I have had 4 road glides. My last was a 2021 rg special. I rode an Indian challenger and was so impressed with it, that I traded my rg for an Indian challenger. It's just an all around better bike. The ride is better and it's nice to have an adjustable shock. I still think the rg special was the best looking bike I've ever had.
Wow that speaks volumes. I agree that by and large the challenger outperformed the roadglide in many categories, but I always keep coming back to the roadglide just because of looks alone. I’m vain lol
See for me i prefer the Challenger based on looks alone. I think the only bagger that looks better is the Yamaha Eluder. Now what I do like is the new CVO bags.
It's very sad when I remember that here in Brazil we don't have this beautiful machine and a Road Glide costs basically... 150 minimum wages. Nice one bro! 👊
The biggest impression I had about the challenger was the motor was great, but everything just felt cheap on it. The new 24’ RG’s blow this out of the water.
Ok...what's with the sticker on the tank and a cup holder?? Been a HD guy a long time. Now I have a '21 Challenger, Love it. This bike is so much larger than the HD bikes, Street and Road Glides, I ride with guys that have them both. Such a dominate bike, King of the Baggers in my opinion.
Great review IBR. I agree I wasnt much on the sound and feel of the engine comparable to the traditional VTwin from the Harley Bagger line or even Indians Thunderstroke engines as well. The smart lean technology they had on it was an awesome feature to have, that big bike felt more flickable in the corners than my Scout, lol.
I presently own (since 2005) a Harley. The 2023 Challenger (demo) rides light years ahead better than the 2023 Road Glide ST (demo) that I rode. The Road Glide St was cramped and very uncomfortable for my 6' body. The Challenger was much more comfortable with a stock seat!!! Then the STOCK power of the Challenger. You have to pay $8,000+ more to get the same power out of a Harley. Oh and with 2023 the EPA has made it so that ALL (Indian & Harley) performance tunes have to be done by the dealerships.
Yeah I agree. Although I prefer the styling of the roadglide I can’t deny that I enjoyed the challenger so much more when I was riding it vs the roadglides that I’ve tried out. Good job Indian
First! Great ride and first impressions video! The Challenger intrigues me for sure, but the lack of a nearby dealer, and the electrical issues I've read about, those are big turn-offs for me. I'd love an adjustable windshield though :D
Yeah we have 4-5 dealers closer to us than 1 single Indian dealer. Kind of crazy to me. In a few years I’ll probably look at a bagger, the choice is going to be a tough one
When I demoed both at Laconia the biggest take away was Harley yes has a slightly better f&f but the biggest thing is Harley seemed more analog and the Challenger felt more modern.
@IronBornRider 💯. Forgive me for saying I've never been a big Harley fan due to their mechanical reputation, always equated them to the Ford of the motorcycle world. But I must say, It sure is a tough decision but got me the value and performance is the deal breaker that leads me to the Challenger.
Electronic issues are a problem. Mine has been in the shop 5 times. 9,000 miles. Get the extended warranty and make sure it covers all electrical components! Trust me.
The lack of vibration and sound is design thing. Liquid cooled engines will never have that potato potato sound that an air cooled engine has. Nor will it have that vibration. Liquid cooled engines inherently operate smoother than air cooled engines.
Totally get that and I’ve ridden my fair share of liquid cooled bikes but there was this tinny sound coming from the exhaust. I’d have to put more seat time to confirm, but either way that was my nitpick on the challenger. Everything else was extremely pleasant
Do your research as to why hd bikes shake and vibrate. You are correct in saying that it's a design thing. Over the years harleys have been known to have up 20 thousandths run out on their cranks which is terrible.
