Marty, thank you so much for your review. Based on this video and having owned dozens of Harleys over the years, I bought a 2017 Thunder black Roadmaster and love it. It is hard to articulate how smooth this bike is. It isn't characterless as it has plenty of that, but smooth and powerful without being obnoxious and the suspension is an absolute delight. Combined with a low seat height, fantastic infotainment system, great handling, stock LED lighting all around, and retro styling - I just couldn't pass it up and the bike just seems to want to be ridden for miles.
I may have failed to mention how great the suspension is. There is no comparison between the rear shock on my Indian and the suspension on the Harley Street glide I owned. I despised the Harley suspension.
You have had the same issues as my '17 RM.... Called FUN!!! Just a new battery and starter for me when we rode to Sturgis. #4 on stereo is loud!! True Freedom duals w/ V&H turndowns and a K&N filter on stock air box. Great bike!! Tis for your review!!!
I am 72, I have slow down, and I have changed from sport, touring and sport bikes to touring bikes. I’ve had three Yamaha ventures, a Goldwing, a BMW, K 1200 LT. 109th motorcycle right now I am on, counting all my dirt, bikes, trails, bikes, quads, road, racing machines, sport, bikes, commuters, dual sports… One thing I won’t put up with his heat from an engine. It kept me from buying it FJR, The Honda, ST 1300, that was an oven, it kept me from buying the Kawasaki concourse. I don’t understand why designers can’t deal with the heat. The way Honda did on my GL 1800 Goldwing six-cylinder, I felt no heat, I also felt no heat on my two different Honda pacific coast motorcycles I commuted on for decades, no heat. I didn’t feel any heat on my BMW K 1200 LT. I’m currently riding my third Venture, they are warm, but the exhaust pipe is not right next to my legs. If the temperature goes above 85°, I’ll just ride one of my other machines that day… That also kept me from checking out the newer Yamaha, Venture, V twin. I read a review from a guy that ended up in the hospital emergency room because he has second-degree burns inside his leg, which was near the exhaust pipe. He didn’t touch the pipe, it was just radiating heat. So I ruled that machine out. and Indian roadmaster came up for sale locally here where I live. And I started checking out the reviews from owners of that machine here on UA-cam. It turns out that there is a heat issue from the exhaust system .. here in 2024, I can’t seem to find minibikes that interest me as my big touring bike. I am currently riding my third Yamaha Venture, I have almost 200,000 miles combined on all three of the Venture’s I’ve had since 1986 off and on, my first one I had for 16 trouble for years.. I kind of like not having check engine lights, catalytic converter‘s, fuel injection with oxygen sensors, airflow sensors, all those other emissions systems. The more I look at new bikes, the better, my 2008 Venture royal star is looking. There’s one thing to be said about carburetors. They always get you home. If you have Low battery. You are not going to push start your fuel, injected motorcycle. Your fuel injection system, your computer system, your fuel pump, they all need 12 V before that motor cycle will start if you are pushing it with a low battery. A motorcycle with carburetors, you can bump start them when the battery is low, they only need spark. it’s like the trend for old pick up trucks from the 70s and 80s on those television auctions. People are attracted to a simple vehicle. And those old pick up trucks on those television options are selling for more than those trucks cost brand new. Even the old Ford broncos in beautiful shape or selling for over $100,000… no doubt fuel injection is better. It is self adjusting for altitude and barometric pressure and temperature. But at $135 an hour shop labor prices, hey simple machine cost a hell of a lot less to service and to do diagnostics. I used to be a motorcycle mechanic myself and three different dealerships. When I bought my GL 1800 Goldwing used with 13 K miles on it. I had done some UA-cam research and I found out that it’s six hours labor to change the air cleaner. Which makes the price close to $700 just labor to change the air filter. I thought that was ridiculous until I did the job myself following the 2 inch thick Honda service manual. It’s not one big job, it’s about 60 or 70 little jobs to get the air cleaner out and back in removing plastic removing brackets, unplugging modules, etc. After doing the air cleaner job myself, $700 is a fair price because it does take almost 6 hours. That thing is buried in there. doing service like changing the air filter on my GL 1800 goldwing i bought actually the reason I decided to sell it after changing the fork springs the shock spring fork seals in bushings, steering head, bearings, fork oil, I saw how much of a pain in the butt it is just to do simple maintenance. I decided that if something happens on the road and I’m 500 miles from home. I’m gonna have to have a shop do the labor because my tools will be at home. Something like a clutch, or a universal joint, or second gear, which is the most vulnerable gear in any motorcycle transmission… my Goldwing was perfect, I mean perfect, the smoothest vehicle on the planet, too much power, it was a bit of a gas hog, 33 miles to the gallon, great brakes, it felt much lighter than it was, shifted like butter. But working on it, even though I can do the work myself, I don’t wanna do that anymore and tie up my garage. I was running out of places to put all the plastic when I had to get add something like the fork seals… so I was considering the Indian. Until I heard about the heat issue off of the exhaust… which brings me back to my 2008, 35,000 mile Yamaha royal star venture. As simple as a VW beetle to work on, they are good for 300,000 miles if you drive with any amount of sanity at all, they are much roomier than a Goldwing, and you don’t have to marry the dealer to keep it running. I did a review on my channel on UA-cam, comparing my Goldwing to my Venture. I was amazed to see that that video has had more than 72,000 views so far.. I like the Indians look and sound. I never had a Harley, and I won’t go into it but I don’t think I will ever buy one. They just don’t make anything I like… i’m gonna go test ride that Indian roadmaster near me anyway. I’ll do a video and put it on my channel and put my two cents into the review.
Sabotage from Tru Ryderz Austin here. Thanks so much, brotha! Have my eye on one in East Texas and this made my decision a lot easier. You were super descriptive and detailed about everything and told me about some things that I didn’t know about through my own research. Also good to know the bike holds up well through nearly 50k miles. Have you had any issues getting parts or with maintenance?
Good morning, just caught your video. I have a 2021 Roadmaster Limited. One thing I did for heat management is remove the catalytic converter. Not sure if you tried that. Also I recommend Rush exhaust. I could send you a short video if you are interested. Keep the shiny side up!
I agree it's the way it looks Indian got the styling right, & That appeals to me, The one item i hate is that front fender, If i bought this model I'd take that Ugly looking fender of . But Indian Motorcycles have that covered,,?😊
The heat did not burn my inner thigh. However, it was sometimes very uncomfortable. The heat would come and go. I recently traded for a 2024 Harley Street Glide with liquid heads. No heat on the Harley, but the suspension is not as good.
Hi, you have a wonderful bike. Please, I need the product that you put on the closet. It looks very nice because I have a bike similar to yours. Is it possible to send me the link from Amazon or Eby?
I am very much wanting a chieftain, and considering trading my 2 harley baggers for a roadmaster. Plus, it's easier to maintain one bike, especially moving to east Texas.
@@jasonbreedlove495 I am from Marshall, Tx. We will be moving to North Carolina soon. We will have our second annual Indian Motorcycle Festival March 9, 2024 at the Indian Reservation Livingston tx. Come join us.
@jasonbreedlove495 I never see my hometown brought up in conversation. I love longview. Hope you're having a great time here. Thank you for your service!
I'm 72 and still ride my 2015 Chief Vintage.Every time that I get on that bike I thank the Lord.I feel blessed that I can still ride.
Marty, thank you so much for your review. Based on this video and having owned dozens of Harleys over the years, I bought a 2017 Thunder black Roadmaster and love it. It is hard to articulate how smooth this bike is. It isn't characterless as it has plenty of that, but smooth and powerful without being obnoxious and the suspension is an absolute delight. Combined with a low seat height, fantastic infotainment system, great handling, stock LED lighting all around, and retro styling - I just couldn't pass it up and the bike just seems to want to be ridden for miles.
I may have failed to mention how great the suspension is. There is no comparison between the rear shock on my Indian and the suspension on the Harley Street glide I owned. I despised the Harley suspension.
You have had the same issues as my '17 RM.... Called FUN!!! Just a new battery and starter for me when we rode to Sturgis. #4 on stereo is loud!! True Freedom duals w/ V&H turndowns and a K&N filter on stock air box. Great bike!! Tis for your review!!!
I am 72, I have slow down, and I have changed from sport, touring and sport bikes to touring bikes. I’ve had three Yamaha ventures, a Goldwing, a BMW, K 1200 LT. 109th motorcycle right now I am on, counting all my dirt, bikes, trails, bikes, quads, road, racing machines, sport, bikes, commuters, dual sports…
One thing I won’t put up with his heat from an engine. It kept me from buying it FJR, The Honda, ST 1300, that was an oven, it kept me from buying the Kawasaki concourse. I don’t understand why designers can’t deal with the heat. The way Honda did on my GL 1800 Goldwing six-cylinder, I felt no heat, I also felt no heat on my two different Honda pacific coast motorcycles I commuted on for decades, no heat. I didn’t feel any heat on my BMW K 1200 LT. I’m currently riding my third Venture, they are warm, but the exhaust pipe is not right next to my legs. If the temperature goes above 85°, I’ll just ride one of my other machines that day… That also kept me from checking out the newer Yamaha, Venture, V twin. I read a review from a guy that ended up in the hospital emergency room because he has second-degree burns inside his leg, which was near the exhaust pipe. He didn’t touch the pipe, it was just radiating heat. So I ruled that machine out.
and Indian roadmaster came up for sale locally here where I live. And I started checking out the reviews from owners of that machine here on UA-cam. It turns out that there is a heat issue from the exhaust system ..
here in 2024, I can’t seem to find minibikes that interest me as my big touring bike. I am currently riding my third Yamaha Venture, I have almost 200,000 miles combined on all three of the Venture’s I’ve had since 1986 off and on, my first one I had for 16 trouble for years..
I kind of like not having check engine lights, catalytic converter‘s, fuel injection with oxygen sensors, airflow sensors, all those other emissions systems. The more I look at new bikes, the better, my 2008 Venture royal star is looking. There’s one thing to be said about carburetors. They always get you home. If you have Low battery. You are not going to push start your fuel, injected motorcycle. Your fuel injection system, your computer system, your fuel pump, they all need 12 V before that motor cycle will start if you are pushing it with a low battery. A motorcycle with carburetors, you can bump start them when the battery is low, they only need spark.
it’s like the trend for old pick up trucks from the 70s and 80s on those television auctions. People are attracted to a simple vehicle. And those old pick up trucks on those television options are selling for more than those trucks cost brand new. Even the old Ford broncos in beautiful shape or selling for over $100,000…
no doubt fuel injection is better. It is self adjusting for altitude and barometric pressure and temperature. But at $135 an hour shop labor prices, hey simple machine cost a hell of a lot less to service and to do diagnostics. I used to be a motorcycle mechanic myself and three different dealerships. When I bought my GL 1800 Goldwing used with 13 K miles on it. I had done some UA-cam research and I found out that it’s six hours labor to change the air cleaner. Which makes the price close to $700 just labor to change the air filter. I thought that was ridiculous until I did the job myself following the 2 inch thick Honda service manual. It’s not one big job, it’s about 60 or 70 little jobs to get the air cleaner out and back in removing plastic removing brackets, unplugging modules, etc. After doing the air cleaner job myself, $700 is a fair price because it does take almost 6 hours. That thing is buried in there. doing service like changing the air filter on my GL 1800 goldwing i bought actually the reason I decided to sell it after changing the fork springs the shock spring fork seals in bushings, steering head, bearings, fork oil, I saw how much of a pain in the butt it is just to do simple maintenance. I decided that if something happens on the road and I’m 500 miles from home. I’m gonna have to have a shop do the labor because my tools will be at home. Something like a clutch, or a universal joint, or second gear, which is the most vulnerable gear in any motorcycle transmission… my Goldwing was perfect, I mean perfect, the smoothest vehicle on the planet, too much power, it was a bit of a gas hog, 33 miles to the gallon, great brakes, it felt much lighter than it was, shifted like butter. But working on it, even though I can do the work myself, I don’t wanna do that anymore and tie up my garage. I was running out of places to put all the plastic when I had to get add something like the fork seals…
so I was considering the Indian. Until I heard about the heat issue off of the exhaust…
which brings me back to my 2008, 35,000 mile Yamaha royal star venture. As simple as a VW beetle to work on, they are good for 300,000 miles if you drive with any amount of sanity at all, they are much roomier than a Goldwing, and you don’t have to marry the dealer to keep it running. I did a review on my channel on UA-cam, comparing my Goldwing to my Venture. I was amazed to see that that video has had more than 72,000 views so far..
I like the Indians look and sound. I never had a Harley, and I won’t go into it but I don’t think I will ever buy one. They just don’t make anything I like…
i’m gonna go test ride that Indian roadmaster near me anyway. I’ll do a video and put it on my channel and put my two cents into the review.
Bought one identical to it today, pick it up Monday, can't wait.
Sabotage from Tru Ryderz Austin here. Thanks so much, brotha! Have my eye on one in East Texas and this made my decision a lot easier.
You were super descriptive and detailed about everything and told me about some things that I didn’t know about through my own research.
Also good to know the bike holds up well through nearly 50k miles. Have you had any issues getting parts or with maintenance?
No issues at all. I now have 58,000 miles.
Great vlog, very informative and unbiased, I ride a 2021 Chieftain dark horse and absolutely love it!
You make me want to do a UA-cam video explaining all my bikes I have and ride including my indian roadmaster.
I ride my roadmaster alot too...
Sounds like you have had a great experience with your Roadmaster.
Good morning, just caught your video. I have a 2021 Roadmaster Limited. One thing I did for heat management is remove the catalytic converter. Not sure if you tried that. Also I recommend Rush exhaust. I could send you a short video if you are interested. Keep the shiny side up!
I do plan on removing the cat. Yes, send me the video!
@@martyboddie9953 I sent on FB Messenger
A solid review. Of a great bike. Thanks for sharing.
Very good review. Your 100 percent right Awesome bike. 👍👍❤️
Thanks for the response.
Thank you for a great video
Very nice presentation…
Ride Pastor Ride! Great video!
Great review. Are you experiencing any clutch issues? I heard clutch is an issue with Thunderstroke.
I have not had any clutch issues on my Roadmaster.
@@martyboddie9953 I had no clutch issues on my 5 year old Roadmaster ( 2017)....
Get rid of the catalytic convertor , change your air cleaner to suck some cold air, and get a stage 1 tune - goodbye rear cy,inder heat !
Yes, I need to do that.
I agree it's the way it looks Indian got the styling right, & That appeals to me, The one item i hate is that front fender, If i bought this model I'd take that Ugly looking fender of . But Indian Motorcycles have that covered,,?😊
Most of the Indians now come with an open fender.
Beautiful 😻 Bike ! One question though and be honest … does the heat burn your inner thighs ?
The heat did not burn my inner thigh. However, it was sometimes very uncomfortable. The heat would come and go. I recently traded for a 2024 Harley Street Glide with liquid heads. No heat on the Harley, but the suspension is not as good.
Hi, you have a wonderful bike. Please, I need the product that you put on the closet. It looks very nice because I have a bike similar to yours. Is it possible to send me the link from Amazon or Eby?
I am very much wanting a chieftain, and considering trading my 2 harley baggers for a roadmaster. Plus, it's easier to maintain one bike, especially moving to east Texas.
Where in east Texas are you moving to?
@martyboddie9953 Longview. Retiring from the Navy and got a great job offer out there.
@@jasonbreedlove495 I am from Marshall, Tx. We will be moving to North Carolina soon. We will have our second annual Indian Motorcycle Festival March 9, 2024 at the Indian Reservation Livingston tx. Come join us.
@jasonbreedlove495 I never see my hometown brought up in conversation. I love longview. Hope you're having a great time here. Thank you for your service!
Located on the handles gripz
How the ride when two up??
Very good. Lots of room for the passenger. Plenty of power, can't really tell you have a passenger. I will add a little air in the shock.
21 RM myself. I like it but don't really like the constant electronic issues. Only 9k on mine