posted Wed, 03/14/2018 - 17:47
5894
Harley Vs. Indian - What are your opinions?
ad
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.
- Bookmark
- 0
- 0
Old school Indian all day long. But I sure do love Bobbers myself.
I have been tempted by the scout bobber, but the problem is the size. Given that my wife will want to ride 2up a bobber is way too small for that.
Even the VRod is pushing that envelope. Both can be done, but that’s not what they’re meant for.
RustyhookerThis!!!!
https://youtu.be/AgwzHJo3IXM
Oh I’ve seen a few of those, and boy do they go up in price. I’m also pretty sure I’m safer laying own the bike and turning into a street sweeper vs. crashing one of those.
RustyhookerLooked fun though. Lol
The Indian Cheif is very sexy and classic but my favorite is still the harley V rod
It’s that Porsche designed engine man. Problem with VRods in my area is because they weren’t hot sellers, stock was low. Now that they’re discontinued they’re almost impossible to find locally.
AnonI've owned nothing but rice bikes but that because I used to be an avid track day enthusiast. Currently I have a 15' ZX10r and an 84 gs40L that I'm building into a hardtail bar hopper. I've owned and wrecked multiple others. I think the Indians are nice bikes I have not rode one but I've rode a few Harvey's, Road King, Street Glide and an Ultra, they're basically eye candy for old dudes and bar whores, I'll stick with the rice bikes forever but probably buy a bagger in my mid to late 40s.
So HD went from biker gang/ hells angels to "your grandpa's bike", or the bike for old dudes. Meanwhile oldsmobile is reimaging to be, "Not your grandpa's car anymore"
AnonThat's partially correct, I've had a few run ins with the pagans in my neck of the woods and they've sort of transitioned from a biker gang to a group of nuttless old men that will jump you 4-1 while you're taking a piss. I'm not hating on Harleys though, I just know everytime I've taken one out, some old dude wants to stare and drool and conversate about how "bad ass" Harleys are. Didn't Oldsmobile go out of business?
This is my findings also after having my fair of run ins with bike gangs. 90% are old men.
The other 10% are but cases which I would avoid
RustyhookerWeird. I earned my 1% as a young dude. The biggest club on earths local members are all young too. Must be a regional thing?
AnonYou wouldn't happen to be the 1 of 4 that jumped me in a Quaker steak and lube bathroom would you? Im still a little bitter and can't find any riding 1 up.
RustyhookerId be bitter too! But bathroom brawls havent been the forte. Gotta watch out for some of those guys.
Rebels without a cause to Rebels with a 401k
Anonlol
And we all saw how that worked out. HD held on to the classic air cooled engine design for far too long as well. Their Japanese/European counter parts started making higher quality bikes with liquid cooled engines that didn't bake you in place on hot days. They also didn't sell the bike in absolute basic form and try to milk their customers for every dollar they could on accessories. They didn't claim to be this American icon that then went and manufactured all of their clothing and most of said accessories in China. Fuck HD. (And I still own one)
AnonEverything on an HD is built somewhere else but assembled in America. lol... an HD is still a rice bike is some way shape or form.
That applies to almost every vehicle in the world - some Ducatis, Kawasakis and BMWs are made in China, India and Thailand. There are very few home-brewed vehicles - except some of the high end Jap bikes which are manufactured in Japan - but as sure as shit and a cat, ancillary parts are made in China.
AnonMy American flag that is in my front yard was made in China.
My American flag was made in the US and was draped over my father's coffin. But I'll stand by your flag just as proudly as I stand by mine.
And you still feel proud to see it - regardless of where it was made - it's about what it symbolises. Same with Harleys. I'm Aussie. When growing up on bikes I disliked Harleys. We had a saying: Don't buy a Harley - you can afford the bike, but not the ute (meaning that you needed a utility vehicle because Harleys always broke down). HD fixed a lot of that with the Evo motors. I bought my Shovel Sportster out of pure curiosity and because the guy took my cash offer. From then on, my attitude changed. I don't care if the earlier ones are a little primitive - it's kind of endearing. Years ago, I was parked among a few bikes and as I got on the Harley a guy got on his Yamaha something. I started up the Hog and she rattled into life. The guy looked and said: "Pretty noisy engine there mate." I looked at his Japper and said: "Yeah, but at least it doesn't sound like a sewing machine." That's what has always put Harleys apart from other bikes - the unique, rough, primitive but raw V twin.
Grow a set of balls and get a supermoto - one wheel crew up crew!
Of all the bikes i have ever owned I believe that one was the most fun.
Like that crazy bitch you were fucking in your younger years! Fun, wild and crazy but you wouldn't want to go long term with her, it would be a pain in the backside, literally.
Personally bikes for me are an hour of adrenaline pumping, ripping up twisties, backing out the end and pulling wheelies. I can't stand going 180mph+ on a sports bike neither can I stand cruising around on a hog. It's all relative and each to their own.
I only had a Suzuki SRM 400, only had about maybe two gallon tank, had to refuel every 80-90 miles, so that sucked. I still wouldn't mind getting a better one one of these days, maybe a KTM or something.
I googled SRM 400 as I havent heard one before and couldn't find anything. Was it a RM 400 2 stroke converted?
The KTM are beautiful bikes, they now own husqvarna which also make some great SM's.
I meant SM400 bro. It is basically a Suzuki DRZ 400 outfitted for street.
http://bikes-media1.bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/suzuki/dr-z-400-s...
Harley Davidson has abused the shit out of their customers. That is why their sales currently suck ass. I still own one, but I have owned it for ten years and at this point I doubt I will ever buy another new one.
True, but that’s more because the mid life crisis folk let themselves get abused. How can one be a real biker if they don’t have HD branded everything?
They’re struggling, and hopefully that changes their behavior. ive Reached out to both HD and Indian dealers in my area, and the difference in behavior between the two was apparent. The HD dealers are asking me for a deposit to hold the bikes for when I’m ready to buy (May timeframe) while the guys at Indian took my info and said that whenever I was ready I can walk in and they’ll help me however they can since I already reached out, and if I wanted something not in stock or a model to match what they have now they’d be more than willing to get one shipped in at no extra cost. Indian is trying to get as many people on their bikes as they can, which is something Harley used to do.
I know this varies between dealers greatly, as the HD dealers treated my father better than Indian did in his area, but he was a returning customer at that point.
Well, for me the only ones worth owning are Evos and those before. The new breed are for the wanna-be badboys who heard about Harleys and now can afford one but don't have a farkin' clue how to work on them (or ride them for that matter). But hey - they ride a Harley - that's all that matters.
The new M8s are actually getting excellent reviews. I think the problem with what you’re saying is that all these SOA bad boy suburban dads want that image, and HD had no problem cultivating it. They’re not just selling bikes anymore, they’re selling the HD lifestyle, which is a joke in and of itself. I like Harley’s , I hate the culture they cultivate.
Every brand of anything needs a niche or consumer hook to survive. Harley has theirs. Every manufacturer of any consumer product have their 'hooks' - the emotive selling points/qualities that make consumers want their products.
I actually really like V motors. I love V8 cars, and V Twin motorcycles. I have owned maybe 30+ bikes in my 45 years of motorcycle riding and have owned many V Twins - Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Aprilias, and Harleys. V Twins are my weakness. I still have two bikes now which I ride everyday - and still constantly want a Ducati or a Harley - just for the sheer pleasure of riding them. Sadly. I'm poor....a crowd fund would be great. :-)
V’s have that uniqueness to them, so I know how you feel!
I’d also love to have an X Diavel, but I’d have to get an amazing price on that to fork over cash for one, and Ducati dealers tend to be less willing to negotiate than either Harley or Indian.
Hello Sir,
Wish I knew what are you on about lol
Think I need to start with motorcycle license
Regards
Harley - but not VRod. Had a 1000cc Shovel Sportster and 80CI '89 Softtail with Mikuni 40mm Smooth bore carb, high lift cam, high comp pistons, Barnett clutch and three different sets of pipes (turbo taper, turn out, and slash cut). That bike was awesome - blew a lot of guys into the weeds. Can't beat the sound of a Hog.
I mean if we’re going full on into aftermarket, is it really a Harley anymore?
Aftermarket wise there’s definitely a bigger selection for HD given how young Polaris’ Indian brand is, which is definitely a pro for the HD brand.
Hardly full-on after market. Same motor, frame, running gear - just tweaked for performance.
Unless chopped or café racers they wouldnt interest me. Sports bikes for the most part for me. I have 5 since starting to collect the ones i used to have had over the years... mostly classic racers... gonna take a while to complete!
Bike Culture on this side of the pond leans more towards jap race bikes and euro racers (motoGP, WSB etc)... but harleys and indians are things of beauty all the same
I loved the Buells before Harley retired them (bastards).
Yeah - I lusted after the Buells. Ever since I saw the 750 Harley Cafe Racer back in the early '80's I thought - looks great - now if only it could handle....then along comes Buell. Combining a great sounding V twin with great handling. I went to the local Harley dealership looking for a used one for a couple of years, but they were always too expensive. Finally found one online - made the guy a silly offer and he knocked me back. I gave him a couple of weeks to reconsider, but never heard from him. Finally bought an Aprilia 1000 Falco - and within a week of buying it, the guy rang and said he would take my offer. Damn! Never regretted buying the 'prila though.
Never understood why they shuttled Buell, it was a completely different offering from what HD had. I can see some of Buell in a few of HD offerings, namely the streets and the new fat bob to some extent, but it just made no sense to me, especially because Buells were more popular with younger generations than HDs are, and that’s where HD is really struggling.
Same goes for Polaris shuttling Victory, but at least I can understand that move from a sales perspective and wanting to go all in on Indian.
Agreed - I don't know why HD shafted the Buell motorcycle and Buell after buying him out. Apparently he still makes bikes somewhere.
Https://www.erikbuellracing.com
Good ole Eric Buell!
They weren’t bad , sports bike/harley mix
AnonAre you an EBR fan? I went to one of their test rides and I wasn't that impressed with the bike, they didn't last long in production.
Yeah, the torque from the harley engine was unreal and the style of a naked sports bike
Sweet
I’ve had a bunch of inline 4cyl ninjas and Honda cbr sport bikes, but the torque of a twin cylinder is awesome!
Yes! Similar to me, mostly Ninjas and CBRs (blades etc)
And the sound of twins?!! !!! Car alarms going off EVERYWHERE you pass LOL
Ill tell you though, ya aint lived until you have played with a V4 2stroke racer!!!!
Nope! Never had that experience yet, only Honda rd-51 and Suzuki TL 1000 bout the closest to v-4 except those were 4 strokes
Indian is owned by Polaris which created Victory, the victory were decent looking and built VERY well I had a buddy go 100k on his before he had anything rebuilt. I’ve had a sporty a road king and a street glide. Street glide was my favorite. Now I would probably buy an Indian due to build quality. Even though I work on my own. The shit like 8k mile life on a tire that costs more than a decent car tire is some BS
Either brand you go with Plan on bending over frequently. Oh and stay away from all these new “clubs” that have popped up since SOA premiered... real bike riders laugh at them buncha dorks
*Everyone I know who bought a vrod wishes they didn’t