Had to go to Birmingham for a Doc appointment Thursday, so coming back I stopped by the new Indian dealer, which is actually Big Number One dealership in Birmingham, which has been around for a while. They handle Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati....and now have a showroom for Indian.
I spent about an hour looking at the different models...they had all three. The Chieftan was in Black, and that was the bike I was most interested in seeing, though I would not want the black. Of the three colors, the blue was actually the prettiest, and I'm not a blue fan...but in this case, it is a nice color on these bikes. Especially the models with the tan leather bags/seats. The red is nice, but it's not a "popping" red, but a more muted color.
My impressions from just looking at the bike, sitting on it, and checking out the various features (I did not get to ride it): A lot of thought went into the design of this bike. The aluminum frame is nicely done. Tank design is very nice. Gauges are nice in the fairing. The adjustable windshield was raised all the way up, so at 5'8" tall, I was looking straight through it. I did not get to lower it, but it looked to have plenty of travel to get it below my line of sight when desired. Controls were nicely placed and do not look like an afterthought as on the Victory. Clutch lever pull was about the same as the CVO's I've owned...fine for me. The seat was real leather and nicely designed, as was the separate passenger pillion. The engine has an ample amount of chrome on it...enough to not be gaudy, but plenty to accentuate the components. No heel shifter, but I don't like them anyway...but, they do have one available as an accessory. Floorboards are really nice...plenty long (longer than a HD), so foot position would not be an issue even for those with large feet. Brake pedal felt good, and in a familiar location. Nice engine guards, and available hiway pegs. No lowers, of course, but I can see where they could be easily added when they come out with them. The bags, while shaped differently than a HD, appear to have at least as much capacity, perhaps a bit more. You can open them with one hand via a push button, and they fold out completely out of the way. They are made out of nice, thick composite (plastic), so would likely be very durable. They also have replacement lids with speaker holes if you wanted rear speakers. Exhaust system was well done and well placed. Large fenders, front and rear, and a nice looking taillight, IMO. The bags flow nicely with the lines of the rear fender.
The fairing: It is different, but I actually like the look...kind of reminds me of a streamliner locomotive front end. Retro looking, but modern at the same time, it appears to offer very good protection and the adjustable windshield would allow some ventilation due to it's function, so you would not have that "dead air" space immediately behind the fairing which causes so much buffeting on some of the HD models. Front forks are all chrome, and inverted.
Sitting on it: With a 28" inseam, I was concerned about picking the bike off the stand and being able to touch the floor adequately, but I straddled the seat and effortlessly picked the bike upright. The center of gravity seems much lower than an Ultra, but then it has no TP, so that may make some difference, though I doubt it would ever feel as top heavy as an Ultra. I had on sandals, and even so, my feet were nearly flat on the floor...with proper boots, they would be completely flat. No "squishy" feel from the front end when putting the bike upright like you feel with the POS front end on a Ultra. Suspension seems firm, but compliant, but the proof of that would be in riding. Handlebar position was good, even with my 32" arms, though that would also be better determined after a few hundred miles in the saddle. Saddle was firm and initially comfortable. A bit wide in the nose for my short legs, but not uncomfortably so. They do offer a handlebar with a bit more pullback. Handlebar is nice and wide...feels natural.
The rocker arm covers are interesting...they are finned, with the outer edges of the fins being polished chrome. Between the fins are chrome, but chrome over cast aluminum. At first, I was not sure I liked them, but the more I looked at the overall bike, they "fit" the design. The downtube exhaust is really nice. There is nothing on the engine that sticks out so much towards your knees that you don't feel tucked in and your feet are squarely on the floorboards. BTW...it also has a nice oil cooler between the downtubes, mounted higher than the HD version. Above the regulator, so no road debris would be kicked up into the fins. And Eureka! The oil filter is located next to the regulator and facing front, so no trouble changing it, and no oil mess all over everything when removing.
Overall, if I were in the market for a bike right now, the Chieftan would likely be number 1 on my list. It needs a TP though...they did have a Corbin TP painted to match which would look nice on the bike, but I'm sure Indian will come out with their own in the next year or so. They had plenty of leathers, helmets, etc. with the Indian brand on them.
Oh, BTW...there were at least ten HD bikes siting nearby which had obviously been traded in on a Indian. While I am fully aware of the fact that this bike is not to everyone's liking, and it certainly will never carve out a really huge share of the HD market, it is some very serious competition for any HD currently produced. The MOCO better wake up and smell the coffee, as this is a bike that is seriously competitive.
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Topic: Got a good look at the Indians on 6/19/14 (Read 5433 times)