i took one for a 40min test ride couple weeks back and it got me smiling right on. my friend say baggers are for old people but i have been dreaming one owning one some day. and after riding it i have to get one someday. the feeling i got riding it was like i was driving those pulling tractors. you could feel the power and the sound was similar
Forged aluminum frame, 125hp liquid cooled V, fox performance rear shock, inverted forks, brembo brakes, LED lights, ride modes, electric locking bags, sound system, electric windshield. Crazy value and performance for the money, especially on a bagger.
Great vid, wht I can tell you is tht if u automatically have a closed mind; then you won't enjoy riding anything other than wht ur brand loyal too. Those Indians r well built machines. Harley n Indian owner here.
I 100% agree with you on that. Why not love them both? I know I Love Harley and I love Indian. I really do. I’m getting me an Indian Challenger for sure. I already have my Ultra Classic and I love it. I’ve ridden many Challengers and the Challenger is my next bike.
The challenger is an awesome bike. I own a roadglide and I can admit there are things about the challenger that I like better. For one, out of the box the challenger is faster, has much better suspension and is roomier. I had to change the seat, bars and floorboards on my roadglide to make it more comfortable. You need to do a stage 2 on your roadglide to keep up with the challenger. Also the power adjustable windshield is f'ing great and power locking bags is a nice feature.
It's hard for a Harley tragic to say good things about other brands of motorcycles, especially Indian, when comparing to a Harley. However, if you can put pride and prejudice aside and bring objectivity into the comparisons, at the end of the day, the conclusion must be that Indian has come up not just with a great bike here, but also, a bike which is a superior product than HD, except for the paint job - and it's a shame that HD appears to be relying on brand loyalty instead of releasing a true competitor and superior product to the Challenger. It's good to the see honesty in this video from 2 Harley tragics.
people riding Harley's don't understand everyone they see on an Indian...WAS OR STILL IS A HARLEY OWNER! Why did I switch? because for decades yes decades Harley did not listen to its customer about what they want.. they TOLD its customers what they wanted. with every Harley I've bought Harley has NEVER called me (yes called me) to ask me what I liked and didn't like, AND check in with me every now and then through e-mail. also I hate being a riding cliché on a Harley.
The flick ability and lightness off the kickstand is a result of Indians frame design and more to the point steering head geometry. My 920lbs Roadmaster feels similar.
I mean come on.. the Challenger is a dope ride … but can’t beat the ROAD GLIDE. I wake up excited every day to ride even when my destination blows (work). That 25 min hwy blast gets me thru my day. Either way… love what u ride and ride what u love. And ride safe ! Great vid !
I’m sure Indian Motorcycles knew this was a great bike, but the CHINESE COVID that was unleashed onto the unsuspecting world population in the past has stifled all manufacturing products that aren’t CHINESE! Thanks for covering this bike, I wanted to buy an HD ROAD GLIDE, but HD raised their prices and I’m going for the Indian which you are reviewing! Your going to get an invite to Rising Sun Maryland country riding when I buy 9:39 the Indian !!! Bring your buddy as well !!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Yeah dude I've been torn between these two bikes. Not sure what one to buy. Guess I'll just stick with my bike for now. Served me well. Good on gas. Hard to beat a huffy
Thanks that's cool man, I appreciate it. I'm just having fun and enjoying the scenery. Yeah once I have something worth posting, till then it's just shorts lol I'm super busy and grateful for it tho💨🏁
MK87 you need to turn on the rear cylinder disable at traffic lights, Love my 2023 Challenger Dark Horse.. bought it over the RG ST… but now they have the Fast Johnnie Piggy Paint… Love that scheme… but can’t justify another $35,000 out of pocket.
I have seen a few videos but this one gave the best demo of sport mode. I own a Pursuit and since it is in hibernation I have to get my Indian fix somehow. One thing to note the pegs vs. pedals. I agree they should change to pedals, I changed out the shift peg for a Kuraykyn shift peg it is wider and much more comfortable especially on the upshift. On the brake side the Pursuit came with a rubber covered pedal.
Great review. I own both Challenger and Lowrider St.Both are great bikes.Some comments so inaccurate people caught up in drinking Kool aid of one brand.They need get out more and have open mind.I have owned so many bikes and the Challenger is very good.Lead engineer was 30 yr old 600 cc rider.There probably handling emphasis.
You get way more for your money with the Indian. I am selling my 2022 Goldwing tour next year and buying the Challenger. It's so nice to ride I really didn't want to get off it once I got on..
Good vidio and honest opinion from a Harley rder. Every Indian I've tested feels nimble than it's weight. I ride the Super Cheif Limited with stage 2and Lloydz tune, in sports mode it's easy to forget that I'm on a heavy cruiser / light touring bike. Ride safe and enjoy the ride.✌️
I think that Indiana looks sharp and I test road the challenger and the dark horse. I'm in the process of buying the challenger, but the first thing I'm going to do is change the floor brake peddle. Thank you for sharing this video and I'm looking forward to seeing what your going to do with her
Nice review! Own a 2024 rg and wanted to test ride the challenger. Totally agree with this review. The challenger feels like a great handling sportbike and has alot of power but the Rglide just feels more solid and fit and finish are superior. Would I trade my rg for the indian? Absolutely not but I would buy one as a second bike. This challenger just feels like a sport bike with bags with the stock low bars. Also acceleration on a harley is instant where the indian has a lil lag in pick up but once it gets going its an animal. The 4 main positives for indian are power,handling,liquid cooled and nicer powerfull steroes
Love my 2020 Indian Challenger. Only issue I have is the 2020 and I think the 2021 have the 6k tach. With performance tune this bike goes passed what the 6k tach reads.
The Indian is a nice bike but I just can't do the looks with that radiator and no nice chrome pushrod tubes etc...Just a matter of what turns your crank..
Based on your videos and my knowledge of the area I would say you live in either elm wood park or Saddlebrook? I hope I see you on the road one of these days
I’ve had roadglides since 2010 and had the 2018 m8 and now have a cvo TC I’ve had a open mind on the challenger yes HD better resale value but u spend more on HD to make what Challenger comes with. Honestly my biggest problem is the dealership market. Not many around that’s what just stops me the most.
I respect your honesty. But fyi, u dnt need that many dealers for a well built machine. Do you see many dealers for BMW, Kawasaki Baggers? Etc. The only reason y most people feel comfortable wth multiple dealers is bcuz they expect future & frequent breakdowns. Lets keep it 💯
@@willkearney5002 I agree but if it happens on a Harley or a Indian etc u hav to expect it. Now by me I’m in either direction I’m about 1-2.5 hrs away from a Indian dealer but I have 6 HD dealers within 30-45 minutes
To me...a new 2023 Indian Challenger is 24,999....A base RG or SG is 21,999....Challenger Elite is 35,999...A Fast Johnnie ST is 32,999....Even with better Suspension and more Performance....Its cheaper to get into a HD than an Indian along with its better fit and finish and its wide Aftermarket.....
@@brianirons3958 According to the HD corp website....Both Road Glide and Street Glide starting MSRP are 21,999 bone stock....and to answer your next reply...There are still some Dealerships that sell new Bikes at MSRP🤔.......
That Indian will run circles around that Harley-Davidson I'll out handle it I'll stop better the whole nine yards. You get way more than you do on a Harley with Indian. Don't let your loyalty keep you from writing an excellent bike
@@killroyjohnson1256 I bought it in May with 4,500 miles and I just turned 16900 on my way home from work tonight trying to get that 19001 before the snow falls and I have to put her away for the winter.
His downsides are the same old played out Harley fanboy bull crap. The only opinion he gave that is valid is styling. Fit and finish is BS. To argue fit and finish realistically is if parts are loose are they don’t fit together properly. Not a single Indian I’ve ever seen had loose parts or parts didn’t fit together properly. Every Indian I’ve ridden, which is multiples of every model except the scout rogue, performs better and has more to offer than its Harley counterpart. The only thing Harley has over Indian, other than styling which is subjective, is their place in American motorcycle culture. Indian makes better bikes from the factory than Harley and it’s not even close. And this is coming from someone who loves both brands.
If I was a “Harley fanboy “ I wouldn’t be on this bike at the moment. 🙂 fit and finish on a Harley is better hands down but I’m assuming that’s also subjective right ? With that being said I’m a fan of Indian and love what they are bringing to the table.
I’m shocked that I road one before you first and foremost. Before I bought my roadglide I was looking at the challenger first at my local Indian Dealership but they dropped the ball by ignoring me from the time I walked into the empty dealership and had me check out Harley and I bought that day. Anyway, the bike feels lighter and it’s faster but everything else just felt cheaper to me in comparison to the roadglide. I also got to test ride one without the windshield working so that wasn’t a great first impression. Everything else just felt like overly plastic and I wasn’t too impressed. I believe the center of gravity is lower and that’s why it feels lighter.
Agreed. Every Indian demo I've been to I've felt like the Indians were a tad on the chinsey side. Getting back on the Harley afterwards the build quality is night and day. So much sturdier feeling.
@@joedunne9492it might have some of the same components and some plastic but in my opinion Harley just feels more sturdy and put together better, no hate to Indian, just not my style.
Purchase a challenger, no mods. And ride it 20k a year around the states. Thats what I love about the challenger. With harley, without suspension, seat, and stages 1 and 2, not as enjoyable for riding all over the country.
@killroyjohnson1256 ride command freezes sometimes, but I dont need it. error codes, glitch throttle, and cylinder misfires. It's a 2022. Even with the flaws, I think it's a better bike than what harley offers. But don't expect a perfect bike.
A Harley doesn't get down like that! the Indian is a lot better motorcycle all the way around. Especially if you get the 116 thunder strokes it'll run circles around at Harley
The heat coming off this Indian is crazy hot and it definitely turns me off. The styling coyld be a little better. That front fairing is too choppy looking.
I just don’t like the wheelbarrow handle bars on the challenger and the road glide. They would have to figure out a Thrashin bar set up. For me to buy one of them.
@@killroyjohnson1256 Really the only main thing was the electronic throttle response, if you’re coming off a newer Harley, you’ll probably notice it, keep it in sport mode, otherwise nice bike
@@killroyjohnson1256 nope, mostly had my IPhone connected, would option for rear speakers in the bags, adjustable windshield was nice, comfortable long distance hauling, and now different Handlebar choices out there, had Tab performance mufflers on it, sounded awesome
@jeffyeomans354 my wife did a surprise for my 50th birthday and when I was cleaning outside the house and the dealership brought over a bmw grand america. I was shocked
Best “RIDER’s” bike do to balance, most power, and light feel. But Harley’s are Iconically better looking, BUT I purchased a BMWR18 bagger because it was more beautiful than both and has better value overall.. But yes, Indian is Amazing.,
I think it's the whole line, myself. I bought a 2016 Scout 60. Two things: I KNOW the bike's lean angle and handling saved me from at least one bad episode and I was able to use a bicycle trick I hadn't thought of in fifty years to avoid a raccoon carcass on my line at 85 mph on a downhill curve as I was outdriving the original Scout headlight. These scoots get down the road pretty good, eh? Yeah, Indian all the way.
Harley Didn't get big as they have over the last 120years due to Speed, Handling or how Comfortable they are. The Name alone speak volumes and brand alone has such a rich history, its as "American" as Apple Pie lol..I don't know..Im just a Harley guy no matter if it Slower, Rattles, unconfy ride lol, I didnt buy a Harley for Speed, Looks, or how Comfortable it would ride, Its just part of my Identity just like the Marine Corps, Indian Makes a Very good Product period, it rides great, it performs very well its just not for me and Many others. There plenty of thing id like to have on my Road Glide from the Challenger like Suspension. Its a good bike
The fit and finish is not there with the Indian and the soul definitely isn't either. Having known someone that owns the Challenger, all I can say is he's had nothing but problems (mostly fit and finish problems). Having said that, it's not a bad bike, I wouldn't buy one though. The support/community just isn't there.
At first, I had a very good opinion of Indian motorcycles especially for the Scouts and the Challenger/Pursuit. On paper, the high-performance liquid-cooled modern engines, the aluminum chassis and, for the Challenger/Pursuit, the adjustable Fox suspensions, Brembo brakes, driving modes, adjustable electric windshield and a great infotainment system give a noticeable advantage compared to Harley Davidson. Unfortunately, in reality, the picture is not so positive. Indeed, after trying and closely examining several Indians my enthusiasm was gone. For so-called "premium" motorcycles the finish is cheap and plasticky. The switch gears and other chrome parts are made of plastic covered with a chrome film which eventually peels off over time. The engine heats up a lot, there are a lot of extraneous noises, the dashboard is cheap and the quality of the varnish on the paintwork is of poor quality because it is very sensitive to scratches. Last but not least, here in Australia, spare parts are difficult to get. At this level of price we are far from Harley Davidson and I find Indians too expensive for what they offer. It's a shame.
