Drifter - Page 3

kawboysix · 03-29-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I take it you haven't seen the new Indian lineup. The INDIAN Chieftain has a "full" fairing and hard bags and still looks like an Indian.

I can't see the comparison in that. The new Cheiftan is stunning and the new fairing is beautifull and specifically desinged to fit the classic flowing lines of the bike. Well executed in my opinion. However, the Batwing fairing and the non conforming hard bags? Just kinda stickin out there like white bean in a black cats ass!

**Top Cat** · 03-29-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I take it you haven't seen the new Indian lineup. The INDIAN Chieftain has a "full" fairing and hard bags and still looks like an Indian.

Not in my opinion.
It looks like a Polaris version of an Indian, not a vintage Indian.
You see the bike in my avatar, that is my Dad on his 193? Indian.
Show me a pic of a vintage Indian with a faring and hard bags.
Like I said, to each their own but I would not buy a Chieftain if I could afford it.

WoodCarver · 03-29-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

I think it looks best with a windshield but that is all. To each their own as they say.

For me, a fairing, with lowers, has a practical purpose in that it provides extra protection from the cold (& on rare occasion, snow). If heading into warmer climates, I will replace the fairing with a windshield, as I did during my trip to Tennessee and North Carolina. Given that I'll ride my Drifter coast to coast, luggage is also a necessity (I will remove the luggage for short local runs), but I do see your point, and I'm thinking that Billy Joel would agree with you. A photo of his Drifter is attached:

kawboysix · 03-29-2014, 12:18 PM

Oh my! I'd park that in my living room so I look every day.

**Top Cat** · 03-29-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodCarver

For me, a fairing, with lowers, has a practical purpose in that it provides extra protection from the cold (& on rare occasion, snow). If heading into warmer climates, I will replace the fairing with a windshield, as I did during my trip to Tennessee and North Carolina. Given that I'll ride my Drifter coast to coast, luggage is also a necessity (I will remove the luggage for short local runs), but I do see your point, and I'm thinking that Billy Joel would agree with you. A photo of his Drifter is attached:

I see your point. If that is the only bike a person has and ride long distance then they need wind protection and luggage.
But you have a Nomad you could use for long distance like I do.
That is the fun in having more than one bike, one for long comfortable rides, one for bike nights and one for just cruising around town or the countryside.
Again, it is just the way I like mine to look. It is your bike and you should make it look as you want.

Monkeyman · 03-29-2014, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

That is the fun in having more than one bike, one for long comfortable rides, one for bike nights and one for just cruising around town or the countryside.

I guess, if you've got money falling out of your ass, you can own more than one bike. Personally, I'd prefer a bike that handles long rides, bike nights and around town cruising all in one. Oh, wait. I've got one. That description pretty much fits my Vision.

Monkeyman · 03-29-2014, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Not in my opinion.
It looks like a Polaris version of an Indian, not a vintage Indian.
You see the bike in my avatar, that is my Dad on his 193? Indian.
Show me a pic of a vintage Indian with a faring and hard bags.
Like I said, to each their own but I would not buy a Chieftain if I could afford it.

Who said anything about a VINTAGE Indian? The SL Indians still carry the same theme as the "vintage" Indians, just updated. I guess, if you want to ride around on an 80 year old bike with 80 year old technology, buy an 80 year old Indian.

Personally, I wouldn't own a Chieftain, either. I don't care for the look but I don't like the look of the vintage Indian or the Drifter.

WoodCarver · 03-29-2014, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

But you have a Nomad you could use for long distance like I do.

It was a recent find - picked it up last fall. P.O. had logged 7,000 miles on it. This will be my first season with it.

**Top Cat** · 03-29-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

The INDIAN Chieftain has a "full" fairing and hard bags and still looks like an Indian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Who said anything about a VINTAGE Indian? The SL Indians still carry the same theme as the "vintage" Indians, just updated..

I took your comment still looks like an Indian to mean it looks like the bike the original Indian manufacturer made, not Polaris's idea of what an Indian should look like.

As far as owning a Vision for all around use, it may be everything you say and it is an example of form follows function but I just can't get past the style.
There again, just my opinion, to each their own. If we all rode the same exact motorcycle we would have a lot less to talk about.

Monkeyman · 03-29-2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

I took your comment still looks like an Indian to mean it looks like the bike the original Indian manufacturer made, not Polaris's idea of what an Indian should look like.

...I just can't get past the style.

I think the original Indian look is still going strong, it's just updated. I still don't like it.

I agree on the style of the Vision. If it was a little more mainstream style, I don't think Victory would have ever produced the XCT. Everyone who was interested in a Vic touring bike would buy one. Even if someone's not interested in buying either a Vision or a Victory, I think they should ride a Vision once. All kidding aside, the Vision style/look is definitely "out there".

**Rasta** · 03-29-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I guess, if you've got money falling out of your ass, you can own more than one bike. Personally, I'd prefer a bike that handles long rides, bike nights and around town cruising all in one. Oh, wait. I've got one. That description pretty much fits my Vision.

Happy for you that you got one that you don't have to try make into something else.

Monkeyman · 03-29-2014, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

Happy for you that you got one that you don't have to try make into something else.

Me, too. It would have been nice if I'd realized what I really wanted before I'd sunk thousands of dollars into my Nomad. I've put almost zero into my current bike and other than 2 or 3 small things, I don't plan to.

**Top Cat** · 03-29-2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Me, too. It would have been nice if I'd realized what I really wanted before I'd sunk thousands of dollars into my Nomad. I've put almost zero into my current bike and other than 2 or 3 small things, I don't plan to.

Yeah I remember the ongoing saga of you working on your Nomad.
I think you worked on it for one whole riding season.