My Love and Hate of American Engineering.

[Glassunion]

I love riding motorcycles regardless of all the bullshit that goes along with it...
1. Bees - Catching a bee in your shirt at 60 mph will instantly double your vocabulary.
2. Meteorology - I've never been so in tune to the weather. I own a suit that would probably be suitable for a spacewalk.
3. Potholes - The tread on my bike tires is worn in so deep and unique that I think my bike could automatically drive itself home.
4. Etiquette - I greet any two-wheeled vehicle with a wave. I don't care if you're on a sport, dual sport, street, or even peddling, I'm going to give you a wave. Because chances are your going to be killed by a Prius who is too busy texting how they are saving the environment than rather pay attention to the fact that they are going to kill someone.
5. Hygiene - If you've ever sneezed inside of a full face, bandana, face wrap - you know what I'm talking about.

I own an American motorcycle. Harley to be specific. A 2013 Harley to be even more specific. I hate the engine (even after doing a stage 2 on it). I have test ridden 3 major models of Harley - Sportster, Dyna and Soft Tail. I have also ridden Indian, and Victory as well. These engines were not bad, but we (American Engineers) can do much better. The 110" Harley, 1800 Indian, or 106" Victory have a decent amount of power. But we take a look at BMW, Honda, Yamaha, KTM, Ducati, etc... They can squeeze so much hp and torque out of such a tiny engine. You have a sub 800cc engine squeezing out almost 100hp, and what you end up with is a bike that can hit 60mph in under 4.5 seconds and still get almost 70mpg. No American motorcycle can even come near that. My old '74 BMW toaster performed better than the American engines of today.

I guess that my issue arises from coming off of non-American motorcycles. They were smooth in the power, just itching to unleash an obscene amount of power while delivering exceptional amounts of miles per gallon.

Until now...

In this upcoming year, someone came up with a V-Twin engine that may actually compete with offshore bikes. She is sexy, she is fast, she is efficient...

100hp, in a tiny 1130cc V-twin... I hope folks a Victory and Harley are taking notes.

[edgineered]

1. Maybe the only market for this bike

would come from those wanting a Sportster.

[Glassunion]

2. We shall see...

That engine can put out 135% more hp than the standard 103" Harley engine they put on any standard bike (dyna / soft tail). If you are looking at the sportster 883, you have an increase of 196% in hp, or the 1200 you would have an increase of 148%.

This, is the American engine I have always wanted.

[edgineered]

3. Lets look at it for what it is first.

Someone who wants a crotch rocket buys one. Same goes for all other kinds of bikes. There's a reason all the different companies keep making and selling a particular line of bike- for someone, that's the perfect bike. I'm saying the same thing here. I can see how it appeals to someone who would be looking for a Sportser, but not a Hyabusa.

It's about 80 cubic inches, and that's plenty of power for it. (There are some powerful twins smaller than that, but they're the metric bikes). The biggest reason I said the Sportser market though is because of the size, the second reason is because all the metric bikes in a similar class come with more to them, like at least a pad and pegs for a passenger.

[Glassunion]

5. I hear you on that 100%

I totally get that someone is not going to trade away their sport bike for on of these. It's a different market completely.

I do however feel that it will not simply be the "Sportster" crowd. I personally feel it will appeal to some of the Dyna and Victory cruiser crowds as well. As far as size goes, it fits in between the Sportster and Dyna.

On my ride this weekend, we were talking to some folks, and quite a few mentioned the bike. Some were interested as a replacement and two of the folks talked about making an addition to their garage.

Personally I could see me trading up to this as my daily commuter.

[edgineered]

6. If Harley hadn't wasted their time

messing with the Buells and instead did something to the Sporty, something like this, then they wouldn't have had to worry about this Indian.

Not talking bad here, but the lack of passenger pegs might be something worth asking about. The reason I say this is because from what the picture shows has me wondering where they could be mounted?

The swing arm pivots right there where the bend is on the upper pipe, and that is already holding the bracket that goes back for the mufflers to bolt into.

The lower rear motor mount is below the lower pipe, just ahead of where the pivot is.

In either of these two places the size, shape and strength of the bracket gets tricky.

So Glassunion, glad you're happy about the bike, and I don't mean to take anything away from you. If its the right one that's a great end to the end of the story. Let me know how it goes.

[Glassunion]

7. From their website it would appear that the peg gets mounted to the frame

right at the bend behind the upper pipe.

[edgineered]

8. Riding season must be at its best in the northeast now

Then you'll have all winter to think about getting the Indian. In the mean time keep a good eye out for wet leaves, slippery patches, and all the other dangers that come with fall riding.

Let me know if you're ever coming down this way - you're welcome to stop by the shop. We know lots of bikers who would be happy to have you on a ride.

ed

[Glassunion]

9. My FIL lives up in Fort Myers

If we consider Renting a bike while down there I'll drop you a PM.

[edgineered]

10. Nice,

on I-75 the Ft Myers exits go from mile 141 to 131. We are about 10 miles from the Immokolee Road exit 111, going toward Immokolee. There is a group of guys with cruisers from Immokolee that I wouldn't mind riding with when you get down here. They know all the good roads. See you soon.

[flamin lib]

4. I might have just found my next bike.

Horse power is all about heat. Air cooled engines just can't dissipate enough of it.

I've never cared for HD, shakey, noisy and relatively high maintenance. Just about everything that isn't a HD looks like one. Can't anyone build a cruiser with style?

If I can afford it, this just might be the one . . .

[Glassunion]

14. Indians have been notoriously expensive.

Roadmaster - $27,000
Chieftain - $23,000
Chief Vintage - $21,000
Chief Classic - $19,000

But the scout is coming in at $11,000. Not too shabby considering the competition.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. It's actually kind of sad.

The motorcycle business is a parable about american engineering in microcosm. All marketing and legal - no engineering. Why design something better when you can simply imagine new ways to leverage "tradition"?

I wish that I could own an american made bike. My son bought a new Dyna a couple of years ago. He loves it, but I have to wonder how anyone can rationalize paying $17,000 for a bike (plus the obligatory costume) that is in no way superior to my 1982 GS 750. It's not as fast, not as comfortable, doesn't handle as well and won't go as far on a tank of gas.

Even the British can make a bike engine with 2hp per liter.

What I wish is that an american company would abandon the goddamn fixation with v twin motors, or at least do it right (see Ducati).

What I want is a BMW R1200 made in america. 1 hp per liter in a boxer configuration and solidly reliable.

[flamin lib]

12. Went to the local roll out to see the bike up close and personal.

Indian is trucking two pre production bikes from dealer to dealer for a one day 4 hour debut. Looks better in person than on the website. Threw a leg over the saddle and it feels lighter than my Hyosung GV650 which is 50 lbs lighter. If the CG were any lower it wouldn't need a kickstand! Seat is incredibly close to the ground and my 5'8" body settled in like it were made for me. I'm told it is engineered for 5'10" so two inches either way should be a good fit w/o the optional peg placement.

Could have put a deposit down, but not gonna spend money on a bike I can't test ride. Come January I'll make a decision to either upgrade to a new bike or not.

[IDemo]

13. Just to clarify

The folks at Victory and Indian are both Polaris employees, so I'm sure at least some of the engineering efforts are shared across brands.

I had myself convinced that a sport tourer was the next bike for me and test rode BMW 1200RT's and a Yamaha FJR 1300. They both felt distinctly uncomfortable and I couldn't wait to get off. So I guess the cruiser or standard platform is it for me.

[TxVietVet]

15. I lived and worked in Milwaukee for 20+ years.

Motorcycle producers have a market that they cater to and try to attract new riders.
I've ridden a couple of Harleys. I didn't like the vibration, the heat and the noise.
Currently, I ride a 2013 Honda Goldwing F6B. Comfortable. Dependable. No shaking. No noise. I can listen to the radio at high speed.

If I had the money, I'd probably have one of several brands of bikes. Including a Harley. It's a matter of taste.
To me, the Hyabusa was the fastest bike out of a box. Hands down.
These days, Eric Buell is back to running a racing bike production company. Harley has a hand in it. The bikes Buell will be developing will probably be American made crotch rockets.

I like the styling of the Indian Scout. The 1300 is adequate enough to travel the country around on. What I like about the Victory and the Indian is that they are owned by Polaris. I believe they make them in Storm Lake, Ia.

Seems to me that HD has a demographic that they cater to. I'm not in their demographic.

Want a Harley? New riders buy Sporter 883s and can't wait to get rid of them for some reason. Work the price down and get it.

[Ramses]

16. very nice looking bike

.