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Posted by Troll
- October 26, 2013, 09:59:50 AMAnd you trust the Wall Street Journal's opinion of motorcycles? All it takes to get a good road test from most media outlets is the right amount of money to the right person. MCN road pre-production models at the Sturgis debut and found problems with them...so far they are the only ones who didn't proclaim them perfect...
Posted by greenbarn
- October 26, 2013, 09:39:54 AMHuh? Well, the Wall Street Journal apparently disagrees with everybody on this forum:
The Indian Motorcycle Returns in All Its Glory
The classic motorcycle, with troubled financial past, is back and it looks wonderful
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303615304579153423569705100
(this from the "general bike news" section of the forum, which a lot of folks probabaly don't look at.)
I'll have to admit there are a lot of things I don't like about the new Indian, starting with the batwing and the fitted panels. I got to thinking, though, and I thought that obviously we (Drifter owners) are spoiled by having a close relationship with the Drifter. I got to thinking that most people, even most bike owners, have never seen a Drifter. Seems like a "normal" evolution of a brand, if you consider the recent re-makes of all the muscle-car brands; Mustang, Camaro, Charger. Not that many people would buy a brand new Mustang without all the modern conveniences like the modern cars have (dash, seats, power everything, etc).
So, I'm thinking MOST people (who don't know the Drifter even exists) probably think the new Indian is acceptable, and maybe a lot of them even like it. I still think they're un-attractive in many ways (but that's compared to my Drifter). We have no other choice but to compare it to our beloved Drifters..... I still won't own a new Indian, even if I really liked it, because I could not justify $20,000 on a motorcycle. That's more than I paid for my last truck (or any truck).
Maybe the new look will grow on us. I remember that most new truck models that ever came out I didn't like as well as the older model, but usually got used to them eventually.
Posted by John Hopkins
- October 26, 2013, 07:50:40 AMThank you for your efforts Troll, I really like the look of the engine it makes the drifter engine look shabby..but..although I like the look, I think that in 2013 it should be water cooled, I'm sorry but as I said before, I can't see any air cooled engine running for hours stuck in a big traffic jam, but what a beautiful engine to park in a showroom or at a bike show..The rest of the bike..well I don't like the batwing and I'm not too keen on all the fitted 'Goldwing style' side panels, so thanks to your efforts I have changed my opinions of the new Indians.
It is a shame that big business dictates what we can make and copy because the drifter is a great bike and instead of bringing it out in a range, like the VN2000, it will no longer be made..I predict that because Indian have started to produce a new range the drifter will become a working collectors bike not too far in the future.
To sum up, I can't see myself owning a new Indian.
John.
Posted by Troll
- October 23, 2013, 09:07:12 AMI'm thinking that mechanically, it's going to be good, and reliable, but some of the styling just turns me off. It fits me, as far as reach and control placement, which is important, but I just don't know if I could live with it, every day. The price is more of a deterrent than anything. Having only purchased 1 new motorcycle (no new cars) in my life, I can easily wait for this thing to come down in price on the used market...unless I die first. There is one little detail you don't see in the press photos that kind of bothered me... everything that isn't chromed (and most things that are) says "Indian" on it...including the neck, just ahead of the tank. Seems like they saw a place with nothing on it and decided to put the logo there so you wouldn't forget.
Posted by dakuhosu
- October 23, 2013, 07:56:26 AMYou'll be the coolest guy in Spain, no doubt.
Posted by Gerhardberger
- October 23, 2013, 04:35:33 AMYou can kill me if you want. But I like the new Indians a lot. I like the aspect, I like the engine, I like all the very positive oppinions of 100% of press articles.
That's the reason I will buy the first Chief that arrives to Spain....I know it's a lot of money (and even more here in Europe due to the import costs, VAT,aso, aso...) but sometimes you have to spend money with you heart instead of with your head. Next tuesday i will see the three models in person, and I'll have to decide which model and in which colour. As for today, the red chieftain is my choice...
Polaris did a greaty advertising job till now. If you want to buy a Chief right now in the USA, delivery date seems to be March 2014...and in Australis even more....In Spain there will be just 12 bikes for sale.
I will try to keep my Drifter (that has the Chief Vintage look) together with my Chieftain (if I finnally buy it).
I expect the bike to arrive mid-end November. Will keep u informed about my impressions...
Posted by jmbo
- October 22, 2013, 23:07:45 PMI gotta give Polaris their dues. The bike's not bad. It's not perfect but there are some nice touches and if it will hold together on the road it will do better than some of the Gilroy or King Mountain versions. That said I like my Drifter better. It's not a perfect either (I wish the fenders were metal) but the balance between "retro" and "tech" has always appealed to me since the bike first came out. Speaking of which I do recall all of the nay sayers back in '99 calling the Drifter an "indian Poser" or just a "tarted up Vulcan" but who cares. Doesn't bother me. Each to their own but that's why for me, mine will alway be true to it's "retro/tech' Drifter origins. I may make it look more retro but it will never say "Indian" anywhere on the bike. It is what it is and I like it for what it is- alway have.
Posted by 49Reo
- October 22, 2013, 20:26:30 PMReal men can do pink...... 
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 22, 2013, 19:50:09 PM I have really looked at all of Troll's pictures and then looked at them again. I just do not like any of them that much I would drop that much money on one.
When Gb wins the lottery and is buying one for me, I would take the black one because it is the one I like the best of the three pictured.
To be honest if some one offered me an Indian like those three or a 1500 Drifter, I would take the Drifter. Even if it has that pretty pink speedo like Trolls.
Posted by Troll
- October 22, 2013, 18:20:48 PMThe 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!
Posted by 49Reo
- October 22, 2013, 17:23:24 PM I like the Drifter better...and I agree, the Chieftain is...well...butt-ugly. 
Posted by greenbarn
- October 22, 2013, 17:12:43 PMQuote from: Troll on October 22, 2013, 17:05:38 PMSeriously? 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.......no heel shifter, or 2 tone paint, yet
Two tone would sure be nice. I've said it before: Man, I love two-tone paint on a Drifter.
Posted by Troll
- October 22, 2013, 17:05:38 PMYES ! 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
Posted by Troll
- October 22, 2013, 17:02:30 PMAnd 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.
Posted by greenbarn
- October 22, 2013, 16:58:22 PMShiney.
So what were your impressions? I suppose they at least let you sit on one?