I have a 22 roadmaster. Yes, my left underthigh gets HOT. I installed a "Captain Itch" leather heat shield. It seems to move it ftom under my thigh. It's a lot better. However, I'm concerned that it may overheat the engine.
I ride a 2016 Indian Roadmaster and absolutely love it. The bike has low miles, just turned 10k. I don't care for the lower fairings that came on the bike and immediately removed them and removed the large luggage rack and original seat as well. I ride solo 90+ % of the time and don't care for listening to music when I ride, so removing the too large luggage rack and sofa-seat was absolutely the best thing I could do. I installed 4" Rinehart slip-ons and upgraded to a high-flow air cleaner (I had a dealer do this, as the engine needs to be tuned when adding these items, otherwise it creates problems you don't want). After these changes to the exhaust and air-cleaner, the bike immediately got 8+ mpg improvement and the low-end rumble of the engine is lovely. I replaced the original seat with Ultimate Seats solo and passenger seats and installed the back rests for each seat. I finally found a 12" sissy bar that Indian makes for the Roadmaster and will be attaching smaller hard case luggage to the sissy bar rack when I find what I want. I also installed Clearwater Light's yellow running lights on the lower front forks, this provides GREAT visibility up front, and I added blinking LED brake lights for increased visibility when braking. Wish I could attach a photo of this bile. It turns heads wherever I go, and I am so proud of it. In reality, it is now a very high-end bagger! I never experience too much heat when riding this bike, mainly because I permanently removed the lower front fairings. I rode bikes for years without any fairings and the wind on my legs doesn't bother me at all. If you are experiencing too much heat from the engine/exhaust, the first thing to do is remove the lower front fairings and let the engine breathe. We are all different. I am actually odder than the guy that created this video and I don't have any of the problems he talks about. Just find your own way. If a standard bike doesn't meet your needs, just make it into what you want. I love riding the hi--way and a big bike, such as the Roadmaster is exactly what suits me best. The club I sometimes ride with loves backroads. When I ride with them, I just take my time on winding roads... big cruisers aren't as nimble as BMWs and other smaller bikes on the backroads... but my skills are improving. Mainly, I can always catch up, so I don't worry about speed on backroads. One thing I absolutely love about my bike is that I can ride with ANY BIKE on the road and this Indian holds its own!
Norman, it's good to see you out there enjoying the ride. There isn't a lot you can do about the heat but a ride along the lake sure seems like a great idea. Have fun out there and keep the camera rolling.
Interesting, because most heat usually comes from the right side. I've had mine for the past 7 years and have been out in 110 degree weather in Texas. As long as your'e moving the bike won't overheat. Sitting in traffic may be another story. I've removed the cat and added a better engine tune, added slip on exhaust and Capt Itch. Heat on my right ankle is the worst spot so I move it outboard or on to the highways pegs.
It might be to hot for you not the Roadmaster. I had a Roadmaster and rode it in 103 degree heat all day long with no problems. I now ride a 2020 Challenger Limited. The running temp is 184 degrees. Harley baggers I owned the running temps was 260-300 + degrees.
If anyone says the Pursuit/Challenger Powerplus is cooler than a Thunderstroke they’re LYING. I test rode a 23’ Pursuit and after a 10 minute ride down the interstate I came to a stop and thought my pants leg was literally on fire.
i agree the Powerplus engine puts out a lot of heat but the lower fairings on the pursuit make things worse. My Challenger is not so bad because it has no lower fairings.
Indian does a terrible job with heat management. The heat is so bothersome that I have considered going back to Harley. Indian outshines Harley in every other way. I do take my lower fairings off in the summer.
I agree, heat is my number one complaint with the Indian. I have done several things that help, but they are still hot. Otherwise, the bikes are amazing and a pleasure to ride. Thanks for subscribing!
