I went with Harley because of their dealership selection is greater and I figured my chances of any issues would be fixed quicker and more efficiently. After dealing with warranty work they kept my bike basically all summer. I’ll be going with Indian after that
lol and how many you see on the road. How many women say they want to ride a cheesy little bike. Harley is number one for a reason. Enjoy your little sewing machine engine.
I've had my 2023 Indian scout rogue for a year and a half now and have 17,000 miles on it and each service I've gotten done and the side work like my performance air filter and performance exhaust my dealership has always been very sufficient easy to deal with and fast on getting whenever I needed done. I was going to get a street Bob 114 but I just couldn't get the scout out of my mind and I liked the way it rode better than the street Bob anyway. I'm very happy with my Indian.
Forward controls suck!! Mid controls might be uncomfortable for some people, but not most people. It's size, joint issues or a combination of both that make mid controls uncomfortable. Not to mention people like me who ride like they have the apocalypse chasing them don't want forward controls. You can ride a bike so much harder with mids.
All I know is I rode a number of Indian bikes at a demo day. Every one felt cheaper, had cheaper materials, felt slower even though the engines are supposedly larger, paint was poor quality, and they just weren’t appealing looking - cheap and plastic. However, the Nightster snd sportster s are totally worthless.
Nah, I had a Chief Dark Horse Bobber ,I had it for two years, and I couldn’t get used to it like I did with Harley. Before that, I had a fantastic HD Iron, and now I’m back to Harley. After 9 bikes and a motorcycle license for over 30 years, I must and can say that Harley is the top. Top in sensations, riding style, and material quality. I’ve returned to Harley and sold my Indian, I just received a 2024 Softail 114 Street Bob, and it’s the closest thing to the Iron I had (knowing that the M8 engines are not engines like the Dyna or the Sportster. The closest thing to be the Harley we are looking for. With this, I’m not saying Indian is a bad bike - good brakes, lots of technology (which fails quite a bit), and in some models, material quality as good as HD, though not in the case of the Scout, which looks like plastic chrome and feels like a toy bike. I’m saying that Indian doesn’t currently surpass Harley, at least not for an old-school rider who has owned 8 bikes and rides 365 days a year because he neither wants nor owns a car.
I really love the 101 but it is almost 20k out the door. I went with the hd nightster special because it already had all the tech I want and it's under 500 lbs as well as it fit me the best, being 5' 5". If I could redo it over, I would have just gotten the 101 with mid controls. The HD nightster special I got it for 10900, almost 12000 out the door. So I couldn't pass up the price, I feel it was the best buy and value for that price. I really want that 101 but every tells me it's too much for a newer rider. The scout bobber loaded with all the tech was over 17000 so the winner for me was the value of the HD
I think your forgetting the nightster was pretty much meant for customization and tuning it has much potential that people dont really realize some are catching on i would assume the bobber is maxed out on power and customizations
@@repeatinfinite_ maybe, I like the supper chief and am considering one, but to many times I go by big American air cool bikes sitting on the side of the road in slow traffic needing to cool down. If they Watercooled it would have walked out of the dealership with one 2 weeks ago. Thats my main issue with the US bikes, always 10 years or more behind the curve it feels.
I like the styling of the Sportster S because it’s so different from anything else…if I were to make a movie, the villain would ride one. That being said…it’s just not a practical bike for the kind of riding I do. The tailpipe placement, seat placement, and lack of space to install saddle bags or a passenger seat make it only good for shorter trips. The Scout has options that allow it to do long trips comfortably as well as do all of the fun types of riding the Sportster offers. I don’t think the Nightster is really comparable to the Scout series at all. It seems like it’s just there to offer a low price entry to Harley ownership and to not intimidate new riders that get scared by 1000cc and up.
Bought a Sporster S two weeks ago and am taking it cross country Sunday. The small gas tank doesn't bother me that much. I lime to stop every hour or so anyway. 🤷🏿♂️😃
If Harley brought back the evo and made a retro looking sportster that looked like it came out of the 1950’s with a bench seat and mid controls, it would take sales from both the scout and the nightster. At least for a couple of years
I have always loved the Sportsters. And sometimes I wander into the garage just to look at my Forty-Eight for 5 minutes. I agree 100% with your evaluation. How Harley Davidson decided that dropping the cruiser style from the Sportster range is a mystery to me. Yes the motor needed an upgrade but the Sportster Cruiser look should have been kept. The Indian Scouts look fantastic and ticks a great many of the old HD Sportster boxes. Love the 101. If it came with the fat front mag wheel like the Forty-Eight I would buy one tomorrow. The motorcyclists attracted to the new sportster are unlikely to be attracted to the larger HD bikes and probably not really HD devotees or long-term customers for HD.
IMO, both the new Sportster and the Scout suffer from the same flaw, their weenie exhaust not. There's on one way to get signature bit twin sound, 49 or less v-angle and the shared crank pin. What Indian should do is put the Thunderstroke engine in the Scout frame. Save the weenie engine for a true street tracker with 19" wheels front and back like the FTR750.
I agree with you. But, speaking from the perspective of a non Amercian rider, in the end HD is a motorcycle company that needs to innovate and make new bikes that flow with the taste of every rider around the world. The new models they put out are a big leap forward that no one expected, a leap in the right direction.
Your honesty about the topic was really refreshing. I actually think you said quite a few things that people haven't quite had the courage to say. sure, that's your opinion, but I think it will resonate well with a lot of people.
Both companies piss me off, excluding the low rider lines, you have to buy a bagger/touring model from Harley or Indian in order to get a 5 gallon (or bigger) tank. Why the $&$&&$ did this become a thing?? I am tired of paying $20k+ for a bike and the MoCos cheaping out.
The truth we need to know is can a person actually ride one of these without suffering? they do not look comfortable for long rides! I could make it a tank(3gal) on my 19 Fat Bob and needed a minute to stand/stretch. What's the real deal with these bikes?
@@JA-zh5xi Indian went out of business in 1953 when they depleted their stock to supply the war effort . HD was right behind them and would have folded also if AMF which manufactured bowling balls bought them out . Doesn't change the fact that Indian has always been the superior American motorcycle and are embarrassing HD in 2024 .
More hp more tq is a pretty bad argument. A more powerful engine doesn't mean much if its in an overweight package. The scout 101 outweighs the nightster by 70lbs. Thats a huge deal when it comes to performance bikes. Which the 101 is billed to be. The power to weight of the 101 vs a nightster is very close actually. And the nightster is much cheaper. Personally, i like the scouts but i think indian really dropped the ball with the 101. Too heavy for its supposed purpose IMO. I think the cheaper nightster would dunk all over that thing performance wise by any measure accept maybe straight ling acceleration...maybe.
Finally HD did something different, sorta. Looks more like a tinier V-Rod. Imagine if HD did make something like the Scout, the pushback would be immense. They can't evolve too fast because of the purists. The Street variants weren't too bad, just woefully underpowered. Um, correction, it wasn't a bad looking motorcycle shaped object. Execution was built to maximize profit, not just a price point. The cycling world hated them because they weren't HD enough.
Indian should bring back the Head Dress logo, otherwise, what’s the point of calling it an Indian ?! Head Dress reminds me of the Great Warrior’s the Indians were !!
Wanna bet because of social and political pressures from activists, much like the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins caving in and dropping their name and logos? To be frank, I am surprised Indian haven't dropped their brand name yet, but I do see it coming in these politically correct times we live in.
I'm already entered and I really hope I win. I got into a massive wreck about 30 years ago and I spent a couple of years healing from it. I rode once after that just to 'get back on the horse that threw me' and never since. Then after a confluence of events that really is a long story in itself, I got back on again and bought a bike in July. Only to discover that I had forgotten how much I had loved the freedom of riding, and racking up over a thousand mile in one of the rainiest season Alaska has seen in years. Lately I discovered your channel(s), and we have more in common than not. There is a gunwall behind me with some truly epic collectibles on it., and of course reborn love of riding. If I win or not, I do look forward now to each of your posts. Keep your powder dry and your two wheels down.
These motorcycles are way to heavy and bulky it doesn't look like any thought went into there design I don't understand why theses stone age designs are still popular
Bikes all get modded now to follow fords genius with the early mustang build a sound solid base vehicle and then let the customer option it up is awesome and so simple to do. Harley take note it's 2024
Of course harley sucks to you because ur PAID TO RIDE INDIANS NUTS! The companies BOTH make badass motorcycles ! Pick the one u like and lets ride! Neither one is greater than the other. Ride ur ride brothers and sisters!
I'm not a fan of forward controls. We are not all tall riders. Mid controls are within reach of average sized riders. What we found out here is opinions, everyone has them. It's why you test ride a motorcycle and a gun. What is good for you probably isn't for me.
Hey im looking for a chief or a softail, but im leaning towards the chief because it looks great and has better tech, but ive heard that the chrome peels and there's alot of quality issues with indian, is it true or was it something from the past? thank you
I own an HD, and have never owned an Indian. So take that for what it is worth, two weeks ago I stopped by the local Indian dealer to poke around. There was a used Chieftain there that I did notice had some chrome peeling off. The rest looked fine, but I did notice it on that one.
Go for the Softail. Screw all that high-tech ewe awe lookie at all the little lights crap. The Heritage is a great all-around bike. If you're a speed demon and like to race, get a crotch rocket.
Indians are very nice. They are just ahead of the japanese cruisers in quality and workmanship. But no where near Harley in these categories. Alot of cheal stuff on em
I went with Harley because of their dealership selection is greater and I figured my chances of any issues would be fixed quicker and more efficiently. After dealing with warranty work they kept my bike basically all summer. I’ll be going with Indian after that
My triumphs don't have issues. What do I need a bunch of dealerships for?
lol and how many you see on the road. How many women say they want to ride a cheesy little bike. Harley is number one for a reason. Enjoy your little sewing machine engine.
What warranty work did they have to do to keep your bike all summer??? Sounds fishy.
I've had my 2023 Indian scout rogue for a year and a half now and have 17,000 miles on it and each service I've gotten done and the side work like my performance air filter and performance exhaust my dealership has always been very sufficient easy to deal with and fast on getting whenever I needed done. I was going to get a street Bob 114 but I just couldn't get the scout out of my mind and I liked the way it rode better than the street Bob anyway. I'm very happy with my Indian.
IMO the Indian is a better
Looking machine.
Both indian and Harley need a beginner entry level bike. Something in the $5k-$8k range.
HD made one The Street Series" Didn't sell well, manufacturing moved to the country that wanted them
@@martincvitkovich724 nobody bought them because Harley half assed it and made a garbage motorcycle heavy and underpowered just like all Harleys
I’m stunned that Harley came out with that Nightster Just god-awful ugly on the left side. And the radiator looks like a bolt on afterthought.
That's the new Dyna if you think it looks ugly then modify it
@@Gwosts that’s no Dyna. Lipstick on a pig. It’s a bucket of halfassery.
@@Gwosts so spend $15,000 on a bike you think is ugly then drop several thousand dollars more to de-ugly it? Not a very sound financial decision.
Motorcycles aren't sound decisions@@williamtufts3600
@@Gwosts No, dude. The 2025 Sport Scout and 101 Scout are the new Dyna.
I traded my road glide for a scout and my obit regret is not doing it sooner.
Forward controls suck!! Mid controls might be uncomfortable for some people, but not most people. It's size, joint issues or a combination of both that make mid controls uncomfortable. Not to mention people like me who ride like they have the apocalypse chasing them don't want forward controls. You can ride a bike so much harder with mids.
Truth!! I think forward controls are retarded. Put some highway pegs on to stretch the legs out.
I'd take the Triumph Bobber over both of these bikes. Shoot, I'd probably choose a Yamaha Bolt over the Nightster.
The triumph bobber is a pretty fantastic bike.
All I know is I rode a number of Indian bikes at a demo day. Every one felt cheaper, had cheaper materials, felt slower even though the engines are supposedly larger, paint was poor quality, and they just weren’t appealing looking - cheap and plastic. However, the Nightster snd sportster s are totally worthless.
Nah, I had a Chief Dark Horse Bobber ,I had it for two years, and I couldn’t get used to it like I did with Harley. Before that, I had a fantastic HD Iron, and now I’m back to Harley. After 9 bikes and a motorcycle license for over 30 years, I must and can say that Harley is the top. Top in sensations, riding style, and material quality. I’ve returned to Harley and sold my Indian, I just received a 2024 Softail 114 Street Bob, and it’s the closest thing to the Iron I had (knowing that the M8 engines are not engines like the Dyna or the Sportster. The closest thing to be the Harley we are looking for.
With this, I’m not saying Indian is a bad bike - good brakes, lots of technology (which fails quite a bit), and in some models, material quality as good as HD, though not in the case of the Scout, which looks like plastic chrome and feels like a toy bike.
I’m saying that Indian doesn’t currently surpass Harley, at least not for an old-school rider who has owned 8 bikes and rides 365 days a year because he neither wants nor owns a car.
I really love the 101 but it is almost 20k out the door. I went with the hd nightster special because it already had all the tech I want and it's under 500 lbs as well as it fit me the best, being 5' 5". If I could redo it over, I would have just gotten the 101 with mid controls. The HD nightster special I got it for 10900, almost 12000 out the door. So I couldn't pass up the price, I feel it was the best buy and value for that price. I really want that 101 but every tells me it's too much for a newer rider. The scout bobber loaded with all the tech was over 17000 so the winner for me was the value of the HD
I think your forgetting the nightster was pretty much meant for customization and tuning it has much potential that people dont really realize some are catching on i would assume the bobber is maxed out on power and customizations
I was really interested in the supper scout, the tiny gas tank killed it for me.
same, but you can always go for the chief which is a big bigger and the scout has a bigger tank than the 48 at least lol
@@repeatinfinite_ maybe, I like the supper chief and am considering one, but to many times I go by big American air cool bikes sitting on the side of the road in slow traffic needing to cool down. If they Watercooled it would have walked out of the dealership with one 2 weeks ago. Thats my main issue with the US bikes, always 10 years or more behind the curve it feels.
I like the styling of the Sportster S because it’s so different from anything else…if I were to make a movie, the villain would ride one. That being said…it’s just not a practical bike for the kind of riding I do. The tailpipe placement, seat placement, and lack of space to install saddle bags or a passenger seat make it only good for shorter trips. The Scout has options that allow it to do long trips comfortably as well as do all of the fun types of riding the Sportster offers.
I don’t think the Nightster is really comparable to the Scout series at all. It seems like it’s just there to offer a low price entry to Harley ownership and to not intimidate new riders that get scared by 1000cc and up.
Bought a Sporster S two weeks ago and am taking it cross country Sunday. The small gas tank doesn't bother me that much. I lime to stop every hour or so anyway. 🤷🏿♂️😃
@@cbsepts Awesome!
The EVO Sportster motor did not need any 'upgrade" why mess with perfection?
If Harley brought back the evo and made a retro looking sportster that looked like it came out of the 1950’s with a bench seat and mid controls, it would take sales from both the scout and the nightster. At least for a couple of years
Probably take a few sales from Triumph also.
Can we for once speak about the left sides? What is wrong with Nightster looked at from the left side? This alone breaks it for me.
I have always loved the Sportsters. And sometimes I wander into the garage just to look at my Forty-Eight for 5 minutes.
I agree 100% with your evaluation. How Harley Davidson decided that dropping the cruiser style from the Sportster range is a mystery to me.
Yes the motor needed an upgrade but the Sportster Cruiser look should have been kept.
The Indian Scouts look fantastic and ticks a great many of the old HD Sportster boxes.
Love the 101. If it came with the fat front mag wheel like the Forty-Eight I would buy one tomorrow.
The motorcyclists attracted to the new sportster are unlikely to be attracted to the larger HD bikes and probably not really HD devotees or long-term customers for HD.
Indian is by far the better looking motorcycle IMO.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON has only been doing this for 120 years.
They probably should appoint you as CEO 😂
I got the Sportster S, Indian ain't cruising nothing over here 😊
IMO, both the new Sportster and the Scout suffer from the same flaw, their weenie exhaust not. There's on one way to get signature bit twin sound, 49 or less v-angle and the shared crank pin. What Indian should do is put the Thunderstroke engine in the Scout frame. Save the weenie engine for a true street tracker with 19" wheels front and back like the FTR750.
I agree with you. But, speaking from the perspective of a non Amercian rider, in the end HD is a motorcycle company that needs to innovate and make new bikes that flow with the taste of every rider around the world. The new models they put out are a big leap forward that no one expected, a leap in the right direction.
Bobber👍
Your honesty about the topic was really refreshing. I actually think you said quite a few things that people haven't quite had the courage to say. sure, that's your opinion, but I think it will resonate well with a lot of people.
Thanks man
Both companies piss me off, excluding the low rider lines, you have to buy a bagger/touring model from Harley or Indian in order to get a 5 gallon (or bigger) tank.
Why the $&$&&$ did this become a thing??
I am tired of paying $20k+ for a bike and the MoCos cheaping out.
The truth we need to know is can a person actually ride one of these without suffering? they do not look comfortable for long rides!
I could make it a tank(3gal) on my 19 Fat Bob and needed a minute to stand/stretch. What's the real deal with these bikes?
There are bikes you don't need to stretch after? My Buick is comfy AF, but I need to stretch frequently after sitting still
Indian has always been the superior American motorcycle 🇺🇸 . 1901
And that’s why it went out of business in the 40’s. The bikes today are just Polaris cheap plastic bikes.
@@JA-zh5xi Indian went out of business in 1953 when they depleted their stock to supply the war effort . HD was right behind them and would have folded also if AMF which manufactured bowling balls bought them out . Doesn't change the fact that Indian has always been the superior American motorcycle and are embarrassing HD in 2024 .
I totally 💯 agree, and I own three Harley’s !
More hp more tq is a pretty bad argument. A more powerful engine doesn't mean much if its in an overweight package. The scout 101 outweighs the nightster by 70lbs. Thats a huge deal when it comes to performance bikes. Which the 101 is billed to be. The power to weight of the 101 vs a nightster is very close actually. And the nightster is much cheaper. Personally, i like the scouts but i think indian really dropped the ball with the 101. Too heavy for its supposed purpose IMO. I think the cheaper nightster would dunk all over that thing performance wise by any measure accept maybe straight ling acceleration...maybe.
You just needed risers or mini apes to be more comfortable on the Sportster S could be as cheap as $50
You need to compare the stock 883 and will see they didn't go that far off
Finally HD did something different, sorta. Looks more like a tinier V-Rod. Imagine if HD did make something like the Scout, the pushback would be immense. They can't evolve too fast because of the purists. The Street variants weren't too bad, just woefully underpowered. Um, correction, it wasn't a bad looking motorcycle shaped object. Execution was built to maximize profit, not just a price point. The cycling world hated them because they weren't HD enough.
Indian should bring back the Head Dress logo, otherwise, what’s the point of calling it an Indian ?!
Head Dress reminds me of the Great Warrior’s the Indians were !!
Wanna bet because of social and political pressures from activists, much like the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins caving in and dropping their name and logos? To be frank, I am surprised Indian haven't dropped their brand name yet, but I do see it coming in these politically correct times we live in.
@@RoadKing-ky2bs politically corrupt , not correct
The headdress logo is still active .
@@Notimetoplaywu from what I understand, Indian stopped putting the head dress logo on the bikes.
@@bigjoe805 Headdress logo is on the tank of the 2025 101 .
I'm already entered and I really hope I win. I got into a massive wreck about 30 years ago and I spent a couple of years healing from it. I rode once after that just to 'get back on the horse that threw me' and never since. Then after a confluence of events that really is a long story in itself, I got back on again and bought a bike in July. Only to discover that I had forgotten how much I had loved the freedom of riding, and racking up over a thousand mile in one of the rainiest season Alaska has seen in years. Lately I discovered your channel(s), and we have more in common than not. There is a gunwall behind me with some truly epic collectibles on it., and of course reborn love of riding.
If I win or not, I do look forward now to each of your posts. Keep your powder dry and your two wheels down.
Thanks brother. and Good Luck!
Oh hell they been telling hd to bring back the FXR . Indian did with the super chief and scout. 😂
Indian or Harley need a Grom counterpart.
These motorcycles are way to heavy and bulky it doesn't look like any thought went into there design I don't understand why theses stone age designs are still popular
The chunky exhaust they put on the new scouts kills the aesthetics for me. Loved my 2020 Scout Bobber. The new Harley sportsters are all around ugly
Bikes all get modded now to follow fords genius with the early mustang build a sound solid base vehicle and then let the customer option it up is awesome and so simple to do. Harley take note it's 2024
Indians are built in India. My iron 883 was built in Pennsylvania. End of discussion.
Someone is lying to you .
Indian motorcycle engines are made in Osceola, Wisconsin, the motorcycle assembly plant is in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
@@arthurw2729 🍻
Half of Harley not made in the USA that's for damn sure
Of course harley sucks to you because ur PAID TO RIDE INDIANS NUTS! The companies BOTH make badass motorcycles ! Pick the one u like and lets ride! Neither one is greater than the other. Ride ur ride brothers and sisters!
I am looking for a intro bike from Indian or Harley for little knock around and to teach my grandchildren
I'm not a fan of forward controls. We are not all tall riders. Mid controls are within reach of average sized riders.
What we found out here is opinions, everyone has them. It's why you test ride a motorcycle and a gun. What is good for you probably isn't for me.
Hey im looking for a chief or a softail, but im leaning towards the chief because it looks great and has better tech, but ive heard that the chrome peels and there's alot of quality issues with indian, is it true or was it something from the past? thank you
I have two Indians, a Scout and a Springfield. Super reliable. Fit and finish is epic. No regrets
@@jboy000 I also have two Indians myself and have no regrets!
I own an HD, and have never owned an Indian. So take that for what it is worth, two weeks ago I stopped by the local Indian dealer to poke around. There was a used Chieftain there that I did notice had some chrome peeling off. The rest looked fine, but I did notice it on that one.
Go for the Softail. Screw all that high-tech ewe awe lookie at all the little lights crap. The Heritage is a great all-around bike. If you're a speed demon and like to race, get a crotch rocket.
Indian totally ripped off the Nightster with the new scout.
Good thing Harley and Indian are owned by the same Shareholders.
🤔
Indians are very nice. They are just ahead of the japanese cruisers in quality and workmanship. But no where near Harley in these categories. Alot of cheal stuff on em
They both look crap
How much you get paid by polaris?
Exactly! He just did an Indian commercial ! 😂
Good evening from Indiana.
Angelina Alley
my 883 has forward controls. My leg geometry is exactly like my Road King
It’s all your opinion
Nah. These are some facts
Your riding a 24 roadglide. Why don't you trade your bike in for an Indian. Your a Harley Davidson roadglide poser.
He loves that road glide! Indian must've sent him a nice check