They are great bikes. I was set on a Super Chief Limited as the 116 was a must. My dealer let me have a Springfield for a weekend, but honestly, when you put the 116 on the Chief, then there's nothing like it. Back to back driving, I do think the Springfield loses some emotion over the Chief. They are both big and heavy bikes, but the Chief is a bit more nimble. Not following you on the sound. Rules and regulations have choked them down so much it's laughable. Got switchable exhaust installed by the dealer before even picking it up. Apes are such a marmite thing. I love them for the looks. and I think sitting in the wind is part of the fun. All that stuff with fairings, low risers etc. is just a totally different ballgame. If ultimate comfort is your game, forget the Indian and just get a Honda Goldwing. I want to feel like a biker when I ride, not a motorcyclist.
I don’t think I’ll be ready for a goldwing until I’m in my 70s. By then, goldwings will be self-driving and have a roof. 🤣🤣🤣 As for the Indians - it’s that Thunderstroke that’s the prize. Different platforms can create different experiences, but that engine is just outstanding in all of them!
@@DMVSoloRider Totally agree. I'm in my early 40's and the whole Goldwing thing just does not really get me going. That said, my ex father-in-law had a '74 Goldwing which was a bit of an odd blend. Looked good, sounded okay and was fun. Beautiful bike. The 116 is what makes the bikes as is now. They get more modern, and like with sportscars, they kind of lose a bit of connection. The larger and more powerful engine makes up for a lot of that. If you haven't yet, try the Super Chief with the 116 give it a go, it's a cool freedom machine. The only gripe I had was getting the stage 2 to run, but after a buddy finally got it on the dyno for a proper dial in, super smooth and zero pings. I live in Europe and we have good fuel, but I do find that even without any stage 1 or 2 options, these motors are a bit fuel sensitive under load. Did you notice any of that during your tests?
@@AB-80X I haven’t noticed anything like that, but when I rode all versions of the new Chief that were pretty short test rides. 🤷♂️ I did ride the Super Chief - oddly, as a shorter guy - my main takeaway was the floor boards made the bike feel a little cramped!
Not sure what you mean by a metal surround. On the Springfield and Vintage, that big headlight cowl is basically plastic and kinda icky. The two silvers screws on top only add to my confusion about how Indian could be content with that. lol The Springfied/Vintage classics are all chrome, and they look much better...if you like an old school chromed out bike.
Thank you for sharing. The bike you rode had a 16 in ape Hanger Handlebar Kit, standard is 12 in - Love these handlebars. "At 5'6" with arms to match" - The 16 in will be an advantage, as these come closer to you. and are definitely more comfortable - if you adjust them. that is. They come closer than the 12 in, and then you will not get tired or anything. And while I remember - the headlight cowling is not really plastic if that was what you meant (it is metal ) - Anyway! Great review!
Thanks, much appreciated! I honestly didn’t realize that the headlight cover was metal - didn’t really inspect it closely! As for the Apes - how far back can you really rotate them? I thought you could only bring them back so much in order to keep the controls upright. Might have to give some thought to Apes on my Challenger if I can get more pullback! I really liked the Springfield - had I not had the chance to get the Chieftain at a huge discount, I probably would have bought a Springfield a year ago!
@@DMVSoloRider Thanks for the reply! and the comment. I Have not tested how far I can rotate the Apes - I have pulled mine about 4 inches closer to me. The controls are perfect, but I have seen a video where someone rides a Springfield Dark Horse with 16 in even more pulled back. You can counter rotate the controls somewhat I would think. (used to do that all the time on the Harley) - When it comes to Challenger, and the fairing bikes. I don´t know. Adjusting the handlebars is a little more complicated on those bikes. Maybe avoiding getting too close to the fuel tank /air filter box will be a factor. The Challenger is a cool bike I have not ridden yet, - but It may very well be my next bike in a couple of years. Alright! - have a great day!
@@mosgor Thanks for subscribing, and for the info! I need a couple more inches of pullback on my bars, and it’s about time to get serious in addressing it! Rotated Apes. Custom bars. Whatever it takes! 👍
@@SHHHMotoTravels You'd be surprised. I have the 16" apes on my Chief, and I think they work better than the little 8" and 10" bars. Obviously they are not the same as a low riser behind a fairing, but for me with my build, somehow I get to an angle where air is less of an issue than with the mid risers.
It wasn’t much of a “city.” Lol But as you can see from my channel, I’m all about cruiser/touring bikes, so sure - gotta be able to ride them in town too! 😉 Isn’t that what “sport mode” is for? 😜
Cette moto ne me motive pas plus que ça... Et ce guidon en hauteur n'est pas des plus pratiques, ni le cadran sur le réservoir. Pas vraiment une réussite je trouve !
Bonjour, mon ami! Comment va la France cet été ?! Je comprends d'où vous venez. Je n'aime pas non plus le tiret sur le réservoir comme ça - c'est trop distrayant. Et les singes - non merci ! Cela dit, si vous supposez dès le départ que Ride Command est une poubelle absolue, alors pourquoi ne pas simplement opter pour un Springfield ou un Vintage ? Vous pouvez activer/désactiver un pare-brise à dégagement rapide au besoin, sans vous soucier de toute la technologie qui ne fonctionne pas bien au départ ! MDR Je dois poster encore une autre mise à jour sur la chaîne. Je pensais que la dernière mise à jour logicielle avait résolu mes problèmes de Ride Command. Mais j'ai fait un long trajet le week-end dernier et je n'ai eu que des problèmes. Retour à crier à Indian pour réparer leurs ordures. Aussi... dans quelques semaines, je publierai mon tour sur un Vintage Dark Horse. Je suis choqué de taper ceci... c'est peut-être la meilleure et la plus douce balade indienne que j'aie jamais vue. Juste une démo, mais j'ai été sérieusement impressionné ! Je me voyais en train de lancer la commande Ride et d'être vraiment heureux sur un Vintage !!
Google Translation for English speakers: This bike does not motivate me more than that ... And this high handlebar is not the most practical, nor the dial on the tank. Not really a success I find! ----- Hello my friend! How's France this summer?! I understand where you're coming from. I don't like the dash on the tank like that either - it's too distracting. And the Apes - no thank you! Having said that, if you assume from the start that Ride Command is absolute trash, then why not just go with a Springfield or Vintage? You can pop a quick release windshield on/off as needed, and just not be bothered with all the technology that doesn't work well to begin with! lol I need to post yet another update to the channel. I thought the latest software update fixed my Ride Command problems. But I took a long ride last weekend, and had nothing but trouble. Back to yelling at Indian to fix their trash. Also...in a couple weeks I will post my ride on a Vintage Dark Horse. I'm shocked to type this...it just might be the best, smoothest Indian ride I've experienced. Just a demo, but I was seriously impressed! I could see myself chucking Ride command and being really happy on a Vintage!!
They are great bikes. I was set on a Super Chief Limited as the 116 was a must. My dealer let me have a Springfield for a weekend, but honestly, when you put the 116 on the Chief, then there's nothing like it. Back to back driving, I do think the Springfield loses some emotion over the Chief. They are both big and heavy bikes, but the Chief is a bit more nimble.
Not following you on the sound. Rules and regulations have choked them down so much it's laughable. Got switchable exhaust installed by the dealer before even picking it up.
Apes are such a marmite thing. I love them for the looks. and I think sitting in the wind is part of the fun.
All that stuff with fairings, low risers etc. is just a totally different ballgame. If ultimate comfort is your game, forget the Indian and just get a Honda Goldwing. I want to feel like a biker when I ride, not a motorcyclist.
I don’t think I’ll be ready for a goldwing until I’m in my 70s. By then, goldwings will be self-driving and have a roof. 🤣🤣🤣 As for the Indians - it’s that Thunderstroke that’s the prize. Different platforms can create different experiences, but that engine is just outstanding in all of them!
@@DMVSoloRider Totally agree. I'm in my early 40's and the whole Goldwing thing just does not really get me going. That said, my ex father-in-law had a '74 Goldwing which was a bit of an odd blend. Looked good, sounded okay and was fun. Beautiful bike.
The 116 is what makes the bikes as is now. They get more modern, and like with sportscars, they kind of lose a bit of connection. The larger and more powerful engine makes up for a lot of that. If you haven't yet, try the Super Chief with the 116 give it a go, it's a cool freedom machine. The only gripe I had was getting the stage 2 to run, but after a buddy finally got it on the dyno for a proper dial in, super smooth and zero pings. I live in Europe and we have good fuel, but I do find that even without any stage 1 or 2 options, these motors are a bit fuel sensitive under load. Did you notice any of that during your tests?
@@AB-80X I haven’t noticed anything like that, but when I rode all versions of the new Chief that were pretty short test rides. 🤷♂️ I did ride the Super Chief - oddly, as a shorter guy - my main takeaway was the floor boards made the bike feel a little cramped!
👍👍
👍🤣
The Springfield has a metal headlight surround,. In both chrome and matte finish. The plastic hand controls I’ve never liked. Harley got that right.
Not sure what you mean by a metal surround. On the Springfield and Vintage, that big headlight cowl is basically plastic and kinda icky. The two silvers screws on top only add to my confusion about how Indian could be content with that. lol The Springfied/Vintage classics are all chrome, and they look much better...if you like an old school chromed out bike.
My 2015 Chief Vintage as metal switch gear, think they changed to plastic in 2018.
You have the classic or dark horse? Do you love it? I was very impressed with it when I took it for a spin at demo day!
The headlight surround is metal on my CV. @@DMVSoloRider
Nice. I bet that looks fantastic!
Thank you for sharing. The bike you rode had a 16 in ape Hanger Handlebar Kit, standard is 12 in - Love these handlebars. "At 5'6" with arms to match" - The 16 in will be an advantage, as these come closer to you. and are definitely more comfortable - if you adjust them. that is. They come closer than the 12 in, and then you will not get tired or anything. And while I remember - the headlight cowling is not really plastic if that was what you meant (it is metal ) - Anyway! Great review!
Thanks, much appreciated! I honestly didn’t realize that the headlight cover was metal - didn’t really inspect it closely! As for the Apes - how far back can you really rotate them? I thought you could only bring them back so much in order to keep the controls upright. Might have to give some thought to Apes on my Challenger if I can get more pullback! I really liked the Springfield - had I not had the chance to get the Chieftain at a huge discount, I probably would have bought a Springfield a year ago!
@@DMVSoloRider Thanks for the reply! and the comment. I Have not tested how far I can rotate the Apes - I have pulled mine about 4 inches closer to me. The controls are perfect, but I have seen a video where someone rides a Springfield Dark Horse with 16 in even more pulled back. You can counter rotate the controls somewhat I would think. (used to do that all the time on the Harley) - When it comes to Challenger, and the fairing bikes. I don´t know. Adjusting the handlebars is a little more complicated on those bikes. Maybe avoiding getting too close to the fuel tank /air filter box will be a factor. The Challenger is a cool bike I have not ridden yet, - but It may very well be my next bike in a couple of years. Alright! - have a great day!
@@mosgor Thanks for subscribing, and for the info! I need a couple more inches of pullback on my bars, and it’s about time to get serious in addressing it! Rotated Apes. Custom bars. Whatever it takes! 👍
WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE! I BELIEVE THAT I WILL LIKE THOSE BARS
But I didn’t like them. lol 🤷♂️ Not a fan of Apes!
@@DMVSoloRider 🤔🤷♂️👍
Well done. I’m not sure if I would get tired of those bars right away. Might be a novelty but a pain at the same time ?!? Haha. Cheers
Thanks, and a total pain in the ass! 😂 The crazy part is those are just the “mid-rise” apes! 🤦♂️
@@DMVSoloRider Wow I dont think I would be good with the tall ones.
@@SHHHMotoTravels You'd be surprised. I have the 16" apes on my Chief, and I think they work better than the little 8" and 10" bars. Obviously they are not the same as a low riser behind a fairing, but for me with my build, somehow I get to an angle where air is less of an issue than with the mid risers.
Beautiful motorcycle
Yeah, I’m a fan. I’d replace the silver screws on top of the headlight cowl with black ones, but aside from that, I’d be content riding a Springfield!
Does this bike have a USB port up front?
You know, I’m not sure. I just looked it up, and it seems like it might not have one, which is odd since the Scout and Chief have one. 🤷♂️
Ooohhhh First gear in Standard is a crying shame
It’s all relative 😂
@@DMVSoloRider I know I was a year late but man that Just Tickled me the way you said it .
I’m close to pulling the trigger on one
@@edwardmorgan3851 Hey, better late than never! It’s a great motorcycle, and you’ll be really happy with it! But skip the huge Apes! 😂
@@DMVSoloRider agree
If you haven't yet, also give the Super Chief Limited a try. You get the 116 on the Chief frame. Was the best of both worlds for me.
Good review, not a fan of ape hangers myself.
Thanks! I just don't get them. lol So popular, and to me, so completely impractical! 🤷♂️
Testing touring model in city riding.....smh.
It wasn’t much of a “city.” Lol But as you can see from my channel, I’m all about cruiser/touring bikes, so sure - gotta be able to ride them in town too! 😉 Isn’t that what “sport mode” is for? 😜
Cette moto ne me motive pas plus que ça... Et ce guidon en hauteur n'est pas des plus pratiques, ni le cadran sur le réservoir. Pas vraiment une réussite je trouve !
Bonjour, mon ami! Comment va la France cet été ?!
Je comprends d'où vous venez. Je n'aime pas non plus le tiret sur le réservoir comme ça - c'est trop distrayant. Et les singes - non merci ! Cela dit, si vous supposez dès le départ que Ride Command est une poubelle absolue, alors pourquoi ne pas simplement opter pour un Springfield ou un Vintage ? Vous pouvez activer/désactiver un pare-brise à dégagement rapide au besoin, sans vous soucier de toute la technologie qui ne fonctionne pas bien au départ ! MDR
Je dois poster encore une autre mise à jour sur la chaîne. Je pensais que la dernière mise à jour logicielle avait résolu mes problèmes de Ride Command. Mais j'ai fait un long trajet le week-end dernier et je n'ai eu que des problèmes. Retour à crier à Indian pour réparer leurs ordures.
Aussi... dans quelques semaines, je publierai mon tour sur un Vintage Dark Horse. Je suis choqué de taper ceci... c'est peut-être la meilleure et la plus douce balade indienne que j'aie jamais vue. Juste une démo, mais j'ai été sérieusement impressionné ! Je me voyais en train de lancer la commande Ride et d'être vraiment heureux sur un Vintage !!
Google Translation for English speakers:
This bike does not motivate me more than that ... And this high handlebar is not the most practical, nor the dial on the tank. Not really a success I find!
-----
Hello my friend! How's France this summer?!
I understand where you're coming from. I don't like the dash on the tank like that either - it's too distracting. And the Apes - no thank you! Having said that, if you assume from the start that Ride Command is absolute trash, then why not just go with a Springfield or Vintage? You can pop a quick release windshield on/off as needed, and just not be bothered with all the technology that doesn't work well to begin with! lol
I need to post yet another update to the channel. I thought the latest software update fixed my Ride Command problems. But I took a long ride last weekend, and had nothing but trouble. Back to yelling at Indian to fix their trash.
Also...in a couple weeks I will post my ride on a Vintage Dark Horse. I'm shocked to type this...it just might be the best, smoothest Indian ride I've experienced. Just a demo, but I was seriously impressed! I could see myself chucking Ride command and being really happy on a Vintage!!