Okay what is everyone's opinion of the new 2014 Indian Chief? Polaris has taken a super sweet, super cool but way overpriced machine into a ugly, too modern looking, kinda overpriced disappointment. The headlight is ugly. The way the middle of the bike seems to be the same part as the rear fender like a car door flows into the fender of a car is all spaceshippy looking. I don't like the instrument panel or the handlebars or pipes or the seats. No more two tone pastel colors. I was looking in the future for a American made bike, cause that's kinda how I am. But, I think I'll just keep my Drifter, it's way cooler.
I went on their site yesterday and did the configurator thing. You have to add a lot to these bikes to get them to look like any of ours. You can easily add $4-5k in options. You end up at around $24-25k for their mid-level machine loaded. For that kind of money, I could have a garage full of Drifters.
I too do not like the color choices. I would like either the Ivory on my bike or a powder blue option.
The dealer network is pretty limited now. I would have to drive over 50 miles to see or try one out. Not every Polaris dealer will be an Indian dealer. Many don't want the floor space taken up by another bike competing with their Victory machines that they are trying to move out of inventory, and they see a very limited market for this.
We may see a renewed interest in Drifters in the market place.
I think the soft bag one is pretty nice, but the hard bag one is FUGLY!....and then there is the H-D style headlight nacelle, and, and, and, What's with the Road House style Dual exhaust?????? Do you think Cobra will re introduce a peace pipe for this thing????
I DO NOT like that fairing on the Chieftain. I mean, why call it an Indian then? :P :o
The Vintage is what I would be more interested in anyway.
Quote from: DC on August 05, 2013, 08:13:38 AM
I DO NOT like that fairing on the Chieftain. I mean, why call it an Indian then? :P :o
The Vintage is what I would be more interested in anyway.
Our bikes look more like Indians than Indians do now.
Quote from: Petemoss on August 05, 2013, 08:28:42 AM
Our bikes look more like Indians than Indians do now.
THIS! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Once in a while a "brand new" (i.e. less than 100 miles) drifter comes up on ebay. I've seen it twice, I think one is on there right now w/ 85 miles....
You could spend a lot less money, and get a lot better looking bike (imho) that way...
I still can't get over the tiny looking tank and that big space between it and the neck, what's up with that. I like the last model much better but I could get behind the new ones motor. Fail.
Quote from: dakuhosu on August 05, 2013, 18:37:53 PM
I like the last model much better but I could get behind the new ones motor. Fail.
Yea, I bet it's fun to ride. But the 2013 is a way cooler bike. No question. But, after all my ranting...it's kinda growing on me. Albeit slowly.
slowly growing on you...like a fungus?
Quote from: Troll on August 05, 2013, 19:55:59 PM
slowly growing on you...like a fungus?
Hahahhaha. ;)
Quote from: Petemoss on August 05, 2013, 19:06:32 PM
Yea, I bet it's fun to ride. But the 2013 is a way cooler bike. No question. But, after all my ranting...it's kinda growing on me. Albeit slowly.
So do warts.....
.....and talk about a BUTT-UGLY exhaust!
What's up with those mags? Now Indian is stealing ideas from 1978 Kawasakis? Another fail. I'm not even sure they got the fenders right and that gash into the fender on the right side is horrific. In what world is the seat physically larger than the tank? What is it made for really large people who only want to go around the block? This is going to cost them dearly, I can tell.
the right side drive is cool. finally back to the side it belongs. but that and the trans is the same engineering as victory (big surprise).
the standard abs, cruise, and throttle by wire is cool.
its a 5.5 gallon tank.
I like the seat. looks fairly comfy. I dont mind the body lines. front fender is same as anything.
chrome around headlight looks victory, along with bars. tail light looks to me like it came from the victory factory.
its a hundred lbs heavier than my 2010 Indian.
I'm gonna pass, but that engine sure makes some nice hp right outta the box. I bet it rides nice too.
Quote from: darkdrifter on August 06, 2013, 09:17:32 AM
the right side drive is cool. finally back to the side it belongs. but that and the trans is the same engineering as victory (big surprise).
the standard abs, cruise, and throttle by wire is cool.
its a 5.5 gallon tank.
I like the seat. looks fairly comfy. I dont mind the body lines. front fender is same as anything.
chrome around headlight looks victory, along with bars. tail light looks to me like it came from the victory factory.
its a hundred lbs heavier than my 2010 Indian.
I'm gonna pass, but that engine sure makes some nice hp right outta the box. I bet it rides nice too.
I love the 2010 Indian. I'd like to park my Drifter up next to one of those new Indians and see who attracts more attention at say... the Mall or local car show, excluding Harley and Indian (no offense) elitists. I bet mine gets more looks. Your 2010 too. The problem I have is they go all this way to create a mechanical reproduction, right side drive, stylized Engine, etc...and then fall short and make stupid changes where it matters. I'm all for creating something better but this is not better. This is a few Victorys and a Harley my friend. Keep your real Indian, I'll keep my Drifter. I can't wait to see what reliability issues, if any, come up. I'd still ride it but I was really hoping to see something great. Even I like the engine in your Indian better, though this one is cool too.
Where could that power train be relocated? I think that the proportions are off, and all the effort spent on designing an engine that looked like a flathead went to waste with this mismatched chassis. The more I look at it, the more I hate the headlight assy...the back half looks like a cross roads....
I think they're kinda cool, but should my Drifter brake down, I'd rather go looking for another Drifter before I would consider the Polaris Indian...
I just a sucker for those big fenders. I like the looks of the new Indian but I'm not ready to get rid of my Drifter any time soon. 20+ grand is still a lot of money and even though they say the new motor is a rock star I would wait a couple years to see how it does in the real world. Personally I hope the new Indian can live up to the hype, gonna need a new (used) bike someday and Drifters aren't getting any younger.
I like the fat fender too. If I'm in the market for a used Indian, I'm looking 2013 and older.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=2013+indian+chief&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=2GqvJP1jlNYf-M&tbnid=2ehVYU0WhcVFWM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bikescatalog.com%2F35-new-indian-chief-vintage-le-are-comming.html&ei=CKoDUvD0K7TlygHNyoHACQ&bvm=bv.50500085,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGMxAdokhpLfn3FVvet0Om2ESn1qw&ust=1376057735452199
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=2013+indian+chief&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=3LMvH2Glw01QRM&tbnid=InczkArDNWUvQM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.topspeed.com%2Fmotorcycles%2Fmotorcycle-reviews%2Findian-motorcycles%2F2013-indian-chief-vintage-ar157786.html&ei=xqkDUp_LE8bkyQHf0oDIDg&bvm=bv.50500085,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGMxAdokhpLfn3FVvet0Om2ESn1qw&ust=1376057735452199
Now THOSE are nice looking bikes....
Quote from: 49Reo on August 08, 2013, 09:52:16 AM
Now THOSE are nice looking bikes....
I agree. But this is my favorite style/color/seat leather that I have seen to date. I may in the future style my Drifter after this bike. Just need some time and some cash.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1301.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag113%2FAaron_DeYarmon%2F9B780416-A124-4CC3-9FCE-86D04AE5D5E5-3341-000002E0E54557A1_zpsc233da40.jpg&hash=2d8945729a59c3ab0b68cfea1efc08feca0b800c)
I can't believe Polaris thinks the machine they reintroduced as Indian looks better than its predecessor. No question IMHO the previos model is way sweeter.
They should have left well enough alone. Maybe the engine would have been okay, apparently there have been issues with the bottle cap engines in the past. But they should have left the overall styling alone. IMHO.
Yep, old Indian way sweeter. I have to say the old engine looks good too. That is a handsome engine even if it doesn't look like an old flathead. No dealer support, styling farts all over, I predict a big fail.
Hopefully they realize their mistake and correct it...would hate to see them (Indian) fail again.
Two years from now, Polaris will be offering HUGE discounts on their remaining production. Their new Indians are not Harley killers. It's just the wrong way to market this. Harley is about everyone thinking they are different, but actually they are all cookie cutter clones. Wear a black leather jacket (like mine) and grunt occasionally (like me). The Indians will be too different, and so much so that existing Harley riders will be afraid of being ostracized by other Harley riders for having a weird, non-Harley bike.
Beyond that segment, the remaining market is even more limited. Figure in maybe 1,000 boomers longing for the nostalgia, and possibly 50 Drifter owners (if that), and you can see there is very limited demand for this brand now. So once the peak demand is filled in the first two years of production, there's probably not a lot left to keep a full-time factory going. But who am I to say. We'll see what actually happens.
Well, there you have it. That's my crystal ball. ;) ;D
I've got to say that Polaris has done a great job getting the word out and creating a buzz. People are talking about their bikes. That had to be goal #1. Now they need more dealers to put butts on bikes. Then its up to the product to make its statement.
No amount of marketing or feel good social media campaigns can fix this. Longtime Indian owners are aghast. Other forums have little if anything good to say. I bet the people who are talking it up are all Polaris employees getting paid for it. I just don't get it, with so many talented builders building outstanding bikes in their garages how a company like Polaris can manage to screw this up so bad. Some of those changes were purely cosmetic and added nothing. That headlight belongs on something else all together. Why so much Chrome on everything? An aluminum frame? WTF? Mag wheels??? I never liked the style of Victory and these look just like them. Look around, nobody has anything good to say. Getting the word out is not saying anything good about it. Nobody is praising this or that or anything specific. I can't stand those friggin handlebars and all that junk on them. When the trend is to hide everything Polaris piles even more useless chrome crap on the bars...look at meeeeeee. That is one ugly fairing too. That whole bike reminds me of a Kawasaki Police Special, tell me it doesn't. I think the police special even has more genuine style. Ok, so the engines cool.
I'm going to wait for a road test from Motorcycle Consumer News before I make any kind of value judgement that isn't based purely on the look...or lack of it. If the power/handling/overall performance is there, then the rest could be fixed by whacking off the ugly parts. I hate bar fairings, they all look like afterthought crap. If they wanted to make a "touring" model, a frame mount fairing would have been the way to go since it doesn't require messing with the steering geometry to make it work. Sorry, they are mostly pretty ugly...but if they go and stop and turn decent, then out comes the torch!
Torch how? On the Aluminum frame? Plastic Fenders? Buy it and park it like an Edsel, it may be worth something someday. Not to be a complete downer but most media today is paid advertising. I personally don't believe anything that I might catch a glimpse of on TV, I worked in film production in Hollywood and left because what I was seeing was going to give me cancer it was so bad, and I'm talking about the programming, not the microwaves. Everything is a lie!
MCN will pick it apart. They always do and I trust their opinions about the performance, not just the looks. After I hear about the mechanicals, I will wait for the customizers to do their thing. I will never be able to afford one of these, but there is one thing you MUST admit about them. they are NOT a kit softail like the predecessors. There is an dealer about 150 miles away, so I'm thinking it might be worth a road trip just to see one up close. I posted on their facebook page about the hard bagger being available without the fugly fairing, but in 2 days, nobody has resopnded
Forgive me for being a little jaded about our lost media :'(. When I look at an older Indian model they look so long and sleek, the engine, while not the flathead, looks like a Jewell sitting in there, I even got used to the little gap in the rear of the engine. I have to say I'm in love with them. New ones, not so much. Like you I can't wait to see one all chopped up. If can get behind an SX650 custom, I can sure get behind a new Indian custom. If I was Jay Leno I'd buy one even, two just to chop one up. Plus I'd put one of those new engines in an older model.
Ok... I decided. Monday, bright and early (I'll wait for sunrise) I'm riding down to Madison to Englehart Motorsports and look at and photograph the new Indians. I will post non media pictures here for you to see. I will not go out of my way to be flattering.
ok so having seen them in person I am left less than impressed by these new Indians. the apparent soft bags are in fact aluminum bags with a leather coating. the dual exhaust is actually two pipes into one and back to two and the cross over is smaller around than the handlebars. don't get me started on the price tag. nope I think I will stick with my drifter any day. that being said they will be rolling out some accessories that should fit our bikes with minimal tweaking, perfect for those of use trying to clone our drifters into Indians. from some beautiful leather mudflaps with and without fringe luggage racks and winsheilds all with that indian head blazend across them.
Quote from: draconarmy on August 10, 2013, 16:22:16 PM
ok so having seen them in person I am left less than impressed by these new Indians. the apparent soft bags are in fact aluminum bags with a leather coating. the dual exhaust is actually two pipes into one and back to two and the cross over is smaller around than the handlebars. don't get me started on the price tag. nope I think I will stick with my drifter any day. that being said they will be rolling out some accessories that should fit our bikes with minimal tweaking, perfect for those of use trying to clone our drifters into Indians. from some beautiful leather mudflaps with and without fringe luggage racks and winsheilds all with that indian head blazend across them.
That's the spirit. Some good will come out of this and it'll be more cool stuff for our Drifters, yea!
You know, I actually like the idea if a hard bag wrapped in leather. You have the classic look of leather with the durability of a hard shell.
Draconarmy, was the lid or top of those bags leather or leather wrapped aluminum?
I want tgo say wraped but cant remember for sure
keep in mind how many years it took for Victory to finally make a profit for polaris. If I recall correctly, it wasn't until 3 or 4 years ago. somebody may have to fact check me on that.
I figure they'll do the same for Indian if it doesn't make money right away. and even though I don't agree with some of their marketing approach either, I'll still force myself to give them the benefit of the doubt and think they may change the design if these 14's don't sell.
I'm glad victorys are out there, I just think their ugly in some ways, and trying to copy too much off harleys and the metrics in others. thats jmo, and if we all liked only one style of bike, it would be a boring mc world.
what dissapoints me is how much you see victory in these new Indians, all the way down to the engine.
it may be pushrods, but its still same layout, with "oil cooled" design.
I'm no expert, but I am "told" that a rh side drive on a standard vtwin is "better balenced" and more torque. Not to mention, its a whole lot less time consuming and less of a pita to change a belt. (could be wrong) either way, thats one carry over from victory I do like.
I also dislike polaris's approach to providing parts for their 2012-2013 Indian models (many still on dealer showroom floors).
Their approach is: immdietly discontinue many of those parts while the new models are still being sold. this is no joke (ask me how I know).
The only differances I see in my 09-2013 Indian service manul between the Kings Mountain era Indians, and the Polaris built Indians from mostly left-over parts (other than discontinuing many of the colors and models), is the forks where built by a differant manufacture and no longer have drains on the bottom for the oil,.... and a couple changes inthe fuse box.
My approach when I bought my 2010 Indian was to ride the crap out of it. If parts fail or break, I'm gonna make/cut/morph/build myself to fix or make better.
I've actually only had a handful of small problems. Polaris fixed them all that I turned in for warranty. They where in no big hurry though.
I'm at 15000 miles, and the engine has been bullit proof. It even got flooded in water just up to over the top of the cylinders in the missisipi river a few weeks ago (not a fun story). Several engine oil/tranny/primary flushes later and its running better than ever.
I have added a tuner and pipes, and many many mods to the rest of the bike to get it where I wanted it. Including a repaint.
anybody here considering buying a 09-14 Indian, it really is a pretty dang good bike, you just better plan really hard when considering factory replacement parts. but there are some things in your favor. the baker dd6, for example.... thats obviously not a issue as far as maintance and parts.
I could go on and on. and the end of the day, its a overpriced bike (duh), and it looks like it still is, just not as bad, till you go putting some of the accessories on it.... $900 for a rear seat back rest???? seriously? even my kings mountain indinan backrest was only a couple hundred.
leather bags are even more than for the last model. (take a look at the leather bag prices, I dare you, lol!
oh well, the drifter is a better bike to me in many ways, but its definetly not as good in many others for what I want in a bike. we're all differant.
The new 2012 and 13's that where unsold at the dealerships all dropped quite a bit in price when the price of the 14's where revealed.
Should any of you have any questions considering purchase on a 09-13 Indian, I'll be happy to give you my opinion or advice I can offer.
speaking of which, here are some pics with the woman from most recent little photo shoot with my Indian at my buddy's vtwin shop.
she borrowed a headress and we got out the body paint.
We're going to have to do some pics with the drifter like this,
NWS NWS NSFW NSFW!!!!!
NUDE BUT CLASSY, LOL!!!
AGAIN, NWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h322/stormpatchkid/Indian%20at%20JJ/chuniversal1654_zps21aa2269.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h322/stormpatchkid/Indian%20at%20JJ/chuniversal605_zpscf4fd8f6.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h322/stormpatchkid/Indian%20at%20JJ/chuniversal1682_zpsf205b056.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h322/stormpatchkid/Indian%20at%20JJ/chuniversal1600_zps59cbbbcd.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h322/stormpatchkid/Indian%20at%20JJ/chuniversal699_zps3a9fd278.jpg
I'll be posting pictures of the 2014 Indians tomorrow, after I get back from Madison...I'm sure they will be no match for yours...
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.
edit
The things I do for you guys.....I went to Madtown, like I said I would. 300 miles (approx) to see and take pictures of the new Indian...what did I get? NOTHING! I get to the place, and they have a fancy new building just for the Indians, but NO BIKES! I walk in, and there is a front fender on a stand like some kind of trophy...accept for the wider chrome trim strip, it might have been off my bike...same colors and everything! The salesman come over and asks how I am...I say disappointed. He won't have any bikes until the first week in September. No sales brochures, no nothing, but a fancy building and a fender. On the bright side, the Drifter got 44 mpg running 75 mph on the "I". Down side:
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!
Quotethe last bike night of the season is Thursday
WOW early winter for you people then......I am hoping to ride till at least end of Sept if not into Oct this year.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 12, 2013, 14:52:31 PM
WOW early winter for you people then......I am hoping to ride till at least end of Sept if not into Oct this year.
Bike night at the local Drive-in restaurant...I'm planning on riding into December, like I usually do.
Quote from: Troll on August 12, 2013, 14:42:14 PM
The things I do for you guys.....I went to Madtown, like I said I would. 300 miles (approx) to see and take pictures of the new Indian...what did I get? NOTHING! I get to the place, and they have a fancy new building just for the Indians, but NO BIKES! I walk in, and there is a front fender on a stand like some kind of trophy...accept for the wider chrome trim strip, it might have been off my bike...same colors and everything! The salesman come over and asks how I am...I say disappointed. He won't have any bikes until the first week in September. No sales brochures, no nothing, but a fancy building and a fender. On the bright side, the Drifter got 44 mpg running 75 mph on the "I". Down side:
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!
...shades of the past...
Quote from: Troll on August 12, 2013, 14:42:14 PM
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.
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...
Mission postponed or mission canceled, Troll? We need real people pics here.
I'm thinking just postponed until he has some bikes...
Quote from: John Hopkins on August 11, 2013, 18:53:28 PM
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.
edited my previous post with pic links, just be careful as they are nws 8)
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.
Quote from: Petemoss on August 12, 2013, 18:18:35 PM
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??
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.
Quote from: greenbarn on August 13, 2013, 21:43:27 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Troll's our man.... Troll, you better tell those folks your dealer shop you might be gone a while on that test ride....
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......
I'm going down there either sometime this week, or perhaps next weekend. Gotta adjust my schedule...BUT I WILL DO IT!!!
ok I am waiting and will have hot coffee for you when you get here....
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
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
Shiney.
So what were your impressions? I suppose they at least let you sit on one?
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.
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
Quote from: Troll on October 22, 2013, 17:05:38 PM
...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.
I like the Drifter better...and I agree, the Chieftain is...well...butt-ugly. :D
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!
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.
Real men can do pink...... ;D
I 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.
You 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...
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.motorcycle-usa.com%2Fphotogallerys%2F2014-Indian-Chieftain-First.jpg&hash=ee395c73f361612c4ce994fe135196c68cefb2aa)
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...
You'll be the coolest guy in Spain, no doubt.
I'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.
Thank 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.
Huh? 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.
And 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...
From what I can tell in the pictures I like the new Indians but I do not Love them, and my verdict is still out on the Chieftan fairing. I liked the looks of pre-2014 models better, they had more of the essence (to me at least) of the original. I think the Drifter captures that essence better as well than the new models. I guess time will tell if they catch on, they certainly are not in my price range!
Quote from: Troll on October 26, 2013, 09:59:50 AM
And you trust the Wall Street Journal's opinion of motorcycles?
HEAVENS NO! Misunderstood me. ;D I wouldn't trust the Wall Street Journal's opinion on ANYTHING, or any other media for that matter. I've been involved with enough "newsworthy events" (and it only takes a couple, BTW) to know that nothing you read in media is accurate. Anything I ever know anything about on a factual-first-hand basis, that is reported in media is WRONG in some way shape or form. Sometimes worse than others...
I just meant that reading the article made me look at it from a different perspective, and made me realize that the vast majority of the public (Polaris' target audience) is not comparing the new Indian to our Drifter - They're comparing it to a Harley, or maybe the Gilroy or something, but most don't even know what a Drifter is. SO, maybe they (Polaris' target audience) will like it...
I'll keep a Drifter (or 2 maybe)... ;)
Quote from: racinfan101 on October 26, 2013, 10:33:37 AM
I think the Drifter captures that essence better as well than the new models. I guess time will tell if they catch on, they certainly are not in my price range!
Me neither, brother. Think of this:
You could buy 3 REALLY NICE 1500 Drifters, and still be under the price of one new Polaris Indian.
OR
You could buy 2 REALLY NICE 1500 Drifters, and do whatever you wanted to do with them, fix them up special, with whatever "normal" custom mods you wanted, and STILL be under the price of ONE new Indian.
OR
You could buy 1 Drifter, and turn it into a Super-Mod Ultra-Custom SHOW BIKE, and Still be under the price of ONE STOCK INDIAN.
Like I said, I can't justify anywhere near that price.
Ya want a new Indian that actually LOOKS and runs like an Indian, but without the mechanical issues of a 60 year old motorcycle, then there is only a Kiwi....http://www.kiwiindian.com/
I can't afford one of these, either, but they at least, look the part. The Kings Mountain and Gilroy models were just kitted SofTails...
I've looked at those before, too. Wouldn't that be nice? One thing I don't understand, though - how do they use the Indian name/logo, if Polaris owns it?
Damn good question...any lawyers in the group (you probably won't admit it, though)?
Quote from: greenbarn on October 26, 2013, 13:46:00 PM
I've looked at those before, too. Wouldn't that be nice? One thing I don't understand, though - how do they use the Indian name/logo, if Polaris owns it?
I think they only recondition Indian motorcycles..
There is a firm in Scotland that claims they sell four in line Indians but they can only sell them in Scotland..
Reading between the lines, I get the impression they only made one or maybe two.
I'm pretty sure that if they become popular the Chinese will start selling them in China..along with everything else.
John.
Spent my entire career working in the licensed product field. You'd crap a big one if you knew what people paid just to own a piece of a name and what lengths they will go to protect their investment. Here's a thought. Back in the late 70' early 80's the mighty mighty HD woke up and realized that anybody with a China connection was pumping out crap with HD logos on it and not paying a dime to the mother ship. They hired a licensing pro (someone I knew personally) and set up a licensing dept. The rest is history. If it says Harley, you pay the piper. Make a pair of boots with a teeny tiny HD logo on them and you pay a minimum of 10 percent of the wholesale cost to HD. My point is someone owns "Indian". If they choose. I said IF. They could sew up the name and anything associated with that name tighter than a schoolmarm's sphincter. So if I were you and I wanted a sticker, decal, emblem, patch, or whatever currently being produced by someone other than Polaris, you better buy it now 'cause I'm predicting here and now they are going to shut down anyone and anything that says "Indian" as an "infringement of their intellectual property rights"....and they can do it. Just ask Disney. That's Wall-street!
Jeep did the same thing. Companies everywhere were making SUV's and calling them jeeps. Needless to say the "actual" Jeep didn't take too kindly to that. That's why all the magazines that are about Jeeps don't say it in the name (JP magazine, Jrations, etc).
Quote from: jmbo on October 26, 2013, 18:36:52 PM
Spent my entire career working in the licensed product field. You'd crap a big one if you knew what people paid just to own a piece of a name and what lengths they will go to protect their investment. Here's a thought. Back in the late 70' early 80's the mighty mighty HD woke up and realized that anybody with a China connection was pumping out crap with HD logos on it and not paying a dime to the mother ship. They hired a licensing pro (someone I knew personally) and set up a licensing dept. The rest is history. If it says Harley, you pay the piper. Make a pair of boots with a teeny tiny HD logo on them and you pay a minimum of 10 percent of the wholesale cost to HD. My point is someone owns "Indian". If they choose. I said IF. They could sew up the name and anything associated with that name tighter than a schoolmarm's sphincter. So if I were you and I wanted a sticker, decal, emblem, patch, or whatever currently being produced by someone other than Polaris, you better buy it now 'cause I'm predicting here and now they are going to shut down anyone and anything that says "Indian" as an "infringement of their intellectual property rights"....and they can do it. Just ask Disney. That's Wall-street!
You are not a kidding!!
Rode a chieftain in Daytona last week. Wow. Comfortable ride, lots of power and a TON of design features. Amazing balance and control.
Electronic throttle was difficult to get used to. Thought I was stalling the bike from a dead stop. Gives the bike a totally different feel.
Kept mashing my heel against the floorboard when shifting. There is no room for a heel/toe shift, engine is in the way.
About five minutes after my demo ride, I threw a leg over the 1500 and had a 100 mile ride that reminded me why it'll be a long time before I ride anything else.
Quote from: FloridaDrifter on October 27, 2013, 20:39:10 PM
Rode a chieftain in Daytona last week. Wow. Comfortable ride, lots of power and a TON of design features. Amazing balance and control.
Electronic throttle was difficult to get used to. Thought I was stalling the bike from a dead stop. Gives the bike a totally different feel.
Kept mashing my heel against the floorboard when shifting. There is no room for a heel/toe shift, engine is in the way.
About five minutes after my demo ride, I threw a leg over the 1500 and had a 100 mile ride that reminded me why it'll be a long time before I ride anything else.
Did they let you open the Indian up to find the top speed, would they even tell you the top speed.
John.
Quote from: jmbo on October 26, 2013, 18:36:52 PM
Spent my entire career working in the licensed product field. You'd crap a big one if you knew what people paid just to own a piece of a name and what lengths they will go to protect their investment. Here's a thought. Back in the late 70' early 80's the mighty mighty HD woke up and realized that anybody with a China connection was pumping out crap with HD logos on it and not paying a dime to the mother ship. They hired a licensing pro (someone I knew personally) and set up a licensing dept. The rest is history. If it says Harley, you pay the piper. Make a pair of boots with a teeny tiny HD logo on them and you pay a minimum of 10 percent of the wholesale cost to HD. My point is someone owns "Indian". If they choose. I said IF. They could sew up the name and anything associated with that name tighter than a schoolmarm's sphincter. So if I were you and I wanted a sticker, decal, emblem, patch, or whatever currently being produced by someone other than Polaris, you better buy it now 'cause I'm predicting here and now they are going to shut down anyone and anything that says "Indian" as an "infringement of their intellectual property rights"....and they can do it. Just ask Disney. That's Wall-street!
Seems the proverbial cat is out of the bag. Between Feb 2012 and this past week "NDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC now owns 31 trademarks (registered or pending) in the US federal trademark database (USPTO) for anything and everything related to "Indian motorcycles" from the classic Indian headdress logo to the classic Indian logotype. Wanna dress your Drifter with Indian script doodads, buy an Indian patch, decal, or sweatshirt, then buy now. Looks like they plan to protect what they bought. Buy now or buy from them.
Quote from: jmbo on October 30, 2013, 20:59:07 PM
Seems the proverbial cat is out of the bag. Between Feb 2012 and this past week "NDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC now owns 31 trademarks (registered or pending) in the US federal trademark database (USPTO) for anything and everything related to "Indian motorcycles" from the classic Indian headdress logo to the classic Indian logotype. Wanna dress your Drifter with Indian script doodads, buy an Indian patch, decal, or sweatshirt, then buy now. Looks like they plan to protect what they bought. Buy now or buy from them.
What do you think will happen with LH fonts "Indian Script"?? btw, did you notice LH now has Indian Script 2? Has a bunch of "swashes" added to it...
Quote from: John Hopkins on October 30, 2013, 19:21:49 PM
Did they let you open the Indian up to find the top speed, would they even tell you the top speed.
John.
Didn't ask about top speed. Was able to get it up to near-highway speeds on the ride, so that doesn't reveal much, but she did handle it with plenty of hp to spare.
Quote from: greenbarn on October 30, 2013, 21:05:50 PM
What do you think will happen with LH fonts "Indian Script"?? btw, did you notice LH now has Indian Script 2? Has a bunch of "swashes" added to it...
There are several similar fonts under various names. In the case of Letter Head Fonts "Indian Script" their font is very close to the original but not all of the letters are completely accurate. (They call it "inspired by the classic Indian motorcycle") The devil is always in the details. The. differences will probably exclude them from harassment. Also there is an intriguing double edge sword in this. LHF already owns the copyright on their font. If Polaris makes too big a fuss about the similarities it may affect their rights to the "Indian" typestyle since LHF has prior art. What webs we weave.