Considering a Rocket vs an Indian

[JamiePT]

Hello,

I am about to venture back into the world of motorcycling after a 10 year absence. I have owned Harleys, Hondas, a Yamaha and a BMW K bike.

I am looking hard at a Rocket Roadster. There are a few new and used around at two different dealerships in my area.

I am also strongly considering and Indian Chief Dark Horse. I know it seems kind of weird as they are quite different bikes. I do not see myself in the position to buy two bikes in the future any time soon.

My philosophy of use for the motorcycle is primarily a toy and recreation. I will use it to commute to work which is only 4 miles each way. Cruising about town, and short to medium length touring.

I'm going to test ride some bikes this Wednesday and Thursday. I'll let you all know on my impressions are and what I find.

Jamie

 

[Jag]

Welcome from NJ, I'd rather have a rocket in my pocket that an Indian. Drive a rocket and then every other bike will feel like a toy!! Once the torque hits you all others feel under powered!

 

[Bob R]

You may have come to the right place with that question because it just happens we have a lunatic addled touched insane wacky barmy dingy unbalanced bonkers, oh hell, we have a member that traded his magnificent Rocket in on a plush Indian. He can probably give a short dissertation (if he can control himself that long) on the pros and cons of both brands.

bob

I am not signing this so no one will know who wrote it.

 

[1olbull]

WELCOME to ya, Jamie from WA State.
From whence do you hail?
If you are a comfort putter, the Indian is a fine motor.
For all else, the R3R RULES!

 

[instant]

I did about 800 miles on Chieftain this summer, and it is a comfortable, very nice looking touring bike with solid engine and nice sound. If you like laziness of twin engines for some reason, go Indian. But to be honest - there is no comparison. You will consider 99% of bikes as toys in comparison to R3, once you ride a Rocket. I would choose Rocket all day long..

+ if I can advise , skip Darkhorse. It is a disgrace to otherwise epic Indian design hallmark..

 

[Fingers]

Welcome from Florida if you like power the Rocket has to be the bike I'm on my 2nd one!

 

[Blackthou]

I considered long and hard before buying my Roadster. Top opponent was a Victory - similar to an Indian? The build quality and engineering are superb and faultless but what did it for me was the ground clearance. The Roadster is plenty whereas the others decked out easily.

I also find the Rocket is many bikes in one. It's so comfortable, cruises effortlessly and takes everything in its stride but if you want to play it'll rip your arms out their sockets.

The best thing is as you say, take some test rides.

 

[mr hunt]

Hey Jamie - you can add saddlebags to a Roadster you can't add 40 cubes to anything the end.

 

[Maelstrom]

Test ride them both... Then make the call.

 

[El Toro Rosso]

Before I bought my 2014 Rocket III Touring, I seriously considered an Indian Chieftan. I rode the 85 miles to the Indian dealer on my2008 Rocket III Touring. I did an extensive unsupervised interstate including test ride on their broken in demo model.

In the performance area, it reminded me of the Victory Vision ... piggish, but not hoggish.

I gotta say that I was thrilled to hop back on my 2008 Rocket for the 85 mile run home. Not long after, I traded my 2008 for the 2014 R3T.

I recently traded my 2014 on a Kawasaki Vaquero.... I like the Vaquero, but I bought a leftover 2015 Rocket III Touring as a cash deal last Saturday.

Obviously different strokes for different folks. The R3T floats my boat. The Indians, Harleys and victorys do not.

YMMV