[ReigningScorpios]

The other day I was racing a Dyna, and I started thinking about the thread on " Vanity Plates". So I pulled over and waited for the Dyna to pass me and sure enough, it had vanity plates. It closely resembled the plate on the 2015 Road Slide I beat a couple weeks ago. It was still stuck to the fender the guy kicked off cause it wouldnt start.
They both said somthn somthn somthn HD.
I assume that means Harshly Diluted, since thats what they did when they stole the blue prints from Indian back in 1901.
Anyway, I came up with a genius idea.
If Indian was to shut their doors again, just a short time,, then Harshly would have to sell back to Japan in order to come up with their next idea. And we could all laugh and smile AND HAVE REALLY GOOD TIME.
I mean, that's what its all about right !!!
What do you think ?
Ok. No Harley jokes.
Im sorry.
Tough bunch.
Who knows how to delete this?
(ah damn, now he's talking about deleting. What's with this guy?)
Idk

Its just a joke people.

 

[bikendad]

FYI

2021 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114 vs. 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited

Harley is stepping up its game, Indian had better take note.

 

[Blowndodge]

View attachment 581991
I FOUND SUSAN !!!

phuck! I can't unsee that! :fie:

 

[1stVictory]

You have to hand it to H-D for finding enough suckers in the pond to sell this model to. Just what some really want. A 52 year old' new' bike with a different engine. Price is in Cdn dollars.

2021 Electra Glide Revival Motorcycle | Harley-Davidson Canada

Back in 1968, I was a summer student working in the packaging plant of the local Imperial Oil refinery. There was a fork lift operator who bought a red one just like this one in the article except for the engine a that time. The guys were lamenting that it cost him $2500! "Hey, you could buy a car for that money!" Same as now!

 

[kiwi8ball]

I'm a motorcyclist first and foremost.
End of story

We need to stand together United
Or fall...

Divide and Conquer.

That's why kiwis and Aussies are different mate we always stand together when we need 2

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

Harley is stepping up its game, Indian had better take note.

You're correct of course.

But it's the difference between a 'motorcycle company' and a 'company that makes motorcycles'. When Polaris was building the Victory brand, they were doing all they could to build a better American motorcycle. Yes, I know, they didn't do everything right. But, ever since Polaris released their first Indian, they seem to have been in coast mode relying on the 'history' of the brand, not the bikes themselves.

No one can name 3 Polaris Indian design attributes that are unique. Sure, they've taken existing technology and integrated it into the bikes. So what, so have most brands. Nothing 'new' here.

What has Polaris uniquely developed themselves to build Indian? What's been the Polaris stamp on the Indian heritage? When their two best selling bikes are basically rebadged Victory's, I'd say: Polaris ran out of unique motorcycle ideas when they developed the Cross bikes for the 2010 model year. Just about everything since has been a re-hash of the work done by others.

I want them to do better. To somehow get back to what they were over a decade ago.

 

[Obi Steve]

You're correct of course.

But it's the difference between a 'motorcycle company' and a 'company that makes motorcycles'. When Polaris was building the Victory brand, they were doing all they could to build a better American motorcycle. Yes, I know, they didn't do everything right. But, ever since Polaris released their first Indian, they seem to have been in coast mode relying on the 'history' of the brand, not the bikes themselves.

No one can name 3 Polaris Indian design attributes that are unique. Sure, they've taken existing technology and integrated it into the bikes. So what, so have most brands. Nothing 'new' here.

What has Polaris uniquely developed themselves to build Indian? What's been the Polaris stamp on the Indian heritage? When their two best selling bikes are basically rebadged Victory's, I'd say: Polaris ran out of unique motorcycle ideas when they developed the Cross bikes for the 2010 model year. Just about everything since has been a re-hash of the work done by others.

I want them to do better. To somehow get back to what they were over a decade ago.

Well nostalgia does tug at my wallet sometimes, I wouldn't mind a Chief Dark Horse (cast frame) sharing the shed, but no one is gonna buy me one and I blew the available money getting the High Ball a couple of months ago to keep the HardBall company.
I also like the new Electralide revival, but no ones gonna buy me one of those either. Bastards!
I think Harley's rolled out a winner though with this morning's announcement of the Sportster S.
121 hp, lotta torque, remains to be seen if they are full size rear wheel neddies. Should scare Octanes or Scouts, maybe FTRs. It will be good to see them on the road.

 

[bikendad]

You're correct of course.

But it's the difference between a 'motorcycle company' and a 'company that makes motorcycles'. When Polaris was building the Victory brand, they were doing all they could to build a better American motorcycle. Yes, I know, they didn't do everything right. But, ever since Polaris released their first Indian, they seem to have been in coast mode relying on the 'history' of the brand, not the bikes themselves.

No one can name 3 Polaris Indian design attributes that are unique. Sure, they've taken existing technology and integrated it into the bikes. So what, so have most brands. Nothing 'new' here.

What has Polaris uniquely developed themselves to build Indian? What's been the Polaris stamp on the Indian heritage? When their two best selling bikes are basically rebadged Victory's, I'd say: Polaris ran out of unique motorcycle ideas when they developed the Cross bikes for the 2010 model year. Just about everything since has been a re-hash of the work done by others.

I want them to do better. To somehow get back to what they were over a decade ago.

Yep just look at that test between the Heritage Classic and the Super Chief, it's like Harley and Polaris have traded places! The Harley has 4 valves per cylinder and a mono shock rear suspension while Indian is in yesteryear with 2 valve cylinders and twin rear shocks with a measly 3" of travel!
I was at a rally in Mackinac city and frankly the Harleys were overall much sharper looking bikes than the Indians. Lots of gloss paint with black engines and trim, something Indian seems incapable of building other than on 1 specialty bike.

 

[John G]

Got my tire changed at the local Indian dealer Friday, they have 4 new bikes on the floor. They can't get bikes, getting a couple a month! If Indian can't start getting parts to build bikes they won't have much choice but to shut down. I don't know how the dealers are keeping the doors open.

I was in at my local Yamaha, Polaris, Indian, Honda, Suzuki, BMW, dealer last week. There were 2 2021 hondas on the floor. About 5 Indians and I didn't look to see if they were 2021 or not. Very few other brands in stock other than a plethora of BMW's. Clearly there is a supply problem for all brands. i didn't ask anyone when the new models would arrive, but clearly they are a long way off and we are already mid way through the year.

 

[Rollinwind]

Cant build anything now without chips. There is no end in sight either. Its being kept kind of quite too. Our country is doing something about it but its only a guesstimate things will get to be catching up next year. If I were making decisions at Indian... I wouldn't build new bikes next year either. Just optimize operations and get ready for 23. Last I checked they still got some build quality bugs to work on too.

 

[JERLERTURN]

I think you've had one beer too many. Eat some pretzels and chips to wear it off. Unlike Victory, Indian is here to stay. They learned how to build a real motorcycle, bought the Indian brand, killed off the real motorcycle and built a brand that fits the ass of a rider of a H-D perfectly. And they have style that H-D has run out of.

Absolutely!,,on spot!

 

[Flyboy]

Being completely open I'm not alone in these feelings. Several people have you on ignore and others are trying to figure out what you're about. Their style is to sit and read so you are unaware. Just know I have many behind the scenes conversations going.... Like ours..... And people do not trust you yet judging from what they've seen so far. I bet you can understand why.

I'm one of the most active... Maybe the most active.... and vocal members. I call it like I see it and I'm not afraid to give you my true feelings..... Obviously. With that here I am being me and challenging you trying to get to the bottom of things.

We've had many trolls over the years so you may not understand why we are on guard but that's why. They came in trying to be friends and then turned. So knowing that maybe you can better see why some of us are feeling the way we are.

Herding cats comes to mind... As for trading in the Vic for an Indian, not yet.

 

[working dog]

I'm sorry, but being an Aussie I don't understand the first thing about all of this.
No...please don't try and explain it.

 

[ReigningScorpios]

M

It was also an era where motorcycles were all the rage. Everyone was getting back into it. Riding a motorcycle was back and in full force. Sons of anarchy was on TV and the blacked out Dyna bikes were popular. The Tuttles amongst other bike builders were on TV showing off their talents and creativity. From Billy Lane to Arlen Ness. Eddie Trotta to Exile motorcycles ? Big Dog to Roland Sands!!!
MC clubs showed up at bike events everywhere. Victory had Arlen Ness in their corner and Harleys SG was the most popular bike on the planet. Willie G was with us and the vibe was very much alive. Victory slowly was attracting new buyers with their winner XC and magnum bikes as well as their steel frames. The purchase of the Indian brand by Polaris was looked at as monumental! The talk on the street was American motorcycles were very much alive and we now have choices of 3 great bikes.
So then all of a sudden what happened? Many stopped riding. Garage queens were up for sale everywhere. The TV shows slowly went off the air. The bike events drew less bikers and more party going young people. Survival of the fittest stepped in and here we are talking about the demise of Harley Davidson (another thread ) and " should Indian shut down".
The worst thing that could happen now is if Indian shut down. We would eventually have no suppprt from Polaris and they will be looked at ( by the Mc crowd) as the company to stay away from. Harley Davidson will suffer from no competition as the Japanese are barely bringing any new American style cruisers to market. Triumph stands alone and always have. Imagine a time like the 80's and 90's where HD motorcycles were hard to get. Many settled for a jap knock off or simply rode a sport bike.

Times are changing once again. This time it will cost you when the vibe comes around again for a bagger or any motorcycle for that matter because many can't simply afford them.
Those of us that have hung in there. Stayed true to who we are are here today. Writing on forums and riding our loved machines. For us it's still a great time because we still have those with us that share the same enthusiasm and passion for riding. We're in a better position because of our age the choices we made to be where we are at today. You may not be rich but your still on a Victory. Many of us could care less if Indian shuts the doors or Harley for that matter. We're Victory guys and we know we are on the best bikes. Still imagine a world if it did happen.
No more new HD or new Indian.

My point of THE JOKE was that when times got hard, Indian shut the doors, as opposed to turning their backs and selling out to Japan. Loyalty from Indian.
Also Japan had made a lot of improvements from what Harley said so that was the "next idea" part.
Ive owned a Harley and they are nice bikes but as far as pride goes, that belongs to Indian.
Just my opinion and just a joke.
I hope Indian NEVER has to shut the doors again.

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

as far as pride goes, that belongs to Indian.

Not to me. Indian is no Indian.... It's a Polaris. A Polaris that started as a Victory. I say the pride belongs to Victory.

Indian is nothing more than a name and a badge now days. They are Victory at heart. Unfortunately the sheep did not embrace them and Polaris did a crap job of advertising.

I may own an Indian some day but it will not be because of any heritage they are trying to take advantage of. It will also not be because Indian makes a good bike, it's because Polaris does.

 

[BrotherWind]

Cant build anything now without chips. There is no end in sight either. Its being kept kind of quite too. Our country is doing something about it but its only a guesstimate things will get to be catching up next year. If I were making decisions at Indian... I wouldn't build new bikes next year either. Just optimize operations and get ready for 23. Last I checked they still got some build quality bugs to work on too.

I saw that Ford is closing some factories because of the chip sh*t. Also saw Ford is sending inventory to dealers without chip and then the dealers will have to install and set up. I don't think I'd trust that, I worked in several dealerships years back and alot of mechanics don't have those skills. If this is true look out!!! Way to many computers in modern vehicles.
For the prices I'd rather buy a decent early 2000 or late 90's and completely rebuild. Probably cheaper and still have the luxuries I care about. JMHO.

 

[1stVictory]

Herding cats comes to mind... As for trading in the Vic for an Indian, not yet.

 

[Rollinwind]

I saw that Ford is closing some factories because of the chip sh*t. Also saw Ford is sending inventory to dealers without chip and then the dealers will have to install and set up. I don't think I'd trust that, I worked in several dealerships years back and alot of mechanics don't have those skills. If this is true look out!!! Way to many computers in modern vehicles.
For the prices I'd rather buy a decent early 2000 or late 90's and completely rebuild. Probably cheaper and still have the luxuries I care about. JMHO.

I saw that Ford is closing some factories because of the chip sh*t. Also saw Ford is sending inventory to dealers without chip and then the dealers will have to install and set up. I don't think I'd trust that, I worked in several dealerships years back and alot of mechanics don't have those skills. If this is true look out!!! Way to many computers in modern vehicles.
For the prices I'd rather buy a decent early 2000 or late 90's and completely rebuild. Probably cheaper and still have the luxuries I care about. JMHO.

its getting worse. Cant make a lot of Radar detectors now and they going out of stock . One year lead time on some of the chips they are using. Talk about **** backed out to 23 !

 

[BrotherWind]

its getting worse. Cant make a lot of Radar detectors now and they going out of stock . One year lead time on some of the chips they are using. Talk about **** backed out to 23 !

Well hopefully the reverse happens, radar guns go down.

 

[Flyboy]

As for Indian, I just noticed the HD Sportster S and you can't tell me that isn't aimed at the Scout Series. I know their excuse is emission standards in Europe can't be met with the "Air-Cooled" Sportster. So wal-la a new scooter following the Pam America that is more powerful (120+hp) and better looking than the re-badged Octane. Good thing they brought out the Challenger, because I see a new redesigned larger HD engine on the way...

Victory was ahead in tech and they damaged themselves by not openly folding it into the Indian brand... I cannot forget my hurt peelings as the "best motorcycle on the Planet", built for performance in it's form, was just thrown out next to the trash on the back porch. Treated so badly for an old flame...

Not even a reach around as the door hit us in the ass.