The new Indian Chiefs. WOW

[rmrc51]

Well, this past Tuesday, I took a ride with my brother-in-law down to Charlotte NC to see the new 2014 Indian Chiefs in person.

To say that I was blown away would be an understatement. Talk about a beautiful, high quality build! Even the dealership down there is high class. The owner took me on a tour of the entire facility and went through an in-depth explanation of the 3 Indian models. (The Vintage is my choice). The sound of the engine is like nothing else out there. A nice low rumble that has a mellow quality sound to it and no vibration at idle. And the choice of materials is by far 'top-notch'. The leather they use is soft with a velvet feel to it and the seat is one of the most comfortable and supportive MC seats I ever sat on. The paint, looks like is was dipped in glass. No rough edges or mis-aligned parts on any of the bikes I looked at. The bike's (sitting area) has a nice low stance which to me, adds a level of increased balance. I could go on and on, but you really have to see these new machines in person to really appreciate the level of quality!

And to make this post Trike related, Hannigan is currently in the process of providing a Trike kit and side-cars for the new 2014 Indians. The Trike conversion and side-cars should be ready in the 1st quarter of 2014.

I'd insert some photos but this new forum will not allow the size that I have (and I have NO idea how to change that). If any of you would like to see some pictures, send me your e-mail addresses and I'll forward photos.

EDIT: Go to page 2 to see the photos!!

 

[Geezzer Glide]

I can't argue that the new Indians are nice. I have an Indian dealer about 50 miles from me. I stopped in there about a month ago and although the people there were very nice they only had 2 used older Indians in the show room and they had no idea when they would have any new ones. He did tell me that they did have a trike conversion in the works but had no other info about it. It will be interesting to see what an out the door price will be on a new trike conversion will be.
I'm very happy with my Tri-Glide but I will be keeping an eye on the Indians to see how everything works out for them.
Dan

 

[Papa Zook]

I'd insert some photos but this new forum will not allow the size that I have (and I have NO idea how to change that). If any of you would like to see some pictures, send me your e-mail addresses and I'll forward photos.

I think the new software will allow for the size, give it a try and as you post it, double click on the image and a screen will open that allows you to select large size photos.

 

[rmrc51]

I think the new software will allow for the size, give it a try and as you post it, double click on the image and a screen will open that allows you to select large size photos.

I tried again Zook but it still says the file is too large. This is using photos from my computer and also from Photobucket. Double clicking doesn't seem to do anything.

 

[Papa Zook]

When you upload the pic file, but before you post it, the pic will look "blue". Set your cursor on top of the picture and double left click on the image. When you do, a tool app should open up that lets you choose the size and orientation of it. If it doesn't post then, you must have a REALLY large image file.

 

[SEAlaskan]

When you upload the pic file, but before you post it, the pic will look "blue". Set you cursor on top of the picture and double left click on the image. When you do, a tool app should open up that lets you choose the size and orientation of it. If it doesn't post then, you must have a REALLY large image file.

How about down loading to your signature? I tried a couple of times to update and not luck?
Butch

 

[rmrc51]

When you upload the pic file, but before you post it, the pic will look "blue". Set you cursor on top of the picture and double left click on the image. When you do, a tool app should open up that lets you choose the size and orientation of it. If it doesn't post then, you must have a REALLY large image file.

Zook. It won't even let me get that far. I can't upload at all. Once I select the photo, it has a red X in a box next to the photo file on the right under the size column. If I try to upload, I immediately get a message that the file is too large.

I also tried the 'Basic Uploader' which is on the bottom right when you select to upload files from your computer. That option lets you upload but is just spins for awhile and then comes up with a message that it has encountered a problem. I'm assuming that it's because of the file size again.

 

[Papa Zook]

Zook. It won't even let me get that far. I can't upload at all. Once I select the photo, it has a red X in a box next to the photo file on the right under the size column. If I try to upload, I immediately get a message that the file is too large.

I also tried the 'Basic Uploader' which is on the bottom right when you select to upload files from your computer. That option lets you upload but is just spins for awhile and then comes up with a message that it has encountered a problem. I'm assuming that it's because of the file size again.

Make sure you have any AdBlock apps disabled and try it in a different browser, like Google Chrome, or FireFox. It should be working.

 

[Papa Zook]

How about down loading to your signature? I tried a couple of times to update and not luck?
Butch

Right now the sig pics app is disabled. More later.

 

[rmrc51]

Make sure you have any AdBlock apps disabled and try it in a different browser, like Google Chrome, or FireFox. It should be working.

I have no apps enabled and I've tried Chrome (which I use all of the time) and Firefox. Still can't upload.

 

[msocko3]

Well, this past Tuesday, I took a ride with my brother-in-law down to Charlotte NC to see the new 2014 Indian Chiefs in person.

To say that I was blown away would be an understatement. Talk about a beautiful, high quality build! Even the dealership down there is high class. The owner took me on a tour of the entire facility and went through an in-depth explanation of the 3 Indian models. (The Vintage is my choice). The sound of the engine is like nothing else out there. A nice low rumble that has a mellow quality sound to it and no vibration at idle. And the choice of materials is by far 'top-notch'. The leather they use is soft with a velvet feel to it and the seat is one of the most comfortable and supportive MC seats I ever sat on. The paint, looks like is was dipped in glass. No rough edges or mis-aligned parts on any of the bikes I looked at. The bike's (sitting area) has a nice low stance which to me, adds a level of increased balance. I could go on and on, but you really have to see these new machines in person to really appreciate the level of quality!

And to make this post Trike related, Hannigan is currently in the process of providing a Trike kit and side-cars for the new 2014 Indians. The Trike conversion and side-cars should be ready in the 1st quarter of 2014.

I'd insert some photos but this new forum will not allow the size that I have (and I have NO idea how to change that). If any of you would like to see some pictures, send me your e-mail addresses and I'll forward photos.

I'll have to take a road trip to the 2nd store the dealer who I bought my Wing from owns and check out the Indians, they sound great. If Indian can maintain good quality I think they'll have a winner.

 

[Veritas44]

Told ya you would be blown away ThumbUp

They done GOOD... REAL Good.

 

[rmrc51]

Okay, I figured out how to get around posting photos from PhotoBucket. Here's a few Indian pictures with me in the last one, lol;

 

[Oldmsocko]

I'll have to take a road trip to the 2nd store the dealer who I bought my Wing from owns and check out the Indians, they sound great. If Indian can maintain good quality I think they'll have a winner.

When do you want to go??

 

[captdanwh]

i was in Daytona about 3 weeks ago and stopped in at the Indian dealer just to look at the new ones and i have to agree they are a sharp looking bike. I did not hear one run but i did sit on it and it seemed very comfortable. I would have to drive it about 50 miles before i would know how it would really handle and if i liked the balance. as far as the craftsmanship is concerned i agree they seem to be made with excellent material and the paint looks great also. it will be a hard sale for them to convert Harley riders to switch over so i think as nice as they are , they will not make it and in a few years they will close. just my 2cents

 

[Papa Zook]

Thanks for the report and pics Rich. Those Indians are some seriously sharp looking bikes. You thinking of getting one?

it will be a hard sale for them to convert Harley riders to switch over so i think as nice as they are , they will not make it and in a few years they will close. just my 2cents

Checking out their financials, I wouldn't bet against Indian (Polaris). Polaris is flush with cash from its 28.5 % gross profit margins selling snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles (Victory). Their stock is up from $80 a share this time last year to almost $140 a share currently and its quarterly revenue has just topped $1.1 billion, up 25% from the previous year. Polaris Industries is a rocket ship and I can't see their Indian Motorcycles brand going anywhere, but I agree that they have their work cut out for them. I don't see them putting any serious dents in Harley"s domination of the big twin market but they have the financial horsepower to stay in the game as long as it takes.

 

[rmrc51]

Thanks for the report and pics Rich. Those Indians are some seriously sharp looking bikes. You thinking of getting one?




Checking out their financials, I wouldn't bet against Indian (Polaris). Polaris is flush with cash from its 28.5 % gross profit margins selling snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles (Victory). Their stock is up from $80 a share this time last year to almost $140 a share currently and its quarterly revenue has just topped $1.1 billion, up 25% from the previous year. Polaris Industries is a rocket ship and I can't see their Indian Motorcycles brand going anywhere, but I agree that they have their work cut out for them. I don't see them putting any serious dents in Harley"s domination of the big twin market but they have the financial horsepower to stay in the game as long as it takes.

I am thinking about it, Zook.

The Indian was always the 'Dream Bike' I figured I'd never be able to have. Now, it's a possibility thanks to Polaris. And as I previously mentioned, you really have to see them in person to appreciate the level of quality. Pictures do not do them any justice!

And I'll post another thread on how I was able to insert the photos from Photobucket. Just one little adjustment is required.

 

[Veritas44]

Bet against Indian/Polaris???? :xzqxz:
How much you willing to lose?
Facts posted by Zook and the fact that Polaris is the largest motorsports company in the world...
Same pessimistic predictions made for Victory...
I would cover that bet and give 3-1. ThumbUp

I will go further out than that and say they will not only make a dent in HD's large segment (FLH series) sales but will indeed equal or top them within five years. Hedging a tad on that one, I will only give even odds.

Time will tell but one thing is for SURE... True Competition is a good thing. Not only for Consumers but for the competing Companies as well.

Go ahead and doubt if you must BUT Make no Mistake about it. This is a Winner

 

[msocko3]

When do you want to go??

Maybe this week, will have to see.

- - - Updated - - -

Bet against Indian/Polaris???? :xzqxz:
How much you willing to lose?
Facts posted by Zook and the fact that Polaris is the largest motorsports company in the world...
Same pessimistic predictions made for Victory...
I would cover that bet and give 3-1. ThumbUp

I will go further out than that and say they will not only make a dent in HD's large segment (FLH series) sales but will indeed equal or top them within five years. Hedging a tad on that one, I will only give even odds.

Time will tell but one thing is for SURE... True Competition is a good thing. Not only for Consumers but for the competing Companies as well.

Go ahead and doubt if you must BUT Make no Mistake about it. This is a Winner

I couldn't agree more, they have the money and marketing behind them, they should be a winner. I know they sure are some nice looking bikes. It will be interesting to see what Hannigan cooks up for a trike kit for them, I'll bet it will be stunning.

 

[SEAlaskan]

Okay, I figured out how to get around posting photos from PhotoBucket. Here's a few Indian pictures with me in the last one, lol;

I like!!! Now wouldn't those leather tan seats look good with the new '14 two tone brown tri glide? Get the seats, backrest and speakers surface done in that saddle brown leather.

Butch

 

[captdanwh]

i think maybe i phrased it wrong when i stated that i thought they would not make it. what i was trying to say was that i did not think that it would draw a lot of dedicated Harley riders to dump their rides and switch over to Indians no matter how good they look. there are riders that switch bike makers all the time and keep doing so until they find just the right one that suits them the best and then stay with that maker for a while. the name Harley is to me what American motorcycles are all about and do not look at switching makers no matter what.

I agree that the new Indian is one great looking ride and would love to have Harley make a bike that has those beautiful lines but as pretty as it is a Harley is still the bike that most riders always dream of having. i guess what i am trying to say in the end is , yes there will be many riders buying Indians but there will be 1000 times that many buying Harleys and in my opinion it will always be that way no matter how good the competition is whether it be Indians or Honda's or the other makers. again this is only my 2 cents and i have only been a bike owner for 47 years so i probably do not know what i am talking about.

 

[Veritas44]

Your Presumptions and consequential opinion are true and valid as far as concerns Honda or any non-US based MC. However, Indian is NOT Honda (et al) now is it....
Indian IS direct competition for the hearts, minds, and souls of the "Harley" Owner/Buyer (Past, Present, and Future) in EVERY facet and on EVERY front.
It WILL compete quite strongly in the FLH segment. Obviously not with you individually but, It WILL.

i have only been a bike owner for 47 years so i probably do not know what i am talking about.

Don't sell yourself short... You know a lot. About YOU. ThumbUp

 

[John Luciano]

Once a Harley owner always a Harley owner. They lasted through the AMF years. They lasted through the leaking years. They lasted through the bad electric years and they will a also make it through the <br /><br />
The Indian years. I love the looks of the Indian. I would be one that would buy it over the Harley. I know Polaris can keep the bike rolling, unlike the last 2 that tried it. Gona be years before they make a dent in HD? If the $$$$$ is $1,000s lower maybe sooner. If it is close to the same price, welllllllllll ?<br />
<br />
Go to a rally, poker run, any event and the Harley outnumber any make 10 to 1.

Ride on the road and you pass 5 Harley's to every other bike .

 

[Veritas44]

Lasted through the AMF years-Majority yes-NOT All by any means. &lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
Seeing Harley's 10 to 1 or 5-1 up to the Now-Targeted demographics, locales, and venues Yes. NOT true Overall&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
Lasted through a bevy of &amp;quot;gremlins&amp;quot; and quirky issues-Yes.&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
CURRENT Indian there for ANY of that to actually Compete-NO.&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
Based on That ... Can ANY accurate prediction or extrapolation be made on the Here, Now, and Future regarding the Dynamic that now exists given the introduction of a true competitive &amp;quot;Equal&amp;quot;? &lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
NO. That would be,,, shall we say for PC sake: Un-Wise. &lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
Be honest,,, Just imagine what would be NOW had the current Polaris Indian been there for all or any of the above. Take that and apply that honest imagination to the present and the days/years to come.... THAT will give you an accurate peek into the future. &lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />
Look, don't think for a second that I am not a HD fan.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I AM.<br />
<br />
I have no desire to see HD go south.

All the same, I know better than to turn a blind eye to what exists now and it's inarguable and undeniable coming effects on the MC market specifically at the expense of the up to now &amp;quot;One&amp;quot; true American Classic. Make NO mistake about it Ladies &amp;amp; Gents... There ARE &amp;quot;TWO&amp;quot; Now.

 

[captdanwh]

i owned a 1947 Indian back in the 60's and it was as unreliable as anything i ever owned way back then but do not blame everything on the bike itself as i was always tinkering with it and can honestly say i was not qualified to do so in all aspects of maintenance. i priced the new Indians and when you add any kind of toys on them they can get way up there in price, about $30,000. again i have to admit they do look great and i also agree with you about Polaris having the capital to keep them going as long as they want but the problem around here is there are no dealers close by to service it and there are not many places to buy the extra accessories we all want. in the future i am sure Indians will be sold nationwide in all the big cities but in order to have successful dealership you have to be able to sell a lot of motorcycles and i do not see that happening for a lot of years. believe me when i say i would like to see Indian succeed as i agree with you about the competetion factor and think it might awaken Harley to get their act together and start thinking about their future.

 

[Veritas44]

Aye Aye Capt... you make some valid points there <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" /> <br />
The Dealer network is growing FAST. From the intel I was able to gather, the applications already in for consideration and yet undecided numbers well over 200. That's in addition to the original Grandfathered Dealers and the ones already approved and in varying stages of operation and pre-op. One Dealership that was in the first group to be approved and is up and running had sold & delivered over 40 and taken over 100 new deposits in the first half of this month alone. <br />
Gonna be fun to watch...

 

[captdanwh]

that's great, i am glad that another American motorcycle builder will succeed in our great USA. in the end it boils down to the fact that more Americans will be hired and more Americans will be working on these beautiful bikes. if successful, it also means more companies will be making and selling accessories and put more Americans to work. what needs to happen to turn the biker industry in the USA around is for companies like Harley and Indian to make smaller and more affordable bikes to compete with the foreign companies. there are a lot of riders out there that just cannot afford a expensive Harley or Indian right now but would love to own the most famous bikes in the world so the need for 500 to 700cc bikes is huge as gas mileage and affordability are so important now a days. not every rider out there can handle a large bike and don't want to so if Harley can get it's head sewed on straight, the benefits could be huge but we all know they hate to make changes even if it benefits them and the biker public. just my 2 cents, but i have been around the block a few times in my 69 years and could teach all of them a few things about the benefits of building bikes in the greatest country in the world. Capt Dan

 

[msocko3]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Veritas44</strong>
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<div class="message">Aye Aye Capt... you make some valid points there <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" /> <br />
The Dealer network is growing FAST. From the intel I was able to gather, the applications already in for consideration and yet undecided numbers well over 200. That's in addition to the original Grandfathered Dealers and the ones already approved and in varying stages of operation and pre-op. One Dealership that was in the first group to be approved and is up and running had sold & delivered over 40 and taken over 100 new deposits in the first half of this month alone. <br />
Gonna be fun to watch...</div>

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</div>I do hope they succeed, Polaris has the capital and background to give Indian its best shot at survival more than it has ever had. I see in years to come their success will push Harley to up their game which is a win for everyone.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>captdanwh</strong>
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<div class="message">that's great, i am glad that another American motorcycle builder will succeed in our great USA. in the end it boils down to the fact that more Americans will be hired and more Americans will be working on these beautiful bikes. if successful, it also means more companies will be making and selling accessories and put more Americans to work. what needs to happen to turn the biker industry in the USA around is for companies like Harley and Indian to make smaller and more affordable bikes to compete with the foreign companies. there are a lot of riders out there that just cannot afford a expensive Harley or Indian right now but would love to own the most famous bikes in the world so the need for 500 to 700cc bikes is huge as gas mileage and affordability are so important now a days. not every rider out there can handle a large bike and don't want to so if Harley can get it's head sewed on straight, the benefits could be huge but we all know they hate to make changes even if it benefits them and the biker public. just my 2 cents, but i have been around the block a few times in my 69 years and could teach all of them a few things about the benefits of building bikes in the greatest country in the world. Capt Dan</div>

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</div>However, in 2010 Polaris relocated its utility and sport vehicle assembly to Mexico to save money.