Indian Challenger Review Update: 20,000 Miles 

Well said!

Not a fan of side-mounted cameras? lol

For sure! 👍

I loved Victory! Polaris, I'm still a little pissed at... just say'n 😐

@amjrpain919 Nothing wrong with those feelings. If Polaris shut down Indian tomorrow for a new brand of be furious too!

Thanks Dave, much appreciated! Not only do I find the Indians a touch lower to the ground, but I promise you they feel substantially lighter as well! I don’t know how or what Indian does when they engineer their bikes, but “low center of gravity” is spot on! My Challenger feels closer to a Scout than a Road Glide! ✌️

I really appreciate that! I’ll keep ‘em coming for sure!

Always rolling brother! Windshields, sissy bars…cams! There’s always something to tinker with! Whether it’s with my Challenger or something new, I’m just glad I discovered this addiction! Always something to look forward to! ✌️

Good to be back, even if only intermittently! 🤣 I think for riders like us who are perhaps not the “average” rider in terms of size, it can be a real chore to make a bike work for you. And in that sense, like I said in the video, I think Indian should build their bikes in such a way that they don’t interfere with the process of “making a bike your own” - don’t interfere with customers’ ability to swap out bars, seats, pegs, etc. You certainly won’t get me arguing against a “package” approach to selling bikes - offer a “short rider” or “tall rider” package where you can swap out the stock bars/seat/pegs, etc, when you buy the bike and not have to pay separately/more. It’s certainly an approach that would distinguish Indian from HD. At the same time, let’s face it - Indian is much smaller than HD, and economically, it probably doesn’t make a lot of financial sense to create that approach in selling their bikes at this point. It’s one of those things that could really distinguish the brand and grow it, but the process of implementing it could interfere with the brands’ growth to begin with. Tough choices! Having said that, I do wish Indian would offer a broader array of options, and do more to promote a vibrant 3rd party market. Here in 2022 your options for customizing Indians is still just too limited. Having said that, and setting aside rider size, you can buy fully dressed Indians with all the bells and whistles - the Roadmaster and the Pursuit. And you’ll pay less for those bikes than you will buying base models and building them up to full dressers. They have the heated grips, heated seats, etc. But they come with stock bars and not the kind of things that make a big difference for taller or shorter people. 🤷‍♂ In the meantime, I’m pleased to report I think my handlebar situation is resolved! I don’t want to spoil it, cause you know that’s a video 🤣, but assuming everything works, having a channel and folks watching my videos may have presented me with an awesome/complete solution! Stay tuned! 🔥

Yeah, that’s what was on my Challenger. I actually tried the larger shield they make, and that was overkill. What can I say, but I want no buffeting, but also to not have to look through the shield when it’s all the way down too. Just a challenge to work through with bikes, right? 🤣

Hey Dennis, congrats on your Pursuit! I'm actually in the process of (hopefully) solving my handlebar/reach issues on the Challenger. I already have the reduced reach bars on the challenger, but they simply don't come back far enough. I'm having custom bars made with a grand total of 5" of pullback from stock (stock wiring has 6" of spare wire, and you don't want to cut/extend the Challenger's wiring, so 5" was the most I wanted to go with). Hopefully they'll be here by next week, and I'll have them on the bike for a long trip I'm taking for Thanksgiving! Feel free to hit me up via email and I'll share details - just don't want to do that in public, because I'll spoil some good content! ;) Aside from my solution, I'm really not aware of anything other than Indian's reduced reach bars, or installing the aftermarket dash kit/risers. Some folks have said the Klock Werks Klipsch Hanger bars can be installed in reverse, and that can give you a bit more reach, but I spoke to Klock and they really couldn't promise that was the case - I wasn't eager to spend $500+ for nothing. As for my audio, thanks for the compliment! That's probably the most challenging part of doing this! I did a video showing how I rigged up my Icon Airflite for motovlogging. The important part was how I glued a clip inside the helmet to hold my mic under my mouth, but away from the interior shell of the helmet. Sometimes when you cram a mic between the interior shell and ear pad like so many do, it can create some vibration/feedback in the mic, so that was my solution. Having said that, sometimes I think my audio is sharp, and sometimes it's really muddy. I'm no audio mixing expert, so I do the best I can - it's a constant struggle to get consistent audio! But practice makes perfect, so if you're filming just keep playing around with it and you'll find a solution that works for you! DMV

Awesome! Enjoy every mile!! ✌️

Thanks! I’m just lucky I’m satisfied with my bike as-is! But you never know - someone might come out with a this or that I have to have, and it’ll be all over for me! 🤣

Thanks for checking it out!

Thanks man! I did have a chance to ride the Pursuit this past Spring. Fine bike - just a Fullly dressed Challenger, and delivers exactly what you’d expect. The lowers/tour pack didn’t detract from any aspect of the bike (as far as a demo ride can show you!)!

Don’t sleep on the Chieftain - it’s a great bike too!

Thanks! You should look at my video after this one about my custom handlebars! I need some real pullback to be comfy, so ape hangers are out! And chicks dig my stinky pits! 🤪

Obviously, you've never had a junebug to the armpit...🤨

Hey Brad! I have the backrest and love it! Fortunately, I got my bars sorted out (most recent video) and I’m riding in comfort now! ✌️

​@@DMVSoloRider Great to hear DMV! Ride Safe!

This video was a follow-up to a much longer, more detailed review I did after 10k - check it out! I did mean to address the kind of riding I did the 2nd 10k, but completely forgot! The first 10k was all kinds of riding. The 2nd 10k was far more highway than anything else. My current set of tires have 8k on them, and there are still some of those stubbies on the sides, so I definitely haven’t been leaning it over as much as I’d like. 🤷‍♂️ Temps - I ride year round, so teens to 100s. And I agree - Challenger sounds like a dying cat on start-up! 🤣 I don’t usually have any issues actually getting it started. But I also don’t use a tender, so some of the initial reluctance to start after a week or two is probably just the battery waking up!

I was just thinking about this again yesterday while I was out for a rip - just super content with my bike as-is! I even like the stock seat! Definitely need to get the adaptive LED headlight though. As for your Goldwing, I’m kinda shocked to hear that. But if a wonky infotainment system isn’t going to be an issue, go get some v-twin goodness! @MCrider made the switch from a wing to a Challenger and he seems pretty content! 👍

@@DMVSoloRider I went from that 22 Goldwing to a 23 Indian Chieftain darkhorse. It was fantastic but hot days and a air cooled engine had me avoiding traffic at every turn so I went back to a new 23 Goldwing. Now I miss the Indian.. My wifes gonna kill me. I should have bought the challenger for the water cooling but that 116 thunderstroke is better than sex.

@@jag1963 Brother, I’m on my 4th bike in 5 years! They won’t make the perfect motorcycle, or the industry will collapse! You just need a bigger garage! 🤣 They’re all awesome!

@@jag1963 Also, no - not better than sex! 🤣 And you get plenty of heat off a Challenger - as much as a Thunderstroke from my experience!

Thanks! Go check out the video I posted about KST Kustoms truly custom bars I had made! Total solution! 👍✌️

just did! very happy to know that you're comfortable now and the possibilities for this great bike. thanks!

Think it depends on a host of factors - rider profile, helmet type, etc. I find the flare windshield works best when I’m wearing my Ruroc. The stock shield is a perhaps a little better with my HJC. The shark nose on the challenger is superior for me compared to the bat wing on my old chieftain. Mix of factors, and so far nothing is a 100% solution for someone like me who hates looking through a windshield…except a road glide fairing. 🤣

Thanks! I got my sissy bar from Ginz Choppers - they make all kinds/sizes, and they’re just plain awesome! It’s not quick release, but as soon as I put it on my Challenger I knew it was never coming off anyway, so 🤷‍♂️🤣

@@DMVSoloRider Right on man, I appreciate the info.

@@stavrosescobar1624 you bet! If you end up getting one, consider getting the “eyebrows” they sell to add some extra decor where you attach them between the saddlebags/fender. Alternatively, you can shave down the color-matched inserts on that Chieftain of yours - anything to pretty up the gap between the bags/fender when the bar is on!

Yes it was. And we’re all the better for it!

Thanks! Mine is a 2020 Ruby Metallic. Think the Maroon is new for 2022!

@@DMVSoloRider okay thanks, really wish they kept some of the older colors as well as the new ones.

@@touchthebacon5447 They’ll be back around! Have you checked out the Indy Red?

@@DMVSoloRider yeah it's really nice that and the metallic blue are probably the two favorites.

It is a great bike! I’ve had my own mixed experiences with dealers. Lack of knowledge/know-how specific to Indian bikes, lack of interest in being helpful on one hand…but then amazing customer service/skill on the other (an out-of-town dealer pit stop). 🤷‍♂️ When you find a good dealer, don’t ever let them go! 🤣

Ya that's been about my experience, I had to drive to Illinois for even mediocre service, but man what a great bike. Harley makes, how shall I say this, less reliable bikes, but man their service is awesome. I came from Supersports with 240hp and I am more than happy with the 120ish crank hp this bike produces, I completely agree on that front, only thing I did was add a tall windshield, upgraded speakers, and the indian sissy bar, thats all it needs.

@@hughmackenzie3540 Well, it’s nice to hear from others they agree! 🤣 Sometimes I think I must be missing something that I’m satisfied with stock! I mean aside from the obnoxiously large sissy bar! 🔥🔥🔥

Are you talking about the rear cylinder deactivation? It’s definitely a bit louder on the Challenger than my old Chieftain. Aside from the sound I haven’t had any mechanical issues with my engine - runs smooth and hasn’t had any issues. I’m having my windshield fixed for the second time in a year this weekend, so I won’t disagree that improvements on the secondary elements of the bike could be better. 🤦‍♂️ Overall though, I’m pretty happy with mine.

@@DMVSoloRider nope for the cylinder deactivation. I meant the tapping noise and the misfire warning issue. And also the saddle bag cover tolerance. The quality of this model is so poor.

Sorry to hear that. I honestly haven’t had any mechanical issues with mine. What has your dealer said?

​@@feeltheriding380 if your bike isn't running good, get it checked out. Your system could use a dealer flash.

Nobody makes a seat like that for the Challenger. I suppose I could check with one of the shops that rebuilds seats to see what they might be able to do, but I kinda dig the stock seat! 🤷‍♂️

@@DMVSoloRider Corbin...Mustang...Saddleman make great aftermarket seats...Either that or contiune to reach on long rides🤷

Right. And none of them move you forward for the seats they make for the challenger. Ultimate Seats originally planned to make a reduced reach seat, which I was counting on, but they decided not to make it after all. 🤷‍♂️

@@DMVSoloRider Well am sorry to hear that...i know they make them for HD that sit you foward...If you can ride your Bike out to Holister Cali...I know that Corbin can make you a seat right on spot there...

@@bradlozano2571 Hey man, a long road trip out west is my dream ride, so that’s certainly possible! Before I got the challenger I seriously considered a Road Glide, and I was pretty dazzled at my local HD dealer - they had their “fit” specialist work with me on all the options to make the bike just right. You just can’t get that range of options with an Indian, which is definitely a consideration for anyone with some special considerations like pigmy legs. 🤣

Not sure why you’re having trouble hearing - audio seems to be working fine. Maybe yours is set to “the opposite.” 🤣 Love the KST bars, and don’t like the T-bars others have gone with when they do the dash modification. 🤷‍♂️

No, not at all. I take it you’re having issues?

Go to your local dealer and have them flash the system.

I had a set custom made by KST and they were great!

I was good with it. Comfortable on long rides, excellent rider backrest that fit the aesthetics of the bike. I felt no need to swap it out!

@DMVSoloRider thanks. I might be coming over from a HD RGS today. I've ridden my buddies pursuit for about 30 min and didn't notice my butt hurting(this is a good thing considering my HD oem seat was terribly noticeable after a bit of riding). I noticed that the challenger and pursuit seats were different so I'm looking for some perspective is all. Appreciate the reply

Ah, got it! I was really pleased with the seat over 30k miles, and a number of butt burners. Worst case scenario is you decide you aren’t a fan and swap out for a saddleman or something. 🤣

@DMVSoloRider true. I just didn't want to buy a new bike and HAVE to buy bars and seat right off the get go

@@Gunker02 Totally agree! I mean, for a shorty like me bars are almost guaranteed. But I’d be disappointed if I knew I had to buy a seat immediately! I think you’ll be pleased with the stock seat on the Challenger/Pursuit! 👍 I’m really pleased with the wide seat on my FTR, and managed with the classic seat on my Scout. Only Indian seat I hated was on the Chieftain.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m no audio mixing expert! Lol But I thought the sound was ok - the Shoei is so quiet it gives off a bit of a fishbowl effect, so it can be tricky finding the right balance. 🤷‍♂️

Sounds good to me.

🤔 They do make a 30”….

@@DMVSoloRider …..looks good…..on another note, has the bike been solid? I read alot about electrical glitches and some mechanical issues as well…

@@bobberboss Mechanically speaking, it’s been a rock. The electric windshield has broken twice (common issue on Indian baggers), and Ride Command can be wonky. It’s gotten better through major software updates, but still not what it should be. And the CarPlay feature, which is a big deal to me, is unreliable - vibration really interferes with the usb connection for phones. 🤷‍♂️

You should do a farewell tour on your Harley - follow the demo truck from city to city and ride the pursuit at each stop. Then buy it! 🤣

@@DMVSoloRider Great idea!!!