Indian Roadmaster - Compare to 1500 IS

[jknomad]

Hi All,

I have 2 1500 Valks.  One is setup as a solo rider and the other is stock that my wife and I ride 2up.  We are thinking about trading the one we ride 2up for a new Indian Roadmaster.  Our 2001 has had a few break-downs over the last dew months.  Nothing to serious but still a pain.  That is one of the problems of riding a 15 year old bike.

What I am wondering from the group is, has anyone ridden the Roadmaster?  I am mostly concerned with handling, heat from engine overall comparison to the Valkyrie.  Any input would be great!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Dave Ritsema]

Beautiful Bike. I didn't ride one in hot weather so I can't speak to that. However it handled great, sounded nice without being obnoxious and had lots of modern gadgets. It was on my short list prior to purchasing a new Gold Wing but I just can't seem to move away from that Honda reliability.


 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMc4DLDGu4o

[Bighead]

Apples and oranges

[jknomad]

To be clear. .I am not asking to compare the two bikes...but more asking if anyone has experience with the Indian.  I have heard there are heat issues. .thoughts  on that.  Reliability comfort etc.

[Warlock]

To be clear. .I am not asking to compare the two bikes...but more asking if anyone has experience with the Indian.  I have heard there are heat issues. .thoughts  on that.  Reliability comfort etc.

My first cousin has one and we ride on a weekly basic. Very well made and we just fixed his heat problem. Took a 1.5 hole saw and drilled out the cat. That is where the heat was burning the right leg. Anyway bike handles great. He just added the cams, exhaust and air kit. It woke the bike up. Running back roads he is now getting 45 to 47 mpg. Running 80 mph he is getting 40 mpg. Bike is well made and wouldn't mine owning one myself, but going to have both knees replaced. Only think I will say do not use full synthetic oil in it. For some reason none of the thunder stroke engines like it. Cousin was using amsoil and when he put the cams in the clutch slipped one time. Changed back to oil recommended and no problems since. He was told by dealership to remove the oil. In all good workmanship and nice bike. Has good ground clearance to run curves. My Goldwing was faster, but since he added all the goodies he is real close to the Goldwing. He is around 6'1" and he loves the room. He use to ride a 1800 Goldwing. I would rate the ride on the same level as a Goldwing except more drivers room on the Indian.
David

[fudgie]

Talked to a guy from Norway, Holland, or somewhere near there last yr on the way out to Sturgis. We were at a motel bar in a small town 250 miles from Sturgis just shootin the bull. He flew over and rented that Indian for a few weeks. He had a few minor complaints and said power was ok. Biggest complaint was heat on the right side of his leg. He said the engine is offset in its frame to the right. Melted a large hole in his rain gear. Even with boots and jeans on it was still burning his leg. Enough so that the skin was red in color. So he went and got 2 pot holders and taped them to the inside of his pants when he rides. He said it helped. 

As far as a 15 yr old bike needing repairs, keep in mind new bikes also could require repairs. 

[sheets]

http://youtu.be/mt_EWTCD-O8

From a few threads I've read of Victory guys riding the Indian, they say the cockpit on the Indian is a bit smaller and leg room is a bit less than the Vic cross model bike they currently ride.

[Warlock]

http://youtu.be/mt_EWTCD-O8

From a few threads I've read of Victory guys riding the Indian, they say the cockpit on the Indian is a bit smaller and leg room is a bit less than the Vic cross model bike they currently ride.

I've heard great reviews on the Victory motorcycle also. Haven't ridden one, but the do sit nice.
David

[sheets]

http://youtu.be/OQiR2jX62pE

Only 8k miles on mine (XCT). Not the explosive acceleration of the flat six, but for two jugs doing the work of six its no slouch. And an amazingly agile bike for its size - at any speed from 1 mph to zooom. Looks aren't too shabby either. Yrmv,

[Warlock]

http://youtu.be/OQiR2jX62pE

Only 8k miles on mine (XCT). Not the explosive acceleration of the flat six, but for two jugs doing the work of six its no slouch. And an amazingly agile bike for its size - at any speed from 1 mph to zooom. Looks aren't too shabby either. Yrmv,

Seen a video of two guys that ride for Victory with turbo's on them. Power was unreal. They could smoke the tires running over 70 mph. Love the paint jobs on the Victory also. I love the blue one. It just sparkles in the sun light. It would be a hard choice between the Victory and the Indian. I see you have the blue and silver. Beautiful combo. Got a better picture of it?

David

[Skinhead]

Last summer (or maybe 2 ago) the Rogue Riders rode our Valks out to the local Indian dealer for their Demo days.  I got to ride every one but the scout.  I wasn't impressed.   The Roadmaster I rode had something loose in the back that clunked all the time.  It was slower that the valk and not as smooth.  I don't think I'd be as comfortable on it long distance as I am on the Valkyries.  We spent most of the day talking to other riders there about the Valks, we had quite a crowd admiring Aqualung's Liberace bike.

[Warlock]

Last summer (or maybe 2 ago) the Rogue Riders rode our Valks out to the local Indian dealer for their Demo days.  I got to ride every one but the scout.  I wasn't impressed.   The Roadmaster I rode had something loose in the back that clunked all the time.  It was slower that the valk and not as smooth.  I don't think I'd be as comfortable on it long distance as I am on the Valkyries.  We spent most of the day talking to other riders there about the Valks, we had quite a crowd admiring Aqualung's Liberace bike.

The Valkyrie is a hard bike to beat. I would love to have my old Tourer just to see how it would run against the Indian with all the exhaust, cams, programmer, and air kit. I believe my Tourer would still take it. The difference between stock and the added package is like night and day. I couldn't believe how much difference it made. I rode his before and after all the cams.

David

[Oldfishguy]

Indian

Artistically, in my opinion, they nailed it.  Beautiful machine. Fit and Finish rate very high.

Low speed handling, again, nailed it.  Low center of gravity, balanced properly, and low first gear make this a nimble machine around the parking lot.

The problem as always with the V twins is the narrowish power band compared to the Valk and the constant shifting through any speed changes.  You will hit the rev limiter constantly if you wind it up like the flat 6.  The engine on the Indian is just a different ride altogether than a flat 6.  

Best of luck.

David

[sheets]

not sure how photobucket works (?)

Have a shorter windshield, backrest & LED driving lights added since this pic.


photobucket process = no joy  

back to PhotoStash . . .

[Alpha Dog]

Easiest way to really find out about them is to go on the Indian forum or join the forum and see what riders with miles think.  I would imagine most of the roadmaster or its sibbling the Indian Chieftain riders all came from Harley's or large displacement metric and can give some pretty good comparison.
Really like their fairing, would love to put one on my tourer.

[Warlock]

not sure how photobucket works (?)

Have a shorter windshield, backrest & LED driving lights added since this pic.


photobucket process = no joy  

back to PhotoStash . . .

That's the one I love. Just doesn't get any better lines.
David

[Bighead]

To be clear. .I am not asking to compare the two bikes...

Guess I misunderstood the title stating "Compare to 1500 IS"