Considering a Rocket vs an Indian

[sonny]

My first ride on the Rocket X was from Dallas Texas to Henryetta Oklahoma. Bought the bike in Texas and by the time I got home was extremely sore. The riding position was completely different from the Harley. Noticed just on the ride home due to the sitting position the bike was a dream for handling and maneuvering. So we begin doing a lot of stretching exercises. Did about a half hour a day just doing toe touches and leg lifts. Worked out rather well. Now I can get on the bike and ride all day with no pain at all. I find the sitting position of the Rocket X stock is actually more comfortable than the Harley Fatboy. At 58 years old figured out some parts of the body did not move around as well as they did at Twenty. Killed two birds with one stone, Improved my flexibility and made riding the Rocket X a lot more fun.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

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

YOU know the Indian dealers claim they can beat all the Harleys but I read the road tests and the Harley is faster and they make only 70 HP and weigh 900 lbs so Im afraid the mighty Indian is a pig and I expected that new engine to make way more HP but I was dissapointed that its so slow

 

[sonny]

Have to agree with you on that one IMFASTTOO. The Indian engine is not very powerful and they have the same problems as the Harleys with heat.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

Since The comparison from Indian to Harley has been mentioned a few times on this thread I thought I would post a little information.

Of course if you get tired of reading the whole article you can just scroll down to the specification page

For your reading pleasure

COMPARED: Three American V-Twin Touring Baggers

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Have to agree with you on that one IMFASTTOO. The Indian engine is not very powerful and they have the same problems as the Harleys with heat.

YES the testers mentioned the Indian was hotter than the Harley ?

 

[mully95]

I know it's not a Triumph or Indian but If I was going to buy any of those bikes I would really consider the BMW 1600GTL first.

BMW Motorrad USA

Rated output 160 hp (118 kW) at 7,750 rpm
Max. torque 129 lb-ft (175 Nm) at 5,250 rpm

All the bells and whistles with almost twice the power and torque!!

 

[Tripps]

I test rode a K1600GT, but I declined to trade in my K1200gt, I liked mine better.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

I test rode a K1600GT, but I declined to trade in my K1200gt, I liked mine better.

YES I rode the BMW but didnt like it

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

I test rode a K1600GT, but I declined to trade in my K1200gt, I liked mine better.

When my Rocket was in the shop they gave me the K1600 as a loaner for a Week.

At first I did not like it, but I must admit after a couple days of riding it I learned to appreciate its finer attributes.

I never got used to that wheel on the left-hand grip that you would scroll through the menu with though, that thing screwed me up every time I tried to use it

 

[El Toro Rosso]

When my Rocket was in the shop they gave me the K1600 as a loaner for a Week.

At first I did not like it, but I must admit after a couple days of riding it I learned to appreciate its finer attributes.

I traded an R3T on a K16GTL.

I hated it.

It was like an ST1100 on steroids.

I kept it for 7 or 8 months and sold it back to the dealer for. k13S and cash back to me.

Your welcome to the BMW K16. IMHO, it sucks hard.