I really have no problem with what they are doing as first edition. Some of us old timers remember why Indian went ten toes up and it had a lot to do with 30s styling, technology and performance. Can you say side valve engines in 1950? In 1953, I don't think Indian had a bike that would even run with the K model much less any of the Brit bikes. Plus 1949, they rushed the Warrior into production way too quick. It had way too many “teething” problems.
I am withholding finial opinion. IF they do as John Bloor did, I will say success. Or if they use the Indian as the cruiser line and do something innovated with Victory.
By the way beating a BMW cruiser ain't saying much. Beating a GS1250 would be.
Have to go with same class for a fair comparison. The all new engine they designed for it has over 119lb/ft of torque, which is good for the class. Also, unlike Harley it has a unitized engine with integrated transmission.
Interestingly, they all come standard with throttle by wire, keyless ignition and cruise control, all on a cast aluminum frame so it’s not the same old ancient tech either.
Check out this article: http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/03/2014-indian-chief-vintage-and-chieftain-bagger-first-ride-review-photos-specs/
Couple quotes from it:
Why the Chief and not, say, something sportier like a Scout? “A couple of different reasons,” says Gary Gray, director of product for Indian. “One is we did a lot of research on the heritage of the brand and where it left off in 1953, and looked at what consumers remember. The Chief is at the top of what people think about when they think about Indian Motorcycles, so that’s where you start. Two, as much we like to think about this as glamorous, and art and fun to do, it’s a business at the same time. When you look at the motorcycle market today, heavyweight cruisers and baggers are huge right now. So from a financial standpoint, it also looks really attractive. Those two things together drove me to say, this is the place to start, to use that as a foundation for the brand. Once we’ve developed a strong foundation, once we’ve heavily tied us and our consumers back to the heritage of the brand, we can look at spreading out from there.”
“I can really see the brand going anywhere and everywhere, and we want it to,” says Gray. “We don’t want the brand to pinned down into cruisers, baggers and touring like everyone probably expects. We want to go beyond that. That won’t be a quick process. It’s not going to happen next year, it’s going to happen over fives and tens of years.”
So while they’re not going full-Bloor, I don’t think it’s going to be far from it. I have a suspicion, though, that we can look forward to a Ducati-esque sportbike in the not terribly distant future with an Indian Scout badge.