(FR Motorcycle Hooligan vanity) Honda F6B or Indian Chieftain?

12/5/15 | Marty

[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

I’d like to hear anyone’s experiences with either of the above 2 bikes — or with any other large dual-bag cruiser

Here’s what I”m 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 — 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 don’t know how long Indian will be around this time.
  • I’m 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 “blue-proof” exhausts
  • It’s 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)

[oldplayer]

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.)

[JJ_Folderol]

>>> Triumph Thunderbird 900 Triple <<<

2K Adventurer

[gorush]

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.

[Vaquero]

[smokingfrog]

The cool factor goes to the Indian.

[NormsRevenge]

Nice ic..

Somebody should Photoshop a rapidly cycling Obammy hot on his tail.. Lol

[gorush]

It warmed up to 10 degrees F, so off we went to Washington State via Mexico. (long, long time ago)

[woofie]

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

[ETL]

How about an old-school chopper?

[shibumi]

Eschew the commonplace.

Moto Guzzi California (or Eldorado) - be your own man.

[ETL]

[tacticalogic]

I’d say go with the Indian, provided you have a reliable dealer close by or will be doing your maintenance.

[gorush]

...and the Beemer is hundreds of pounds lighter!

[tacticalogic]

First time I ever did a ton was on a ‘Guzzi Eldorado.

[Mollypitcher1]

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!

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I bet 10hrs traveling on that would be a full day.

[Cyclone59]

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.

[yarddog]

Ho Yee of the 208th Engineer Combat Battalion on his bike. Photo taken in 1944.

[South40]

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.

[shibumi]

My first was (in 1969) on a 1969 Moto Guzzi Ambassador.

It was on Patton Road SW approaching the gate at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.