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(FR Motorcycle Hooligan vanity) Honda F6B or Indian Chieftain?
12/5/15
| Marty
Posted on 12/05/2015 2:03:45 PM PST by 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
![](http://www.hotbikeweb.com/sites/hotbikeweb.com/files/styles/medium_1x_/public/images/2015/07/chieftain-silver-smoke-01.jpg?itok=KX4b5kPJ)
Iâd like to hear anyoneâs experiences with either of the above 2 bikes â or with any other large dual-bag cruiser
Hereâs what Iâm 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 â 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 donât know how long Indian will be around this time.
- Iâm 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 âblue-proofâ exhausts
- Itâs 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)
TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies; Travel
KEYWORDS: bigcruisers; honda; indian; motorcycle
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To: martin_fierro
You have to ride both. Against all common sense, the Honda will handle well, even in the twisties. I haven’t ridden this iteration, but have spent time on Goldwings and more recently on the Valkyrie. Sounds like a Porsche and will fly with an experienced rider.
I have never ridden a Chieftain, but the few people I know who have, really like them. Fit and finish and lots of usable torque are huge positives. Plus, they look cool. Apparently as nearly trouble free as the Honda, if that is even possible. They are not exactly pigs on curvy roads themselves.
(My wife and I travel a lot 2-up on a Triumph Sprint ST 955-1, so my bias is a bit toward the sporty side, for what it’s worth.)
To: military cop
>>> Triumph Thunderbird 900 Triple <<<
2K Adventurer
22
posted on
12/05/2015 2:20:17 PM PST
by
JJ_Folderol
(Just my opinion and only worth what you paid for it.)
To: martin_fierro
Seriously, consider the horizontally opposed Beemer. Low center of gravity, smooth as silk, great engineering. I’ve over 100,000 miles on the two I’ve had.
23
posted on
12/05/2015 2:20:18 PM PST
by
gorush
(History repeats itself because human nature is static)
To: martin_fierro
24
posted on
12/05/2015 2:21:32 PM PST
by
Vaquero
( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. .)
To: martin_fierro
The cool factor goes to the Indian.
25
posted on
12/05/2015 2:24:28 PM PST
by
smokingfrog
( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
To: Tijeras_Slim
Nice ic..
Somebody should Photoshop a rapidly cycling Obammy hot on his tail.. Lol
26
posted on
12/05/2015 2:24:34 PM PST
by
NormsRevenge
(SEMPER FI!! - Monthly Donors Rock!!)
To: martin_fierro
It warmed up to 10 degrees F, so off we went to Washington State via Mexico. (long, long time ago)
27
posted on
12/05/2015 2:26:48 PM PST
by
gorush
(History repeats itself because human nature is static)
To: martin_fierro
Ive owned a lot of bikes and Im now down to a Harley.
The new Indian is probably just fine but has not been around long enough to prove itself (my opinion)
I have never regretted buying a Honda ..and Ive had quite a few
28
posted on
12/05/2015 2:27:24 PM PST
by
woofie
To: martin_fierro
How about an old-school chopper?
![photo Choppers 03_zpsr2jiilsc.jpg](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/tcny05/Motorcycles/Choppers%2003_zpsr2jiilsc.jpg)
29
posted on
12/05/2015 2:29:45 PM PST
by
ETL
(Ted Cruz 2016!! -- For a better, safer America)
To: martin_fierro
Eschew the commonplace.
![](http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/201503/moto-guzzi-californi-31w.jpg)
Moto Guzzi California (or Eldorado) - be your own man.
30
posted on
12/05/2015 2:30:15 PM PST
by
shibumi
(Vampire Outlaw of the Milky Way)
To: martin_fierro
31
posted on
12/05/2015 2:30:27 PM PST
by
ETL
(Ted Cruz 2016!! -- For a better, safer America)
To: martin_fierro
I’d say go with the Indian, provided you have a reliable dealer close by or will be doing your maintenance.
32
posted on
12/05/2015 2:30:51 PM PST
by
tacticalogic
("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
To: martin_fierro
...and the Beemer is hundreds of pounds lighter!
33
posted on
12/05/2015 2:31:39 PM PST
by
gorush
(History repeats itself because human nature is static)
To: shibumi
First time I ever did a ton was on a ‘Guzzi Eldorado.
34
posted on
12/05/2015 2:32:30 PM PST
by
tacticalogic
("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
To: martin_fierro
The Indian, no question. Time we stop supporting the Japs when we have an American choice, first, last and always. used to ride dirt bikes and still love a ride from time to time with a friend. USA All the WAY!
35
posted on
12/05/2015 2:33:16 PM PST
by
Mollypitcher1
(I have not yet begun to fight....John Paul Jones)
To: ETL
I bet 10hrs traveling on that would be a full day.
36
posted on
12/05/2015 2:34:25 PM PST
by
Lurkina.n.Learnin
(It's a shame enobama truly doesn't care about any of this. Our country, our future, he doesn't care)
To: martin_fierro
I drive nothing but Honda’s. Currently own a 2002 Shadow ACE and a 2010 Fury. Looking to land a 2002 Rune to round out the collection. I’d go with the Honda. A buddy of mine has had the worse luck with the Indian. It would just cut out randomly and not start back up - the dealer couldn’t even find the problem.
37
posted on
12/05/2015 2:36:33 PM PST
by
Cyclone59
(Where are we going, and what's with the handbasket?)
To: martin_fierro
![photo 208th_Ho Yee with bike_zpsv9p0iqxx.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/Yarddog/208th_Ho%20Yee%20with%20bike_zpsv9p0iqxx.jpg)
Ho Yee of the 208th Engineer Combat Battalion on his bike. Photo taken in 1944.
38
posted on
12/05/2015 2:37:16 PM PST
by
yarddog
(Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
To: martin_fierro
Indian makes a great bike and will likely be around for a long time to come. They are stylish and reliable. I ride with two friends who have them and they both love them.
I also have a friend who rides the F6B. He's an older gentleman (72) who says he loves the bike. Not that they are made specifically for older riders (no reverse as with other Wings) but I believe it is a great bike for the aged rider. It's sort of a toss up dependent more on personal preference. If it were me, I'd go with the Indian. But that's just me.
39
posted on
12/05/2015 2:37:39 PM PST
by
South40
(If you support Trump, you're supporting a liberal)
To: tacticalogic
My first was (in 1969) on a 1969 Moto Guzzi Ambassador.
It was on Patton Road SW approaching the gate at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
40
posted on
12/05/2015 2:38:23 PM PST
by
shibumi
(Vampire Outlaw of the Milky Way)
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