The New Indian Chief Thunder Stroke 111 merged threadfest

[LongRanger]

I am thoroughly impressed with their marketing splash. The videos are perfect. Very well done, and the bikes really look great. I wish them success!  ;-T

But, um, I'd like to see one of those bikes heeled over in a curve...

[ohiorider]

.......... well, this is quite the v twin.  

[wheaties]

But, um, I'd like to see one of those bikes heeled over in a curve...

 :+1

I'd like to hear the bike rolling down the road

Edit:  Oops!  Looks like the site has gone down.  Too many hits at once!

[LongRanger]

The nearest dealer to Denver is in Lincoln, NE, about 500 miles away. I expect that to change soon.

[Kev m]

A cruiser, a Road King competitor, and a Street Glide competitor.

Not bad.

All have ABS, keyless ignition, and I think 6-speeds, and displays with trip computers/ambient temp gauges/tachometers etc.

The Chieftain (hard bags) has some nice tech, including a power adjustable windshield, LED driving lights, remote locking saddlebags, Bluetooth capable audio system. Not bad!

I'd like the Vintage (RK) competitor along with the hard bags and mag wheels of the Chieftain.

I'll be watching the brand with interest

[Moto]

Compared to the Cali 1400, it is 8 inches longer (!), 75 lbs heavier, but has a narrower rear tire.

Maybe whales like this will make the Guzzi seem more reasonably sized.

Moto

P.S. Still looking forward to riding the Cali.

[Shorty]

Looks promising.   :) Nice line up of bikes.  I bet this is hard to watch for those dealers/ investors who took a chance on the last incarnation of Indian, and lost their shirts. 

[rocker59]

I'm not really digging the headlight shroud.  The "normal" tail light is nice.  Bet one would look good on a Cal 14.  5.5 gallon fuel tank.  Wish the Cal 14 had as much.

It's still got the "Heritage Classic" type of profile.  Not really my thing.

At the price, I think they'll sell a shed-load of them.

I'd like to see a stripped down, blacked out "Scout".

[leafman60]

First time I've this.  Been waiting a long time.

Sigh.

The new Indian is first-class quality, first-class engineering and, I'm sure, first-class performance for an American V-Twin. Pricing is very competitive too.

I genuinely hope they are successful with it and the new Indian will have trickle-down positive benefits for other manufacturers.

I just don't like the funky skirted (valanced) fenders.  I didn't like those versions of the old Indians either.  The fairing doesn't do anything for me either.

The H-D is a much, much prettier bike for me.  

Hey, I was open-minded and held out the prospect that I may even have a new Indian !  Again, I give them credit and maybe the cruiser public will respond better than I am.  It just isn't my cup of tea.

[Penderic]

Good luck, Indian.

The ball is in Harley's court, as they say. Competition is good. Maybe Harley will come out with something more exciting.

[fotoguzzi]

I dig the Indian Vintage, the Chieftan looks like Victory guys designed the fairing, ugly.

[jas67]

I'm not a big cruiser guy, but I'm pretty excited about this!

Glad a company like Polaris picked up the brand and is actually doing something with it!

 ;-T

 :+1

Not my thing, but definitely a good looking bike.   I think the motor is way better looking than the older one with the very tall, skinny looking cylinders.    They definitely hit the ball out of the park with the styling one the new one.

Now, that Scout model that was being speculated could be interesting to me.

As others have said, it is good to see another American brand back on the market.

Also, as at least one other has said on this forum, now that Polaris has both Indian and Victory, it'd be nice to see Victory expand into other segments, such as sport tourers.
 

[Mark West]

Well at least they used modern technology; ABS, cruise control, etc. Otherwise it's about what I expected to see. The Chieftan fairing looks a bit too much like the Vision fairing and doesn't really fit with the rest of the bike in my eyes but to each his own. I can definitely see them stealing some of HD's market share. The classic name/style will make some of the sheep brave enough to buy one without worrying what their buddies will say. In reality I think that is what keeps many of them from looking at Victory or other alternatives.

Not my cup of tea but would like to take one for a ride some time.

[Aaron D.]

I would think more Victory sales would be lost vs Harley, to this.

I love the old Chief, and I like this. A Scout would be cool.

[dilligaf]

I saw this today. 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2013/08/04/indian-motorcycle-unveils-three-new-models-in-bid-to-take-on-harley-davidson/?partner=yahootix
So far I haven't seen anything to suggest the Indian chrome will be shiner or the exhaust will make more noise.  If they are going to take on Harley well, just saying.  :BEER:
Matt

[LowRyter]

I'm not really digging the headlight shroud.  The "normal" tail light is nice.  Bet one would look good on a Cal 14.  5.5 gallon fuel tank.  Wish the Cal 14 had as much.

It's still got the "Heritage Classic" type of profile.  Not really my thing.

At the price, I think they'll sell a shed-load of them.

I'd like to see a stripped down, blacked out "Scout".

I think they might be five years late for the nostalgia styling.  Seems like the cruiser guys have moved on from the springer-style 1940s to the 50-60's bobber/hot rod metal flake and flat black look.  

But the proof is in the riding.  If it rides good, it might overcome styling.  There maybe some geezers that will like it- niche market.  Being Guzzi guys, we know niche markets.

[Stormtruck2]

I like the deep valanced fenders on the new Indians.  That to me speaks Indian.  Having learned to ride on a 46 Chief, I guess that fender takes me back to a long distant youth and feeling of immortality. I would love to buy a new Chief, but will get the new 1400 Cali first, then the Indian Red Vintage after that.  I'm 120 miles from Des Moines, I see a road trip in my very near future.

[biking sailor]

What would you think if they came out soon with an adventure tourer called the Scout and a sport touring called the Brave or something similar. Then kept expanding to have a full line of MC genres. I would think Polaris would do it with either Indian or Victory, as two overlapping brands really don't make sense to me. Just thinking out load.

Darren

[lucydad]

I will take a Chief Vintage in blue please.

Seriously though I think Polaris has done exceptionally well in design and execution.

I look forward to the motorcycle press testing these bikes. 

[tazio]

I'd like to see one of those  "Winged Wheels of America" fairings from Vetter from about 1997 on the Chieftain.
Only 50 were ever made.($1,300 :o)
I remember seeing one @ Earl Small's Harley Davidson ~Marietta, GA. on a display stand.
It had metal "wings".
 A "Flairing", as it was advertized...

Anyone remember these?

[John Ulrich]

I will take a Chief Vintage in blue please.

That's my favorite!   ;-T
I'd be tempted to two-tone the fenders.

[lucydad]

Yep that Vintage in blue is puuuurty!  The leather seat and bags though could be a huge issue with time:  wet and rot and mold here in the near tropics.

I am waiting to see an Indian dealer in Houston pop up.  Might worth a ride to go gawk this fall. 

I think HD is in for some competition here.  That new 111 engine intrigues me:  is it smoother than a big HD with the potato potato shake a shake a crap?  Then again my goose barely stays upright when I sluice the throttle... :o

[Aaron D.]

Cycle World has an "impression" up, sounds like a together machine if it is your sort of thing.

[boatdetective]

So, I'm wondering- they spent a huge amount of effort getting the vintage thing correct...but is that going to limit them? Is Indian always going to be synonymous with retro? It seems that any healthy company will want to spread its appeal a bit. Maybe that's what Victory is for- a brand name that draws in the "futuristic" cruiser set. I thought the comment about the Scout and Brave was interesting.

[LongRanger]

Hope not. Glynn Kerr penned some really cool ideas in the July and August 2013 issues of Motorcycle Consumer News, including an XR-750 inspired roadster, a cruiser, a 90's-styled sport bike, a clubman, and a scrambler. They look REALLY good!

[oldbike54]

LR , I think those are Enfirlds with the T-stroke motor .
Dusty

[LongRanger]

Uh, yeah, you're right, my bad. But they are sharp!

[rocker59]

So, I'm wondering- they spent a huge amount of effort getting the vintage thing correct...but is that going to limit them? Is Indian always going to be synonymous with retro? It seems that any healthy company will want to spread its appeal a bit. Maybe that's what Victory is for- a brand name that draws in the "futuristic" cruiser set. I thought the comment about the Scout and Brave was interesting.

From the Cycle World article:

“I can really see the brand going anywhere and everywhere, and we want it to,” says Gray. “We don’t want the brand to pinned down into cruisers, baggers and touring like everyone probably expects. We want to go beyond that. That won’t be a quick process. It’s not going to happen next year, it’s going to happen over fives and tens of years.”

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/03/2014-indian-chief-vintage-and-chieftain-bagger-first-ride-review-photos-specs/?src=SOC&dom=fb

[oldbike54]

   Eric,  ;-T Me too .
Dusty.

[Moto_Chicago]

If Indian had never gone out of business, do you think they would be making a bike that looked just like what they sold in the 40's and 50's? I seriously doubt it. I think it's possible to keep the spirit of an Indian without having to make a copy with a modern motor although it would require more skill and probably more risk.

I expect the copies will be reliable with Polaris backing, but not something I would be interested in. The ridiculously long wheelbase, art deco fenders, and lighted ornament are cool to see on an antique motorcycle, but seem a little garish on a modern machine if you ask me. Yeah. I know you didn't.

I was watching the intro video. http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/stories/2014-motorcycle-launch-video

My thoughts were that they looked like completely modern replicas of a bygone era, no sense of nostalgia for me.
I live in a hundred year old house, in an even older town.  It has a much different feel compared to new old construction that tries to look real.