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[LabRat]

Because there are many that will say....."Because it ain't a Harley". Some kidding aside, the dealer network or lack thereof is a turn off to some because they are used to having a several dealers less than 50 miles away. The network is growing and if the quality is there as I expect it to be, how often to you need a dealer anyway. That being said, a very non-scientific poll over on HD forums has 60% of people that will buy one as a primary bike, second bike or at least look at them as an option. That's pretty damn high.

On a related thought, I have wonder why any one would buy a 2014 Road King over the 2014 Chief Vintage? A colored RK with security, laced wheels, whitewalls, ABS and freight is only $590 less than a colored Vintage. But the Vintage comes with wide whitewalls, chrome laced wheels, ABS, security, cruise, windshield, chrome lowers, chrome switch housing, a five year warranty and of course the more powerful 111 Thunder Stroke.

[Rio]

That is a high percentage of riders who looking for a viable alternative over HD. Regarding a dealer network, I'm not convinced that having a dealership within close proximity is as important as it might be when owning a Harley. The closest Indian dealership to me is nearly 2 hours north in Calgary. But if the new Indians are reliable bikes then distance to a dealership becomes less important. Victory owners claim to rarely if ever have the mechanical,  electrical or heat problems that many Harleys are noted for. I expect the new Indians will be as reliable as the Victory bikes are.         

A machine is a machine.  The best quality products still can have gliches and minor issues.  I guess a lot of the frequency is based on mileage too.  I would trailer a broken bike to a dealer 2 hours away once, the 2nd time would be to trade it in somewhere.

[LabRat]

That is a high percentage of riders who looking for a viable alternative over HD. Regarding a dealer network, I'm not convinced that having a dealership within close proximity is as important as it might be when owning a Harley. The closest Indian dealership to me is nearly 2 hours north in Calgary. But if the new Indians are reliable bikes then distance to a dealership becomes less important. Victory owners claim to rarely if ever have the mechanical,  electrical or heat problems that many Harleys are noted for. I expect the new Indians will be as reliable as the Victory bikes are.         

Totally agree and it seams the first production bikes started getting into customers hands today. Time will tell on reliability. At least they come standard with a 5 year extended warranty.

[ChopperPilot]

Spent some time looking at the Indian at Bikes Blues and BBQ.  Just not my style of bike.

[FLHTCUSE7]

Nice looking motors, might add one to the stable next year, Like the brown leather stuff

[SDCVO]

Anyone know how the new indians are actually selling or still to new to tell?

[LabRat]

Production not keeping up with demand right now. Their first, serialized 1901 bikes were sold in a little over a month. The dealers we originally allowed to order 7 bikes were told they could only have 2 until they filled all the preorders. They are saying it have been a strong global demand, sold 250 in Australia the week they launched.

Thes is anecdotal, but dealers claim to be seeing a lot of Harley trades. About 45% chieftains, 45% vintage and remaining chief classics. The chieftain seems to be selling better that originally expected.

[skippy]

MY buddy went to order one and local dealer said delivery date January 2014

[LabRat]

Wow - I ordered at the beginning of September and was told 45 days. Must be selling even better than I though for them to be that backed up. I know they are only running 1 shift, might be time to add a second shift to their line.

[grc]

That is a high percentage of riders who looking for a viable alternative over HD. Regarding a dealer network, I'm not convinced that having a dealership within close proximity is as important as it might be when owning a Harley. The closest Indian dealership to me is nearly 2 hours north in Calgary. But if the new Indians are reliable bikes then distance to a dealership becomes less important. Victory owners claim to rarely if ever have the mechanical,  electrical or heat problems that many Harleys are noted for. I expect the new Indians will be as reliable as the Victory bikes are.         

My thought exactly.  IF the quality and reliability is good, like other stuff from Polaris, having several dealerships within 30 miles isn't exactly necessary.  On the other hand, in my experience having four Harley dealerships within a 30 mile radius isn't worth diddly if none of them know how to fix anything or how to treat customers properly.  A huge dealer network that is heavily populated with lousy dealerships isn't exactly a selling point to me. 

Jerry

[North Georgia Hawg]

My thought exactly.  IF the quality and reliability is good, like other stuff from Polaris, having several dealerships within 30 miles isn't exactly necessary.  On the other hand, in my experience having four Harley dealerships within a 30 mile radius isn't worth diddly if none of them know how to fix anything or how to treat customers properly.  A huge dealer network that is heavily populated with lousy dealerships isn't exactly a selling point to me. 

Jerry

Once again, the Sage nails it... 

Ken

[CVODON]

I always thought those fenders were ugly, and nothing has changed. Maybe a great bike, I will never know as the looks do not appeal at all. I saw the engines at Bikeweek in Daytona, looks cheap to me, like something Kurakyn would make for a Jap bike.

[SanJuanRon]

My thought exactly.  IF the quality and reliability is good, like other stuff from Polaris, having several dealerships within 30 miles isn't exactly necessary.  On the other hand, in my experience having four Harley dealerships within a 30 mile radius isn't worth diddly if none of them know how to fix anything or how to treat customers properly.  A huge dealer network that is heavily populated with lousy dealerships isn't exactly a selling point to me. 

Jerry

I would add that my experience with Polaris has been terrible.  I own a RZR (not a Victory or Indian MC) and had a manufacturing defect that impacted most of the early 4-seat RZRs in 2009.  The transmission was rendered useless by the defect and it took nearly six months to get the issue remedied.  It was a nightmare for me and many others that had the same problem.  Does this have anything to do with the Indian?  Probably not, but something to be aware of.  SJ Ron

[skratch]

Wow - I ordered at the beginning of September and was told 45 days. Must be selling even better than I though for them to be that backed up. I know they are only running 1 shift, might be time to add a second shift to their line.

i don't know if they are selling better than expected, or if they are just having problems meeting their delivery dates.  i was on the indian forums and there are quite a few people who are very unhappy because they have pre-ordered, and sometimes pre-paid, for their bikes and the 'promised' delivery dates keep getting pushed further and further out.  be interesting to watch.

[Midnight Rider]

i don't know if they are selling better than expected, or if they are just having problems meeting their delivery dates.  i was on the indian forums and there are quite a few people who are very unhappy because they have pre-ordered, and sometimes pre-paid, for their bikes and the 'promised' delivery dates keep getting pushed further and further out.  be interesting to watch.

Anyone who would completely pay for anything before it's produced and delivered is not the brightest bulb in the box.  Putting a DEPOSIT on something is one thing, as you have recourse if the product is damaged or delivery date is delayed.  Does anyone here still remember the days when you had to wait 6 months on a HD and you didn't even get to choose the color?  And, you paid whatever the dealer wanted you to pay?

My guess would be that demand exceeded expectations, so delivery dates have been pushed back.  Simple explanation and requires no conjecture.