Topic: New Indian motor

[budman]

Certainly is a nod to the old flathead.  Looking forward to seeing what they wrap around it.

[kslrr]

Do you have a link or pic?

[knowsnothing]

Indian Motorcycle: The Thunder Stroke 111™

[budman]

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/pages/home.aspx

[KB02]

Good Ole' Polaris seems to be doing it right!

I seriously wish the newest incarnation of Indian the best of luck and I want to see more of them on the road at a more affordable price. Polaris did real well with Victory and I hope they bring that experience to Indian. I just HOPE AND PRAY that they actually hold themselves up to what they said when they took over Indian. Basically they said they wanted to honor Indian's Heritage. That better mean their RACING heritage and they better come out with a sports bike. Even if they come out with a factory Cafe bike, that would be awesome!

[budman]

I would like to see something pre-1940, non-skirted fenders, inspired. Stripped down and simple.

[azuredesign]

At 700+ lbs, it seems like there could be a lot to strip off!

I would like to see something pre-1940, non-skirted fenders, inspired. Stripped down and simple.

[kslrr]

OHV with push rods.....chain & gear driven 3 cam shafts (a bit overly complicated).....helical cut transmission gears.....2 valves per cylinder......nothing really new or radical except for the unit construction, forged crank and non-split con-rod as compared to Harley...though the rocker covers that look like fins are a nice touch and overall it is a nice looking, compact engine.  Once a bike is on the market, performance and reliability will be the real story and since Polaris is behind the new Indian, it will probably do well.

[gerhed]

Old Indian motor

1948 Indian Chief

[knowsnothing]

Nice video gerhed!  Looks like an awful lot to keep track of while riding 

[Ichiban 4]

Old Indian motor

1948 Indian Chief

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That Video is about the way I remember the Indian Chiefs I rode in the early 60's (seemed kind of pathetic).  Just couldn't see how they could even compare to the other bikes of the period.  Stayed with the British vertical twins..Square Fours..eventually Honda fours.

Even today..other than for nostalgic reasons..I can't see the real advantage of trying to resurrect the old Indian style or technology (pushrod engines??).  But..as with a lot of the Harley lovers..I know there are those that will always feel that classic V-twins are the way to go.

I love the inline Fours (fours of any kind actually).  Guess that's my personal bias.

Ichi.

[budman]

Just announced today, the new Indian Chief will be unveiled at Sturgis in August.  Starts at $18,999.
Sneak Peek:  http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/introduction/video/pages/new-price-announcement-sturgis.aspx?WT.ac=IND-enus-camp-home-price-announcement

[KB02]

OH - OH - OH - OH - Do you know what I saw in that Sneak Peak?!?!?!?!?


yet another generic cruiser... 

[LesterPiglet]

Bleh!

[Ichiban 4]

Old Indian motor

1948 Indian Chief

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That Video is about the way I remember the Indian Chiefs I rode in the early 60's (seemed kind of pathetic).  Just couldn't see how they could even compare to the other bikes of the period.  Stayed with the British vertical twins..Square Fours..eventually Honda fours.

Even today..other than for nostalgic reasons..I can't see the real advantage of trying to resurrect the old Indian style or technology (pushrod air-cooled engines??).  But..as with a lot of the Harley lovers..I know there are those that will always feel that classic V-twins are the way to go.

I prefer the inline Fours (fours of any kind actually).  Guess that's my personal bias.

Ichi.

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Have been following this Indian revival thing a little further..since seeing here..in the media. Can't help feeling that they seem to be relying a lot on nostalgia and kind of prefabricated history to advertise this. 

If hadn't seen the previous two other attempts to revive the Indian name..etc..maybe wouldn't be so skeptical this time.  Also seems to me that $18,000+ is quite a bit of money to pay to indulge a nostalgic whim..for most of us anyway.

With the economy the way it is right now (hell..I have to think twice about getting parts to tune-up my bike..cars..etc.)..seems like Polaris..aka Indian..may have a task on their hands to sell very many of these.

Now..I'd like to see us being able to import some of the retro Honda fours..etc. that they have in other countries.  A lot more variety..and not so much focus on crotch rockets in Japan..where I'm going again shortly.  Will post pics..if anything interesting catches my eye.

Ichi

[754]

Yeah its a tough deal..we have seen the Return of The Fender ...a few times..
 Had. Victory fan assure me they  can do no wrong and all will be great..

 Keep in mind though that even with the best resources, success is not guaranteed. Ie the Honda Fury that came out, too late to the dance. And all the"BETTER" than a pushrod v twins, that have been churned out, the last decade or more that are not setting the bike world on fire..
 Using the Indian name borrows heavily on nostalgia, but the modern product is a world apart from the original..

For me, I want an original Indian, at least 10 times more than I want the afterborn version, just does not seem very interesting to me.
 Also I dont  like the look of the Victory motor, reminds me of an Asian product.. But I do like H-D.

[budman]

I think Polaris is going to sell a bunch of these bikes. That fact that it's not a Harley clone is going to bring in the buyers. It brings another choice into the mix for the folks that are into American v-twins.

It doesn't really matter that the bloodline has been broken. Even Harley was owned by AMF for a while.

Nostalgia sells. Look at Norton, Triumph, HD and even Honda.

More than the new factory chief I'm looking toward to seeing what the aftermarket comes up with and what the custom builders can do with it, but they need a platform first.

For those looking for something a little closer to a vintage Indian there's always Kiwi Indian.

[754]

If a hendee or hedstrom always worked for indian, then Polaris bought them...then it would be like the HD story.

Sorry but i look at a new Triumph, and it only makes me want an original,, and mostly they dont remind me of old Trumpets..

[budman]

Tomorrow's the day.

[ekpent]

Looks like Cycle World has it covered   http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/03/2014-indian-chief-vintage-and-chieftain-bagger-first-ride-review-photos-specs/

[budman]

I like the motor.  Trying to like the bike, but it's not happening.  For starters the big neck gusset, the small tank, the covers under the seat and the handlebars don't do it for me.  Still, I'm sure Polaris will sell 1000's of them.  Can't wait to see what the customizers and the aftermarket bring.

[Bob Wessner]

A few wrinkles on a V-design is all I see. Having said that, I would take one if they gave it to me or I won a contest. 

[Ichiban 4]

A few wrinkles on a V-design is all I see. Having said that, I would take one if they gave it to me or I won a contest. 

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I tend to agree with Bob..although think Indian did a good job of capturing the retro style..certainly much better than the Victory..and if may say so..previous iterations of "revival Indians".

At same time though..can't help feeling that Indian will have to compete with Harley for market share.  Don't think they will be able to expand upon that nostalgia based demographic that wants American V-Twin motorcycles. 

Also wonder what's going to happen to market shares..as more and more of us old timers retire from riding(?)  The over 50 crowd seems to be the main market..and as we get further and further way from actually living in the 40's-50's and 60's..seems to me that the nostalgia becomes more fabricated..rather than actual (like 20 and 30 somethings..trying to act like bee-boppers..or hippies nowadays).

Ichi

[bill440cars]

       While not exactly what I had hoped for, in the looks department. I think it is gradually getting better. Now, while I liked the old Chiefs and Scouts, I would like to see some Vertical Twins and Singles, like the old Warrior, Scout & Arrow. Those of you who know what I am talking about may or may not agree. But, at least it would give more variation on looks and costs.

   

   Bear in mind that this Warrior had options on it, like the buddy seat, spotlights and crashbars, for sure. But, you get the idea. They also had a TT Warrior, for off road events and racing.

[budman]

There's been a lot of people asking for a Scout that could compete in the market place against a Sportster.  I reckon that will be Indian's next move.