Does Indian need to get the classic look back?

I think they've gone just a tad further back in time on the 'classic' thing.
2023


1939


Maybe it's just me.

It's sad that my bike isn't a thing with Indian anymore, but that's life.

I tend to think of it as a "Springfield with soft bags" now.

 

I like the classic “art deco” look. I would really like to see the PP motor in a classic fender/fairing bike. I cannot see myself buying a new, new style Indian motorcycle. For that kind of money, I’m not going to settle. So if the RM classic is gone when or if I need to get another bike, I will buy used.

 

With you all the way Bobby!,......Damn it Indian!.....just stop mud flapping around and bring back the Indian 4 !!!!!,.......Only one colour needed,........guess which one!!!
Alpal

 

Green?

 

I'm speechless!,.....
Alpal

 

Yeah, I am so pleased that I decided on a Springfield nearly 6 years ago.

I love that it looks classic Indian, but has some great modern attributes as well.

…

I occasionally wonder how long I can keep this thing going… At 67 now, I hope it’s for a good few years yet. I have thought that if I felt the need to go smaller that it would be a Scout, but probably a used one (to keep some of the classic styling). Ahhh the reverie . . .

 

When I bought my Vintage I was torn between it and a Springfield they had sitting there. If that Springie had been Willow Green/Cream it would have won hands down.

No you aren't!

Besides, I've been away and your color tastes could have changed. How was I to know? So it's blue then eh?

I'm glad I bought my Vintage when I did because they won't be a thing again. Indian is moving, as they should, to the tastes of a younger crowd. They have to stay alive and that's the only way. It sucks in some ways, but it's how it goes. I was trying to find some add-ons for my ride on Indian's site the other day and they don't have much of anything there anymore. I guess it'll all be aftermarket from here on out. SMH business ... amirite?

 

Yeah, I reckon the Willow Green/Cream is the best colour combo of all time.

If they were on offer at the time, I just might have gone that way.

 

,...No comment!!!,.....
Alpal

 

My old Springfield is looking better all the time.
It wouldn't take much to offer the classic styling to other models other than the Roadmaster & Springfield.
Polaris needs to step up with more SOLID colors in their lineup also.

 

The 2015 Indian Chief Darkhorse with apes and fishtail remains the icon of this generation, to me:

 

I really thought Indian/Polaris would be different, those reds, green/cream, those beautiful lines from the past, the art deco look of the 40’s, but it wasn’t to be for long. Just a taste, a touch of class to the motorcycle world, then gone to the Harley Davidson with ugly colors, cut up, chopped up fenders. Next will come the standard oil leaks. Why?
They made the most beautiful bikes to just throw it away to become a clone to hd.
I guess they don’t understand brand loyalty, I had thought about another vintage to keep as a two-wheeler, but it may become a bmw r18, unless I find another older vintage.

 

Yeah, like more RED!!!!!!!

 

Indian's paint game hasn't ever been solid, in my view. It was BASIC until the first Limiteds (remember the disco ball?) and that was for a "limited" audience. I try not even to remember the chocolate brown 2019s or the two-tone brown Roadmasters.....

 

I am just hoping that they keep the RM Classic around a little longer. That way they'll have to keep making parts for 2017 DH Chieftain . . . (if I end up needing them).

In a different vein, ten years ago (on a Weber forum) I suggested that, since a lot of Weber grills were sold through the company website, that all of the beautiful colors that were available for Kettles in other countries could be made available to US consumers if they ordered online. That way the big box stores could maintain their limited style inventory and just continue sell the black ones but others would have a stunning number of choices.

Similarly, several years ago I suggested that Polaris could the same. I could order a Classic (Locomotive & round bags) and you could order the HD Clone. After all, as long as they're still making both sets of parts, they should be able handle it on their assembly line. And don't tell me they can't because the Big Three did it for 20 years during the 60's-70's-80s and I don't believe for one GD second that we taken steps backwards in our manufacturing knowhow.

In both cases, the dealerships (or big boxes) could order inventory to please the masses and make their lives easier but the more savvy customers could still have all the options to choose from.

So, the moral of the story is, ten years later, Weber has finally come around to my position and you can now order custom colored kettles (about 20 different colors) from their website. So maybe, just maybe, there is some hope for Polaris. (Not holding my breath though.)





BD

 

Is that kind of statement really necessary? How is it relevant to the discussion of styling? I had a 16 Roadmaster and one of the reasons I got ride of it was because it leaked oil and Polaris refused to honor the warranty and fix it. Truthful problem posting is one thing, bashing for the sake of bashing is something else. End of rant.