A picture a day....biker banter (Vol 4)
Discussion
Janluke said:
I know its mainly sports, nakeds and adventure bikes on BB but I'm thinking about swapping my Victory Hammer for something else and had a second test ride on a Indian Chieftain yesterday. I liked everything about it but struggled with buffeting at motorway speeds no matter what position the screen was in. Leaning towards the Dark Horse Chief which is basically as above but no fairing or hard luggage and slightly more rake
I have the Chief Vintage, and have had a 'loaner' Chieftain when mine's been in for a service. The Chieftain had far more buffeting that my Vintage (aka Chief with a screen) BUT that was only truly solved with the lower wind deflectors (Indian part) and a 2" taller screen. I'm happy to look through the screen, not over, so this setup is pretty much wind and buffet free at any speed. As well as the proper Indian options, there are quite a few after market choices too - mine is a 'straight' screen from Cee Bailey, and these guys do screens with a top curve. http://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshi... I've also seen after-market screens for the Chieftain too at different heights. But as above, the biggest single change to stop the buffeting for me at speed on a Vintage (basically same as a Classic Dark Horse with a screen) was the lower wind deflectors. Without them, the wind actually channels 'up' below the screen/fairing and it's a bit of a mess wind-wise behind it. With them and the taller screen, it's not far short of still-air even at 100+ (local ruler permitting). Not sure if you'll be able to get a test ride on a bike with that setup though. If you're near me, then you can certainly take a spin on mine and see the difference. I've done 500 miles in a day with no fatigue at all; it just eats the miles and I don't need to bother with a visor (although I do wear glasses to ride/drive).
As an aside, if you're looking at Classic vs a Chieftain, you've noted that the Chieftain/Roadmaster frame has a slightly steeper steering angle than the Classic/Vintage frame. Riding both back-to-back I find the Chieftain 'feels' a smaller more nimble bike than the Classic/Vintage once underway, although it looks bigger at standstill. Just had the stage 2 cams fitted, and with the high-flow air filter and pipes it's a fair bit nipper than standard...or at least it feels it. I rather enjoy the challenge of reeling-in less-well ridden sports bikes on the bagger
Clearly a well ridden sports bike will leave you in the dust, but there's a lot of the point-and-squirt brigade out there than you can give quite a shock to through the twisties. Despite the size and weight they actually have surprisingly good ground clearance on both sides, and it would need someone with far bigger b
ks than me (or the suspension set real soft) to regularly touch anything down.Edited by tvrolet on Wednesday 5th October 11:08
tvrolet said:
I have the Chief Vintage, and have had a 'loaner' Chieftain when mine's been in for a service. The Chieftain had far more buffeting that my Vintage (aka Chief with a screen) BUT that was only truly solved with the lower wind deflectors (Indian part) and a 2" taller screen. I'm happy to look through the screen, not over, so this setup is pretty much wind and buffet free at any speed. As well as the proper Indian options, there are quite a few after market choices too - mine is a 'straight' screen from Cee Bailey, and these guys do screens with a top curve. http://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshi... I've also seen after-market screens for the Chieftain too at different heights.
But as above, the biggest single change to stop the buffeting for me at speed on a Vintage (basically same as a Classic Dark Horse with a screen) was the lower wind deflectors. Without them, the wind actually channels 'up' below the screen/fairing and it's a bit of a mess wind-wise behind it. With them and the taller screen, it's not far short of still-air even at 100+ (local ruler permitting). Not sure if you'll be able to get a test ride on a bike with that setup though. If you're near me, then you can certainly take a spin on mine and see the difference. I've done 500 miles in a day with no fatigue at all; it just eats the miles and I don't need to bother with a visor (although I do wear glasses to ride/drive).
As an aside, if you're looking at Classic vs a Chieftain, you've noted that the Chieftain/Roadmaster frame has a slightly steeper steering angle than the Classic/Vintage frame. Riding both back-to-back I find the Chieftain 'feels' a smaller more nimble bike than the Classic/Vintage once underway, although it looks bigger at standstill. Just had the stage 2 cams fitted, and with the high-flow air filter and pipes it's a fair bit nipper than standard...or at least it feels it. I rather enjoy the challenge of reeling-in less-well ridden sports bikes on the bagger Clearly a well ridden sports bike will leave you in the dust, but there's a lot of the point-and-squirt brigade out there than you can give quite a shock to through the twisties. Despite the size and weight they actually have surprisingly good ground clearance on both sides, and it would need someone with far bigger bks than me (or the suspension set real soft) to regularly touch anything down.
Good points as always. Its the Dark Horse Chief I'm drawn to but the Chieftain is the only demo they had(Clearly they can't run a demo of every model and I think the Chieftain sits nicely in the range) I'm currently working out a deal with a few extras etc and noticed the morning that the Chief Dark Horse has dropped in price for 2017 so thats a wee bonus. Before my Hammer I had a Street Glide but didnt get on with it. It suited the modest power output but the brakes and handling where woeful. The Indian on the other hand feels like everything is in balance and more than capable.As you say everything is relative but for a big heavy cruiser it goes very well.But as above, the biggest single change to stop the buffeting for me at speed on a Vintage (basically same as a Classic Dark Horse with a screen) was the lower wind deflectors. Without them, the wind actually channels 'up' below the screen/fairing and it's a bit of a mess wind-wise behind it. With them and the taller screen, it's not far short of still-air even at 100+ (local ruler permitting). Not sure if you'll be able to get a test ride on a bike with that setup though. If you're near me, then you can certainly take a spin on mine and see the difference. I've done 500 miles in a day with no fatigue at all; it just eats the miles and I don't need to bother with a visor (although I do wear glasses to ride/drive).
As an aside, if you're looking at Classic vs a Chieftain, you've noted that the Chieftain/Roadmaster frame has a slightly steeper steering angle than the Classic/Vintage frame. Riding both back-to-back I find the Chieftain 'feels' a smaller more nimble bike than the Classic/Vintage once underway, although it looks bigger at standstill. Just had the stage 2 cams fitted, and with the high-flow air filter and pipes it's a fair bit nipper than standard...or at least it feels it. I rather enjoy the challenge of reeling-in less-well ridden sports bikes on the bagger
Clearly a well ridden sports bike will leave you in the dust, but there's a lot of the point-and-squirt brigade out there than you can give quite a shock to through the twisties. Despite the size and weight they actually have surprisingly good ground clearance on both sides, and it would need someone with far bigger bks than me (or the suspension set real soft) to regularly touch anything down.Edited by tvrolet on Wednesday 5th October 11:08
AnimalMother said:
Picking this up tonight! A tad excited, not had a bike since 2003 and that was only a small one.
This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
oh my I like. I really have a soft spot for Suzuki colours. This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
Edited by AnimalMother on Wednesday 5th October 12:39
AnimalMother said:
Picking this up tonight! A tad excited, not had a bike since 2003 and that was only a small one.
This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
That's a great looking bike, enjoy. This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
Edited by AnimalMother on Wednesday 5th October 12:39
AnimalMother said:
Picking this up tonight! A tad excited, not had a bike since 2003 and that was only a small one.
This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
That looks class. The GSXR is the archetypal sports bike to me.This was my dream bike back then.
It came up local 14k miles £1800, so couldn't resist it.
Edited by AnimalMother on Wednesday 5th October 12:39
Bike looks like it came out better than the car.
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