The New Indian Chief Thunder Stroke 111 merged threadfest

[Kev m]

seems like the Harley still performs like a Harley, no match for the Cal 14.  Someone that's ridden the Cal and the Indian might let us know how they stack up.  In lieu of that I tend to agree with Rocker saying that the Indian and Harley are probably pretty close.

I did, you just didn't like what you heard.

Now ride the Indian and new Harley and get back to us.

[LowRyter]

really? 

[Kev m]

In Veloce/Sport mode, more torque is available earlier in the rev range similar to the engine output of its American counterparts."

hmmmmmm


Sounds familiar.

[Kev m]

Torque felt comparable to the new Cali 1400, so a step or 3 beyond a 2V Guzzi big block. Can't compare to current HD big twin yet, but suspect it is also comparable.

Quoted for Low. There's more in Jay's and my initial reports, but pulling out quotes on the phone is a pia.

[jas67]

I just got the following email from Indian Motorcycles of North NJ.  I find it interesting that nearly 9% of the attendees actually placed orders.  That is very encouraging for Indian.   I wish them well.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to experience the all-new 2014 Indian Chief motorcycles, powered by the Thunder Stroke 111 Engine. Your participation during our two day Demo Event contributed to making our event a huge success. Over 350 people experienced the effortless handling, smooth operation, unmatched performance and shear pleasure of the new 2014 Indian Chief motorcycles. (Classic, Vintage & Chieftain). Nearly 9% of attendees placed orders for one of the three models. 75% of our customers ordered the Indian Chief Vintage.

My team and I, like you, are life-long motorcycle enthusiast and are extremely passionate about Indian Motorcycles . Today, with Polaris behind the brand, Indian Motorcycle brings a CHOICE for every V-Twin rider.

If you are considering an Indian motorcycle in the future, we want your purchase to be an exciting experience. We offer number of incentives, including special financing rates that will assist in making your purchase an over-all win-win.

Please contact us with questions, suggestions and your overall experience input . Your candid feedback enables us to continue to be your #1 Indian Motorcycle dealership. We want to ensure your day was as extraordinary as ours.

Throughout the year we host a number of rides and events here at Indian Motorcycle of Northern New Jersey, which can be found on our website at www.indian-nj.com.

We look forward to speaking with you. Please stop by or call for your personalized quote.

Regards,
Stephen M. Waite
Vice President / General Manager
Mack Powersports Corp. / Indian Motorcycle of Northern New Jersey
2365 US HWY 22 West
Union, NJ 07083
website: www.indian-nj.com

[Kev m]

That's 22 orders in one weekend, not a bad start.

Hopefully that doesn't just represent the pent up back log of interest, as they'll need to keep selling to stay in business, but that's a nice start.

[kevdog3019]

Always amazes me when Guzzi guys get wrapped up in numbers. I don't think any of us ride our old ditch pumps because of numbers so why the bickering?  Ride the Indian before you fall in love or bitch about performance. You will never know the character if you don't ride one. If you need to go well over 100mph you should be looking at sport bikes not cruisers.
Hmmm...
-Kevin

[jas67]

That's 22 orders in one weekend, not a bad start.

Hopefully that doesn't just represent the pent up back log of interest, as they'll need to keep selling to stay in business, but that's a nice start.

Uh, 9% is around 31 orders.    :BEER:

[jas67]

Always amazes me when Guzzi guys get wrapped up in numbers. I don't think any of us ride our old ditch pumps because of numbers so why the bickering?  Ride the Indian before you fall in love or bitch about performance. You will never know the character if you don't ride one. If you need to go well over 100mph you should be looking at sport bikes not cruisers.
Hmmm...
-Kevin

It definitely has character.    And lots of torque -- didn't I mention torque?    ;D
The motor is also one of the best looking motors on any bike on the market, period.

[Kev m]

ha ha, either I got a different email (unlikely) or I read too fast (thought it said 250)....oops.

As Papa would say "that's more better".

[rocker59]

Well, our big biker rally was this week.  Bikes, Blues, & BBQ.  Anyway, I really wanted to see the new Indians.  Unfortunately, this evening I got there too late, and they were packed and ready to head to the next event...



Maybe next time...

[Arizona Wayne]

That's the lowest ground clearance of a trailer I have ever seen !!!   :o   ::)

[Triple Jim]

I bet once the air compressor came on, it rose up a bit.  I would have tried to finagle a private tour in the trailer, but maybe you did that.

[Kev m]

Stopped by the Harley open house Thursday on our way out of town for a long weekend of riding.

I was hoping to demo the latest RK to compare it to the Cali and Indian, but they didn't have the standard RK available (only the Screaming Eagle 110" version) and there was already a waiting list 3-4 hours long.

So instead I took out the Dyna Fat Bob (only Dyna with dual discs) and a Sportster 48 with the new brakes and ABS.

The Dyna was very nice. Decent power, maybe a hair less than the Cali or Indian, but not enough that it would matter. Handled great, though the forward controls suck due to foot position and the fact that my right knee would have to sit against the air cleaner all the time with that peg setup.

As much as I liked the Indian, it's REALLY more bike than I want/need.

I could see making the Fat Bob a tourer that would be more right-sized for me.

[oldbike54]

What about the "48" ? To painful to report on ?
Dusty

[LowRyter]

 :pop

[oldbike54]

OK , I was just commenting on Kev M being tall .  ;)
Dusty

[Kev m]

What about the "48" ? To painful to report on ?
Dusty

Actually, the Sportster remains my first choice in a Harley both for the smaller size and more simple/robust motor of more reasonable size.

The 48 suspension was not nearly as bad as I've been lead to believe, though cornering clearance was more compromised than I'd like. I'm sure it could be improved nicely with a set of progressive shocks in slightly longer bodies.

The real gem was the reason I wanted to ride it in the first place, the new brake system.

It should be noted that MCN has previously shown a 1200N with single 2-pot Nissin brake to stop in a shorter distance than some late-model R1200GS bikes they've tested, but I was not satisfied with feel or bite with that braking system, so I went to the duals used on the XL R models.

For 2014 models Harley increased the size of the rotors and calipers on the Sportsters, as well as revising the master cylinder sizes and adding braided steel brake lines. The result is a much better brake system that feels as strong (relative to bike size) as the 4-pot Brembo on the V7.

I could probably live with the new single disc setup ...even in the new electronically linked ABS version.

[bpreynolds]

So last weekend my wife and I again went down to TN for me to (again) test drive one of the wonderful V7 models.  Got some seat time on a new Special.  What a delight.  On the floor they still had 3 different old stock V7s that apparently were just not selling despite mark downs.  The dealer (Sloan's) carries lots of bikes including Polaris/Victory/Indian.  They have completely remodeled an entire wing of their dealership in preparation for the arrival of the new Indians.  T-shirts, old Indians, and memorabilia adorn the place.  When I asked the guy said they already have 21 sold and obviously don't even have a single bike in yet.  He said they brought the new bikes by for show and they expected some turn out but nowhere near the 200 folks who showed up to see them.  Said they sold 7 that day.   

[Triple Jim]

They certainly had a large sales campaign.  This time next year we should know if they fulfilled the expectations the company set.

[cruzziguzzi]

I'd be a serious buyer for one... down the road.

I know it's their stock-in-trade aesthetic but I'd be waiting for the aftermarket to allow me to un-ass those fenders, front and rear.

Another sticking point for me is that I've learned and apparently had to re-learn - repeatedly, to not dive into major model year changes let alone an all new design.

I no longer have the tolerance to be an unwitting member of a de-facto focus group or an un-paid member of a manufacturer's post production R&D team.

Wrinkles gone or proven to be non-existant in the first place, a way to address the excess of body work acreage and a tank to conceal that billboard sized headstock and I could see giving up the Calvin for one of the "Classic" models.

[LowRyter]

I was recently at the local Victory (Honda & Yamaha) dealer and asked them if they were taking on Indian.  The salesman told me "no, Indian wants a stand alone dealer."

I guess they gave me a line of BS.  No Indian dealer here in OKC.  I would like to ride one.  (I doubt if I'd like at as well as the Cal 14 but I ain't buying now anyway.)

[Triple Jim]

Maybe Indian didn't want that particular dealer for some reason.  I've seen some pretty whacko stuff pulled on dealers in other product lines.

[LowRyter]

prolly

[biking sailor]

John, reading between lines, the Victory dealer you are refering to also has Ural, Royal Enfield, and several scooter lines to go with Victory, Yamaha, and Honda.  Pretty wide selection already.

Have you checked with the Victory dealer in Jones?  They carry Can-Am (had a bunch of Spiders in stock last time I was there) along with Polaris (I think).  That might be the best bet for an established local dealer to pickup Indian, but they are definitely not a boutique type of place.

What does Indian seem to want their dealers to look like, fancy superstore, Mom & Pop type, or ...?

Darren

[dilligaf]

Unless you just have to be the first kid on the block to have one, I would wait a year or three.  :BEER:
Matt

[bpreynolds]

I'm not sure why Sloan's got the franchise and others didn't.  They are a huge multi brand dealer:  Yamaha, Victory, Guzzi, KTM, Suzuki, Vespa, Piaggio, Polaris, and Kymco.  Maybe they mainly got it because there is a giant, seemingly uber successful Harley dealer about 100 yards away? 

[Kev m]

When I asked the guy said they already have 21 sold and obviously don't even have a single bike in yet.  He said they brought the new bikes by for show and they expected some turn out but nowhere near the 200 folks who showed up to see them.  Said they sold 7 that day.  

That's exactly like what I've heard from the stand alone dealer in northern NJ.

The salesman told me "no, Indian wants a stand alone dealer."

I guess they gave me a line of BS.  

Yup definite line of BS.

Of the 3 closest dealers to me, 2 are NOT stand alone

50 miles away:

http://www.hernleys.com/   is Polaris, Victory, Indian

231 miles away:

http://www.menneto.com/   is Victory, Polaris, Yamaha, Indian


The only stand alone is:

100 miles away:

http://www.indian-nj.com/

[Lannis]

Unless you just have to be the first kid on the block to have one, I would wait a year or three.  :BEER:
Matt

Or six or eight.   To me, they don't look any different than any of the HD or metric V-twin cruiser/touring bikes.   Big, heavy bike, V-twin, lots of bells and farkles, laid-back seating position to kill my back, limited ground clearance, and you see yourself coming the other way 50 times a day ... ?

I've never seen the draw.

Lannis

[JJ]

October 19-20 @ Victory / Indian of Scottsdale, AZ in the Airpark. 8) 

The Indian demo truck will be here and we will be test riding the new bike! :) I signed up for the Chieftain! :)