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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I think each dealership will have a "Chiefs Club" limited to the first 50 Indian buyers at that dealership. One of the "bennies" will be head of the line privilege at any demo event held there. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Easttexasrider - 2013-08-08 6:29 PM
Can't wait for the Dallas international motorcycle show in December to see these models in person.
If we don't have a local Dealer by then, they may not show up there. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I really believe the dealership numbers will climb now that the procuct is out and available. And the fact that Polaris hit a home can't hurt either, once the covers of motorcycle magazines are covered with the new Indian models even more people will be interested and thus dealers. We forget some time that alot of other motorcycle people may not keep up with mototrcycle news like alot of us do............. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Easttexasrider - 2013-08-08 6:29 PM
Can't wait for the Dallas international motorcycle show in December to see these models in person.
I might need to make a road trip up to see them there myself.
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | I live in Pittsburgh, closest dealer is either in Michigan or on the other side of the State but Michigan is closer. I bitch about the Victory Dealer network now and I have a dealer an hour from me. Really wanted to look at em but I am staying with my Vision for two up riding. Now my hammer which I use for single riding might be trade in bait but I just do not think I can commit to the $23000 Chieftan when I have the Vision sitting there all decked out. I will say that from what I have seen, Polaris did the job right and scored a home run with this. Advertising push is huge as well. Can't wait for the reviews from the cycle magazines. How are the rice rocket loving editors gonna try to down play this. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | double post
Edited by taz456 2013-08-10 7:45 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I don't think they can play it down. It's too big of a story. People have been waiting for this for 50 years. Yes there have been other Indian revivals but all pale in comparison to this final relaunch or should I say continuation in respect to the KM Indians ?? But finally an all new model line with a proper Indian engine and up specs for for current day riders. Not too long ago some were saying Polaris would never develope a modern hard bag Chief, well we have one now and it has cruise control, stereo, an adjustable windscreen and looks to be pretty big hard saddle bags. A tour pack and lowers are probably one season or soon a $1800.00 purchase away. Indian is back and jumped in the heavyweight bagger/ touring bike fight with both feet. I think it was a magnificent effort and I'm sure they"ll sell alot............ |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Well Sturgis is over tonight. What a great week it's been for Polaris. The BIG Indian unveil and bikes seem like a huge hit. Sales will tell that tale, but I believe things will go really good for Indian. There will probably be people lined up to buy the new Chiefs for months to come. Victory looks like they did good out there too with Ole Sarge helping out. Next year people will be riding Indians back to Sturgis, in some cases thousands of miles, not just around Sturgis. What people will be saying about Indian then will be more important than now. I gotta believe it will all be positive and Victory played a big part. Polaris learned alot in these past 15 years building Victory and I'm sure that knowledge was used in the Indian developement. Gonna be a interesting year. If things go good I'll ride back out to Sturgis in 2015 and I'll be on a Chieftain or a Vision, that's for sure..........
Edited by XRsteve 2013-08-10 8:59 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 43
| rode a2014 chieftain yesterday very nice smooth tourge nice suspension |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | I rode a couple of hours this evening on my 2008 Vision. Checking off the reasons I like my Vision over the Chieftain (I can only justify one bike at a time).
1. Wind protection will be better on Vision with full fairing, upper & lower.
2. Vision has trunk standard (I wonder if the Chieftain will offer this in later models?).
3. As a unusually tall rider at 6'7", the Vision fits like a glove. Must wait to see if the Chieftain provides the legroom.
Other than that, the reasons for buying a Chieftain
1. Similar to buying the first year Vision, buying a Chieftain would be cool as you will be one of the first in your area to own one.
2. Owning a historic Indian would be cool.
3. I have had zero issues with my first year production Vision. This implies a confidence in Polaris engineering and development.
4. It must fit a tall freak like me! |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Easttexasrider - 2013-08-11 9:08 PM
Other than that, the reasons for buying a Chieftain
2. Owning a historic Indian would be cool.
Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it.
Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Like Triumph, there will always be old Indians and the new Indians. Nothing wrong with that terminology, it is after all correct. One thing about the new models of both brands which even the old timers must admit is, it sure is nice to have a modern version of both that has electric start, dosen't leak oil and the owners don't have to carry 20 lbs of tools with them on every ride.............I like the new Norton too, just aren't many being made. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | aaronrkelly - 2013-08-12 12:43 AM Easttexasrider - 2013-08-11 9:08 PM Other than that, the reasons for buying a Chieftain 2. Owning a historic Indian would be cool. Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Neither was the Gilroy, neither was the King Mountain, neither was the moped built across the pond, but they are part of the Indian History. Since the failure of Indian in 1953, each rendition of the Indian name has added to the peppered history. So, Polaris has made history, I believe this will be the last attempt to bring the name back to life, but there won't need to be another attempt. As forward thinking as Polaris is, it falls right into the original vision of the brand. I think Hendee would be proud. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| varyder - 2013-08-12 6:41 AM
aaronrkelly - 2013-08-12 12:43 AM Easttexasrider - 2013-08-11 9:08 PM Other than that, the reasons for buying a Chieftain 2. Owning a historic Indian would be cool. Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Neither was the Gilroy, neither was the King Mountain, neither was the moped built across the pond, but they are part of the Indian History.? Since the failure of Indian in 1953, each rendition of the Indian name has added to the peppered history.? So, Polaris has made history, I believe this will be the last attempt to bring the name back to life, but?there won't need to be another attempt.? As forward thinking as Polaris is, it falls right into the original vision of the brand.? I think Hendee would be proud.
I agree. If Indian fails on this attempt it would be a sad day for American motorcycling, and a serious hit on Polaris. I believe that Polaris is a very smart company, and Indian will be with us for a long, long time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | varyder - 2013-08-12 5:41 AM
aaronrkelly - 2013-08-12 12:43 AM Easttexasrider - 2013-08-11 9:08 PM Other than that, the reasons for buying a Chieftain 2. Owning a historic Indian would be cool. Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Neither was the Gilroy, neither was the King Mountain, neither was the moped built across the pond, but they are part of the Indian History.? Since the failure of Indian in 1953, each rendition of the Indian name has added to the peppered history.? So, Polaris has made history, I believe this will be the last attempt to bring the name back to life, but?there won't need to be another attempt.? As forward thinking as Polaris is, it falls right into the original vision of the brand.? I think Hendee would be proud.
I agree 100%, I too think Hendee would be proud............. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Seems like we're splitting hairs on semantics here. I don't consider myself buying something historic at this point. I'm buying something reliably nostalgic. I'm buying a big, red, solo-seated, swoopy-fendered, beach-barred, tassle-hangin, lit-fendered, white-walled, left-side breathin, down firing memory. It just happens to have 111 cubic inches, 119 lbs of torque, aluminum frame with built in intake, LED lighting, keyless start, cruise and ABS braking. I had a '67 Fastback in college and after the early 70's Ford totally lost me with their Mustangs. Mustang II? Just kill me. Fox bodies? Huge yawn. From 1971-2004 I never even gave them a second look. They were "real" Mustangs but the coolness factor for me died on the vine for over 30 years. In early 2004, my brother called me and said "Dude, one of my neighbors works for the design studio at Ford and showed me some spy shots of the 2005 Mustang coming out. You are gonna flip. I can't show you any pics but I'll give you one clue - 1969 Fastback." The 2005's came out and he was right, I loved it. The upgrades over the last 9 years have made it even better. The 2014 Mustang with the power available and sequential LEDs is the best Mustang ever made. Ford will probably change the look again and make a version based on the current Fusion/Aston Martin look and they will lose me again, but it was nice while it lasted. Indian has been dead for most people (including a couple of generations of Harley guys) since 1953. Although the Gilroy/Kings Mountains are pretty, they have that aftermarket Harley/SS motor vibe. I just wasn't feeling it. The Thunder Stroke 111 was the defining moment that the Indian world has been waiting for. I can't imagine the most die-hard Hendee loyalist (or Harley loyalist) looking at that motor and not thinking "Wow." Polaris obviously spent a lot of time sitting down with the "classic" owners and said "What do we need to do to make this bike right." I'm not buying history. I'm buying flashbacks that will make the historians proud. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| SongFan - 2013-08-12 9:29 AM
Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Seems like we're splitting hairs on semantics here.? I don't consider myself buying something historic at this point.? I'm buying something reliably nostalgic.??I'm buying a big, red,?solo-seated, swoopy-fendered, beach-barred, tassle-hangin, lit-fendered, white-walled, left-side breathin, down firing?memory.? It just happens to have 111 cubic inches, 119 lbs of torque, aluminum frame with built in intake, LED lighting, keyless start, cruise and ABS braking... ? ?
Well put.
Are the headlights on the Vintage LED or regular bulb?
Does anyone have a pic of the front fender war bonnet illuminated?
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | http://www.motorbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014-Indian-Chief-Vintage.jpg |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Thanks Songfan! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Cyril Huze review of all 3 models: http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/08/12/i-rode-the-3-new-indian-chief-models/ |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | gary1 - 2013-08-11 8:00 AM
rode a2014 chieftain yesterday very nice smooth tourge nice suspension
rode one too. great ride  |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | SongFan - 2013-08-12 7:29 AM
Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Seems like we're splitting hairs on semantics here.? I don't consider myself buying something historic at this point.? I'm buying something reliably nostalgic.??I'm buying a big, red,?solo-seated, swoopy-fendered, beach-barred, tassle-hangin, lit-fendered, white-walled, left-side breathin, down firing?memory.? It just happens to have 111 cubic inches, 119 lbs of torque, aluminum frame with built in intake, LED lighting, keyless start, cruise and ABS braking. I had a '67 Fastback in college and after the early 70's Ford totally lost me with their Mustangs.? Mustang II?? Just kill me.? Fox bodies?? Huge yawn.? From 1971-2004 I never even gave them a second look.? They were "real" Mustangs but the coolness factor for me died on the vine for over 30 years.? In early 2004, my brother called me and said "Dude, one of my neighbors works for the design studio at Ford and showed me some spy shots of the 2005 Mustang coming out.? You are gonna flip.? I can't show you any pics but I'll give you one clue - 1969 Fastback." The 2005's came out and he was right, I loved it.? The upgrades over the last 9 years have made it even better.? The 2014 Mustang with the?power available?and sequential LEDs is the best Mustang ever made.? Ford will probably change the look again and make a version based on the current Fusion/Aston Martin?look and they will lose me again, but it was nice while it lasted. Indian has been dead for?most people (including a couple of generations of Harley guys)?since 1953.? Although the Gilroy/Kings Mountains are pretty, they have that aftermarket Harley/SS motor?vibe.? I just wasn't feeling it.? The Thunder Stroke 111 was the defining moment that the Indian world has been waiting for.? I can't imagine the most die-hard Hendee?loyalist (or Harley loyalist)?looking?at that motor and not thinking "Wow."? Polaris obviously spent a lot of time sitting down with the "classic" owners and said "What do we need to do to make this bike right." I'm not buying history. I'm buying flashbacks that will make the historians proud. ? ?
THAT was beautiful |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Double Vision - 2013-08-12 7:41 AM
SongFan - 2013-08-12 9:29 AM
Its far from a historic Indian.....its a Polaris with a Indian badge on it. Dont get me wrong.....I like Victory and I like Indian.....just dont mix up historic Indian with "been sold to half a dozen different companies and re-badged Indian". It shares no lineage with the historic Indian. Seems like we're splitting hairs on semantics here.? I don't consider myself buying something historic at this point.? I'm buying something reliably nostalgic.??I'm buying a big, red,?solo-seated, swoopy-fendered, beach-barred, tassle-hangin, lit-fendered, white-walled, left-side breathin, down firing?memory.? It just happens to have 111 cubic inches, 119 lbs of torque, aluminum frame with built in intake, LED lighting, keyless start, cruise and ABS braking... ? ?
Well put.
Are the headlights on the Vintage LED or regular bulb?
Does anyone have a pic of the front fender war bonnet illuminated?
[/QUOTE
all lighting on all chief models are 100% LED including the fender War Bonnet |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | Yes I guess you are right. Then again buying a 2013 Harley cannot be called buying an historic or iconic motorcycle brand because H-D failed 50 years ago and American Machine and Foundry tried building these bikes from 1969-1981. Remember this historic Harley: The Aermacchi-built Harley-Davidsons became entirely two-stroke powered when the 250 cc two-stroke SS-250 replaced the four-stroke 350 cc Sprint in 1974
Edited by Easttexasrider 2013-08-12 1:08 PM
(220px-Aermacchi_Turismo_Veloce_1971_crop.jpg)
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 220px-Aermacchi_Turismo_Veloce_1971_crop.jpg (10KB - 1 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | Easttexasrider - 2013-08-12 1:05 PM Yes I guess you are right. Then again buying a 2013 Harley cannot be called buying an historic or iconic motorcycle brand because H-D failed 50 years ago and American Machine and Foundry tried building these bikes from 1969-1981. Remember this historic Harley: The Aermacchi-built Harley-Davidsons became entirely two-stroke powered when the 250 cc two-stroke SS-250 replaced the four-stroke 350 cc Sprint in 1974 So Polaris buying the Indian brand and recreating a better engineered motorcycle while attempting to perserve the classic Indian look...does not make it a real "Indian." Some Harley History: In 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of thirteen investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie G. Davidson for $80 million. Inventory was strictly controlled using the just-in-time system. In the early eighties, Harley-Davidson claimed that Japanese manufacturers were importing motorcycles into the US in such volume as to harm or threaten to harm domestic producers. After an investigation by the US International Trade Commission, President Reagan imposed in 1983 a 45% tariff on imported bikes and bikes over 700 cc engine capacity. Harley-Davidson subsequently rejected offers of assistance from Japanese motorcycle makers. However, the company did offer to drop the request for the tariff in exchange for loan guarantees from the Japanese.] Rather than trying to match the Japanese, the new management deliberately exploited the "retro" appeal of the machines, building motorcycles that deliberately adopted the look and feel of their earlier machines and the subsequent customizations of owners of that era. |
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2014 Indian Chief
