Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

That seat looks so low

 

i would want a harley in my garage over the indian

that being said I think the reliability of the indian being polaris might have a leg up on harley

but again, I do not want any polaris in my garage as I have said in the past here

 

I’d like to hear your input. I’m partial to Harley myself if only for nostalgia. I have no experience with Indian other than seeing pictures online. There are at least 4 HD dealers within a 30-45 minute ride from me and no Indian dealers so my choice was kind of easy. The first bike I ever desired was a sportser and it was my first bike I bought new. I’m now on my third HD but I don’t think I’d consider another cruiser for my garage. I still look at other bikes that serve other niche “styles”. I blame my dad for wanting a Triumph. I blame you guys for wanting a Grom and I blame the internet in general for wanting a supermoto KTM. The FJR is really nice and I’ve heard good things but never had any experience myself.

Ultimately I’m very happy with my bike and I really think that’s what matters most for anyone looking to buy one.

 

Rereading my last post it sounds like I’m one of those die-hard Harley guys. I’m not. I think brand loyalty is silly. I totally understand there are other bikes out there that are better in a myriad of different categories. My bike does what I ask it do and I’m smiling the whole time I’m riding.







still want a grom though.

 

lol i didnt take it that way


i love brand loyalty because it proves that ignorance is bliss

 

few more from saturday

 

That’s the trick. Well, part of it. There’s a dealer an hour away, but the nearest dealer with the bike I’m interested in is 2. You’re right, though prob with the trip. Still interested in opinions, though.

You’re not going to offend me, but PM is fine if you’re concerned about others. I’m not ;-)

I haven’t been able to keep up with this thread, so I’m not aware of your issues with Polaris. I’mt trying to trigger anyone, though!

 

I have zero issues with them really, and I would say the polaris reliability is pretty respectable by all means

its just that simple ignorant brand loyalty that makes me not like the brand polaris


riding one would offer me just as many smiles as any of my current brands, I just dont love them like that

 

I’ll say that this thread has been the only thread on TW that I regularly contribute to that has been completely immune to people getting their feelings hurt. Got some good people here.

 

Thank you. Makes sense. I have no issues with brand loyalty if it’s earned/deserved but, at the same time I don’t wear clothes my with car’s brand on them either or get in fights about which X is better.

 

Other than their side by sides I'm not much of a Polaris fan. When it comes to sleds I'll take a Skidoo any day even if it's a little heavier and for ATVs a Yamaha. I've ridden with too many friends having too many problems on their Polaris rides that just didn't happen to any of us on Skidoos or Yamahas.

 

I’ll keep it short and cordial so I don’t wax on haha.

Indian reliability is roughly right in between HD and Japanese bikes. Not nearly as reliable (or affordable) as Yami/Honda/Suzuki/Kawi but better overall than HD.
Indian does suffer from some simple fix issues like poor fuel management easily fixed by a tune, some supply shortages (smaller than HD) on parts, and final assembly leaves much to be desired (I found loose bolts) but they’re all things better than major issues and easier to fix.
They’re both outlandishly priced in my mind. Especially when you compare other brand bikes for the same money or even half the same money and the performance in every. single. metric.
When it comes to handling, go ride both, but every HD I’ve ever ridden made me laugh uncontrollably haha at how bad it was. This coming from a guy in love with 80s technology Dual Sport bikes on knobbies…
The Indians I’ve ridden (Scout, Chief, Challenger, FTR, etc.) far and away out ride any HD I’ve been on (mostly Dynas and Softails).

If you’re comparing the liquid cooled Challenger/Pursuit to the air cooled V-Twins performance (and technology) wise and that’s your main metric you can stop there and just buy the Indian, hands down.

Victory was a performance-based cruiser company. No heritage to pay homage to. Just handling and performance. Polaris rolled Victory into a bigger name they could sell more bikes with, so they’re stuck with (dumb in my opinion) “heritage” but they’re still the performance oriented company of the two.

If you’re going purely off bagger looks I’d happily say the HD bagger options look infinitely better than the Challenger/Pursuit.

The Chief looks better than any Softail (to me) but the HD baggers own the market on looks alone.


Both are overpriced. Neither are reliable (albeit Indian is a little more so). HD has more dealerships. Indian has less (still a lot, but less) cosplay pirate faker boys.

I’d say you may be happy with either. If you care more about what people think, get the HD. If you care more about handling, no comparison, get the Indian (I’m serious on this one). And if you care about a reliable bike that’s actually going for a decent price and will handle better than all of the above, buy Japanese…


Any more questions feel free to ask. I’ve only been riding about 16 years or something but have ridden every kind of bike all over the world so my opinion doesn’t mean much, just one guy, but it’s least it’s an opinion with varied experiences.

All things in the bike world are relative. If I say an HD handles horribly that’s compared to something. I’m sure it handles a dream compared to something else (although I can’t image what on two wheels handles worse haha). Same with all metrics.

I’m happy to see anyone riding and wave at all riders, mopeds to cruisers to naked bikes (sometimes even sport bikes, even if it pains me a little inside)


Cheers, my homies.


EDIT: I lied entirely about keeping it short. Still tried to play nice though

 

As others have said go ride both. Both are heavy touring bikes. My personal preference is Harley for the fact of being able to get service pretty much anywhere. Either dealer or independent. I do most of my own work, but if you are on the road and break down help is usually not far.

 

This is the main reason I see tourers who aren’t brand loyal still end up with HD^

Middle of nowhere? There’s a gas station and an HD dealer nearby haha.

A worthy consideration.

 

Could someone help me diagnose this? Is it a loose cam chain? Im assuming the auto cam tensioner isn’t working great.

it’s a 2006 crf450x. Kick starts okay and once warm e starts fine.

https://youtube.com/shorts/u_0crt_rz4Q?feature=share

 

Went out with the whole family for the weekend at lake mead. We have more Honda stock than our dealer

 

You guys running a rental business? Looks like a good time!

 

That looks awesome! Seeing kids make funny poor decisions like that always reminds of the first time I baled hay. Keep in mind this was back in the late 80's, I was 18 or so, had just started lifting to get buff, and was ready to show those bales who was "boss" with my skinny, holey jeans and... a half shirt! Yeah, I was an idiot who learned a valuable life lesson about 5 seconds into the job.

Smart! Very smart!

 

Maybe more like this…..