Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

While I haven't personally owned either model I did work for a Harley dealership in their parts department for almost 16 years so I got to ride a lot of their stuff without the expense of buying one. My neighbors have a Harley and an Indian in their garage and I ride with them on occasion and help them with some routine maintenance when asked. The husband has admitted he actually likes some of the features of his wife's Indian better than on his HD.

One thing I truly like about both brands is their quality of paint and chrome. Their bikes always present nicely. Good fit and finish most of the time. There are always outliers no matter who makes something. Ride comfort is subjective so that's a tough call as none of us are going to ride the exact same way you will be riding. Harley has a huge advantage in dealer network There are far more HD shops around and independent shops specializing in HD than there are Indian shops. That's not likely to change anytime soon. Aftermarket support HD will have an advantage simply by virtue of age, it's stayed around uninterrupted for longer.

You really need to go test ride both and determine which one fits you the best. Try to get as long of a test ride as possible because you're talking about a pretty large investment of money here. Think about what your goal is for the bike too. Are you just a casual rider? A long day being 100 miles. Are you looking to travel on it? Coast to coast over a couple of weeks or more? Are you carrying a passenger? If so make sure they go along on the test rides. Any bike can be "comfortable enough" for an afternoon putting around but log some big miles and you'll find faults. Consider future upgrades. Are you going to change a lot of stuff or will you be content with it as delivered? Are there parts available to make the changes you want or need? Do you live in a climate where you're going to want heated gear? If so does the bike have sufficient extra electrical capacity to power everything you need powered?

I'm not looking to make the decision harder just trying to point out some questions you might not have already thought of yourself. Best of luck and post pics!

 

Excellent post! I might add to go rent for a day or a weekend. You can rent Harley through EagleRider.com. I'm not sure if you can rent the Indian. It would be $ well spent.

 

Indian does have a truck that tours around for test rides if you wanted to check it’s schedule and route.

 

Renting when possible is a great idea! Sadly where I'm at it really isn't much of an option. I went to the Progressive Motorcycle Show last year and they had almost every manufacturer there with demo fleets so you could spend a whole day test riding different bikes but following a lead rider on a preset route really still isn't a good indication of how a bike will perform for YOU on YOUR route.

 

one last pic from aoaa

 

be a good parent
teach your children fundamentals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFdgRBMGl10

 

1275 miles on the bike now. It was an awesome day of riding gravel. Getting more confidence now. Thanks for coming with me @Doc Samson !

 

Can’t go wrong with the Road Glide, best bike ever !! Yes, I’m a little partial to my brand ! But I really just plain like all motorcycles. Personally, I wouldn’t trust Polaris, after what they did to Victory. And like others have stated, lots of Harley dealers around, Indian, not so much. I’m sure they build a good bike, ride them them both and consider everything. Good luck ! If ya do wind up with a Roadglide, join Roadglide.Org, great forum.

 

Yeah, man! That was one of the best riding sessions ever! Even with my "I've fallen and I can't get up!" moment!

Hey, what are those salamanders doing to each other?

 

That is NOT a good deal! Don't but it.

Edit: just saw that you backed out. Wise decision!

 

Thanks. Hoping for a Zuma, but at the same time, after today, the Africa Twin will be good for the summer to commute on at least

 

Have you checked the valve clearances? If they're in spec it is probably the cam chain tensioner.

 

I keep telling @fatfurious2 not to get anything less than a Navi. I backed out of that metropolitan because I have no use for a moped that only goes 35mph.

 

Looking at the feature set I’d much sooner look for a new or used Grom for just a hair more it at all possible in the budget.

A used Dual Sport can be had in moped price territory and will get 65-75-85 mpg still as well. Best of all worlds in one if one wants a fun commuter

 

I have given up on trying to talk him into a grom.

 

I haven’t yet going to tear it apart this week but wanted to order parts, we’ll I did just order a cam tensioner as I think it’s that.

 

Working for public schools has it's advantages! Spring break!

 

New shift at new job, i have Mondays off, then afternoons tues/wed, and overnight thurs/fri. Technically a 3 day weekend every weekend. Saturday I'll just be a bit of a zombie from 630am until whenever i wake up.