Thinking of selling my...

[rocker59]

...soul.

Damn, I just can't get this bike out of my mind...







 ~;


(no, the Sport 1100 is not for sale).

[rodekyll]

There are some things that once seen can never be unseen.

[twhitaker]

When I glanced at the first picture I thought I saw a vestigial kicker.  :o  ::)

[Lannis]

When I glanced at the first picture I thought I saw a vestigial kicker.  :o  ::)

You're SUPPOSED to see a vestigal kicker.   And a vestigal foot clutch, and a vestigal front fender, and a vestigal reminder that in your grandfather's day, Indians were a major brand, race winner, etc.

The whole thing is about vestiges.   I've ridden the real ones, and when I look at this bike, I literally can see little or no difference between it and the myriads of Stars and Intruders and FXLTCSXFS's and Honda V-twins and everyone else trying to cash in on the Harley/Indian history ....

Lannis

[jas67]

That's-a-nice!    ;-T

New color scheme for 2015?   I don't remember the black & red.

I still want the Scout.

[Kev m]

when I look at this bike, I literally can see little or no difference between it and the myriads of Stars and Intruders and FXLTCSXFS's and Honda V-twins and everyone else trying to cash in on the Harley/Indian history ....

Perhaps it's because you have no interest in the form/ergonomics of that category of bike.

I could make the same comment about most YamaKawHondaZuki Sports/Standards...but I wouldn't because I'd probably look a little deeper if I cared.

The Indian has a lot of nice traits that set it apart from a modern Harley.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Rocker, I'm officially drumming you out of the corp. <ripping off epaulets, da da dum....da da dum....>

[Lannis]

Perhaps it's because you have no interest in the form/ergonomics of that category of bike.

I could make the same comment about most YamaKawHondaZuki Sports/Standards...but I wouldn't because I'd probably look a little deeper if I cared.

The Indian has a lot of nice traits that set it apart from a modern Harley.

Perhaps.   There are lots of possible reasons why someone may have a different opinion from an OP about the goodness, aesthetics, value, or fun factor of a particular motorcycle.

Lannis

[flip]

I always thought the section covered with bodywork between the engine and rear wheel on those looked strange. I understand that they stretched it to allow the driver's seat to droop down between the engine and the rear wheel so the seat can be as low as possible but to my eyes, it just looks wrong.

[Kev m]

Perhaps.   There are lots of possible reasons why someone may have a different opinion from an OP about the goodness, aesthetics, value, or fun factor of a particular motorcycle.

I wasn't commenting on whether your opinion on the goodness, aesthetics, value, or fun factor was different from the OP or not.

I was questioning whether you actually have paid enough attention to the bike to "see" any "difference between it and the myriads of...".

[rboe]

Two Scouts showed up at our Not-a-Rally this past weekend. Damn good looking machines. Seat is too low and small (RDL has spoiled me) and frankly, my tall lanky frame is just too much for it.

Now the Chief, oh man, I could be talked into one pretty easily. They compare very favorably with the 1400 California with even better cornering clearance (like I would need it  :P ).

It is big and heavy. Drinks gas too. The motor has lots of torque, a lot to like.  :BEER:

[Lannis]

I wasn't commenting on whether your opinion on the goodness, aesthetics, value, or fun factor was different from the OP or not.

I was questioning whether you actually have paid enough attention to the bike to "see" any "difference between it and the myriads of...".

I think so.   Upon closer view and mature reflection, it looks like a fat, heavy, feet-forward, trying-to-recapture-the-past, lean-back-like-Captain-America, look-like-everyone-else cruiser.   If someone gave me a new one, I wouldn't even ride it, I'd just sell it and buy something I wanted.

Lannis

[rocker59]

Don't ride one Lannis.  Don't ride one.

You may lose your soul, like I have.

 ~;

[Kev m]

Don't ride one Lannis.  Don't ride one.

You may lose your soul, like I have.

 ~;

Besides, if he rode one then he couldn't spit at it from afar...  ;-T

[jas67]

I think so.   Upon closer view and mature reflection, it looks like a fat, heavy, feet-forward, trying-to-recapture-the-past, lean-back-like-Captain-America, look-like-everyone-else cruiser.   If someone gave me a new one, I wouldn't even ride it, I'd just sell it and buy something I wanted.

Lannis

Now, I'm pretty anti-cruiser (esp. when I get stuck behind slow moving herds of the damned things on my favorite twisty roads  ~;), but, I have to disagree with you here.    Look at the picture at the beginning of this post.   The floorboards on that are pretty much mid-mount, not feet-forward.
Though, I agree, it seems like many, if most cruisers are shipping with feet forward controls.

As much as I liked the Scout, the foot controls were a lot more forward than I prefer.   A higher seat and  more rearward controls would make it better for me.    BUT -- you and I aren't their demographic.   I hope they sell lots of them.    Heck, I might even pick up a used one some day ( I'm cheap: there's your Guzzi content ) and modify it to fit my needs, if I can without messing up the looks.

I think all the new Indians are beautiful bikes (though I'm not a fan of fringe).    I also liked the power deliver of both of them as well.

You really should ride the Scout, if nothing else just to experience the engine.     You don't have to like the ergos to enjoy the test ride, but, trust me, you'll like the engine.   It is a lot more like a Guzzi or a Ducati than your typical 1700+ CC 45 degree cruiser V-twin.    I'd love for them to put that motor in a classic standard.   They won't, because that isn't what sells in the US-of-A.   Cruisers are king here, so, I can't blame them.    Those of us who like them should be thankful that the V7 series and Bonnevilles sell wellyear after year.     Look at other attempts at classic standards in the last 15 years, Kawasaki W650 -- 2 years and done, Honda CB1100, 2 years and done.

[rocker59]

Rocker, I'm officially drumming you out of the corp. <ripping off epaulets, da da dum....da da dum....>

You'll know the deal is done when my screen name changes from rocker59 to rocker-X

[Aaron D.]

My Scout finally arrives Friday-and I just told them to put reduced reach foot controls on after a 30 mile romp on my wife's Scout.

We've done a lot of riding together, her on Scout, me on Jackal. Interesting contrast.

The Chiefs are beautiful and fun to ride, but they are not my cup of coffee.

[Kev m]

My Scout finally arrives Friday-and I just told them to put reduced reach foot controls on after a 30 mile romp on my wife's Scout.

We've done a lot of riding together, her on Scout, me on Jackal. Interesting contrast.

The Chiefs are beautiful and fun to ride, but they are not my cup of coffee.

I can't wait to hear some reports and comparisons on the two sets of controls!!!

[jas67]

I can't wait to hear some reports and comparisons on the two sets of controls!!!

 :pop

[boatdetective]

Well, you'll have to put me in the "hater" camp with Lannis. I was really, really positive about this launch. I still wish the company the best. However, I just didn't get it when i saw the bike in the flesh. It seemed like if they could chrome the saddle and add leather fringe and studs to the tires they would've done it. There just didn't seem to be any subtlety or restaint to the whole package.

While I am not a cruiser guy, I really appreciate the 1400 as a design statement. It is not "trying' to be anything. It is unique as hell when it comes to form and line. They could've gone a lot further over the top with the design, but chose not to (the white walls on the new models cross the line in that regard). The 1400 has true ancestry and has severl styling elements that pay homage to it....but it's not a slavish retro copy of the original bike.

I don't mean to rain on the OP's parade. Mike- you want the Big Chief? Awesome!  As your attorney, I would recommend it as a prudent decision.

[Aaron D.]

I can't wait to hear some reports and comparisons on the two sets of controls!!!

I kind of know what to expect as I was moving my feet to find a decent (if not sport-bike type) position, I would love to see the pegs go back 4 or 5 inches but the set only supposedly moves them 2". And I don't think you can actually move them back much more.

Still, that will keep heels off the ground.

Otherwise the bike is a serious riot.

[Lannis]

Besides, if he rode one then he couldn't spit at it from afar...  ;-T

It's really, really OK to just say "Doesn't sound like you're an Indian customer then!" rather than ASS-ume that anyone who doesn't agree with your assessment on the worthiness of a bike is either uninformed or has something wrong with them.

For example.   After long searching, I picked a Stelvio to ride.   After 35,000 mostly two-up miles, I still enjoy it very much.

But someone might say "Lannis, that Stelvio of yours is butt-ugly - looks like the love-child of a Borg and a Replicator.   Sits way up high, hard to climb on and off of, and I'll bet half the people that own them are Adventure Posers trying to look like they just got back from Tierra del Fuego.   I hear that the mirrors fall apart, the spark plug boots crap out, water leaks into the rear drive unless you spend $200 to fix it, and I saw one where the swingarm broke in two.   Sorry, but I wouldn't own one of those ugly, half-finished things if you gave it to me."

And you know, they'd be exactly right.   They DO look ugly to some, they AREN'T everyone's seating position, they DO have trail-bike styling cues that might appeal to a poser, and they DO have teething problems.  

So what am I going to do, insist that they take a closer look because if they look at it close, they'll love it like I do?   Accuse them of bigotry?   Moan that they're peeing in my Cheerios and why can't they just be positive or shut up?

No.   I'd say "Thank God there's lots of other bikes to choose from, because you would NOT like a Stelvio."

You can have that sentiment for free for future use, it's not copyrighted ....  :D

Lannis

[LowRyter]

Don't ride one Lannis.  Don't ride one.

You may lose your soul, like I have.

 ~;

she ain't much to look at but .....ride one

[Chuck in Indiana]

she ain't much to look at but .....ride one

Gaaaa! My eyes!! And.. it's probably more money than I make in a week.. ::)
Nice rant, Lannis.  ;D

[Lannis]

she ain't much to look at but .....ride one

But I've got a Stelvio ... what's this bike got that my Stelvio ain't got?

Fay would have to approve the reach from the passenger seat to the rear footpegs ..... and that's not an easy test to pass!

Lannis

[LowRyter]

OK OK  Charles.   ;D

But smooth, fast, comfy and agile ...all in one package...... perhaps, not much to look at and not a lot of personality either but very competent.

[rocker59]

  I really appreciate the 1400 as a design statement. It is not "trying' to be anything. It is unique as hell when it comes to form and line. 

You're kidding right?  I mean, Piaggio couldn't have gotten any closer to a Road King if they tried!  LOL!

I don't mean to rain on the OP's parade. Mike- you want the Big Chief? Awesome!  As your attorney, I would recommend it as a prudent decision.

LOL!  You're not raining.  I just thought we needed one more "thinking of selling" thread on the front page!

 :D

[Kev m]

I kind of know what to expect as I was moving my feet to find a decent (if not sport-bike type) position, I would love to see the pegs go back 4 or 5 inches but the set only supposedly moves them 2". And I don't think you can actually move them back much more.

Still, that will keep heels off the ground.

Otherwise the bike is a serious riot.

Any chance I could ask you to take some comparative pics showing the difference in control positions. I've not even seen a photo of one with the reduced reach controls and I'd love to get an idea of where they sit.

[Kev m]

It's really, really OK to just say "Doesn't sound like you're an Indian customer then!" rather than ASS-ume that anyone who doesn't agree with your assessment on the worthiness of a bike is either uninformed or has something wrong with them.

For example.   After long searching, I picked a Stelvio to ride.   After 35,000 mostly two-up miles, I still enjoy it very much.

But someone might say "Lannis, that Stelvio of yours is butt-ugly - looks like the love-child of a Borg and a Replicator.   Sits way up high, hard to climb on and off of, and I'll bet half the people that own them are Adventure Posers trying to look like they just got back from Tierra del Fuego.   I hear that the mirrors fall apart, the spark plug boots crap out, water leaks into the rear drive unless you spend $200 to fix it, and I saw one where the swingarm broke in two.   Sorry, but I wouldn't own one of those ugly, half-finished things if you gave it to me."

And you know, they'd be exactly right.   They DO look ugly to some, they AREN'T everyone's seating position, they DO have trail-bike styling cues that might appeal to a poser, and they DO have teething problems.  

So what am I going to do, insist that they take a closer look because if they look at it close, they'll love it like I do?   Accuse them of bigotry?   Moan that they're peeing in my Cheerios and why can't they just be positive or shut up?

No.   I'd say "Thank God there's lots of other bikes to choose from, because you would NOT like a Stelvio."

You can have that sentiment for free for future use, it's not copyrighted ....  :D

Lannis

Before you waste any more effort defending a position I never challenged let me refer you to your OP in the thread:

when I look at this bike, I literally can see little or no difference between it and the myriads of Stars and Intruders and FXLTCSXFS's and Honda V-twins and everyone else trying to cash in on the Harley/Indian history ....

My point, which you've missed with your straw man argument, had absolutely nothing to do with your opinion or like/dislike of the Indian.

I was simply pointing out that if you see "little or no difference" you obviously aren't looking closely.

I'm making no value judgment on your tastes.

I'm simply pointing out that though there are similarities between the brands, similarities that arguably define the market segment (like say the similarities between a Stelvio and a GS), there are equally as many or more dissimilarities.

That's all...

[Lannis]

I was simply pointing out that if you see "little or no difference" you obviously aren't looking closely.

.....

I'm simply pointing out that though there are similarities between the brands, similarities that arguably define the market segment (like say the similarities between a Stelvio and a GS), there are equally as many or more dissimilarities.

That's all...

I guess I'm like Tolkien's Lindir -

“It is not easy for us to tell the difference between two mortals.....To sheep other sheep no doubt appear different. Or to shepherds. But Mortals are not our study. We have other business.”

Substitute "cruisers" for "mortals" and that's about it ...  ;-T

Lannis