How long will it take you to pull the plug this time? If you really wanted a Victory when they pulled the plug, and didn't buy one, then you are dumb, they had some incredible sales and if yo really wanted one, you would have got an incredible deal. I think you are all talk I have several Indian's, just go for it if you are serious, its just a motorcycle
I’m a streetglide owner and I took one of these for a test ride. I loved everything about it especially the cylinder cutoff at a stoplight which really helped tame the engine heat and was way smoother than harleys cutoff. I’m definitely considering one of these when it’s time to trade.
Its still decades over HD in the tech department as far as locking bags/keyless locks, power windscreen, driving modes (which aren't exactly a big deal) but there are plenty of advantages.. They are on par with HD pricing here as well $32k for a SGS or $29K for a Darkhorse... I'd have to go Indian just to say its not a Harley I guess.
I bought a '17 Chieftain Limited after I rode it back-to-back with a Street Glide. I actually prefer the look of the HD but I went for function over form. The adjustable windshield, superior suspension and easy clutch engagement on the Indian sold me. After 10K miles, I can say the seat is awesome too. The Street Glide is a fine machine but for me, the Chieftain was just more comfortable out of the box and that means more fun riding.
OMG! You had me rolling on the floor laughing 😂. I like the new limited. If it would have been out in 2017 I would have bought it. Indian did a great job.
Craig Hall exactly what I was thinking. My best friends dad has the '17 Victory Cross Country in Pearl White, man is that thing beautiful. Back on topic though, like you said it looks more like the Vic Cross Country than a Street Glide.
1 2 Ironically, the wheels are one of the only things that are uniquely Indian. They've had those wheels since 2017, so if your 2019 has them, that's actually something HD copied from Indian.
Um...Do you even pay attention to Harley? Those wheels look almost exactly like the Iron 883's wheels... Which they've been producing for over 10 years. The street glide specials wheels look like the Irons. This comment is just ridiculous man.
I love this change, I'll be grabbing the 2019 Indian Chieftain in November, if they hadn't offered this style my choice would've been a 2019 Harley Streetglide, now I can safely say without question, Indian it is, thanks for the changes, I personally felt they were long overdue, and it's nice that the classic is still an option for the CLASSIC PEOPLE.
R.I.P Indian 1952, end of story. If Indian had survived there bikes would have been crotch rockets. They were at the forefront of technology.there failure was due to bad business, not relying on 100 year old tractor technology. Anything after 1952 with the Indian logo doesn’t live up to hendee Indian legacy
In spite of a lot of opinions about the "gaudy" ,as some may call it, front fender, as well as its Indian head fender ornament, I feel like it was and, in my opinion, still is the trade mark of the true Indian cruiser. It is the ONLY feature that makes an Indian unique and sets it apart from any other cruiser. It manifests its identity, and indicates its heritage. Once changed or removed gives it a "hybrid" look and looses some of its personality.
That front fender is a semi close replica of the 1950-ish Indian front fender. I personally don't care much for it, mostly because its not exactly my style. People complained about that fender not having the ornament, so for 2019, POOF its back on all bikes except the scout.
I agree. I think the return of the Indian war ornament was a good idea. As far as the fender, I'm new into motorcycle riding and just like its shape. Not to compare it to the original 1901 version, just the way it looks today. A bit nostalgic of the past. Probably a pain in the butt to do brake repairs or replacements though. Ride safe.
Great video from first sight I didnt feel it looked like a street glide I said it's an Indian an the decision to upgrade the look and also offer the retro look is great in my opinion there's always gonna be people that down talk new things to me it looks great the colors and along with the ride modes an all I think once people see it they will buy! I love Indian!
As a Deuce and Street Glide owner, I think that's a damn nice looking bike. I'm not a red guy, but that's a beautiful color. The only change I would make to that bike would be to color match the indian bonnet on the fender. Four wheels good, two wheels better.
It is a beautiful bike, in the same way a Street Glide is a beautiful bike. But this is not unlike the classic Ford / Chevy battles with F-150 going against the Chevy Truck or the Mustang vs Camaro. Brands are their distinctive design. This bike looks like a Street Glide, no doubt. Now the Street Glide looks like an Indian Chieftain. So it makes the decision more about the mechanics than the styling. I say it is not original, like last years and recent year bikes have been. It looks like someone said "if we can't beat them, join them". Not saying there's anything wrong with that. But many of us just like the independent "it's NOT a Harley" feeling.
It will probably always be better than a Harley. Indian designed a clean sheet up to date technology bike. They had old hands who knew Harley's issues well and brought out a much better product in many ways. Starting new and taking 2 years to get it together really gave Indian an opportunity to excel and they have not dropped the ball in any way. The bikes are just about bullet proof. Indian of Orlando is giving a free 1,000,000 mile warranty now on the running gear. That alone makes it hard to buy anything else and also states the long term durability of the Indian brand. If you can demo ride one and not want it, don't ride it twice. They sell themselves, the crew at Indian got it right. If it looks like a Harley, it's a better Harley. I see some resemblance, but I can tell them apart easily so they are not that much alike. The Indian looks better to me.
One Slave I couldn't agree with you more man. Everything you just said is spot on. I'm so tired of everyone crying and bitching about how it looks like a Harley, if anything to me it looks more like a Victory Cross Country than a HD Road Glide.
I ride a Road Glide, a VRod and a KTM 300 XCW-TPI (dirt). I admire Indians but was not much of a fan of their very classic "Indian" look, this is a good alternative to their other models and a direct competitor to the StreetGlide.
Actually it was brilliant on Indians part. The Street Glide is arguably the most popular bike on the road. Add in Indian motorcycles better rear suspension and they might pull loyal Harley owners away. Maybe it will bring those Victory buyers back who left to God only knows where. As a Harley guy I don’t really appreciate it looking a little like a copy cat but, being honest it was a brilliant move if they don’t get sued. Ride what you like and enjoy it. Ride safe. 👍
I like this new chieftain and will end up on one. I’m one who did not care for the locomotive look. I can’t wait for the review video and to see what’s refined on the 2019.
To be livid over something as petty as that tells me you need to up that dose of Xanax. Lol get over it. After decades of Harley ownership and now years of Indian, I’ll never go back to Harley.
Indian will be the only sole American brand left and soon they will make Indians in China, this is something that after this trade war is that Polaris will plan to put the final nail in the coffin on Harley-Davidson and including a Chinese brand that makes Harley-Davidson clones, in a way the Made in China Indians are only for the Chinese market.
myself and my 2 brothers are long time Harley owners. We stopped at our local Indian dealer yesterday and when we all spotted this identical bike we all fell in love with it. As a matter of fact my brother is trading in his bad ass 2015 Street Glide in for it! I'm up for a new bike soon and my first stop will be the Indian dealer. Indian offered my brother more for his Indian than 3 different Harley dealers. This move by Indian was brilliant. The people at the Brookfield CT dealer are fantastic and the owner is top notch..
I like the classic, friend of mine has a 2017 street glide, parked it next to a new 2019 chieftain at a Indian dealership, The similarities were unbelievable , the owners couldn’t believe it. If it weren’t for the names on the tanks, from 20 or 30 feet, you would swear they were both street glides!
Tyler Gates I have a scout as a first bike if I was going to get a second bike bigger bike, it would have been in Harley, but with this bike I might stick with this brand, I have always loved and still do the road king
Okie Rider did somebody’s widdle feelings get hurt? I complimented the man on a job well done and you think that’s trolling? Get a grip on your inferiority complex pal. For the record, I’ve owned Harley, Yamaha and Victory. People like you perpetuate the stereotype that non Harley riders have something to prove. Shut up and go ride.
2017 Thunder Black Indian Springfield. Absolutely my favourite bike of all time. I still love the HD Bikes and maybe one day will own one too but in the meantime I love to be different and LOVE my Springfield ... It's the Cadilac of Motorcycles!
No. What better way to get harley riders to come over. You build a bike simular to what they are comfortable with. They still build the Chieftain classic so.
The look is an improvement in my opinion but I think they are taking too many styling cues from Harley. I would have preferred if they had taken more styling from Victory. I loved the look of the Cross County Tour. From the shape of the fairing (not perfect but nice), to the tank and saddlebags. It had beautiful lines and a look all its own. I call it “modern-retro”. I think Polaris threw away a beautiful design. Harley and Indian are way too retro for my tastes.
I went through the exact same emotions in the same order as you , at least so far. I have decided to reserve judgement until I see one in person. Once I saw the Shawn Smokes video of one , I began to change my mind even then. I hope it sells like hot cakes and Indian thrives. I love my 2017 Roadmaster.
That 111 motor is at least partially responsible for the global warming phenomenon we are currently experiencing. Hot, hot, hot, hot, and, coincidentally, very hot.
OK, so I own a 2015 Indian Chief Vintage, and I love the style of that particular model. That being said, that is ME. I am not everyone, and I know that, but I also think that most Indian owners were so upset with this new style just because Polaris has fallen into the trap of trying to get (those people) to come buy an Indian. Make it look more "That style" and we can get them. As for me, I still don't like it. I looked at one up close at my local dealership. I see things on this bike that I really don't like, and I love the Indian brand. If you purchase one of these bikes, never ever wax around that Indian logo on the tank. There is a gap all the way around it (worse at the trailing edge) that will trap wax that you will never get out of it. Oh and be careful not to snag something on it, its thin and will probably bend especially at that trailing edge. If you plan on putting a passenger backrest on the bike, you have one option... take all that nice gap filler between the bags and the rear fender off and put on the backrest that fits all Indians, yep that will look really nice, Narrow back seat with that wide backrest. I don't know, maybe they just didn't think about the backrest thing, or maybe they don't think one should go on that bike (shrug). The three modes Sport, Regular, and Touring are the same three programs that Indian already has. Regular is the stock one, Touring is the stage two without cams, and sport is the stage two with cams. That's pretty much how it was explained to me anyway. Don't get me wrong, I still love the Indian brand, but .. WHY?.. I showed two comparison photos to a hard core Harley friend of mine, and she said "Maybe when it grows up it will get its Harley emblem" To all that like this bike, more power to you, ride what you like, just keep riding. Keep the shiny side up, head on a swivel, and have a great ride.
I'm from Indonesia. Came from a Fat Boy and Street Glide Special fan, I start loving Indian since 2014. Chieftain, that's my love at first sight. And I love even more with the 2019 chieftain darkhorse. Wish I will have a 2019 thunder black smoke Scout Bobber and a 2019 thunder black smoke chieftain darkhorse.
I kind of like it. I brought one of the first numbered classic in 14' and also a Roadmaster 18'. Went from Harley to Victory, and then to Indian in that cruising segment. I not married to any brand, so I also have a special build Yamaha caferacer for fun, and a Suzuki Gsxr for more action... Like what Indian doing. Maybe we will see a racing bike from Polaris also. Hope so :) Drive safely everyone :)
I'm glad that Indian now offers the traditional look as well as the new more progressive or modern look with the limiteds. When Polaris decided to scratch victory, I thought that was the silliest idea around because the traditional look of Indians doesn't appeal to nearly as many as the more modern look that HD has been making for years. The traditional look doesn't appeal to any rider under the age of 65 years old which is a huge market to just hand to the competitor. I'm much prefer the fit of the Victory / Indian to the HD. Most Harleys don't have nearly enough leg room compared to Victory / Indian. They say just get highway pegs for it but it's nice being able to keep my foot on the running board near the controls and having it fit comfortably.
If your a bigger or taller rider then you might want to consider the Chieftain. It offers an adjustable windshield too which is hard to pass up. Have to say after riding one and a street glide, the comfort level alone sold me.
The new Indian lineup is amazing. I’m a huge fan of the new Chieftain. Took it out for a test ride this summer and I’m hooked. Just can’t afford that sticker price. So, I’ll stick with my Kawasaki Vulcan 999 Classic and just dream...
I love the new look, maybe I'll give it a test ride. I ride a 2018 HD Ultra Limitted, 2001 HD Road King Classic. To the trolls out there, state what you ride when you comment.
Ahh Night relax lol. I just had a 2018 limited overnight while my vegas was in the shop. Second full sized Indian ive rideen (dark horse 1st), gee the rear cylinder heat is noticeable and for someone who is 5'7" i found it easy to ride. Maybe a future purchase
I've had the opportunity to ride one of these. I'm a street glide owner, and I was very impressed with the Indian. You get more for the money, and the mono shock rear suspension blows the 2" of travel you get on a SG or RG away. keyless entry on the bags, power windshield, chrome forks and painted inner fairing all standard features. Gloss black on any other colour bike is not painted imo Harley. Indian is doing good things here, and listening to what the public wants.
I did not buy the other one because of the old fairing. I just did not buy in to the 1950's train thing. This looks much sharper. Afraid of the seating more than the fairing.
You still have a choice! There are two Chieftains ! So even if they look like a street glide at least the engine will not self destruct! Indian is the real deal and DEPENDABLE!
A few years back, there was a video that explained that Victory was only a R&D platform and precursor for the Indian Motorcycle. All the R&D they gleaned for that 10 year period for the engine, suspension and durability was ALL going into the Indian Motorcycle. The CEO bought the rights (lot's of red tape and money later) from the folks that las owned Indian because he was a HUGE fan. Polaris could have done a much better job with PR and giving the Victory folks at least a year heads up, but they didn't which is why many were so angry with them. Fast forward...So, the Indian was produced with amazing engineering and technology...I almost bought one, but bought a HD instead not because the Indian wasn't an amazing bike, it was, but because of fear, the fear I had if Indian went under again. I drove to Fresno's Polaris dealer a few times to check out the Indian Chief, a beautiful bright red one too! I checked out the other brands too like BMW, Victory, Honda, Triumph and others, but since I had a HD back in the late 70s (1974 HD Super glide FXE...Kick start & electric start), I went for another one. Competition and rivalry is healthy but is certainly one thing, but the sub-abusive and abrasive banter between Indian and HD is clearly not a healthy relationship. It's like ok, I like the LA Dodgers and you like the Cleveland Indians (I couldn't resist...Hehehe) but we both love baseball, their both American Icons and we, I assume like beer, apple pie and America, right? So why all the battling if it keeps jobs here in the good ole US of A and gives us another option? We Americans love "things, gadgets, tools, cars...And we loves us our motorbikes too!" Was it "Aristotle" or "Rodney King" that said" "Why can't we just get along?" So as it goes, the rivalry continues, finger pointing, accusations of unfairness, copying and legitimacy, it rages on! I don't know if it will ever stop, but, I do know that the 2020 Indian Challenger is pretty well received by many (not all) and I for one think it's a pretty slick scooter. Do I really need to remind you why you ride a motorcycle in the first place? Why you love the freedom, wind in your face, heart pumping adrenalin rush of hauling ass down a country road, stretch of desert pavement or winding coastal highway? Jeez, you all bicker like an old married couple, just don't forget WHY you ride in the first place and why "choice, freedom and apple pie" in a country where men AND women have given their lives providing it to you is so important! Maybe you've lost sight of that! Let's just be more accepting, tolerant and appreciative if something newer (even if they say it's older) comes our way. We don't have to swap spit, but we do have to co-exist in a country where we have abundance, beauty, liberty and and choice! Remember that when you ride your motorcycle and when you vote! Harley or Indian? Apple pie or cherry pie? Blond, brunette or red head? You choose, either way, you've chosen right! God Bless America! -Cuno Wiederhold
I’ve owned my Vic cross country since 2012, still am not happy with Polaris. But I’m glad to see them give options on the Indian. It’s all about business like victory was.👍
i almost signed the dotted line on a 19 street glide with stage 4 but decided to go up the street first to the Indian dealer and i'm glad I did! love the new chieftain dark horse and signed the dotted line that same afternoon bye bye harley! not to mention the fact that Indian contains over 95% US made parts unlike harley
I could now buy a Chieftain where as I wouldn't before as I don't like the art deco fairing however, I love valanced guards and would like to see them with the new fairing. Oh thank christ they brought back the war bonnet light!
I won't be going Indian until they make a fixed fairing like my Victory Vision. I can see the HD in it, which is kind of depressing, but I can also see the Victory in it which is inspiring. Fun video though, I liked it alot. Black Dragon BSFFBS
Umm, I don't see it? One look at the engine and it screams Indian and not HD. There are only so many things you can do with a bike where similarity will not present itself. I've "never" been a Harley Guy, nothing wrong with them but as an Electrical / Mechanical Engineer turned Pilot, I just never cared for them.The cool thing about being an American is the fact that we have the rights and freedoms to purchase whatever puts a big smile on our face and that includes our choice of motorcycles. Honestly, all bikes are "Cool" to the owners that have them. Ride on folks...
Harley hit a home run when they turned the geezer glide into a sporty tourer. Indian has to make their own stand out model instead of a street glide with an indian on the tank. The big fenders and war bonnet and they could make some other stand out features like wheels and such. If Indian only had the dealership network that Harley has. I was very curious about Indian when I was looking for a touring/everyday rider, but in my area you usually find 6 or 8 Indians sitting around in the back of a shop that sells Hondas, Kawasakis, and Can Ams with a salesman that would rather flirt with the girls in the service and parts departments than help customers. I went to a Harley dealer to look and the knowledgeable, helpful sales staff put me on an electra glide standard. Indian needs independent dealerships with knowledgeable professional courtois salespeople. I guess that's why you see 1 Indian for every 100 Harleys at local bike events. This makes Indian riders 1% ers lol.
Thank you, you’re right man ! First think about it ! And give it a chance, if you don’t like afterwords you don’t loose anything. Thank you for bringing me down. I will take a look if they arrive Germany. Greetings to big brother 😃
You want to know why? You REALLY want to know why??? Because I'm a moron :) lol... I did a first take of this the day before when it was afternoon and the sun was in the western sky. The lighting was great. But my battery died halfway through :/ So I re-shot it the next morning before the dealership opened, and the lighting was less than great :(
I hate the new look. Just a copy of a street glide. If I buy a chieftain it will be the classic or a 2018 limited. Love the open fender and the old style faring.
I’m glad they overhauled the look in 19, the 18’s taillight/turn signals were awful so Japanese looking also I was surprised the horn sounds like a small Japanese car, nothing I expect for an American motorcycle company.
Dude, it doesn't look like a street glide, it looks more like a victory, and why not. The technology supporting these brands far surpasses that of HD and anyone who has looked into it knows this. Yes that bike looks like a victory with the Chieftain rocker covers, but that it is all. Do you want Indian to make sale headway against the upcoming 2019 HD range? Take a deep breath and just enjoy the superior design and manufacturing qualities of the bike when it comes out.
It's weird because I just opened youtube and the first thing I said was that's a nice harley, only to find out it was an indian. I do prefer Indian but I was definitely confused with the new design.
still weights 500lbs more than a street glide. i love indians and i loved my victory but when i went to a touring bike i went harley simply because of the curb weight.
No, I think Indian and Harley-Davidson are staying competitive. Both brands have been around about the same amount of time, and Indian actually beat Harley to the punch with a gear drive primary while Harley-Davidson is still using a chain primary drive on the left side. I think through competition both brand have evolved to more maintenance free motors with again Indian having another advantage with ease of oil changes.
