(FR Motorcycle Hooligan vanity) Honda F6B or Indian Chieftain?

12/5/15 | Marty

[martin_fierro]

Alright, you Freeper Motorcycle Hooligans:

Marty is tentatively in the market for a new bike.

Current contenders are the Honda Gold Wing F6B vs the Indian Chieftain

I’d like to hear anyone’s experiences with either of the above 2 bikes — or with any other large dual-bag cruiser

Here’s what I”m thinking:

HONDA F6b:

• PLUSSES:
  • 1800cc 6-cylinder boxer engine, liquid-cooled, known for great balance of torque vs high-end and for longevity
  • Shaft drive
  • Slightly lower asking price than the Chieftain
  • Modern electronic features
  • Great Honda fit & finish, engineering
• MINUSES:
  • Does not have old-school look nor much chrome

INDIAN CHIEFTAIN:

• PLUSSES:
  • 1800cc V-Twin engine, air-cooled
  • Belt drive
  • TONS of chrome & old-school styling — freaking gorgeous
  • Modern electronic features
• MINUSES:
  • Indian Motorcycle has been in & out of bankruptcy since last century. While the brand is now owned & produced by Polaris, I don’t know how long Indian will be around this time.
  • I’m not familiar with long-term reliability of the brand
  • Slightly higher asking price than the F6B

THE OLD BIKE (2000 Honda Shadow):

• PLUSSES:
  • 1100cc V-twin, liquid-cooled
  • Has about 23,000 miles on it
  • Has great old-school look, good amount of chrome
  • Great Honda fit & finish, including “blue-proof” exhausts
  • It’s fully paid for and running well
• MINUSES:
  • Undersized gas tank
  • Engine strains > 65 mph
  • A little lean on features (no radio or other electronic items)

[martin_fierro]

What do you think? Chime in!

[martin_fierro]

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[Finny]

I vote for the Indian just on general principle!

[gorush]

Beemer opposed twin.

[Tax-chick]

I think you should oppress an underprivileged minority and get the Indian Chieftain. And drive carefully!

[military cop]

Triumph Thunderbird 900 Triple

RLTW

[RegulatorCountry]

Polaris has done an awesome job with Indian since taking over, beautiful and well-regarded bikes. I don’t think they’re going to be going away any time soon, if that’s worrying you.

[Paine in the Neck]

Don’t know much about the modern Indian incarnations but I see a fair number around here in central TX. The Indian gets a vote from me just ‘cuz it was a WWII vintage Indian that I first got a ride on a motorcycle.

[gorush]

I knew Trumpets back in the day. Do they still have all their cylinders sending the pistons in the same direction at the same time? Seemed silly then, still does. :{)

[Bob434]

not currently a cycle rider but the chief looks great- Dunno about recent Hondas, but they didn’t used to be so reliable (in my experience anyways- but always had older ones)

[Bob434]

the Honda just looks like the bat mobile in cycle drag

[Scrambler Bob]

Moto Guzzi 1400 Touring.

http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/motorcycles/california-1400-touring.html

[CPONav]

I’ve never owned or ridden a Goldwing, but have never really heard anything bad about them.
The Chieftain on the other hand...
I have about 12,000 miles on my 2014 Indian Chieftain. I traded a HD Heritage in when I bought it and have never looked back. I absolutely LOVE this bike. It is air cooled, so it will tend to get warm on your leg in traffic. That is the only thing that is less than wonderful about this motorcycle and there are things that you can do to lessen the heat on your legs.
I have added a GPS, XM radio, wireless headsets in the helmets. My iPhone caan bluetooth to the bike. I can bluetooth or plug in my ipod.
For more Indian info, check out www.indianmotorcycles.net
It’s a forum, not the Indian website. If I knew how, I’d post aa pic of my bike here.

[MtnClimber]

Shelby GT350

[doyle]

Doing big miles? Goldwing Bagger.

Jaunts around town? Indian Chieftain.

[NormsRevenge]

I haven’t a clue , Stanley.

But Seriesly.. It’s been 40 years since I rode a motorcycle.

Lots of stuff lout there.. Age appropriate? Well, that’s up to you.

I started out with a dirt bike and stopped at a scrambler..

A chopped hog was always a Bucket List item..

With a flag on the back and a hot mama hanging on!!

[Vaquero]

Nothing smoother than a flat 4 or 6 Honda bike and incredible power

Nothing cooler looking than an Indian. Oh the two tone classic ones with the fringed leather bags and big fender flares. Not the one you show

Just my $0.02

[amorphous]

For principle, koolness, wow, the Indian.

For reliability, comfort, fit and finish, trips, the Honda.

[CPONav]

Also, in my opinion, Indian is here to stay. The Kings Mountain and Gilroy bikes had some problems and were outrageously expensive. Polaris has done their homework on these bikes. They are dependable, affordable, and Polaris is a HUGE company in the motorsports world. Indian is back with a vengeance.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Indian Custom Landspeed, Burt Munro...