Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
I like the look. I can't see myself riding one, but I know of at least two ladies who would be interested once it is proven reliable and the brand stabilizes.
Reborn Indian
- Thread starter ionbeam
- Start date
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Looks good, decent numbers from the motor. Don't see myself buying one (if I were considering a "retro" ride, I'd be looking at the Honda CB1100 first, but that's just me). I applaud Polaris for bringing some serious competition to the marketplace, it's got to make everyone's product better in the long run.
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Yeah, it would also be of interest to see the bike with a full sized American Male seated on the bike, not some little modeling fellow. At 6'2" and 225 lbs, I have an inkling that I would look like the proverbial monkey humping a football on that little bike. Plus, having never owned a cruiser I have no idea how comfortable one could get with those forward foot controls. I do like having my feet underneath myself, like on an ADV bike.
Still... it has some promise.
Still... it has some promise.
fjrbird
Well-known member
Beautiful bike so pleasing to look at.
Bokerfork
Well-known member
Gotta admit, given the VMax comparison, there is no comparison.
Still, as much as I love the looks of the VMAX, I just don't know what I would do with one. Except amass performance awards.
Put some saddlebags on that Indian though and you may have something.
YMMV
Still, as much as I love the looks of the VMAX, I just don't know what I would do with one. Except amass performance awards.
Put some saddlebags on that Indian though and you may have something.
YMMV
TomInPA
Well-known member
There was so much buzz last year on the cruiser forums I figured Polaris would make this bet work...so I bought the stock. It has had a nice gain, and the motorcycle division is projected to become profitable next quarter. With Harley owning nearly 52% of the entire motorcycle market, the new Indian is the only domestic brand name that may take a run at competing significantly, and is the only brand I hear the Harley cult talking about in earnest. The company plans to grow from a current $400 million to a $billion dollar contender by 2018.
For the 3-wheel crowd, Polaris also has introduced the Slingshot. Might give Tyler something to look at next time. One hell of a 3-wheeler! Looks like fun if you have a date that won't ride on two wheels.
For the 3-wheel crowd, Polaris also has introduced the Slingshot. Might give Tyler something to look at next time. One hell of a 3-wheeler! Looks like fun if you have a date that won't ride on two wheels.
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Spud
Well-known member
Polaris does seem to be on the move. Don't forget they also already have another American motorcycle brand: Victory. There's a guy here that started the clothing brand Klim, and Polaris bought that from him a few years back, making him an instant millionaire.... They are quite an innovative company, and a good one to have here. I'm guessing though the thing that's done best for them lately has been the Razr's which are everywhere around here.
AVGeek
Well-known member
I think Polaris was a the perfect buyer for the Indian name, and if they can't succeed with it, then no one will. That being said, I'd like to see them take on Indian's heritage as a performance marque, and take aim at the sport bike market....
bigjohnsd
2021 BMW R1250GSA
The consensus amongst many of the after market vendors here in Sturgis is that Polaris is set to kick some butt with both Victory and Indian. They have plenty of cash, their stuff is well engineered, they are much easier to work with than the "Motor Company" and their **** works out of the box.
I'm hearing the same thing from friends that work within the company here in MN.
Their stock has been a rock star!!
RacinRay
Living The Dream
Indian was a brand built on performance. I hope they follow the lead of triumph and blend modern high performance bikes with their retro models. I for one would love to buy an American made inline 4 sportbike or adventure bike.
AVGeek
Well-known member
jmdaniel
Has A Well Known Member
My best bud is the director of supplier quality at Polaris, so I have a wee bit of insight. The next stuff rolling out will be some mid size Victory models; and by mid-size, I mean 1100-1300cc. That's not surprising, there is a market for people that can't, or don't want to, ride something that can't be picked up if it falls over.
The Scout is interesting, but the 3.3 gallon tank is a puzzler.
The Scout is interesting, but the 3.3 gallon tank is a puzzler.
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Jeebus, what's with 1100+cc bikes being 'mid-sized?" Remember when 800CC bikes were "large?" It wasn't that long ago. Maybe that Indian is "mid-sized" since it doesn't look like anyone over 5'10 will fit on it without looking like a circus bear on a bicycle. It's a small bodied Victory with Indian badges, and a radiator like every Japanese cruiser out there and suddenly everyone's all enamored?
TomInPA
Well-known member
Actually, I think you're missing that this bike comes with the price tag of a Japanese cruiser and Harley Sportster, but impressive light weight, performance, 100 HP and an American pedigree. FWIW it will blow the doors off a 68 HP, heavier, Sportster XL and is clearly aimed at that market. It should also compete well against the Japanese cruisers selling at this price range. Not my ride, but I do "get it". This is a direct strong competitor in the entry and small cruiser sector, and a gateway to larger, more expensive Indian motorcycles, just as the Sportster serves that purpose for Harley.Jeebus, what's with 1100+cc bikes being 'mid-sized?" Remember when 800CC bikes were "large?" It wasn't that long ago. Maybe that Indian is "mid-sized" since it doesn't look like anyone over 5'10 will fit on it without looking like a circus bear on a bicycle. It's a small bodied Victory with Indian badges, and a radiator like every Japanese cruiser out there and suddenly everyone's all enamored?
In most of the V-Twin cruiser market, huge engine displacements generate incredibly low power and fair torque. My first bike was a Suzuki GS750 and it put out more HP than most large displacement cruisers today.
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beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
Mi Amigo Tomaso, por favor don't confuse HotRodZilla with any facts and figures; heavy thinking makes AJ's cabeza hurt, just give 'Zilla a Slinky and a Yo-Yo! JSNS!Actually, I think you're missing that this bike comes with the price tag of a Japanese cruiser and Harley Sportster, but impressive light weight, performance, 100 HP and an American pedigree. FWIW it will blow the doors off a 68 HP, heavier, Sportster XL and is clearly aimed at that market. It should also compete well against the Japanese cruisers selling at this price range. Not my ride, but I do "get it". This is a direct strong competitor in the entry and small cruiser sector, and a gateway to larger, more expensive Indian motorcycles, just as the Sportster serves that purpose for Harley.Jeebus, what's with 1100+cc bikes being 'mid-sized?" Remember when 800CC bikes were "large?" It wasn't that long ago. Maybe that Indian is "mid-sized" since it doesn't look like anyone over 5'10 will fit on it without looking like a circus bear on a bicycle. It's a small bodied Victory with Indian badges, and a radiator like every Japanese cruiser out there and suddenly everyone's all enamored?
In most of the V-Twin cruiser market, huge engine displacements generate incredibly low power and fair torque. My first bike was a Suzuki GS750 and it put out more HP than most large displacement cruisers today.
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I also applaud Polaris and Indian (I bought Polaris stock after riding the Chieftain in December). They are aiming at an important demographic with the $11K Scout - entry level and women.
But... this platform also has the potential for real performance. If Ducati can get 180 ponies out of a "small" V-twin, the Scout's 100 HP numbers can surely be improved. I can see this engine as the basis for a sport bike (well, sportier) and as an adventure bike - two substantial markets where H-D is without product.
But... this platform also has the potential for real performance. If Ducati can get 180 ponies out of a "small" V-twin, the Scout's 100 HP numbers can surely be improved. I can see this engine as the basis for a sport bike (well, sportier) and as an adventure bike - two substantial markets where H-D is without product.
Performance of the Scout engine may be above entry level, depending on one's experience.
On several occasions during the demo ride, I twisted the throttle to see what it had and for what it is, it moves well. Not that newbies would crank on it hard, but they won't outgrow the bike too fast.
From the talk at the demo, the engine has much more potential and applications, time will tell.
