I think polaris is doing a wonderful job considering they don't have the 120 years experience that harley has,I have high hopes for the Indian motorcycle, its not a harley but it gives people a range of choices it is definitely a competitive offering to the big touring bike market especially sence Honda has opened up the market with the discontinued goldwing, unless Honda has a ace up there sleave,sleeve, the goldwing was never really a competitive bike in the big touring bike market, it had a small following not enough to keep it goin,and the battle of the baggers is awsome. I really wish triumph would have built a giant bagger but they went the other way with there big giant locomotive 🚂 engine bike lol I really feel that was a wrong move and might hurt them in the end if they only did what Indian has done they might have been a force to be reckoned with well not the sound of a v twin that big 3 cylinder is a touring torque monster my 08 triumph rocket 🚀 has been putting sad faces on v twin owners for years now pulling a trailer uphill 2 up with loaded bags and tour pack it pulls like a diesel. Well the supercharger helps a little lol.hey nice video enjoyed the informative review 👍.
@@frankorobinson1540 What planet have you come from? The Gold Wing is NOT discontinued and has been the premium long distance touring motorcycle for decades. The current Wings have superior features over any V twin on the market, it's just many of today's so-called bikers want to be notices by making noise and fit into the crowd. I've ridden the current Wings, Challenger, and Harley's. The so-called great power of the Challenger is no more than what the GW has had for the past 22 years,......a stock harley is not in the ballpark. What would be nice for a big touring bike, how about reverse, such as on the Wing and some BMW"s. Gold Wings were more popular 15-20 years ago than they are now, but no one compares to the reliability, longevity of a Wing. You say your Triumph has been putting sad faces on V-twins for years,.....well, everything has been putting sad faces on V-twins. Triumph had a nice touring bike starting around 2015, it was the Trophy. Light weight, good power, good storage, decent brakes, radio,.....but most people wanted a big under powered boat for a motorcycle and still do. Better do a little more research Franko. The Gold Wing will not be sold in some countries, but not discontinued.
I was told not to test ride one unless I wanted to buy one. Sure enough, I rode my Road King Special with well over $10K of upgrades to it to my local Indian dealer and test rode the base model. When I got off the Challenger I said to my friend “I’m getting this bike.” I went right inside and traded my Harley in right then.
Sounds about right. Almost did the same with my Chieftain. The Challenger is an incredible bike! Congrats on the new ride, welcome to the Indian tribe ✌🏻
I know the dealership liked that. I forget if there's internal incentives between dealerships and Polaris, but I know they like collecting Harleys lol even if Harley helped their revival.
I own a 2021 Indian Challenger Limited that I purchased last summer. I traded my Harley Ultra Electra Glide for this bike after taking it for a test ride. I have to agree with your opinion on the Challenger. I've ridden for 50 years and enjoyed my UEG, but without question, this is the best bike I've ever owned or ridden. Its very powerful stock and even better with the Stage 2 that I put into the engine several weeks ago. That said, the Stage 2 is not really something I would consider again. In Sport mode, the Stage 2 definitely jumps up the performance. But the power it came with stock is more than enough most riders. Nibble is the first description for this bike at any speed. Slow speed control is very good as are the Brembo front brakes. The rear brake not so much. The Cruztech tires stick to the asphalt like they are Velcroed and they are solid on wet asphalt. Hated the stock seat. After an hour or so in the saddle, my butt would get sore. Traded the seat for a Saddleman which has finally broken in after 2000 long miles. Personally I would recommend Mustang for the saddle. The info screen is so large and displays so much info that I have to turn it off on long trips and mostly ignore it the rest of the time. There is so much unnecessary info displayed. Stock sound system sucks in my opinion. I also add a trunk and lowers so it looks like a Pursuit before Indian every made the Pursuit and both upgrades were very spendy. If you want to touch up the paint, a quart of Indian OME is more than $500 for a quart which is highway robbery. I did find that Chrysler has paint that matched my red color perfectly and it ran about $120 for a quart. I know things are expensive these days, but Indian charges like Harley. Everything costs an arm and leg and delivery of parts I ordered in some cases did take months to arrive. Aside from these minor irritations, Indian did produce an exceptional machine and I would buy again.
Your review of the Challenger is spot on! I own the 21 Challenger Dark Horse (Bronze) and it is quite simply the best bike I've ever ridden. Indian still has some work to do on it, but they have fixed most of my complaints I had when I first got it (Ride Command bugs, and slow speed throttle lag). Just got back from a 2k mile trip on mine and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face the entire time, even while it was downpouring.
Hell yeah 🤘🏼 I just bought one about a year & 1/2 ago. I have the Dark Horse 2020 smoke white. I absolutely love it. Just did the cat delete and the Lloyd's tunes on it. All I have to say is WOW !!!! Stay safe riding 🙏🏼
I was debating with myself for the longest time if these fairings(Both the chassis- and steering mounted) were anything I would have on a future cruiser. Now that I own the Chieftain I really got to say, it sure is nice. The Challenger is definitely one I will have on my radar for my next in the future. Great videos as always!
Road a Challenger on Black Friday. Was 65 out in Sturgis. Awesome motorcycle. Bought one. Wanted to go back to fixed fairing. Heading west to Aladdin in a high wind was easy. Traded off my Chieftain which also is a great motorcycle. Challenger handling is incredible for a bike that size. I like the Chieftain motor(stage 2 w/full exhaust) better. We'll see once I pick up the Challenger with the Stage 2 upgrades. All in all, great motorcycles. To each his own.....
I think you're spot on with your comments. I have owned & ridden MANY different bikes over the last 52 years, particularly big HD baggers. Was absolutely staggered with how great the Challenger is, and now the proud owner of a 2021 model. Here in Australia with our crap roads having decent suspension, and of course the brilliant liquid cooled motor is a BIG plus. I do chauffeur rides, and my passengers are absolutely delighted with how comfortable 'Big Red' is. Park your prejudices at the door and ride one for yourself, BUT bring your wallet too!
I demoed one of these. I wish I hadn't. Now, I want one ! I was looking at the Chief , and this bike wasn't even on my radar. It's damn near perfect. I have 2019 FTR 1200 S that might have to get traded if I can find a dealer close enough that has one.
Great review, thank you. Ive got a 22 On order (riot orange Darkhorse) but have been test riding Roadglides again just to make sure I make the right decision. Im coming off a streetsglide and what sold me initially was the power train and the ride of the challenger, just a notch above the 114. The only problem I have with the challenger is the look of the plastic around the the analog gauges. The problem I have with the Roadglide is the money Id have to dump in it to have it ride and perform like the challenger! lol
Go for power :) I've ridden and done a couple videos on the road Glide including one for the 2022 model. Road Glide is nice, but Challenger is a cut above in every way for me.
Great review brother...Definitely looks and sounds great. Notice the bags didn't have the hidden gap as in the Dark Horse u reviewed...I wonder if that can be customized or an option is avail. Thanks for the info. Ride Safe!
This was at the Americade Rally in Lake George, NY last spring. Big event where the bike companies bring their latest rides for everyone to test ride. It's a week long event with all kinds of shows and vendors.
Excellent review! I don`t love the looks of the fairing, I just can`t get that to grow on me, anyway Awesome Motorcycle otherwise! love the power that engine puts out, very impressive! First time hearing the stereo output at highway speeds, volume sounds very good! I wonder if it would be cheaper to buy a challenger and have the trunk added rather than buying a Pursuit?
That's what I did with my Chieftain. Added the trunk and made it a "roadmaster". However, the pursuit also has the electronically adjustable suspension, front leg fairings, and a host of other features. But if all you want is a trunk, Challenger is the way to go.
Sounds like a great bike, but that dash ..... It reminds me of either looking at a Mickey Mouse with a square mouth or some sort of robot face with huge ears. Other than that I think I would love one. Oh and I'll wait until they have one that comes with a trunk and a nice stereo for a reasonable price.
At 5’8” it kind of a stretch for me. I hope they make one for people a little more vertically challenged. And would love it if they put the batwing on it from there chieftain model. Not a fan of that big front end
Does this infotainment system offer apple CarPlay / android auto ? Is there a windscreen option that isn’t blacked out. When you put the windshield up the black out bottom limit visibility.
Looks that way in the video but you can still see through the windscreen no problem. Lots of windscreen options available also. Has Apple car play integrated.
My dad has one and It’s nice but I can’t get a good enough opinion because he aftermarket handlebars are all the way up by the windshield pushed forward. I feel like I’m leaning as far forward as I can just too reach.
I'd try to haggle with them, but that's just me. That's only 5k off new msrp. Fight for a better deal. Dealers are charging more for used bikes recently and I don't agree with it. Just my 2 cents.
At that price point I think your better off getting new with the warranty, and you could also get the bike in the color and options you like best.its only money can't take it with you enjoy the chitt out of it while you can,drive fast take chances live healthy rubber side down with the wind in your face and your worries to your back,lol.peace
I had a 2021 Challenger. Does the bike have a lot of power? Yep. Does the bike handle great? Yup. Is the bike comfortable? Yup. So... why do I say "had"? Because the bike is built like shit. Mine was in the shop twice because of electrical issues, the saddle bag covers (those gray things on the 2021s) came unglued, the paint is too soft (you can scratch it with a button), and the plastics are "Barbie Doll House" quality. I took a loss on it and bought an Ultra Limited. And yes, this is a true story, i can send you my RU-vid channel for proof (it's a faux pas to link another youtube channel in the comments).
Interesting to hear your perspective on it, as I haven't heard from an unhappy owner yet. Hopefully they worked out the "kinks" in the new model year, but still, sorry to hear you were disappointed with it. Please, post the link in a reply to this comment. I don't mind people posting links in comments on my videos. My channel is here to be a benefit to people, so feel free to share your videos and insights!
I wouldn't worry about the audio, I would actually prefer they sell it without the audio lol,in 40 years of riding in looking at motorcycles I've never heard a factory motorcycle audio system that played clean and loud with bass authority in parking lot show off mode or riding at 80,😆 I end up tearing it all out and rebuilding the audio to my tastes. Really need atleast 100 to 150 watts rms per channel with quality waterproof components to achieve that musical clarity at loud volumes all the factory systems just fall off at the higher volumes, but for the average rider there ok,I guess,but for me its kinda like settling for a 80 horsepower 800 pound touring bike,ahhhhh yah just isn't goin to deliver for my gready performance needs ,rubber side down brothers and sisters of the awsome big bike community 😀 peace.
Indian's got a very nice Powerband+ audio system upgrade you can do to your Indian bikes now. It's pricey but it's amazing. Might be worth looking into.
I dont get the love for the Challenger. I test rode it twice and the Chieftain as well. Im actually a fan of the Chieftain over the Challenger. It's the fixed fairing and the cableless throttle and the heat from the engine.
I love the Challenger and rode 14K on my Dark Horse. I thought it was by far the best, until I rode a BMW K1600b. I’ve put 8k on the BMW in two months and it’s the real King of the Baggers! It’s got it all including a 160hp 6cylinder motor.
