I was at an Indian dealer a couple of weeks ago and saw their line up. Except for the funky Batwing on the RoadMaster, I like the new bikes. The build and fit and finish were quality. I look forward to test riding one soon, just for fun.
I too have been walking around the Garden of Indian lately. It began as innocent curiosity, but the tribe is growing on me each time I go in.
First of all, I'm really impressed with the value the Indian touring line offers. The Roadmaster is intended to compete with the Ultra Limited, but in many ways it competes with the CVO Limited (e.g., 111ci engine, remote locking bags, chrome upgrades, heated grips and heated leather seat). So the price comparison is more like $30,399 for the Indian (two-tone color) versus $40,999 for the CVO Limited. I've not yet done a demo ride, but sat on one in-store and, despite being 50 lbs heavier than a Limited, it felt like it had a lower center of gravity and was very well balanced. After several deep dive demos of the Ride Command system (Indian's version of the infotainment system), I've concluded it is a couple of generations ahead of the BoomBox! Infotainment system, by including standard features like TPMS, vehicle diagnostics, split screen customization, better touch control, and higher resolution graphics. And to put a little feather on top, the detachable tourpak is also a standard feature (~$600+labor on H-D). Maintenance costs are represented to be half that of an H-D. For example, the H-D 3-hole fluid change is reduced down to Indian's 1-hole fluid change that is designed to encourage someone not mechanically inclined to do themselves - they even sell the pre-packaged oil change parts as a $79 kit. Interestingly, the dealer claims +80% of the buyers are H-D converts. I guess folks do appreciate an American-made v-twin option.
Granted, the locomotive-inspired faring and fenders take some getting used to and they did have some initial quality issues that seem to be behind them now. All-in-all, it appears Indian has established itself as formidable competitor to H-D, which should bode well for us consumers in the long run, regardless of which brand we ultimately choose to swing a leg over. I've never considered anything but H-D in the past and am not in the market for a new scoot now. But I intend to continue keeping an eye on the Indian model introductions and will definitely give them due consideration when the time comes...or when I am at a weak point, whichever comes first.
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Topic: roadmaster classic (Read 4763 times)