Indian Challenger problems

[LTD]

I talked to a salesman who has become a very good friend yesterday about buying an Indian Challenger obviously the dealership he works at sells Indian.  Heres how the conversation went..  Hey Todd thinking of buying a challenger what kind of deal can you make me?  Todd replies" I wont sell you a Challenger.  Me" What is this some kind of a joke? Todd" There have been problems with the Challenger we have two bikes in the shop for months and they cant figure out whats wrong.  Until they Indian fixes this problem I cant in good conscience sell you one. Wait for next years model  I can sell you a Roadmaster, chieftain all dead on solid reliable bikes.  But I refuse to sell you a challenger.  just thought I would pass this along was pretty shocked that a salesman would not sell me a bike but hey he was looking out for me and very much appreciated.

[_Sheffjs_]

Wow that is saying a lot and now you have a trustworthy contact.  As time moves on I find myself fully locked into Honda in every category of my likes. 

[scooperhsd]

Wow that is saying a lot and now you have a trustworthy contact.  As time moves on I find myself fully locked into Honda in every category of my likes. 

I've never owned anything but a Honda for my entire motorcycling life

[Alpha Dog]

I am not sure what the problem this shop is having.  It is a ecu interface with the throttle body that Indian solved months ago.  I know of several people that had this problem and it was fixed very quickly with a flash I understand.

In any event I too would wait for next years model as that should be cured on all the Challengers, which in all other accounts the buyers are absolutely loving it.

[Challenger]

From Indian bulletin release
According to the defect notice, Indian mentions that on some Challengers, the engine output shaft bearing might not have been lubricated during assembly. This could potentially lead to the bearing malfunctioning and to a sudden decelaration which, in the most extreme cases, could cause a crash.Apr 6, 2020

[Alpha Dog]

This did happen on a very small number of bikes, maybe 6.  Someone goofed up during assembly to put it mildly.  If it does not happen in first 50 miles you are good to go from my understanding of owners.

On another note it seems Honda listened to original owners of the new model 2018 Goldwing and made improvements on the 2020 models, although it seems their infotainment center still need some tweeks.  By the great majority of owners and testers, this new Goldwing is a fantastic bike also, with those choosing the DCT model loving it.

[3W-lonerider]

the dtc model is a great bike, but those that are triking their dtc goldwings are having shifting issues created by the extra weight and forces on the transmissions.  honda and the trike companies are working on a flash that will solve this issue as well.

[bscrive]

My cousin bought a Challenger this spring.  He traded his 2018 Chieftain on it because the front cylinder blew up on it last year and he didn't trust the bike anymore.  The first day, while he was riding the Challenger home, the engine light came on and the bike went into limp mode.  He stopped and turned the bike off and then on again and it started back up, but the light had remained on.  The dealership was closed by this time, so he had no choice but to ride it home.  He hasn't been able to bring it back to the dealer since then, because Quebec had shut down the provincial border to non-essential travel.  He lives in Ontario.  He has contacted the dealership and was told that he is somewhere in the 100-150th on the list to bring the bike in.  He is over the 50 mile mark, so he is still driving it.  The light stays on and every so often it goes into limp mode.  Pretty shitty for a bike that cost almost $40k with accessories, extended warranty, tax, etc.  Needless to say, he is one really pissed customer.