That's a hell of a good long test ride they gave you! And you handled that big bike with ease it appeared. Their staff seemed a bit cold at first to me, but glad to hear they came around.
Appreciate your personal opinion on other bikes, and looked like a nice day for a good putt on some back roads. Sorry to see you weren't as enamored of the Indian as others may have been, but it's all a matter of preference and your own choices! Not a huge H-D or metric cruiser fan here, but have ridden my fair share of them over 48 years of riding bikes, absolutely love my '04 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing for long rides, and my hot rod turboed '79 Honda CBX still satisfies my go-fast needs even now 40 years later. Ride safe and keep the shiny side up, Meg, and thanks for another great video!
@@megsmotorcyclejourney give one a whirl sometime! It'd be cool if you did some reviews on many other bikes out there, including H-D's models and other brands too. It's not what brand you ride, it's because you ride!
Thanks Meg and Cameraman! Annapolis is my hometown and I miss it greatly. Also a long time H-D person going back 40 yrs, never rode anything else in that time.
Glad to see you starting your son out on a dirt bike. I started out my junior year in high school on a Suzuki RM125 dirt bike, then after graduation I got a Suzuki GS750E. I truly believe that if I had not learned to ride on the dirt bike first before moving to the street bike, I would be dead today. 40 years later I now own two Harleys, a 2010 Road King Classic and a 2021 Road King Police Edition.
"Yeah, I think it's comparable to the Sportsters" Take it for a spin and give that throttle a hard twist...you're in for a surprise. A stock Scout will show it's taillights to a Stage 2 114 Low Rider S on the regular.
Been riding for 40 years and never had a windshield until I bought my Heritage Softail Classic 15 years ago. Always felt like the windshield "cut" my vision so I took it off. This year I put it back on when I put engine guards and highway pegs on the motorcycle. The windshield helps complete the "classic" look. Not sure why but it doesn't seem to cut my vision like it used to. Maybe it's because I am now 66 years old and am shrinking!
If you are looking for red diamond stitching for a seat... check out Saddlemen or LePera .... cant go wrong with either company. I went with LePera for both my baggers... 2003 FLHTCI and 2013 SG
@@megsmotorcyclejourney .... welcome... fyi... i changed my user name...i used to go by dkr208... .. great review on the challenger... detailed and honest
I remember the first time I walked into an Indian dealership. It was only because the Ducati dealership down the road wouldn't let me test ride a bike. The guy at Indian said I could take it home for the weekend. I bought the bike 6 months later. Thanks for the honest review. Thinking about test riding a road glide.
The challenger is all that +(to me)shifting on the two i had ridden was smooth,also what mode did they have the bike in rain, standard or sport mode?(It makes a difference ), in sport mode the bike is just a beast. The electronic adjustable screen is fantastic as well as the vents up front that can be closed or opened for more or less air, after I road it I never considered a harley again...to add another youtuber did a comparison of harley dealers vs indian dealers and the distance was equal it seemed only difference was you had more harley dealers closer to each other but the distancevwas equal to indian. side note, I have never seen a less interested salesman/staff , they didnt come to you guys or explain the bike ,that what i liked about the dealers i visited. even thow i already knew what they told me i still learned a few things like how indian has a heated as well as cooling seat(all in one) calked ClimaCommand so sad they didnt tell you about the gps and weather map overlays function and other things. Hopefully you can test ride one again and try out all the features like the power modes ect..
@@RanGer-498 She said her Roadglide felt faster she probably had it in rain mode no one has ever said that about a stock Roadglide over a Challenger i amost pissed myself laughing.
I am considering a Challenger for my next bike. I am a mechanical engineer and the engine design is modern and at least in my opinion well beyond HD's M8. Also, both of my Harleys have TC88 engines with mechanical cam chain intensioners which is a hugh design miss by HD and one that HD left their customers in the cold. Too bad as it has resulted in many lost customers for HD. I agree that the HD network is hard to beat, but I have seen a few HD dealers close and expect the trend to continue as sales slide, so that advantage will get less over the next few years. There will not be enough customers to support so many dealers. Thanks for posting, great review!
Take one for a spin. Better yet rent one for a day. Better be ready to buy one though because you're going to want to! Better than an HD in every measurable way with the exception of paint and fit and finish. If you're buying a bike to look at get the HD. If you're buying a bike to ride get the Indian.
I've had 14 Harleys over the years. I just switched my main bike to the Challenger. I really love it. Surprised about the issue shifting, may have been that particular bike as mine is no problem. You looked very comfortable riding it.
Harley does have the dealer advantage, but they have been around since 1903. This version of Indian has existed only since 2011. Takes time to build a dealer network, and Harley is going the other way and closing dealers up here in new England where I am we've lost 5
Nice test ride FYI the bike has different riding modes flr quicker response ,the clutch problem might be isolated because when I demod th challenger in florida the clutch was smooth,but I didn't like the delay in response of the throttle.i noticed that when you get on the bike to ride ,you are using too much strength to lift it up, just turn the handbars to the right and you will feel its much easier to get of the kickstand
Probably the best Indian bike for your stature would be the new model of the Indian Chief in the Super Chief Limited. Much lighter and more manageable and has the powerful 116 motor. Her Two Wheels just did a Super Chief Limited Demo Ride in Mountains of Arizona with a group and was most impressed. If you are serious about a tourer I would suggest to try the new model Honda Goldwing and Honda Dealerships, like Harley, are all over the country. Best of luck in your quest.
Great Indian review, more honest than many other test riders. Personally, I love my HD Deluxe that I turned into an old-school bagger-turning bike. No stereo, but I did opt for the heel-toe shifter and cruise control. I started out with a1942 WLA 45 flathead then a '47 74 knucklehead that I chopped, so very sorry I don't still have it! then a '63 pan head hand shifter. I bought 2018 deluxe for my 66th birthday and it's a fantastic bike, it's probably short enough for you to ride. Have a good one.
thats the same bike and place where I took the test ride and fell in love when I hit second gear. Sport mode is ridiculous. I did a couple upgrades and I must say she's wicked.
Mt Airy, Lisbon Maryland here. Great riding within 100 miles. Great video, great review. Harley guy since 64. I plan to test ride an Indian this summer 😎
Your review is exactly how my test ride was on the chieftain! Hard to shift gears, controls far away! That’s exactly what I experienced. Ride was smooth as a Cadillac, low seat height, etc! Great review Meg!
Hi Meg, Been following since you only had a few followers, now you’re at 13k! Great and congratulations! I have ridden and owned many different brands of motorcycles and have been riding for over 50 years. I think it is great that you’re going out and trying different bikes, continuing to do so is great. All this being said, I am a Harley guy through and through. I don’t care what others ride, only that they ride. But riding a Harley and owning a Harley is the ultimate experience. I ride a SGS and love it. The RGS is also a great bike, but I prefer the SGS. Best wishes in whatever you buy. Best wishes, Doug
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , thank you . I've enjoyed how you share your own unique experience and opinions re: motorcycling and in particular cruiser bikes. . I like how someone like yourself who appears to be a lifelong energetic high achiever finds cruiser bikes to be a way to relax and explore. Your cruiser vlogs has helped me consider of adding a cruiser to my experience of riding my adventure oriented bike. I think the BMW R18 and the cruiser sport oriented Ducati Diavel expands on the idea of the cruiser riding experience.....not better or worse than HD/Indian...but unique :-)
@@wiskkid aww thank you! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my content. I’m open to trying all different types of bikes but do enjoy the relaxation aspect of it.
Luv that there's a moto vlogger in my area, seeing things I know and places I go to. I just find it hard to get into voice over videos, I like to hear the motorcycles and the thoughts as your riding down the road.
Should you try a sport bike? Absolutely. A lot them have sport style handlebars or high clipons, so the ergonomics are more upright and very comfortable. Triumph Street Triple R low suspension version would fit you easily. Triumph Trident 660 and Triumph Speed Twin are also worth looking at. Motorman Paladino gave the Speed Twin a good review. Some other good examples are Ducati Monster, Kawasaki Ninja 650, and Yamaha MT07.
Meg, The journey continues. It is good to ride lots of different bikes because as it says this is your motorcycle journey. It is amazing that you are so adventurous and so involved with your followers as well. Great job! Great review and your true objectivity. You look great and as always Ride Safe!!
Always turn the front wheel straight 1st before picking the bike off the side stand. It will be easier. The Indian is not lighter it is more center balanced.
My Wife is 5’1” and You tower over My 30 year old daughter who is 4’10 1/2” She has to put that half inch in there. It used to get her so mad when she couldn’t go on to rides at amusement parks ! At My size She was always handy for getting into small spaces !
Great job on the test ride! I know it’s weird the first time we get on a big bike like that. You did extremely well on this video! Cameraman! Hell of a job on the actual videotaping!! Ride safe! Hope you have Happy Easter!!
The red / white Indian in the window looked great and the Indian Challenger was cool 😎 too. The 30" custom wheel bike outside the shop with snake paint is amazing. I do prefer the Harley Glide (Shark) tourer or Honda Goldwing (manual transmission) bagger. Ps looked like a great ride going to and back to the Indian shop via the waterfront.
I was dealing with Indian back in Wisconsin in 2016 but they couldn't beat the deal with my now Harley-Davidson street glide special. Plus there are not as many dealerships. They are to far away from me.
I wonder if the shifter had a back kick on it. I was trying to see, but I just could not tell. It is a very sharp bike and I am died in the wool HD also. I even have the bar and shield tatt on my left arm..LOL
Actual test ride starts at 20:11 and ends at 26:56, dang. That's when I turned the sound on and off again. Yeah, Indian has basically put HD on notice. The new Chief models are crushing the competition. Less words, more motorcycle please.
Very cool video! It was nice to see you check out other makes; I really enjoyed seeing you sit on the Triumph Speedmaster as that’s a personal fave and was curious about what you thought. It’s smaller than your bike and, as you mentioned, is more on the Sportster side of cruisers. I have owned a Yamaha and a Harley as well, and I appreciate the loyalty that Harley owners have (it is justified!), but I also appreciate that you were open minded to checking out other makes. Cheers!
At the end of the day it’s about what you like. Some are loyal to a brand and nothing else will ever be attractive to them. Some just like a certain look that a brand makes and anything else just doesn’t suit them. Every bike maker out there to me makes a nice looking bike somewhere in their lineup so I appreciate all bikes. I’m an Indian owner but also had a Kawasaki and Honda. Again it’s about enjoying the ride whatever it may be. Glad you tried something different and keep doing it! It makes you appreciate what you have.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Challenger or Road Glide. It comes down to personal preference, I'd personally take the Challenger because I love high revving OHC engines. I may very well buy one next year
Chesapeake Cycles is my dealership and I've purchased one Victory and three Indians from them. They always great everyone when they come in and have a no pressure approach. They're there to help and answer questions or let you look around as much as you want. I asked the salesman about this incident. It seems this video is misleading a little in that Meg came into the dealership and was greeted just like they do everyone. She talked to the salesman and looked around for a while to familiarize herself with what she wanted to do. THEN she went back outside and started filming. It may look like she just entered the store for the first time but that just wasn't the case. So don't be quick to judge someone from what your shown; it doesn't always show the entire story.
Mean city cycles in NC will take your stock seat and do whatever stitching you want and put gel or memory foam. I did mine and its the best seat ive ever had and half the cost of a custom seat
Good video.. It is most important to be comfortable with the bike, because you then trust when you need to perform quick maneuvers to avoid getting in an accident or hurt. For the seat, I am sure most seat manufacturers can customize a seat for you. However, consider investing in a removable rider’s backrest. You will love it on longer trips. Especially if you put on that front crash bar/foot rest.
Hi Megan. The power changes have 3 modes for Power.the sport mode gets it to the 120 hp.i think you would of liked that power mode better performance. I had mentioned before I have a 17 road glide special. And a 17 indian chieftain limited.i like them both.indians stock suspension a rear mono shock rides so much smoother than the road glides stock shocks.i just changed the road rear shocks to fox much better.i know your not into the touring models as much . So if you guys get a road glide. My experience is to change the rear shocks to one of the good aftermarket ones fox or ohlins legends etc .they are all good expensive 8 or 900 a pair but worth it.so that's my experience with the two models. If that helps at all.Rich thanks for the intertainment. That dealer to me seemed a bit standoff at first but they caved to yours and cameramans charisma. 😉
The shifting you are talking about is because Harley is a chain driven primary and Indian is a gear driven primary. I have a Victory Magnum and the I like the positive “click” as you shift into gear. When I started on a Victory Vegas, I got great advice in terms of shifting. Don’t pussy-foot it, kick it into gear. You needed to change the ride mode. You were in touring or standard, click in sport then ride it. I would say that on the next test ride, regardless of Make\Model, I would spend more time getting familiar with the tech, especially because tech now changes the ride/power/feel of the bike.
Head up to Elizabethtown Pa to Hernleys. Telling best hands down customer service and bikes. I live in Westminster its about an hour and half up the road.
Every time I see Indian motorcycles, It makes me miss The Victory Motorcycle Company. The Victory Cross Country to me is one of the nicest modern day motorcycles I've ever seen or heard about in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your Indian Dealership experience Meg and Cameraman.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney I was just kidding 😜 but ya. You can definitely hear the wind. You east coast people got it over us here in So cal- we’re kind of spoiled. Mostly year round riding, & very rarely below 45-50°. Good video and review Megan! 👍🏻
Before you give up on Indian, you should check out the new 2022 FTR S which should become available soon. It's an awesome looking machine with a lower seat height than the previous version. I think you would look really good on it.
I’m surprised that you had trouble shifting. Our Indians shift about the same or easier than my Harley did. Thanks for trying one out! You would have liked the windshield!!
You are definitely a BABC and I appreciate that you are open to riding other brands and styles of bikes, Meg!! I am with you I waited until I was 68 before I finally broke down and bought my first Harley and although I enjoyed Triumphs and Yamahas, I do wish I had tried Harleys earlier in my life, and I love my Harley!!
Reduce reach seat would have helped a lot. They should have lowered the windshield for you. Then if they would have put it in sport mode you would have had more of an awakening when you cranked the throttle.
Cool video. I’m a fan of the road glide myself though I’ve never owned one. Currently i own a Victory Vegas 8 ball and a BMW K1600GtL. Not a big fan of the Indian in general but i do like the Indian Scout.
Dealer networks is huge. I was on a road trip from Jersey to Missouri in 2019. My buddy lost his ECM on the way. We managed to get there. Called the local Harley dealer. They came and got the bike over nighted the ECM had him on the road a day later. No other motorcycle brand has that kind of service. I’m with camera man. Harley loyal though and through. I wouldn’t even consider any other brand.
I respect that. I’m not sure he’ll let me buy a company bike that is anything else- but if I rode one that was something else and I loved it, maybe I could convince him to try it. 😜 It’s not an issue here because I didn’t love it.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney . Have you tried a streetglide yet? I’m a smaller guy. I prefer the streetglide over the roadglide, the roadglide controls and gauges seem to far away to me. My friend has one , I rode it. I really didn’t feel a difference between the two farings. I feel more comfortable on the streetglide. Other than the faring, it’s the exact same bike.
You were so close, the Triumphs are better than both the Indian and the Harleys. Build quality is as good or better, WAY more reliable, better performance and it’s more unique...everyone and his brother has a Harley! If you are interested in trying a sport bike their are few better than the Triumph Speed Triple and the new Trident is the perfect entry level sport bike
So cool that you showed the pic of you and Cameraman as youngsters! I noticed he called you "hon" a couple times and I got the vibe that maybe HE is your mystery husband(?). I know you are the best of friends, which is #1 criteria for wedded bliss 🥰. You looked good riding the Indian Challenger and I liked the looks of the middle Triumph (what model was it?). You reminded me of Goldilocks, BTW, sitting on all the bikes to find the one that felt "just right." Cameraman, I was fixated on your bare hand. 😧 Your forearm is nicely toned, BTW!😉
Hahaha. We are not married. “Hun” is a Baltimore slang thing and also very much Mike’s personality to call lots of folks “hun”. We have been close for nearly all of our life though. Thank you! I can’t remember the make of the middle bike- I’ll see if I can figure it out. Lol I can see the Goldilocks thing. He is going to love that comment- he may or may not have always been an arm wrestling champ. 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Meg sounds like the dealer ship didn't take the time to go over the bike and all it's controls with you before your test ride. It would have made your ride more enjoyable. Indian does make a heel shifter which may have helped. You looked pretty stretched out reaching for the shifter.
Yeah try a sport bike have an open mind and ride everything, I just met you and your friend at the timonium bike show (which kinda sucked) but yeah test ride all the brands, I’m a retired Harley-Davidson mechanic and I started riding everything I could and now own about 13 bikes and having a blast, thanks for the heads up on your utube channel
I think value for $ the Indian Scout would be hard to beat. Maybe give a Triumph Speedmaster a rip sometime too. I put a Mustang Solo seat w/backrest, studs and conchos for a classic look on my anniversary Sportster. Thanks for the videos!
I own and ride both Indian and Harley. As far as the bikes go, I would put the Springfield right up there with a Road King. Quality, fit and finish, performance, all top notch on both. The Springfield does have that classic Indian look which is why I went with it. I will say, assuming both bikes are equal, pretty much everything else about the Harley ownership experience is a bit better. Not only are there more dealerships, there are a ton of independent mechanics that will work on Harley. I would guess you can find someone to work on a Harley within 100 miles of anywhere in the US. We have a number of Indian dealerships here, so I have options, but not so much if I break down on a road trip. The community and the events around HD are also more established. H.O.G. has strong backing from Harley, and the dealerships, which IMRG does not seem to. Of course these are all things that Indian can improve over time. The engineering on the machines is there. I haven't had any trouble whatsoever with my Indian (or my current Harley). Third party upgrade support is certainly better on Harley, but I haven't though of anything I wanted for my Indian that I couldn't find a number of options on. I don't plan on ever getting rid of my Indian, but if I add a 3rd bike, it would most likely be another Harley. Nothing looks like and Indian, but 1 is all I need.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , I will call him tomorrow and talk to him so he has a heads up if you want to call him. I can’t post his cell number but I’ll give you his business number. He loves outfitting celebrities with custom seats, lol
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , my wife used to give mikes granddaughter rides through our neighborhood on her horse cart, mike made my wife a one of a kind custom cart seat in red Italian leather with embroidered feathers.
I own both a harley cvo road glide and a Indian chieftain. Been a harley guy but Indian has the edge right now. Much better ride and suspension. Lower center of gravity making bike feel lighter and ease of handling. Better power. If only Harley engineers could get a true dual shock rear suspension and other design upgrades.........still love my road glide but harley is getting lazy in design and service after the sale.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney That’s how I am. Coming off 35 years on a low rider I didn’t want a fixed windshield so I got the road king. I generally have the shield on from September to May then it comes off.
Meg, as always, I really enjoyed your video. It's so funny yet endearing how humble and very P.C. that you are. You are an Absolute joy to watch. You are Absolutely Perfect in Every way 😍. Keep on Keepin' On 🤟🏼 Until we meet next year 😉
That's a weird review. The shifting is every bit as easy as a Harley. You were dealing with some other issue. Riding with a windshield in the wrong position is also going to effect your experience. The power & torque is way better on the Indian, so again, something else is going on there. The suspension is way better than Harley so that needed to be experienced. Personally, that Challenger is far and away the best tourer out there, but I happen to think it's ugly.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney To be clear, the things I mentioned are kinda factual (except for the bike being so ugly, that part is opinion. LOL). Seriously, there is absolutely nothing noticeably different in the shifting, and the torque is greater, so something else is going on there. I have owned and ridden plenty and settled on my favorite bike; the Indian Springfield. The Harley equivalent is the Road Kind, but the Indian is better in every category (engine, suspension, fit & finish...). I think it looks better too but thats opinion. My point is, preference aside, you were reporting issues that simply don't exist on that bike.
hu guys, the male on the camera is a great person to have for tips and erperienced advice. i would like recommend an hiviz upper body airbag from helics. ride safe and smart.
The dealer failed you in not showing you all the controls (ie. Windshield lowering, how to choose the ride mode. ) The challenger will eat a road for lunch in a race. Bit ride what your comfortable with. Keep the shiny side up and knees in the breeze.
I’ve been there many times. Always a hello, and parts and service extremely helpful. Sales welcomes test rides. I was ready to ride away on a new bike a while ago, but we couldn’t agree on price. I think with Meg they could have initially been camera shy.
That's a hell of a good long test ride they gave you! And you handled that big bike with ease it appeared. Their staff seemed a bit cold at first to me, but glad to hear they came around.
They were actually very nice. Thank you! I appreciate it.
Fair enough on your review, a heal shifter helps a lot on the up shift. Also there is a break in period, after that it’s butter. Stay safe.
Thank you! I appreciate the information.
I think the Challenger looked the best and she looked comfortable on it! 👍
Appreciate your personal opinion on other bikes, and looked like a nice day for a good putt on some back roads.
Sorry to see you weren't as enamored of the Indian as others may have been, but it's all a matter of preference and your own choices!
Not a huge H-D or metric cruiser fan here, but have ridden my fair share of them over 48 years of riding bikes, absolutely love my '04 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing for long rides, and my hot rod turboed '79 Honda CBX still satisfies my go-fast needs even now 40 years later.
Ride safe and keep the shiny side up, Meg, and thanks for another great video!
Thank you for watching! I’ll have to try a Honda!
@@megsmotorcyclejourney give one a whirl sometime!
It'd be cool if you did some reviews on many other bikes out there, including H-D's models and other brands too.
It's not what brand you ride, it's because you ride!
Thanks Meg and Cameraman! Annapolis is my hometown and I miss it greatly. Also a long time H-D person going back 40 yrs, never rode anything else in that time.
So glad we took you back.
Glad to see you starting your son out on a dirt bike. I started out my junior year in high school on a Suzuki RM125 dirt bike, then after graduation I got a Suzuki GS750E. I truly believe that if I had not learned to ride on the dirt bike first before moving to the street bike, I would be dead today. 40 years later I now own two Harleys, a 2010 Road King Classic and a 2021 Road King Police Edition.
Aww thank you! It’s so fun and he’s loving it.
"Yeah, I think it's comparable to the Sportsters"
Take it for a spin and give that throttle a hard twist...you're in for a surprise. A stock Scout will show it's taillights to a Stage 2 114 Low Rider S on the regular.
That would be surprising
Its true, my son did that to me on my stage 2 bagger!
Been riding for 40 years and never had a windshield until I bought my Heritage Softail Classic 15 years ago. Always felt like the windshield "cut" my vision so I took it off. This year I put it back on when I put engine guards and highway pegs on the motorcycle. The windshield helps complete the "classic" look. Not sure why but it doesn't seem to cut my vision like it used to. Maybe it's because I am now 66 years old and am shrinking!
If you are looking for red diamond stitching for a seat... check out Saddlemen or LePera .... cant go wrong with either company. I went with LePera for both my baggers... 2003 FLHTCI and 2013 SG
Thank you! Great information.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney .... welcome... fyi... i changed my user name...i used to go by dkr208... .. great review on the challenger... detailed and honest
I remember the first time I walked into an Indian dealership. It was only because the Ducati dealership down the road wouldn't let me test ride a bike. The guy at Indian said I could take it home for the weekend. I bought the bike 6 months later. Thanks for the honest review. Thinking about test riding a road glide.
Sure thing! I appreciate you watching and the kind words.
The challenger is all that +(to me)shifting on the two i had ridden was smooth,also what mode did they have the bike in rain, standard or sport mode?(It makes a difference ), in sport mode the bike is just a beast. The electronic adjustable screen is fantastic as well as the vents up front that can be closed or opened for more or less air, after I road it I never considered a harley again...to add another youtuber did a comparison of harley dealers vs indian dealers and the distance was equal it seemed only difference was you had more harley dealers closer to each other but the distancevwas equal to indian.
side note, I have never seen a less interested salesman/staff , they didnt come to you guys or explain the bike ,that what i liked about the dealers i visited. even thow i already knew what they told me i still learned a few things like how indian has a heated as well as cooling seat(all in one) calked ClimaCommand so sad they didnt tell you about the gps and weather map overlays function and other things. Hopefully you can test ride one again and try out all the features like the power modes ect..
They did tell me. They came over before the test ride to show me. I wasn’t comfortable enough using them yet.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney what mode did you put the bike in for the ride?
@@RanGer-498 She said her Roadglide felt faster she probably had it in rain mode no one has ever said that about a stock Roadglide over a Challenger i amost pissed myself laughing.
@@chonasimpson6487 🤣
I am considering a Challenger for my next bike. I am a mechanical engineer and the engine design is modern and at least in my opinion well beyond HD's M8. Also, both of my Harleys have TC88 engines with mechanical cam chain intensioners which is a hugh design miss by HD and one that HD left their customers in the cold. Too bad as it has resulted in many lost customers for HD. I agree that the HD network is hard to beat, but I have seen a few HD dealers close and expect the trend to continue as sales slide, so that advantage will get less over the next few years. There will not be enough customers to support so many dealers. Thanks for posting, great review!
Take one for a spin. Better yet rent one for a day. Better be ready to buy one though because you're going to want to! Better than an HD in every measurable way with the exception of paint and fit and finish. If you're buying a bike to look at get the HD. If you're buying a bike to ride get the Indian.
I've had 14 Harleys over the years. I just switched my main bike to the Challenger. I really love it. Surprised about the issue shifting, may have been that particular bike as mine is no problem. You looked very comfortable riding it.
Thank you! I didn’t feel that way. It absolutely could have been just that bike. Ride safe!
First time I have also heard about the shifting. To get proper experience the shifter should have been adjusted to suit her size and boots.
@@cbrippee there was definitely no adjustments done.
I believe that one has three different riding modes. Most people keep it in sport. Dealership may have put in standard for safety.
Yes, it was in standard. Interesting. Thank you for watching!
Harley does have the dealer advantage, but they have been around since 1903. This version of Indian has existed only since 2011. Takes time to build a dealer network, and Harley is going the other way and closing dealers up here in new England where I am we've lost 5
Good points. Thank you for watching.
Nice test ride FYI the bike has different riding modes flr quicker response ,the clutch problem might be isolated because when I demod th challenger in florida the clutch was smooth,but I didn't like the delay in response of the throttle.i noticed that when you get on the bike to ride ,you are using too much strength to lift it up, just turn the handbars to the right and you will feel its much easier to get of the kickstand
Thanks for the information and suggestions. I appreciate you watching.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney your welcome, the pleasure is all mine 😀
Probably the best Indian bike for your stature would be the new model of the Indian Chief in the Super Chief Limited. Much lighter and more manageable and has the powerful 116 motor. Her Two Wheels just did a Super Chief Limited Demo Ride in Mountains of Arizona with a group and was most impressed. If you are serious about a tourer I would suggest to try the new model Honda Goldwing and Honda Dealerships, like Harley, are all over the country. Best of luck in your quest.
Thank you! Appreciate the information. I might take that suggestion. 🙂
Great Indian review, more honest than many other test riders. Personally, I love my HD Deluxe that I turned into an old-school bagger-turning bike. No stereo, but I did opt for the heel-toe shifter and cruise control. I started out with a1942 WLA 45 flathead then a '47 74 knucklehead that I chopped, so very sorry I don't still have it! then a '63 pan head hand shifter. I bought 2018 deluxe for my 66th birthday and it's a fantastic bike, it's probably short enough for you to ride. Have a good one.
Thank you! Appreciate the kind words and it sounds like you’ve got a great bike!
thats the same bike and place where I took the test ride and fell in love when I hit second gear. Sport mode is ridiculous. I did a couple upgrades and I must say she's wicked.
Nice! So glad you go something you love.
Mt Airy, Lisbon Maryland here.
Great riding within 100 miles.
Great video, great review.
Harley guy since 64.
I plan to test ride an Indian this summer 😎
Your review is exactly how my test ride was on the chieftain! Hard to shift gears, controls far away! That’s exactly what I experienced. Ride was smooth as a Cadillac, low seat height, etc! Great review Meg!
Hi Meg, Been following since you only had a few followers, now you’re at 13k! Great and congratulations! I have ridden and owned many different brands of motorcycles and have been riding for over 50 years. I think it is great that you’re going out and trying different bikes, continuing to do so is great. All this being said, I am a Harley guy through and through. I don’t care what others ride, only that they ride. But riding a Harley and owning a Harley is the ultimate experience. I ride a SGS and love it. The RGS is also a great bike, but I prefer the SGS. Best wishes in whatever you buy. Best wishes, Doug
Thank you! I appreciate your continued support!
Would you consider test riding the low slung BMW Cruisers or bagger ....or Ducati Diavel S Cruiser ?
I didn’t say I wouldn’t... I just might.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , thank you . I've enjoyed how you share your own unique experience and opinions re: motorcycling and in particular cruiser bikes. . I like how someone like yourself who appears to be a lifelong energetic high achiever finds cruiser bikes to be a way to relax and explore. Your cruiser vlogs has helped me consider of adding a cruiser to my experience of riding my adventure oriented bike. I think the BMW R18 and the cruiser sport oriented Ducati Diavel expands on the idea of the cruiser riding experience.....not better or worse than HD/Indian...but unique :-)
@@wiskkid aww thank you! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my content. I’m open to trying all different types of bikes but do enjoy the relaxation aspect of it.
Luv that there's a moto vlogger in my area, seeing things I know and places I go to. I just find it hard to get into voice over videos, I like to hear the motorcycles and the thoughts as your riding down the road.
Thank you for that! I’m working on getting a mic this week.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney THAT'S GREAT! I'll keep watching and supporting, you're a DMV biker chick...I gotta. 😊😊
@@sydlyntwolovin1272 aww thanks girl! Happy Easter!
@@megsmotorcyclejourney YW, Happy Easter to you too.
Should you try a sport bike? Absolutely. A lot them have sport style handlebars or high clipons, so the ergonomics are more upright and very comfortable. Triumph Street Triple R low suspension version would fit you easily. Triumph Trident 660 and Triumph Speed Twin are also worth looking at. Motorman Paladino gave the Speed Twin a good review. Some other good examples are Ducati Monster, Kawasaki Ninja 650, and Yamaha MT07.
Stay tuned I’m working on that!
Meg, The journey continues. It is good to ride lots of different bikes because as it says this is your motorcycle journey. It is amazing that you are so adventurous and so involved with your followers as well. Great job! Great review and your true objectivity. You look great and as always Ride Safe!!
Aww thank you! What nice feedback! I appreciate it. Ride safe
good sales guys there. no pressure. let you look around without hovering. they know if your interested then they don't need to "sell" it .
Always turn the front wheel straight 1st before picking the bike off the side stand. It will be easier. The Indian is not lighter it is more center balanced.
My Wife is 5’1” and You tower over My 30 year old daughter who is 4’10 1/2” She has to put that half inch in there. It used to get her so mad when she couldn’t go on to rides at amusement parks ! At My size She was always handy for getting into small spaces !
What do you think about Goldwings? Too modern looking or cool in it's own way? (Seems to me you're more partial towards classic bikes.)
I haven’t thought about them enough to offer an opinion to be honest.
Great job on the test ride! I know it’s weird the first time we get on a big bike like that. You did extremely well on this video!
Cameraman! Hell of a job on the actual videotaping!!
Ride safe!
Hope you have Happy Easter!!
Aww thank you! He does do a great job. 😊 Happy Easter.
The red / white Indian in the window looked great and the Indian Challenger was cool 😎 too. The 30" custom wheel bike outside the shop with snake paint is amazing. I do prefer the Harley Glide (Shark) tourer or Honda Goldwing (manual transmission) bagger. Ps looked like a great ride going to and back to the Indian shop via the waterfront.
It was! It was a fun day. I’m not sure how I’d feel about an automatic motorcycle so if I was going to try the Honda I’d want to try the manual.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney yes the manual trans would be the go 👍
I was dealing with Indian back in Wisconsin in 2016 but they couldn't beat the deal with my now Harley-Davidson street glide special. Plus there are not as many dealerships. They are to far away from me.
Those are valid points.
definitely the Corbin...they have more options to choose from and are very comfortable. .saddleman has basically 3 designs with no color options.
I love the snake skin option!
I wonder if the shifter had a back kick on it. I was trying to see, but I just could not tell. It is a very sharp bike and I am died in the wool HD also. I even have the bar and shield tatt on my left arm..LOL
Actual test ride starts at 20:11 and ends at 26:56, dang. That's when I turned the sound on and off again. Yeah, Indian has basically put HD on notice. The new Chief models are crushing the competition. Less words, more motorcycle please.
Very cool video! It was nice to see you check out other makes; I really enjoyed seeing you sit on the Triumph Speedmaster as that’s a personal fave and was curious about what you thought. It’s smaller than your bike and, as you mentioned, is more on the Sportster side of cruisers. I have owned a Yamaha and a Harley as well, and I appreciate the loyalty that Harley owners have (it is justified!), but I also appreciate that you were open minded to checking out other makes. Cheers!
Did you get the information I emailed you on Corbin seats?
Ahh!! Just did. 😁😁 Thank you! That is so exciting.
At the end of the day it’s about what you like. Some are loyal to a brand and nothing else will ever be attractive to them. Some just like a certain look that a brand makes and anything else just doesn’t suit them. Every bike maker out there to me makes a nice looking bike somewhere in their lineup so I appreciate all bikes. I’m an Indian owner but also had a Kawasaki and Honda. Again it’s about enjoying the ride whatever it may be. Glad you tried something different and keep doing it! It makes you appreciate what you have.
Yes! Agree. Good perspective.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Challenger or Road Glide. It comes down to personal preference, I'd personally take the Challenger because I love high revving OHC engines. I may very well buy one next year
mine shifts with just a smooth click, i wonder if something was wrong with that one? Also a heel shifter would be a good option.
Nice you had to approach the sales person for help... Thanks for a great review!
Thank you for watching!
Chesapeake Cycles is my dealership and I've purchased one Victory and three Indians from them. They always great everyone when they come in and have a no pressure approach. They're there to help and answer questions or let you look around as much as you want. I asked the salesman about this incident. It seems this video is misleading a little in that Meg came into the dealership and was greeted just like they do everyone. She talked to the salesman and looked around for a while to familiarize herself with what she wanted to do. THEN she went back outside and started filming. It may look like she just entered the store for the first time but that just wasn't the case. So don't be quick to judge someone from what your shown; it doesn't always show the entire story.
Mean city cycles in NC will take your stock seat and do whatever stitching you want and put gel or memory foam. I did mine and its the best seat ive ever had and half the cost of a custom seat
Huh... great thought. I’m going to NC in May! Thank you.
Good video.. It is most important to be comfortable with the bike, because you then trust when you need to perform quick maneuvers to avoid getting in an accident or hurt.
For the seat, I am sure most seat manufacturers can customize a seat for you. However, consider investing in a removable rider’s backrest. You will love it on longer trips. Especially if you put on that front crash bar/foot rest.
Thank you! Great suggestion! Ride safe and thank you for watching
So nice to see my hometown in your video... excellent content and visuals!
Aww I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Love Annapolis.
Hi Megan. The power changes have 3 modes for Power.the sport mode gets it to the 120 hp.i think you would of liked that power mode better performance. I had mentioned before I have a 17 road glide special. And a 17 indian chieftain limited.i like them both.indians stock suspension a rear mono shock rides so much smoother than the road glides stock shocks.i just changed the road rear shocks to fox much better.i know your not into the touring models as much . So if you guys get a road glide. My experience is to change the rear shocks to one of the good aftermarket ones fox or ohlins legends etc .they are all good expensive 8 or 900 a pair but worth it.so that's my experience with the two models. If that helps at all.Rich thanks for the intertainment. That dealer to me seemed a bit standoff at first but they caved to yours and cameramans charisma. 😉
I greatly appreciate the information! Thank you for watching and your support.
Your welcome Megan.
The USA has some amazing showrooms! 16:41, what was that? :)
I always make sure the bike is all the way down on kickstand by rocking it backwards because I’ve dropped mine like that once.
Megan, if your'e ever in mount Pocono , pa , check out Pocono Mountain Harley Davidson. That's an amazing Harley Davidson dealership.
Will do! Thank you for the suggestion!
Baers hd in Hawley pa,is a fantastic dealership..treat you like family and awesome roads to ride!!
The shifting you are talking about is because Harley is a chain driven primary and Indian is a gear driven primary. I have a Victory Magnum and the I like the positive “click” as you shift into gear. When I started on a Victory Vegas, I got great advice in terms of shifting. Don’t pussy-foot it, kick it into gear.
You needed to change the ride mode. You were in touring or standard, click in sport then ride it. I would say that on the next test ride, regardless of Make\Model, I would spend more time getting familiar with the tech, especially because tech now changes the ride/power/feel of the bike.
great video meg!! luv ur boots!! very cool!!
Thank you! Appreciate that.
Challenger is not “putting the hurt on Road Glides...” Maximum misinformation.
Lolz
I have not had the opportunity to able to ride a Indian . I bet the experience was great
It was cool to try something new
Check out Ultimate seat, it’s located behind Destination Daytona..
Girl, what the hell was that move at 16:45 while sitting on the Indian bike???!!!.....lol
Head up to Elizabethtown Pa to Hernleys. Telling best hands down customer service and bikes. I live in Westminster its about an hour and half up the road.
I’ll check it out!
Meg what is ur ultimate bike ?
Mine 😍🥰
Every time I see Indian motorcycles, It makes me miss The Victory Motorcycle Company. The Victory Cross Country to me is one of the nicest modern day motorcycles I've ever seen or heard about in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your Indian Dealership experience Meg and Cameraman.
Thank you for coming along on our journey!
Do you play with your hair THAT much when you’re in court too? 🤐😂
It’s really windy for much of the video- it would have been in my face.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney I was just kidding 😜 but ya. You can definitely hear the wind. You east coast people got it over us here in So cal- we’re kind of spoiled. Mostly year round riding, & very rarely below 45-50°. Good video and review Megan! 👍🏻
It's a girl thing just love it👍😈
@@ianloyd6384 thank you!
@@metalpunk9519 thank you!
Before you give up on Indian, you should check out the new 2022 FTR S which should become available soon. It's an awesome looking machine with a lower seat height than the previous version. I think you would look really good on it.
Thank you! Appreciate the information.
I’m surprised that you had trouble shifting. Our Indians shift about the same or easier than my Harley did. Thanks for trying one out! You would have liked the windshield!!
I don’t know if it was just that bike or what. I actually didn’t like the windshield- but the fact that it goes up and down is pretty neat!
You are definitely a BABC and I appreciate that you are open to riding other brands and styles of bikes, Meg!! I am with you I waited until I was 68 before I finally broke down and bought my first Harley and although I enjoyed Triumphs and Yamahas, I do wish I had tried Harleys earlier in my life, and I love my Harley!!
Love those Indian motorcycles!
They just keep getting better and better!!👍
You should try Twigg’s Cycle in Hagerstown and stop by Harpers Ferry
Love those new handlebars!!
Me too! I’m finally happy!
Twigg cycles in Hagerstown has a great Indian inventory and the saleswoman, Maddie, is amazing. If you ever get up that way, look for her.
Thank you for the suggestion!
Reduce reach seat would have helped a lot. They should have lowered the windshield for you. Then if they would have put it in sport mode you would have had more of an awakening when you cranked the throttle.
Cool video. I’m a fan of the road glide myself though I’ve never owned one. Currently i own a Victory Vegas 8 ball and a BMW K1600GtL. Not a big fan of the Indian in general but i do like the Indian Scout.
As far as seats go you HAVE to look at Lepera! They will do anything you like and they have killer seats. I love my tailwhip!
Thank you for the suggestion!!
The Airhawk saved my ass on many 1500 mike trips.
Dealer networks is huge. I was on a road trip from Jersey to Missouri in 2019. My buddy lost his ECM on the way. We managed to get there. Called the local Harley dealer. They came and got the bike over nighted the ECM had him on the road a day later. No other motorcycle brand has that kind of service. I’m with camera man. Harley loyal though and through. I wouldn’t even consider any other brand.
I respect that. I’m not sure he’ll let me buy a company bike that is anything else- but if I rode one that was something else and I loved it, maybe I could convince him to try it. 😜 It’s not an issue here because I didn’t love it.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney . Have you tried a streetglide yet? I’m a smaller guy. I prefer the streetglide over the roadglide, the roadglide controls and gauges seem to far away to me. My friend has one , I rode it. I really didn’t feel a difference between the two farings. I feel more comfortable on the streetglide. Other than the faring, it’s the exact same bike.
You were so close, the Triumphs are better than both the Indian and the Harleys. Build quality is as good or better, WAY more reliable, better performance and it’s more unique...everyone and his brother has a Harley! If you are interested in trying a sport bike their are few better than the Triumph Speed Triple and the new Trident is the perfect entry level sport bike
Thank you! Perhaps I’ll go back and give them a go!
The Road Master has the Faring that moves, like a Street Glide!
The Challenger has the frame mounted Faring, like the Road Glide!
Yes! I noticed that.
So cool that you showed the pic of you and Cameraman as youngsters! I noticed he called you "hon" a couple times and I got the vibe that maybe HE is your mystery husband(?). I know you are the best of friends, which is #1 criteria for wedded bliss 🥰.
You looked good riding the Indian Challenger and I liked the looks of the middle Triumph (what model was it?). You reminded me of Goldilocks, BTW, sitting on all the bikes to find the one that felt "just right."
Cameraman, I was fixated on your bare hand. 😧 Your forearm is nicely toned, BTW!😉
Hahaha. We are not married. “Hun” is a Baltimore slang thing and also very much Mike’s personality to call lots of folks “hun”. We have been close for nearly all of our life though.
Thank you! I can’t remember the make of the middle bike- I’ll see if I can figure it out. Lol I can see the Goldilocks thing.
He is going to love that comment- he may or may not have always been an arm wrestling champ. 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Meg sounds like the dealer ship didn't take the time to go over the bike and all it's controls with you before your test ride. It would have made your ride more enjoyable. Indian does make a heel shifter which may have helped. You looked pretty stretched out reaching for the shifter.
I was stretched out and no they didn’t.
I’m with cameraman nothing better than a Harley in my opinion
You gotta check out the 2022 Indian chief dark horse…I think you will like that one.
I went with Harley because the dealership is 4 blocks from me and the Indian dealership over 100 miles away.
Yeah try a sport bike have an open mind and ride everything, I just met you and your friend at the timonium bike show (which kinda sucked) but yeah test ride all the brands, I’m a retired Harley-Davidson mechanic and I started riding everything I could and now own about 13 bikes and having a blast, thanks for the heads up on your utube channel
Enjoyed the video, I like the Indians, but am quite happy with my Harley, happy Easter Megan,
Happy Easter to you as well!
I think value for $ the Indian Scout would be hard to beat. Maybe give a Triumph Speedmaster a rip sometime too. I put a Mustang Solo seat w/backrest, studs and conchos for a classic look on my anniversary Sportster. Thanks for the videos!
Great suggestion! Thank you!
Nice video, I agree with you 100%, the Indian looked boxy to me as well, thanks for saving me a trip to an Indian dealer, be well my friend
Thank you! Same to you,
Very Cool.. Maryland has a wide variety of motorcycle dealerships... not just HD. Review them all, makes great content
I agree plus a cool experience! Thanks for watching.
Meg, You look great on any bike. Ride safe+enjoy
Thank you!
I own and ride both Indian and Harley. As far as the bikes go, I would put the Springfield right up there with a Road King. Quality, fit and finish, performance, all top notch on both. The Springfield does have that classic Indian look which is why I went with it. I will say, assuming both bikes are equal, pretty much everything else about the Harley ownership experience is a bit better. Not only are there more dealerships, there are a ton of independent mechanics that will work on Harley. I would guess you can find someone to work on a Harley within 100 miles of anywhere in the US. We have a number of Indian dealerships here, so I have options, but not so much if I break down on a road trip. The community and the events around HD are also more established. H.O.G. has strong backing from Harley, and the dealerships, which IMRG does not seem to. Of course these are all things that Indian can improve over time. The engineering on the machines is there. I haven't had any trouble whatsoever with my Indian (or my current Harley). Third party upgrade support is certainly better on Harley, but I haven't though of anything I wanted for my Indian that I couldn't find a number of options on. I don't plan on ever getting rid of my Indian, but if I add a 3rd bike, it would most likely be another Harley. Nothing looks like and Indian, but 1 is all I need.
Thanks for all of the information! 🙂
Looking at the numbers, Indian is catching up to HD in many markets. Indian paused production for WW2 HD never stopped production commercially
Hi Meg, Mike Corbin is a good friend and neighbor of mine I’ll send him this video.
Omg I would love that! I’m dying for their snake skin with red stitching away. 😍
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , I will call him tomorrow and talk to him so he has a heads up if you want to call him. I can’t post his cell number but I’ll give you his business number. He loves outfitting celebrities with custom seats, lol
@@megsmotorcyclejourney , my wife used to give mikes granddaughter rides through our neighborhood on her horse cart, mike made my wife a one of a kind custom cart seat in red Italian leather with embroidered feathers.
@@jdacosta443 that would be perfect. You can email me at megsmotorcyclejourney@gmail.com
@@jdacosta443 wow, what an amazing gift!!
I own both a harley cvo road glide and a Indian chieftain. Been a harley guy but Indian has the edge right now. Much better ride and suspension. Lower center of gravity making bike feel lighter and ease of handling. Better power. If only Harley engineers could get a true dual shock rear suspension and other design upgrades.........still love my road glide but harley is getting lazy in design and service after the sale.
love the way you check out the seat
That’s cameraman’s fault. Lol.
When you two are riding, how does "camera man" track you so well? Is the camera on his helmet? Just curious. Love your vids.
Wouldn't you track her well ;-) ?
Nice to see that you were up to the challenge of taking out the Indian. Ride safe 💙 and take care 🤓
Thank you! You ride safe as well!
You need to go with the Street Glide Meg!!
I liked it but I liked the fixed fairing a bit better.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney
That’s how I am. Coming off 35 years on a low rider I didn’t want a fixed windshield so I got the road king. I generally have the shield on from September to May then it comes off.
Meg, as always, I really enjoyed your video. It's so funny yet endearing how humble and very P.C. that you are. You are an Absolute joy to watch. You are Absolutely Perfect in Every way 😍. Keep on Keepin' On 🤟🏼 Until we meet next year 😉
I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. Thank you for coming along on the journey.
I'll tell you what an Indian motorcycle looks like. Indian came out with the V-Twin engine. Indian also came out with an in line four.
That's a weird review. The shifting is every bit as easy as a Harley. You were dealing with some other issue. Riding with a windshield in the wrong position is also going to effect your experience. The power & torque is way better on the Indian, so again, something else is going on there. The suspension is way better than Harley so that needed to be experienced.
Personally, that Challenger is far and away the best tourer out there, but I happen to think it's ugly.
You are entitled to your opinion- that was my experience.
@@megsmotorcyclejourney To be clear, the things I mentioned are kinda factual (except for the bike being so ugly, that part is opinion. LOL). Seriously, there is absolutely nothing noticeably different in the shifting, and the torque is greater, so something else is going on there.
I have owned and ridden plenty and settled on my favorite bike; the Indian Springfield. The Harley equivalent is the Road Kind, but the Indian is better in every category (engine, suspension, fit & finish...). I think it looks better too but thats opinion. My point is, preference aside, you were reporting issues that simply don't exist on that bike.
Awesome great demo once again Meg. That was a pretty good looking bike though in my opinion. Gonna have to test ride myself lol
It was nice! Just not my favorite
Meg a hint for you when lifting a bike turn front wheel all the way to the right then lift
I know this but sometimes forget. Thank you for the reminder.
I used to live in Annapolis and I miss living there! Cool sights!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Maybe a Road Glide CVO is the way y'all should go.
Perhaps! Thank you for the suggestion!
hu guys, the male on the camera is a great person to have for tips and erperienced advice. i would like recommend an hiviz upper body airbag from helics. ride safe and smart.
Thank you! Yes he is.
The dealer failed you in not showing you all the controls (ie. Windshield lowering, how to choose the ride mode. ) The challenger will eat a road for lunch in a race. Bit ride what your comfortable with. Keep the shiny side up and knees in the breeze.
A number of people have said this. Appreciate the input!
That dealership must be killing it, not so much as a “hello”
I feel the same way, I hate when I walk into a bike dealership and they won’t even give you the time of day
Yeah that's what I was thinking.
I’ve been there many times. Always a hello, and parts and service extremely helpful. Sales welcomes test rides. I was ready to ride away on a new bike a while ago, but we couldn’t agree on price. I think with Meg they could have initially been camera shy.
@@kyle2109 well it didn't seem so like in the video.