posted Wed, 03/14/2018 - 17:47
5872
Harley Vs. Indian - What are your opinions?
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Alright, I’m finally becoming a real manly man and getting myself a motorcycle - in other words my wife gave me the green light. I was wondering what your opinions are regarding these two brands.
For Harley I’m really digging the V-Rod or the Road King Special.
For Indian the chief and the Springfield are tempting me, in dark horse trim.
Figured I’d get some input from you guys to help steer me right.
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My father has a road glide special, and my uncle has a ultra limited, but I just can’t get into the fairings yet. They’re nice looking bikes, but I suppose that’s why I prefer the RKS because it’s the same platform minus the fairing.
The build quality has definitely improved at HD, but from what I gather it’s still a bit behind Indian. I’d work on my own once the warranty ran out because what’s the point of having that and not using it, so hopefully by that time Indian parts would be cheaper and more widely available, the way HD parts are now.
I’ve looked into going Darkside or double dark, it’s definitely an interesting take on tires. Tires aren’t gonna make or break the purchase though, so if I get 8k, or 15k out of a pair it is what it is.
My company has about 3 guys in a MC right now, not one of those 1%er clubs or anything. I don’t plan on participating, I’d rather just ride than worry about clubs and all that.
Anyone of them ever say why? It’s not the “It’s not a real Harley” excuse is it?
Harley...HOOYAH!!!
Harley all day. Get a cruiser, the VROD is just not meant for cross country riding. In the city they’re a fun ride. I just sold my dyna, had it posted for less than 30 minutes before I had a buyer. Ended up selling for 500$ less than my asking price ( Blue Book value). It’s a proven investment not just a riding experience. If you ever need to sell an Indian your target market is much smaller and could lead to a longer sale period for you. Think practical and not with your emotions bro.
Resale is not what it once was. Unfortunately.
You’ve got a point about resale. But financing wise Indian has the better deal, .99% vs HD 5.99%. HD also has more dealership locations so they may be more willing to drop prices from MSRP to make the sale, as well as have more shops for servicing under warranty and what not.
I’m not entirely sure I’d be going cross country. Across state lines sure, but most of the use would be for getting to work and then joy riding on weekends.
Vrod if you’re NEVER gonna take it out of town. Anything more than 60-100 miles and you’re gonna want that road king. I hope you’ve got some experience because that’s a lot of bike.
Lmao, zero experience! Aside for an 883 that I’d take around a few times. I subscribe to the theory that each bike handles differently, so you’re still gonna learn on a bigger bike if you upgrade from a smaller. I’d rather just start off Big from the get go, and no I’m not gonna go full squid on it.
Damn. Get something you don’t mind dropping then because you will.
Either you’ve dropped the bike, or you’re gonna drop the bike, eh?
I’m gonna be devastated whether I drop a street 500 or a road glide, but that’s what insurance is for!
we all gotta start riding somewhere, as long as it’s two wheels though it’s worth it.
I had a relative that was so scared of dropping his 100yr anniversary 1200 that he never took it above 30mph, and only a few blocks around his neighborhood at a time. Such a shame to waste a bike like that!
This is true.
But for the love of god don’t buy a street. Sporty 1200 should be the smallest bike you’re considering and even that is undersized.
Lmao, I’ve honesty only seen the streets at the riding school, I’ve never seen one out in the wild.
It’ll probably come down to who’s giving me the better deal, and how they interact during negotiations.
Twisted1As a little kid I grew up riding on the back of my dads 1950 Harley Davidson Pan Head that thing was so cool it was dark red had a kick start and a suicide shifter it was a hard tail and bumpy as hell to ride but as a kid that was all a part of the fun. I remember going on long road trips to biker rallys and seeing the coolest Harleys. My dad also had a 2001 springer softail and that thing road super smooth if and when I decide to buy one I'm gonna get a springer softail it was like riding in a Cadillac but on 2 wheels
When we first immigrated we went to FL for a vacation when I was a kid. We managed to be there at the same time as bike week, and since then I’ve always wanted one. Those rallies are a hell of an experience! I’ve driven to a handful and you meet some great people there.
I like the bagger Harleys and like hooker said below the dyna are bad ass also nothing will ever get you that Harley feeling but Indian is right there also i like the older Indians like the ones you see on American pickers tv show but those aren't meant to ride anymore but maybe for some parades
I like the baggers minus the fairings
does that count?
RustyhookerIve had 3 sportsters. Still have my custom chopper in pieces....some day...
If i get another, im going to get a dyna low rider around the 2005 year. Why? Solid comfy ride with ton of power and priced great. Some yuppy already added all the fancy chrome pieces. I looked at one 2 months ago. Candy red, all the chrome, cams,carbs and exhaust tuned proper. 15,000miles and was 6500 bucks. All services done by factory.
Got a 1200 sporty blacked out with a gsxr front end for the double disk brakes and adjustable rebound/compression, then the back end has road king air glide suspension so I can tighten it up for twisties or let some out for a long cruise. Love her, but I’m a little too tall for the damn thing.
RustyhookerNice!!! Theres a blacked out hugger where i work and it just looks nasty. Get on and rip up the roads
I have a 94 883 that I've been making into a bobber for years now still torn apart I pulled the baffles out though i love that sound when I pull off the throttle at high rpm
RustyhookerThe bobber or cafe style looked slick. Had a nostalgic/fast look to em. We drove a lot downtown to set car alarms off. Lol
Those dyna with a bore kit are bad ass i think they are a very slick looking bike
Indian just released the stage 3 big bore for the TS engines... I’m not sure my wife approves lmao
RustyhookerA few models came with the bd103 strokers stock. Im not a fan of the fuel injected stock bs though. Lil tweaks to make.
My father in law bought one and put a 2100cc bore on it and yeah he crashed it hahaha but it was a nice comfy ride
RustyhookerI bet it was a rocket!! Theres so much out there to watch out for its crazy. Now ya got the text drivers swerving around. Loud pipes and let em know your comin...lol
I putted around a few times on my dad’s iron 883 back when I was 18 or 19. Granted I was under 160lbs so the experience was different, but that was a fast little bike. Not sure what all the hate for sportsters is by the rubs...
Have you tested out the new m8 engines? I’ve been reading and hearing great things about them.
RustyhookerThe first 883 was a screamer. Second one in 4th gear at 95 and the cams just started kicking in...hit 5th and hope the wheel didnt come off too high. Never went to top end on the second.
Havent ran the newest ones. As soon as they worked the bugs out of the evo motors, they just ran awesome. My first bike... 110mph everywhere i went. Got 150k miles on her and took her apart. She just kept running. The bd103 needed bugs fixed then only heard good things about em.
Nice part on the indian or big dawg cycles is they came beefed up and trick looking. You could pick your engine size. But the torque is insane....hold on tight!
The indian is nice its a niche market though, harleys are harleys. I had a fat boy before I met my wife, that fucker was sweet. Spent 15k in chrome before I sold it. A good friend of mine has an apache chief, he let me ride it. Its hard to compare. If I could go back I would have bought the chief. The shifting is stiffer and accelerates a lot better. Plus its badass. Everyone sees a harley but not that many ride the indian.
Polaris is doing good things for the Indian, and they’re pushing it aggressively. Out here the financing is .99% on all TS-111s, and since I’ll be financing that makes them incredibly attractive, since it’s basically free financing. I’ve only known one guy with an Indian Roadmaster, and he’s owned Harley’s for 3 decades and mentioned he wouldn’t go back.
I’ve not been given the green light yet. When it’s time it will be a fat boy. Either way can’t go wrong. Enjoy.
I love the way that one looks... aside from how chromed out they make it. It just looks like a sturdy tank on two wheels.