Topic: Well, new Indian's released. What ya think?

[toytuff]

The new Indian models are released. What are your thoughts?

I like them myself but would buy a Moto Guzzi California first.

Yes, in white.

tt

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/stories/2014-motorcycle-launch-video?wt.mc_id=7B3D6284-E3FD-E211-B3CE-0050569A00BB&wt.mc_ev=email&WT.mc_id=

[70CB750]

I don't like cruisers, no matter who makes them.

[Bankerdanny]

Well, I think of the 3 American brands, that is the one I would choose. I've always prefered the classic Indian over the classic Harley. And while I appreciate the Art Deco style of the full dress Victory, the hard bag Indian really speaks to me.

[toytuff]

Well, I think of the 3 American brands, that is the one I would choose. I've always prefered the classic Indian over the classic Harley. And while I appreciate the Art Deco style of the full dress Victory, the hard bag Indian really speaks to me.

That's the one I liked also. For less I could buy the Moto Guzzi California Touring.

tt

[andy750]

I much prefer the Indian styling  to the Moto Guzzi. While not perfect (what is?) I actually like the Indian line up and hope they are a hit. While I wouldnt buy one myself I hope it gets a few Harley guys interested. Competition is good!

[HotCarl73]

i suppose i'd buy a new indian over a new harley. but i don't really like cruisers. at least with the indian, i wouldn't necessarily be lumped in with "those types" that ride harleys. you know, dentists and accountants. i'm not that old, but i remember the good old days, when i was riding my jap crap, and if i accidentally waved at a harley i was ignored or, if he was in a good mood, given the finger. now i see the harley guys waving at guys on chinese scooters. what happened?

[Killer Canary]

Alternative went mainstream.

[bjatwood]

I think the new Indians will give the HD boys a run at it. As if I would buy one, probably not. If I wanted a bagger I would buy a Honda F6B. 

[Stev-o]

Thanks, but no thanks.

[seaninc]

I think the new Indians will give the HD boys a run at it. As if I would buy one, probably not. If I wanted a bagger I would buy a Honda F6B. 

If I wanted a bagger I would ask my grandkids to put me down

In all seriousness these are some attractive bikes. I look forward to seeing them on the road.

[lone*X]

I like cruiser's.  Its name implies exactly what their intent is.  Cruising, like in eating up 600 or 700 miles a day without much more than gas stops.   Never have found anything with rearsets and clipons that I could ride that way.  I like our Standards as well, mostly for the upright seating and nimbleness.   The new Indians are sharp looking and are being produced by a company I have a lot of trust in so yes, I would consider one.  But I would also give it a year to work the bugs out.   Remember, Polaris is new to the Indian name and producing a brand new bike with a brand new engine.  Nothing about these bikes but the name is the legendary Indian.

[bill440cars]

        I think they are getting closer to what they should look like, though I'm not all that fond of the "Molded Look" for the headlight. I was glad to see the new engine appear too. They said, when they first started this resurrection, that the first ones would be built for those who could afford them and THAT was to get them OUT THERE. That made SOME folks mad. But, they were being honest and looking to get them started and THEN they planned to work on making more affordable ones. Well, they are doing just that. Of course, even if they introduce some even MORE affordable ones, I STILL couldn't afford one. But, I am happy to see them back OUT THERE! 

[MoMo]

I like them, there is something about an Indiam Motorcycle that stirs my soul.  I could afford one but I have never spent more than 2500 for a bike...Larry

[Xnavylfr]

I currently have a 2000 Roadstar cruiser. I love the way it handles for an 800lb bike and I'm at 200lb 5'6". IF I were to buy NEW I think I would still stay with something already proven dependable, just like old car , there is a reason there are MORE Japanese still around than American. Even though HD American has been around since 1903, there are MORE OLD Japanese bikes still running and RIDING around than AMERICAN IRON.
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/600/0/home.aspx

I KNOW I can ride all day on the STAR and not feel beat up when I decide to get off.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[bjatwood]

I have a test ride scheduled soon. I ill let you all know what kind of impression it leaves on my soul...or show it to you all in my garage!! LOL

[toytuff]

I have a test ride scheduled soon. I ill let you all know what kind of impression it leaves on my soul...or show it to you all in my garage!! LOL

 

Can't wait. Ride the new FZ09 yamai if you find one.

tt

[rb550four]

I like it. Wouldn't buy one for a year or so  , gives em time to shake the bugs and make improvements. Looked around for pricing, didn't see any of that, don't have a clue what they may cost. Did look into opening an Indian shop... Lotsa rules,mandatory employees,....... for 3 models and limited line of related product.
   Think it'll be a hard sell at a high price and not enough Indian swag to make up the difference for sluggish machine sales.... I mean compared to HD, HD could stay in business on just the licensed products alone.
  I hope it will take off.

[Xnavylfr]

The HD swag IS what keeps them in business. They have more S%$T with the BIG HD on them than I've ever seen pushed by any other company.


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[rb550four]

The other thing that would worry me about investing in  Indian , at this point there is no parts for old Indians so you can't make income from older stock( cause there is no older stock from previous models,cause there is no previous models).
I think  these folks are asking for the moon to  invest in this venture with little opportunity to recoup your investment anytime soon.
 I also believe that if they re manufactured to a T a top selling, collectable model from the past, there would be a parts department presence that could   replenish parts for an original older model for original collectors and new re man 2nd run owners. That may be enough to start a parts department and possibly man it.
  Otherwise I don't believe that this will be much more than a flash in the pan and those who invest will most certainly loose their capital quickly with no chance of return. There just isn't enough product.
 Too bad , the more I look at them the more I could want one.

[rb550four]

With that train of thought...
 If GM reproduced the actual 57 Chevy 2door hardtop exactly as it was produced the first time (no modern day  look alike like the VW Bug) How many people would buy one wouldn't be the question it would be who wouldn't buy one? They were on the right track with the T Bird, Stang ,and Camaro but they were made too modern for some who are old school and too expensive for a sudo piece of history. But I believe if they were exactly as the original with crumple  zone improvements and air bags, both the sales of the new units and the sales of the parts that fit the original units could  have propelled the auto manufactures to the top of the car market, nostalgic design alone without parts compatibility with the original unit is not enough to make the line a success.
  I would like one old 57 and one new one please, with a 48 Indian and a new 48 Indian on the side.

[Lostboy Steve]

I think that it screams victory cycles, and for that I hate it. I think they should have done a cross plane inline 4 as well.

[rb550four]

Cooper ( had one) Penton (wanted one) , wish they took off but again these companies targeted one area  of motorcycling too, not enough models, no swag,no dealers to speak of unless they carried other machines, minimal to no advertising , but a half way decent product, even though most parts were made by other popular companies to produce the final product they still couldn't make a go of it.
   Yeah it sounds like a flash in the pan. Name alone won't do it. Crap, now I want one.

[MoMo]

Cooper ( had one) Penton (wanted one) , wish they took off but again these companies targeted one area  of motorcycling too, not enough models, no swag,no dealers to speak of unless they carried other machines, minimal to no advertising , but a half way decent product, even though most parts were made by other popular companies to produce the final product they still couldn't make a go of it.
   Yeah it sounds like a flash in the pan. Name alone won't do it. Crap, now I want one.

My friend, Mike, had a 175 Jackpiner-it was a sweet bike back in the day...Larry

[Terry in Australia]

I can ride a real Indian Chief whenever I want one (My Cuz has a 1944 Military Chief) and I'm always impressed at how well it goes for a 70 year old bike. It'll do a genuine 100 MPH, and once you get used to the hand shift and foot clutch, throttle on the left and ignition advance on the right twistgrip, it's actually an easy bike to ride, it handles well and is remarkably smooth.

My cuz rides it a couple of thousand miles every year on the Indian owners rally, and apart from this year when he T boned a woman in an uninsured car who didn't give way to him, he's always made it back home again, so it's pretty reliable too.

I like the look of the new Indians, and I can see many similarities with the original bike in the new bike's design. It looks a lot closer than the previous "Indian" that used an S&S engine back in the early 2000's. I particularly like the "Naked" version, it looks like an art deco stylised version of the original bikes, and it'll be my choice when I win the lottery.

I don't like Jap Cruisers, to me they're just a cynical styling exercise to steal a few sales from HD, but no-one except their owners really take them seriously, and this shows in their terrible resale values. They're capable bikes, no argument there, they're just of little interest to me. Victory's are the same, capable bikes, just poorly designed. Does Arlen Ness work for Victory? Cheers, Terry.

[jas67]

Can't wait. Ride the new FZ09 yamai if you find one.

tt

TT -- that FZ09 definitely pushes a lot of buttons for me.   I've been coveting a colleague's Street Triple since he got it, but I would certainly test ride the FZ09 before pulling the trigger on the Street Triple.

[jas67]

I like it. Wouldn't buy one for a year or so  , gives em time to shake the bugs and make improvements. Looked around for pricing, didn't see any of that, don't have a clue what they may cost. Did look into opening an Indian shop... Lotsa rules,mandatory employees,....... for 3 models and limited line of related product.
   Think it'll be a hard sell at a high price and not enough Indian swag to make up the difference for sluggish machine sales.... I mean compared to HD, HD could stay in business on just the licensed products alone.
  I hope it will take off.

All the Indian dealers that come up within a several hour drive from my location are also Victory dealers.    I don't think you say many, if any, Indian-only dealers.

The HD swag IS what keeps them in business. They have more S%$T with the BIG HD on them than I've ever seen pushed by any other company.


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

I don't know that that is what keeps them in business, but it certainly boosts the bottom line.    A lot of people buy into the "lifestyle" hook-line and sinker.   The HD sales people are trained to sell the whole "Lifestyle" and "Image", in addition to the bike.

I find it funny how many people have to dress up in the "gay pirate" costume once they get a Harley.

Whatever.