versions of the old. And they sell like crazy. Maybe I'm weird, but I like the new Indians. I like the looks of baggers, and I like the idea of a fairing. Having both those and something that still resembles an old Indian is IMHO pretty sweet. Do I want to go sell my Drifter and get a new Indian? No. But would I be alright owning both? Heck yeah.

The best part though has to be that engine. It is gorgeous. I listened to a clip of the exhaust and it sounds pretty good. That being said, a different exhaust would really help the looks of the bike. I'm not a huge fan of that.

To me though it does seems like something fairly close to what Indian would make if the original company had survived and progressed/modernized the line.

[DC]

I just got a card in the mail to go to a dealer about 90 miles away.  He's having a try out event on 10/19.  I'll see if I can make it.

[Troll]

I just called THE ONLY Indian dealer in Wisconsin...They FINALLY have some bikes...just 2, though. The Chieftain and the Heritage....I have to figure out my schedule...maybe I can sneak away tomorrow and do the 350 miles there and back. Any way...I'll get down there before the snow flies and get some pitchers fer ya.

[Petemoss]

I sure agree with that.

BUT....

I've sure seen my share of trucks over the years that I fairly much hated when they first came out with a new model, then later I grew to dislike them less and perhaps liked them.   A few models even ended up owning one down the road...   I wonder if that's how it will be with this ugly duckling??

It is growing on me, just maybe not enough. 

[DC]

Maybe Polaris will be one manufacturer that listens to the marketplace.  If they listen to the sentiment about the new bike, they may make changes in subsequent production years that meet the desires of the target market.  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[greenbarn]

I'm not willing to pay 22 grand for something I don't like.

I sure agree with that.
BUT....

I've sure seen my share of trucks over the years that I fairly much hated when they first came out with a new model, then later I grew to dislike them less and perhaps liked them.   A few models even ended up owning one down the road...   I wonder if that's how it will be with this ugly duckling??

[darkdrifter]

edited my previous post with pic links, just be careful as they are nws

hey troll, bummer about the ride and no Indians.  but hey, Come up to the Twin Cities Indian dealer in MN next week fri, sat, and sunday and take a demo ride on the new Indians.  there will be rides and events.  Ride your drifter, you'll be welcome.   I'll be there saterday on my darkhorse.
more info on their website.

[Petemoss]

I like the new Indians, and I like the engine..1810ccs, I like the price $18,500 up..I see  what you are all saying about it not looking exactly like an old Indian, but it IS an Indian..

Several of you have said you don't want your Drifter to look like an Indian, that you are proud of the Drifter look and now some of you are saying the Drifter looks more like an Indian than the Indian does..

Let's not lower ourselves to brand bashing, we have a great bike that will always get admired by riders and non riders alike, let's settle for that.

If I win the lottery this week I will go out and buy a new Indian, if not I will be proud to ride my Drifter..

John.

Our bikes DO look more like a classic Indian than what Polaris has designed this bike to be. And if I hit the lotto I'd buy last years model. I can't speak for everyone but my opinion of 2014 Indian has nothing to do with brand bashing. In fact, I was considering buying one until I saw the design. I'm not willing to pay 22 grand for something I don't like.

[Troll]

I'm thinking just postponed until he has some bikes...

[Petemoss]

Mission postponed or mission canceled, Troll? We need real people pics here.

[Troll]

John...no fluid loss. The primary cup is bypassing back to the reservoir. Now that it's cooled off from the trip, it seems to be working again...

[John Hopkins]

I went to pull into a town to get fuel on the way back (180.6 miles-4.109g), and when I squeezed the clutch...there wasn't one! Pump like crazy, and I could get it to release long enough to shift down and get into neutral...coasted into the gas station, filled it up, pumped like crazy, and got into gear...back on the "I"...and back home. Called the dealer, he ordered me a rebuild kit for the master...won't be in 'till Friday. Glad I have the "W"....the last bike night of the season is Thursday!

That was bad luck, couldn't just top it up with fluid to get you home from the gas station..

John.