My New Ride

[Valkahuna]

I bought a new Indian Chieftain last week. While I love my Valk, HD, and BMW, and have owned Many many others in the 52 years I've been riding, I must say that this is the finest MC I have ever swung a leg over. It may not be everyone's taste, but I know I had to have one the first time I walked by one. 

So, now I have four. This one will stay up here is CT, although it will be hard to leave it behind when we travel to FL for our winter season. Oh well, something to look forward to for the spring.

Of course I bought a Black & Chrome one, for even with Indians, they are the fastest!

[Flrider]

Congrats on your new ride, I have heard lots of good comments on the new Indians 

[larue]

Nice looking machine Pete , quite non biased collection you have there .., congrats

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

Saweeet ride !  Enjoy the miles as they unfold before you .

[reclaimerroger]

Sharp looking ride.
One of my best friends whole family rode Indians in the 50's
Dad had a chief and the three boys all rode scouts.

[_Sheffjs_]

   sweet! And I love the tank decal! Sure you can't bring her along?

[Thunderbolt]

Very nice Pete.  I hope you helped them keep the brand alive this time around.

[Pappy!]

Great looking bike you bought there!
Bet it rides as good as it looks

[Grumpy]

Good looking bike Pete, they are getting great reviews.

[John Schmidt]

Wow! You can't hide money, right Pete.    I've also looked at them with a jealous eye but can't justify getting one. The only thing I didn't really care for was the large chrome garnish on the fairing around the headlight. That's small potatoes compared the entire package. One question: Is it as powerful as your I/S?

[Jo k]

beautiful!   

[Valkahuna]

  sweet! And I love the tank decal! Sure you can't bring her along?

I'm trying to figure that out. It would mean Viv would have to drive to FL, and since I am bringing down my old pick-up, and she won't drive that, it's unlikely.

[billyboy]

Nice looking ride there Pete.     Will be good to see ya again. 

[John Schmidt]

Just load the bike in the back of the p/u, hook a tow bar to it and tow the whole mess down with the newer vehicle. That way you get your old p/u to Fla. and Viv doesn't have to drive it down here, we get to see your new ride, everybody's happy....especially Viv.  And us!  

[Valkorado]

Wow!  I guess ya gotta get off the main board to find where the real money is at!  That is a mighty fine looking motorcycle.     Congrats!

[FloridaValkRyder]

Very nice Pete. They are getting great reviews. The engine looks like a piece of sculpture, beautiful.  I guess we will all just have to go to CT to see it! Congratulations!

[IamGCW]

Nice ride.   Hows the weight/CG?

Gil

[Valkahuna]

Nice looking machine Pete , quite non biased collection you have there .., congrats

Hey Larue,

Thanks! No bias in me.

[Valkahuna]

Very nice Pete.  I hope you helped them keep the brand alive this time around.

Thanks Terry. Although nothing is ever guaranteed in business, with the $8.1 Billion/year (yup, billion, with a B) in sales that Polaris has, and the positive way this new model has been received, it should at the very least keep HD more honest than they have had to be in the past.  The fit and finish of this machine is unbelievable. Competition is very healthy!   

[Canuck]

Nice!  I test rode one at Bike Week and loved it.  Wife loved it more than I.  Now that the RoadMaster is out I'll have one by spring.  Keep us posted on how you like it.
Black and Chrome will look good beside my Black and Chrome Valk

[Valkahuna]

Wow! You can't hide money, right Pete.    I've also looked at them with a jealous eye but can't justify getting one. The only thing I didn't really care for was the large chrome garnish on the fairing around the headlight. That's small potatoes compared the entire package. One question: Is it as powerful as your I/S?

Thanks John. It's been a great year in business, and frankly, I don't know how long I'll be able to enjoy these things. As for the Chrome garnish around the head light, the fairing was designed to be reminiscent of the great Diesel Locomotives that were so prevalent in the 50's. I've seen one Chieftain where the fairng was painted black, and it was just not the same.

As for the Indians power, they are claiming 119 foot pounds of torque, and although the HP is more than likely lower than the Valk, it really does have a good kick in the pants when you get on it. Mine is still in "break-in" mode, but the demo I rode was a real eye-opener. It certainly is faster than my HD with a $$$ spent to make it go better. It only has to make me happy, and I am.

[Valkahuna]

Nice ride.   Hows the weight/CG?

Gil

Although the bike weighs about 850 lbs wet, the weight goes away immediately. It's even easy to get up off the center stand, and even when we are riding two up, it is extremely well balanced, and not top heavy at all. I have not decided if I want to retro fit a tour pack (I am so used to them). That would add about 50 pounds up higher, so that may change it.

Go to a dealer and ride one! Just be prepared to want one after you do! 

[Valkahuna]

Nice!  I test rode one at Bike Week and loved it.  Wife loved it more than I.  Now that the RoadMaster is out I'll have one by spring.  Keep us posted on how you like it.
Black and Chrome will look good beside my Black and Chrome Valk

I also had interest in the Roadmaster. Quite a bargain actually. Problem for me was that they aren't going to start shipping them until sometime in October. It has so much equipment that it is unbelievable.

[Valkahuna]

Just load the bike in the back of the p/u, hook a tow bar to it and tow the whole mess down with the newer vehicle. That way you get your old p/u to Fla. and Viv doesn't have to drive it down here, we get to see your new ride, everybody's happy....especially Viv.  And us!  

John, I wish it were that easy. Seems to me an extra flight up would do better. I have my brain working overtime on this "dilemma". 

[Grumpy]

Could always rent a U-Haul and pull it behind the pickup, cheaper that an airline ticket.

[Valkahuna]

Could always rent a U-Haul and pull it behind the pickup, cheaper that an airline ticket.

Yup Bill. I thought of that as well. That's how the Valk first came to FL. Riding it down would be more fun though. Another problem with the U Haul is that we are stopping in Charleston to watch the grand kids for a week, and they don't give you that long for the trailer.  ???

[James III]

  A well deserved congratulations Pete! Your new Indian is certainly a fine machine and gem for your collection. A beautiful bike that I'm sure will be enjoyed for years to come.

James