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[smkymtnboy]

 anyone on this site own one yet? I do like the looks! just not willing to take the plunge til proven its here to stay. dealer networks are spread thin and wide. I know there was a thread on this subject but have not seen it lately.

[cahdbiker]

smkymtnboy, I think if they do have a following it would be by people who only ride locally. The reason I say this is that whenever I go on a trip, for example 3000 miles or so, that when I am out in the country I see mostly Harleys. Last time I was out for two weeks I saw a few  BMWs, one triumph rocket 3, and  not that many gold wings. Nothing against those other bikes, but without the dealer network you would be in trouble if you broke down some place rural. CAHDBIKER

[05Train]

I don't know of many distance riders who care about "dealer networks".  They get on their bikes and ride; if something happens, they deal with it.  I rode my Beemer to southwestern Colorado, and for big chunks of that ride I wasn't within 500 miles of a BMW dealership.  I never thought twice about it.

Indian's not going anywhere because Polaris isn't going anywhere.  Their dealer network will expand, but it'll never get to the level of ridiculous over-saturation the way Harley's network has.

[charles05663]

Maybe their bikes are so much more reliable they don't need as an extensive dealer network.   

Also, since the belong to Polaris, would the Victory shops work on them?

 

[Sea Biscuit]

Corporately, Polaris is a lot bigger than Harley, has the financial and engineering wherewithal to hang in there and I believe this reincarnation of Indian is here to stay.

I've looked at Indian's offering for 2014, and if you ask me, I think they "knocked it out of the park" with what they introduced for this first model year and from what I hear, the 2015 model year will be just as exciting...I think they have a plan for the next several years to not necessarily overtake Harley, but take a "bite" out of their market share.

Also, they didn't bring out a stock, "111" inch motor by chance...Indian..."America’s first motorcycle company" with the biggest engine, competing with Harley's overpriced, 8 year old, CVO 110...these guys are not playing games!

With respect to dealer networks, well they seem to adding dealerships at a quick pace, but judging from the Indian forums I've been visiting, not a lot of complaints of problems, just joy in riding them, so maybe don't need as many dealerships as Harley...I think Polaris has learned a lot from their Victory line these last 10+ years and has applied that experience to Indian.

At the end of the day, I wish both Harley and Indian success and I think the competition will benefit us in the long run...I've been riding Harley's for a long time and for most of us here on this website, it would be hard to switch, but like Sean Connery once said in the James Bond movie, "Never Say Never Again"!

[110tHunDer]

 
I had a breakdown with my '04 SEEG a couple of years ago.  The two closest dealers could not help.  One's trailer was out delivering new bikes and I forget the other's excuse now.  I had to wait 2+ hours on the side of the road for the flatbed that the third dealer I called ordered for me and then I was still down overnight while they went another 100 miles one way to get parts the next morning.  So f$%*ing much for the big, bad Harley dealer network.

I saw a red Chieftain out on the road last weekend.  Looked pretty sweet and the guy had a huge smile on his face as he powered around a slower vehicle.

[FLY-DOG]

I think Indian's chance of staying around this time is pretty good.  Personally I wouldn't buy one until they get the dealer network better established.  I'm guessing in about 10 years they will either be pretty well established or "tits up", only time will tell but my bet is they will make it this time.  Even if I never buy an Indian, I like the idea them being "direct competition" against Harley because I think it will make Harley better because of a potential migration over to Indian by disgruntled Harley owners if there is a like type bike with better reliability and a strong dealer network.  Who knows, maybe down the road some of the HD dealers who overcharge will be forced to reduce prices to compete.  Competition is good!!

[Rooster]

Good friend of mine bought a new Victory and went on a trip. At 2100 miles the motor blew up and he had a hell of a time trying to find someone to work on it. Instead of a new motor they paid to have his rebuilt. Hope that works out.

[Cat Eye]

Maybe their bikes are so much more reliable they don't need as an extensive dealer network.   

Also, since the belong to Polaris, would the Victory shops work on them?

 

That is what the Indian Salemen told me....I started to laugh and he asked me what was so funny......"Christ....the bike has not even been out two full years now.....that means that the average Indian only has 5K miles on them.  I sure as hell hope that you are not see any problem yet."


For me I am going to stay with Harley....at least I know what I am getting....and so far it has been a blast!!!

[skratch]

Who knows, maybe down the road some of the HD dealers who overcharge will be forced to reduce prices to compete.  Competition is good!!

well, i for one hope that hd doesn't take any cues from indian for their p&a pricing.  have you seen what indian charges for some of their aftermarket stuff?  $700 for slip ons?  $300 for tips? 

[grc]

That is what the Indian Salemen told me....I started to laugh and he asked me what was so funny......"Christ....the bike has not even been out two full years now.....that means that the average Indian only has 5K miles on them.  I sure as hell hope that you are not see any problem yet."


For me I am going to stay with Harley....at least I know what I am getting....and so far it has been a blast!!!

Using your criteria, you'd better not get too cocky about Harley.  There are large numbers of Harleys that don't make it to 5000 miles without one or more issues, some quite serious in nature.

As for the idea of waiting until they have a bigger dealer network, I find that to be actually funny.  The one thing people bash more than H-D on the various forums is the dealerships.  Having thousands of dealerships but no corporate standards for those dealerships isn't exactly the answer to anything.  If you break down on a Harley in most parts of this country, there may in fact be a Harley dealer somewhere nearby (but not as many as before the Great Recession).  But having a dealer in Podunk Iowa doesn't mean you will get prompt and competent service if you break down there.  And the odds are more than even that, even if the dealer in Podunk is good, you won't be on your way with no headaches and heartaches.  Ask some of the guys who have had major engine failures in recent years while on the road.  Hotel/motel stays, rental cars or flights back home while the dealership tries to figure out what to do and then get the parts, another rental car or flight to eventually go back to pick the bike up, etc.. 

The only thing having thousands of dealerships really does for you is give you more places to stop and buy T-shirts to document your trip.

Jerry

[Rooster]

Not only Dealerships, but lots of Indy's out there as well. Don't think there are to many Indy's that work on Victory's or Indians yet.

[mark]

Is Indian here to stay? It will all depend on how sales go and profitability.  Don't think Indian will remain simply because it is owned by a large corporation.  No matter how big Polaris is....they will not continue to produce Indians if profits lag.  Ford is a huge company, but discontinued the Edsel when it failed to be profitable.  Polaris is a publicly held company, so decisions will be made as they relate to profits, not emotional ties to the Indian brand.

[SBB]

Finally saw one up close and personal this past weekend. The owner had gone out of his way to make the bike look ancient (suicide shift, etc., picture below). I have to say it looks real nice. The nearest dealer is 80 miles away and I am thinking about checking it out in the coming weeks. But frankly with the CVO BO as my impractical bike and RG as the sensible ride, I'm going to have a tough time explaining to the CFO why I need to also add an Indian to the garage.

Cam

That's a Jap bike made to look like an Indian.

SBB

[Fired00d]

Cam

That's a Jap bike made to look like an Indian.

SBB

Didn't pay attention at first but now see the radiator in between the downtubes. Good imitation though.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d