2015 Indian Roadmaster.... What a beauty!

[RugerHound]

This is an absolutely marvelous motorcycle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a-kTUmFBMo

 

[xtratoy]

But won't the Libs be crying about the name? I am sure that they will feel that "riding an Indian" is offensive and racist! :shock: :roll: :roll: :wink:

 

[wwb]

Over the 50+ years and close to 500,000 miles I've ridden, I've put a few hundred miles on a few different V-twin cruisers (never owned one, though). Every time I ride one, I decide it still isn't my type of bike.

Most recently, I tried a new Indian Chief at the Indian dealer..... the motor doesn't shake as bad as the H-Ds I've ridden, but it still isn't what I'd call "smooth". The braking was much improved over what I remember the older baggers being like, but it still didn't have enough brakes..... and compared to a modern sport-touring bike like a Kawasaki Concours 14, Triumph Trophy SE, or Yamaha FJR, it handled like driving a dump truck.

Polaris (the parent of the reincarnated Indian) is an American company, and I hope they succeed; things are looking pretty good so far. What I'm waiting for is an American company to build a competitive sport-touring bike. Note that I said "competitive", since there is already an American-made bike I'd love to own..... MOTUS. The price tag, however, puts it out of the running.

 

[RugerHound]

I've haven't been on any of the bikes you mention, but I'm personally not particularly comfortable on 'ninja' style machines. The big Vtwin cruisers are not easy to handle around town, that's for sure. But out on the road you can really lay down some serious miles. I couldn't imagine riding 500+ miles a day on a bike where my feet were behind me and I was leaning forward to reach the bars!

 

[wwb]

..... I'm personally not particularly comfortable on 'ninja' style machines.......I couldn't imagine riding 500+ miles a day on a bike where my feet were behind me and I was leaning forward to reach the bars!

A "sport-touring" bike is not a crotch rocket, although a lot of the chassis geometry is very similar. The riding position, though, is NOT anything like the sport bikes. The pegs are lower and farther forward, the bars are higher and farther back, the seat is wider and softer, and the fairing and windscreen give excellent coverage. Last year, I did 6300 miles in 12 days. This year was a short trip.... 3600 miles in 7 days. Longest day was 650 miles, but that's a lot of interstate.

Try out a sport-touring bike.... you may be pleasantly surprised. It's like driving a Corvette instead of a school bus. Smooth, quiet, comfortable, nimble handling, excellent brakes, and FAST if you have the need for speed.

 

[Richbaker]

I am in complete agreement with you, WWB. I've been riding for 46, almost 47 years and Cruisers just aren't my thing. Bought a 14 Yamaha FZ-09 last November to complement my 90 FJ12.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Even a Kawi C10 makes me lean forward too much.
Done quite a few 1k days on it and it made me sell it. I like the big tiller bars and boards on the Guzzi Cal III. And the fairing is better. And its easier to ride fast in the twisties.

I don't understand why Polaris made the Indian. It cuts into Victory sales.

 

[m657]

The last long bike trip I took was about 25 years ago on a V65 Honda with buddies on a BMW 750 and some kind of Kawasaki road burner.

It had the upright-cruiser lean-back a bit position and more HP than most automobiles I'd owned. I did have 2 repair points on the trip: tail light bulb needed replacing, as did one of the header pipe/muffler gaskets. Easy fix with on board tool kit but rather odd repair IMHO.

After 3500 miles in 7 days I was the only one looking forward to more road time.

 

[wwb]

The last long bike trip I took was about 25 years ago on a V65 Honda with buddies on a BMW 750 and some kind of Kawasaki road burner.

It had the upright-cruiser lean-back a bit position and more HP than most automobiles I'd owned. ........

Must have been a Magna from your description. I rode a V65 Sabre for quite a few years.... earned the "Iron Butt" on it - 1,000 documented miles in 24 hours. What a motor !!! 90 degree V-4, perfect balance, gobs of torque, and as you noted, more horsepower than was reasonably required.... but then, I always had unreasonable needs.

 

[m657]

ah yes, the Magna....

"What a motor !!! 90 degree V-4, perfect balance, gobs of torque" first bike I ever rode that was so smooth & QUIET that you could hear the sprocket/chain noise from bikes coming down the other side of the freeway.

Speaking of Indians, a few years back on the Oregon coast, I stopped for gas at a place where an old hipster in a 1941 Ford pickup, had what proved to be and original Chief in showroom condition, strapped in and headed for some big bike show in LA. He figured he could expect $Big$Buck$ payday from it....although he admitted he'd rather be riding the Chief and towing the pickup...which in itself was a collector item.

 

[Bucks Owin]

The Roadmaster is a beauty alright, but it's the new Scout that turns my crank... 8)

 

[radicalrod]

WOW you guys must be SLOW....only 1000 miles in 24 hours :roll: :roll: :roll:

On touring bike no less....

Try 2008 miles in 24 hours on a SUZUKI GSXR 1100 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Or 1004 laps at NELSON LEDGES 24 HOUR RACE....and WE WON :!: :!: :!:

OK continue the "I AM MORE BIKER THAN YOU" contest

Or is it the "I HAVE RODE LONGER THAN YOU" contest....I get confused in these threads...RR

PS my little brother just ordered a new ROAD MASTER....

 

[Bull Barrel]

Easy to do with no speed limit on a closed course.

I have done 1400 miles in 17 hours on a basket case Guzzi 850T.
We even stopped for a beer.

 

[hittman]

Those art deco fenders just aren't my thing.

Not sure paying almost $20k for a Polaris labeled Indian would be a great investment. I like and appreciate the fact that the name is back in production and that they're made in the USA though.

 

[Bull Barrel]

I have a friend who bought one of the new Excelsiors. Has buyer's remorse now.

Hey Rod, we expect a full ride report!

 

[wwb]

WOW you guys must be SLOW....only 1000 miles in 24 hours :roll: :roll: :roll:

On touring bike no less....

Try 2008 miles in 24 hours on a SUZUKI GSXR 1100 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Or 1004 laps at NELSON LEDGES 24 HOUR RACE....and WE WON :!: :!: :!:

.........

Like Bull Barrel said... try it on public roads. Back when I raced 750 GP (and I was a middle-of-the-pack racer - never gonna get a contract with the big guys), I had lap averages of 120+ at Brainerd International Raceway (it was then called Donneybrooke). Even with fuel and tire stops, that would be less than 10 hours for 1,000 miles.

 

[m657]

anybody that wants to average 100+mph/24 hours in the Montana & Idaho outback on any kind of bike better have their Blue Cross/last expenses paid up.

It's hard enough getting up to speed between taverns whilst avoiding most of the harvest machinery & flashing lights.....

 

[Richbaker]

Nostalgia and tradition. .... plus they get to bring back a great American brand, and do it RIGHT.

Even a Kawi C10 makes me lean forward too much.
Done quite a few 1k days on it and it made me sell it. I like the big tiller bars and boards on the Guzzi Cal III. And the fairing is better. And its easier to ride fast in the twisties.

I don't understand why Polaris made the Indian. It cuts into Victory sales.

 

[radicalrod]

WOW you guys must be SLOW....only 1000 miles in 24 hours :roll: :roll: :roll:

On touring bike no less....

Try 2008 miles in 24 hours on a SUZUKI GSXR 1100 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Or 1004 laps at NELSON LEDGES 24 HOUR RACE....and WE WON :!: :!: :!:

.........

Like Bull Barrel said... try it on public roads. Back when I raced 750 GP (and I was a middle-of-the-pack racer - never gonna get a contract with the big guys), I had lap averages of 120+ at Brainerd International Raceway (it was then called Donneybrooke). Even with fuel and tire stops, that would be less than 10 hours for 1,000 miles.

Well for the record we had 4 HOURS of RED FLAG so I would guess we really did it in 20 hours....

Well they call me "RADICAL ROD" not STUPID ROD or SOON TO BE DEAD ROD......

I go fast where it is expected....RACE TRACKS....everyone is going the same way....pretty STUPID to ride like that on PUBLIC ROADS....

Though I have had some fine races with the TRACK AMBULANCES DRIVERS.....they know the "HOT LINES" too :lol: :lol: :lol:

I don't want to say BS but I have ridden a MOTO GUZZI ....your the man if you can keep one together that long at that speed.... my calculations are you had to run 82.35 MPH with NO STOPS....figuring in the "BEER STOPS" / FUEL well over 100MPH....remind me NOT to go riding with you or to have the GO PRO on while following......

Heck I have been passed by WORLD CHAMPIONS....I know fast when it PASSES ME :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
You know THE OLDER I GET THE FASTER I WAS :roll: :roll: :roll: YMMV...RR

 

[Bull Barrel]

Guzzis sing at speed. We were going pretty fast across TN. We go fast by not slowing down. 6.6 gallon tanks let you go far between stops. And there was only one stop for beer, courtesey of Willie of the Dragons m/c out of Detroit.
When I got home I unloaded the bike and then rode for pizza.

 

[radicalrod]

Guzzis sing at speed. We were going pretty fast across TN. We go fast by not slowing down. 6.6 gallon tanks let you go far between stops. And there was only one stop for beer, courtesey of Willie of the Dragons m/c out of Detroit.
When I got home I unloaded the bike and then rode for pizza.

YUP, large fuel tanks are the hot ticket for endurance racing....we had an 8 gallon tank....could run almost 2 hours between stops.....had a quick fill can so rider and fuel stops were under 60 seconds...
Tires fuel rider under 2 minutes which was actually pretty slow so we did the race on 2 sets of METZLER SLICKS...only 1 tire change....rode half the race with only 1st, 2nd, and 5th gears....lost 3rd and 4th but you still had to shift through them.....

We raced at BRAINERD once...MAN turn one is FAST and SCARY :shock: :shock: :shock:

I have a friend that still rides GUZZI's....he is the craziest guy I know....he loves and hates them at the same time....RR

 

[wixedmords]

The Roadmaster is a beauty alright, but it's the new Scout that turns my crank... 8)

I'm with Buck. The Scout sure looks good, and a bit more sporty.

Polaris is doing a great job with Victory and Indian. Tremendous job. Looking for more sporty options, but the creativity and styling is all there in the two brands.

Pretty snazzy the Victory's and the "V" from the back.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Yep...Water cooled, 100 hp, 6 speed that hits century mark in 3rd gear, and LIGHT....$10,995

Not bad at all. Get outta the way Sportster! 8)

 

[xtratoy]

I put 62.5 miles on my Suzuki DRZ400s in the woods (gravel roads with softball sized rocks scattered randomly and off road trails) this Sunday in a couple of hours of riding. If I could have kept up that pace for 24 hours I would have ridden 745 miles!!! :shock: :roll: :wink:

 

[hittman]

Yep...Water cooled, 100 hp, 6 speed that hits century mark in 3rd gear, and LIGHT....$10,995

Not bad at all. Get outta the way Sportster! 8)

Actually, I suspect the competitor to the Scout would be the new Harley Street. Also water cooled, it's 750cc model is something like $7,400 MSPR.

 

[wwb]

Yep...Water cooled, 100 hp, 6 speed that hits century mark in 3rd gear, and LIGHT....$10,995

Not bad at all. Get outta the way Sportster! 8)

Try a Kawasaki Concours 14..... 155 hp, 6 gears, and 105 at the redline in 2nd. The engine management computer limits the top end to 155, but you can program around that if you need more. Kinda like the 'Busa and the ZX 14 being limited to 186.

 

[radicalrod]

Yep...Water cooled, 100 hp, 6 speed that hits century mark in 3rd gear, and LIGHT....$10,995

Not bad at all. Get outta the way Sportster! 8)

Try a Kawasaki Concours 14..... 155 hp, 6 gears, and 105 at the redline in 2nd. The engine management computer limits the top end to 155, but you can program around that if you need more. Kinda like the 'Busa and the ZX 14 being limited to 186.

Well my buddy has a ZX14 with lots of tricks done to it and can only get 198 MPH at the OHIO FLYING MILE.....he is an ex AMA PRO so he knows how to go fast....I think he will make it next time....he has a new stroked crank he made to bump his HP well over 200...he runs stock class so no juice or turbos allowed....you can do anything internal as long as it looks stock on the outside....too fast for me....RR

 

[wwb]

Well my buddy has a ZX14 with lots of tricks done to it and can only get 198 MPH at the OHIO FLYING MILE.....he is an ex AMA PRO so he knows how to go fast....I think he will make it next time....he has a new stroked crank he made to bump his HP well over 200...he runs stock class so no juice or turbos allowed....you can do anything internal as long as it looks stock on the outside....too fast for me....RR

ONLY 198 ????

As you well know, when you get into that territory, it takes a whole bunch of power to add just a few mph. Look at the Moto GP literbikes... on the looooong straights, they get just a whisker over 200 mph. They don't release any data of any kind on the bikes (hush-hush secret stuff, ya know), but rumor has it they are in the neighborhood of 250 hp.

In my old age, when they have track touring at Road America during Superbike weekend, I find myself quite content at 100 in the straights. And the corners.... well, I have 3/16" chicken strips on that big fat 190/50 rear tire, and they're gonna stay there.

edited for a couple fat fingers..... the space bar and the "m" seem to be too close together.

 

[gw425]

I have a 2014 Indian Vintage and it's a fantastic bike. Fantastic looks, great engine, great suspension and great brakes. I was going to purchase a 2013 Harley Road King, but then I rode an Indian and that's all there was to it. They are a big, heavy bike. Mine is over 8 feet long and weighs around 850lbs. But, the seat is really low so the center of gravity is low enough that it really isn't bad at low speeds. As far as comparisons to sport bikes, or sport touring bikes, I don't get it. Yup, they're quicker, faster, and more nimble than my Indian. But, if you want the style and the sound...............

Greg

 

[Bucks Owin]

Yep...Water cooled, 100 hp, 6 speed that hits century mark in 3rd gear, and LIGHT....$10,995

Not bad at all. Get outta the way Sportster! 8)

Actually, I suspect the competitor to the Scout would be the new Harley Street. Also water cooled, it's 750cc model is something like $7,400 MSPR.

I've always loved Sportys but the new Scout has really turned my head. Hell, it's an INDIAN so how cool is that?!? Scout is 1133 cc btw and priced with 1200 Sporty I'd say...