TEWKS Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I got the chance to check out the new Challenger today in person. Very nice cruiser style motorcycle if you’re into such things. A test ride in the spring just for the heck of it! 1 Link to comment
RandyShields Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I have been very impressed with the quality of fit and finish on the Indians for the past two years. They are pushing it hard and it shows. 1 Link to comment
Hosstage Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Hmm, where have I seen that fairing before? 1 1 Link to comment
Rougarou Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 3 hours ago, TEWKS said: I got the chance to check out the new Challenger today in person. Very nice cruiser style motorcycle if you’re into such things. A test ride in the spring just for the heck of it! Now that's the first cruiser that I actually kinda like, I don't see myself ever getting one, but, that's a good look!! Link to comment
TEWKS Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 In person, they look even better. I enjoy the ride and style of a cruise-tour motorcycle, doubt one will end up at home though. But a test ride! Link to comment
EvilTwin Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 About a month ago, the local Indian dealer had a demo day on probably the coldest day so far this fall. Somewhere in the low 30's by the time I showed up after work. But I figured what the heck, lets go ride one. I ended up on a Scout bobber. Not a bad little bike, not really little, probably about a 1000cc. Very low seat which was fine, but I couldnt really hack those forward cruiser pegs and controls. Loved the smoothness of the engine and the tranny but it was Loud. I thought the stock pipe would be a but more subtle, but no. Glad I brought plugs. The new Challenger was not in the showrooms yet. I've looked at the larger Indian Chiefs and I just dont get the vintage style with the leather and tassels. The fit and finish of all their bikes is pretty nice. No problem there. If they can come out with some other models with mids and upright seating, I'd give em a look. Link to comment
TEWKS Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 I read somewhere that they may try to spank Harley's attempt at the Adventure Bike market. Not even a drawing yet AFAIK but, with Polaris' ATV background, they may have some ideas floating around. Link to comment
EvilTwin Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 10 hours ago, TEWKS said: I read somewhere that they may try to spank Harley's attempt at the Adventure Bike market. Not even a drawing yet AFAIK but, with Polaris' ATV background, they may have some ideas floating around. They may already have. While I didnt ride it, I did sit on the FTR 1200. I didn't ask for that one due to the 33 inch seat height vs my 29" inseam. Don't want to drop a bike on a demo days ride. Fairly upright ergos, 120 something HP. 1 Link to comment
TEWKS Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 A great starting point for an adventure touring bike build, I would think. Link to comment
EvilTwin Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 That picture came from this review, he is doing mostly dirt riding on the bike with some highway thrown in: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2019-indian-ftr-1200-s-motorcycle-review 1 Link to comment
realshelby Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 I am not a Harley Hater. Or lover. But I do like the looks of them when left stock and I imagine I would enjoy riding one. Just don't need one. That said, the Indian is a LOT better looking bike to me. And if specs mean anything it is a much better performing bike all around ( like electric windshield ) than the H-D competition. I know H-D followers are loyal, but this looks hard to beat. 1 Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 It seems like a nice cross between the Scout (frame and engine tech, some styling) and Chief (touring accommodations), with a fixed fairing that takes aim straight at H-D's Road Glide. Those who like this sort of thing will find that this is the sort of thing that they like. 1 Link to comment
TEWKS Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share Posted December 27, 2019 And now a couple of guys that actually get paid to talk about bikes. The Road Glide vs the Challenger, and the winner is....... See, I could do that job! No, they actually picked a winner. And if this style of bike doesn't float your boat, cheer up the scenery is beautiful! Link to comment
fourteenfour Posted December 28, 2019 Share Posted December 28, 2019 I did not ride it, sat on one. I find the plastic panels on fairing side to be appalling. Sitting on it they integrate nicely looking forward but what other people see from the side and front is what makes it a travesty. What a horrid design if it is that at all. Compared to the Road Glide it looks like amateurs designed the fairing, started testing and had an oh shit not enough wind protection but too far along to remake the mold, quick get some black painted extensions now! The plastic boot on the rear bags is obnoxiously oversized but fortunately the whole bag is painted so you can just peel it off and put some PPF down there instead. Top it off somehow they made a water cooled bike as heavy as the air cooled models. The to top it off, their controls feel cheap and if you buy a Dark Horse version they make you buy the crash bars separately. tl;dr disappointing, too heavy, too pricey, and too much black plastic. edit: over on Indian related forums there seems to be an issue with the ignition or such, Polaris has had more than one bike shipped back even after sending engineers to a dealer. So something is fishy. Suspicion by some is that rear cylinder decactivation is knocking the front down too but some are not so sure 1 Link to comment
TEWKS Posted December 28, 2019 Author Share Posted December 28, 2019 It happens (cylinder miss) at the 10:55 mark in this vid. I don't believe he's updated the cause. Link to comment
fourteenfour Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Well now, appears they may have sorted out their problem. Sounds awfully familiar to those of us who prefer the boxers https://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/misfire-fix.325478/post-3350114 1 Link to comment
TEWKS Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Wow, all that engineering on a very nice motorcycle and a simple throttle body sync slips through planting doubt where there shouldn’t be. I may be a little guilty here on this. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 For what it costs, IDK. It's over 28k, probably 29-30 when said and done. What can I buy for that? A K1600, gold wing. Both better bikes. A RT and save money and still a better bike. Yes, it's better than a HD, but it's still expensive, overweight and lacks proper storage. 1 Link to comment
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