New Indian

[Jack B]

I test drove a new Indian on Friday. Not a bad ride it pulled good it sounded good made some nice noise when you give it gas and not too loud at highway speed. Going around corners you knew you were on a big bike. Then I jumped on my Valkyrie, for it being 16 years older and 112,000 miles it felt newer, handled better was also faster and much smoother.

No Indian for me.

[hubcapsc]

It really pays to ride your Valkyrie to a test ride... 

I know I'm not just blowing smoke when I say my Valkyrie doesn't suck 



-Mike

[paul246]

Interesting how we differ on this.

Shortly after the "new" 1800 Goldwing came out I rode my Valk to a Honda demo day and rode a variety of bikes including the 919, ST1300 and the Goldwing. I liked the 919 a lot, had little use for the ST due to gear whine but the Wing's power and handling blew me away... my Valk felt like a lumber truck on the ride home.

[hubcapsc]

my Valk felt like a lumber truck on the ride home.

Progressive shocks, Progressive springs in the front, good tires, not-an-Interstate  ...



-Mike "and... objectively speaking... not as good as a Gold Wing..."

[cookiedough]

Interesting how we differ on this.

Shortly after the "new" 1800 Goldwing came out I rode my Valk to a Honda demo day and rode a variety of bikes including the 919, ST1300 and the Goldwing. I liked the 919 a lot, had little use for the ST due to gear whine but the Wing's power and handling blew me away... my Valk felt like a lumber truck on the ride home.

Not that I have driven the newly designed goldwing but an older 1832cc goldwing, but besides color of plastic, what as far as performance in engine/tranny have they improved upon besides cosmetics?
I would think the hp/torque and tranny are identical, agree?

[vanavyman]

I drive a 2005 Goldwing GL1800 for touring with the wife and a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate which I  ride mostly by myself.  I love the Vallkyrie Interstate and ride it when ever possible but the 1800 wing engine seems to sit a little lower and has more power and love the fuel injection.  Both handle well in turns.  All the plastic on the wing gets on my nerves at times and the Valkyrie in my opinion looks like what motorcycle is suppose to look like.  I've thought this way from the moment I saw a picture of it in 1996.

I've test drove the new Wing, F6B, and new Valkyrie.  The Wing and F6B are both nice because they are new but I was not impressed when comparing them to my 05.  Neither would get me interested in spending new bike money.  The New Valkyrie is a different story.  Looks will take some getting use to and I'll leave it at that.  But the ride was better than I expected.  Fast, geared great, feels light, and handles great.  With the right options I could see myself buying one of these in the future.

Dan

[mike4sho]

You ride the new Chieftan?  They look pretty good.  I see quite a few of them around here.  I saw them in person and the fit and finish look great.

[vanavyman]

I like the looks of the New Indian's, but I don't think I could spend big money on a non-Honda motor.  Once I've ridden the 1500 Valkyrie and 1800 Goldwing it is hard to go to a twin V.  Even with the Interesting looks of the new Valkyrie I think it could grow on me.  That motor and gearing would be easy to fall in love with.  I saw a nice new Indian Tour blacked out that looked awesome but not for me.  I think the 1800 motor in the new Valkyrie will to set the standard for larger Cruiser bikes for the near future.