Harley-Davidson Electra Glide vs Indian Roadmaster - which is best?

[@lavertepatterson5733]

I have went from Harley Davidson to Indian, I owned 4 new Harleys and 2 of which were Electraglids 09 with I put 68 thousandmiles on, the last of which was a 2014 Limited. Because of Harley Davidsons unwillingness to fix the Limited that would wobble out of control at lower speeds, I was forced to go to Indian after only owning the Limited for less than a year. I bought a 2015 Roadmaster and never looked back, unlike the Harleys, the Indian dealership hardly ever sees me, it's just hands down a better quality motorcycle, and that's not something I take lightly to say, I loved Harley Davidson but they failed me, I didn't fail them, thank goodness they did. Loving the 3 Roadmasters I have owned last of which, a 2016 with 56 thousand miles, I put on, and I am a proud owner of a new 2021 Roadmaster and am liking it so far. Be safe out there, and enjoy the ride.

[@bradrichardson8020]

Ive never riden a Harley Davidson so i cannot give a fair comparison, However, Ive riden bikes all my life, and the latest is my 2019 Indian Roadmaster which i confidently have rode over 19,000 miles at this point. I love how it handles, and in the Tour mode seems very capable. I wish one day to own a Harley so as i can be fair to all riders. Enjoyed your comment about Indian.

[@eugeniocampanella5540]

Anch’io proprietario da poco

[@mortondavisproductions7578]

I own a 2016 Indian Roadmaster and absolutely love it. Wish I could post a photo of the bike. I have nothing to say about Harley's, but I can say that, thus far, I am a proud and happy Indian motorcyclist. As a matter of fact, at some point I will most likely own a newer one. Am so glad that Indian bikes have been purchased by Polaris, a reliable and well-funded company that is serious about their motorcycle(s). Some people wrongly say that Polaris abandoned their Victory motorcycles, but the truth is that the made a very wise business decision to purchase Indian motorcycles as the Victory motorcycles were not able to efficiently compete in a market category that was dominated by Harley and Indian.

[@martyboddie9953]

After many years of riding Harleys I made the switch. Style, comfort, performance, and features won me over. As you stated, Harley does a better job with heat management. I would buy a Harley for a second bike, but if I can only have one, the Indian wins!

[@michaelschmitzerle2587]

Love those Indian motorcycles! They just keep getting better and better!!

[@blueblazer60]

I had a 2014 Electroglide Ultra Classic liked the bike just not the ride. 99% of the time we ride two up and I adjusted the shocks every which way possible. Traded for a 2017 Indian Roadmaster with the adjustable air pressure shock, much better ride, no banging, really smooth. That sold me on the Indian. I've got almost 30,000 miles now with no problems, love the bike.

[@TechWestBrent]

Great review and comparison! Not surprised by your conclusion, bias (not in the negative connotation) and preference is born of experience and time. I've ridden a few cruisers and my current bike is a BMW K1200LT. But I'm replacing it with the Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse I've just ordered. One of the lesser reasons I picked it over the Harley is.... It's not a Harley :) Not because of any perceived negatives of the HD, rather, just because I prefer to be a little different than the majority of the riders on V-twin touring bikes out there. Ride Safe!

[@chonasimpson6487]

Many switch because of the Roadmaster superior ride and more chrome standard and more standard features. The power windshield the keyless looks more storage better stereo. Also the knowledge that your not a member of the heard and stand out over every other guy on a Harley is nice. It is also nice to know that you might have a little better taste then the majority lol .The reliability of Indian is fantastic they just build a better bike not my opinion but fact.

[@TroyS3]

I'm currently riding a 2015 BMW K1600GTL. I rode my buddies 2021 Roadmaster. I was blown away by the comfort. I'm considering switching to the Roadmaster. Different bikes but wow that Roadmaster is a great comfortable ride.

[@badchad911]

Guy at work rides a BMW. Talks very highly of it. Never thought i would hear BMW riders switching over to Indian. I have a 19 Chieftain never had a problem.

[@hdmoto3875]

I had a Harley Davidson ultra classic, 2013 CVO anniversary bike number 25 out of 1100, I loved that bike, I rode it to the Indian dealership, not to purchase a Indian I just wanted to test ride one. After the test ride, I asked the salesman, how much he would give me for my Harley. I rode away on a Indian Chieftain dark horse, I liked it that much. Now I have one Harley Road king, and two Indian motorcycles. And I was a Harley fan boy LOL

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chonasimpson6487]

One thing different is i get to ride my Indian unlike my Harley before i sold it was in the shop all the time for various gaskets leaks and other issues. I am really surprise you did not mention ride quality which is noticeable in the first 100 yards you ride. I have back issues and the Harley gave me back pain felt every bump the Indian rides like a Lincoln compared to the Honda civic ride of the Harley.

[@jonathantodd4819]

I sure like your style. Honest and clear. I've been a Harley rider for decades. Road Glide Ultra was my choice. I got the chance to buy an Indian 2021 used with 4K miles and perfect condition. It took about 3 weeks to get used to. I agree with all you have said in your very well thought out review. I might have missed it but my 2021 Roadmaster has 3 electronic riding profiles. Sport, Standard, Touring. These are dynamic and fantastic. It's like owning 3 different bikes on the fly. Sport is amazing. Touring is wonderful. Throttle response and torque beat the Harley for me. The footboard as you described are way better on the Indian. The seat sucks as you have said. They also have a rear piston cutout for city at idle. This, as with my Harley, reduces city heat a lot. Overall I like the 1040's locomotive styling. The old world airplane front tire cowling swoop. The overall style appeals to me. The winner for me on the Indian is torque at low rpm and a more even idle and rumble while riding. It's got personality where Harley didn't for me. Rock on and be glad we have choices!

[@michaelmsummers]

Loved your review. Recently traded in my Ultra Limited for a Roadmaster. I love Harley and when I rode by myself it was a dream! The mystique, the feedback you get from a Harley I get it. That being said I do alot of two up riding with my wife and the bottom line is the Harley struggled in this area where the Indian absolutely does it better. More power, better brakes, better suspension (not even close), better tech including features Harley doesn't even offer. Fit and finish I give the edge to Harley but overall riding experience particularly two up riding the Roadmaster just does it better.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Yep. I Swapped my 2014 Rushmore Electra glide for a 2018 chieftain limited. For me it's all about the fox suspension and handling. I wouldn't want to ride anything but a bagger at this stage but I'm not into touring. The Harley definitely had a more comfortable rider position, once I switched to the extended reach mustang seat. The original seat on the Harley shoved me too far forward. The Indian however is not without it's issues. I've got a mustang seat on it as well but it's been an ongoing battle to negate chronic tailbone pain since going to the Indian and I've come to the conclusion that my feet are just plain up too high on the Indian's ergonomics. I've ordered a floorboard relocation kit and am hopeful that it will resolve this issue by shifting my saddle weight more to my thighs and less straight down on my tailbone. The Harley wasn't a bad motorcycle by any stretch of the imagination. I've never owned a bike that I didn't have fun riding and I've owned a diversity of brands and types of bikes from crotch rockets to muscle cruisers to supermoto's. The Indian just feels much more composed in a corner and at 70 plus mph on the freeway. I live in West Virginia so even the interstate is twisty. You say you can't ride one like a sport bike and I say bring on the king of the bagger's race and I was saying it even when I was riding the Electra glide. The Indian just feels better at that sort of riding than the Harley did.

[@vmonk1474]

I took my Indian FTR Rally to The Dragon yesterday. The FTR is badass on that road.

[@ziggyshlemon7077]

The question you asked was "would you swap the Harley for an Indian" I can understand why you wouldn't swap it. But if you were buying from new, which would you buy? Because the bikes are so close in quality and features its not worth swapping as you would loose to much money in the process. I have an Indian and wouldn't swap to a Harley just the same. But if I was buying from new I would reconsider all the pros and cons you outline in your otherwise excellent video. Thanks for doing the video, great job.

[@bradrichardson8020]

I love all bikes, that being said, I think your bias is showing. I own an Indian Roadmaster, and love the ease of handling, and how well it travels. The Indian and Harley are real close in comfort, and i think they both would fare real well in any comparison. You cant have your cake and eat it too!

[@curtnicks4282]

Enjoyed your video and honesty. I have a 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse, I cannot see myself on anything else.

[@Road_Rash1]

I came to your channel from your recent Scrambler 1200 XE videos and saw this one. I also ride a '18 Indian Roadmaster. Have put almost 40k miles on it. Road it coast to coast in the US in '19. I've done 3 Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1000s. Have another one coming up in June (Southeast Iron Butt Tour for Charity). The Indian has been a solid, solid machine, and I expect it to be an heirloom. I haven't spent the miles that you have on a Harley but I did test ride a Milwaukee 8 Ultra before I bought the Roadmaster. I don't remember there being that much difference in seat, but it could have been. I have friends with Roadmasters that have changed their seats to aftermarket options. The newer Indians are less "bold" in styling in my opinion. I have a lot of friends on Harleys. Much respect for HD.

[@pooley6858]

I started subscribing to follow your XE vlogs, I own a 2019. This video interested me because I also ride a Chieftain. You make a lot of valid points, the major one being that motorcycles are, at end of the day, all about heart. If Harley speaks to you then that’s cool. I love my big bastard, and if yours has a different badge on it then sweet too. Ride safe.

[@FreedomRider1982]

Fair and honest review ! I just came across your channel and I'm happy to support you and other fellow motovloggers. Keep up the great work and ride safe out there 💯👍

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Much appreciated!

[@MrUNCLESAM84]

It took me till minute 12:24 to realize that he was referring to the " *Windshield* " as the screen. I thought that the touchscreen is hight adjustable. That's stupid!

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

British English and American English have some significant differences. I went into a Harley Dealer in Oklahoma and asked for an indicator lens. No-one had a clue what I wanted until I pointed it out on the bike. It's a turn signal in the USA. Interestingly, American English is more direct and descriptive than British English: Windshield, Turn signal, Eye glasses, Sidewalk. They are all very directly descriptive. This actually makes American English closer to Chinese than British English in its formation of nouns.

[@MrUNCLESAM84]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle with all due respect sir if you're living in America or any other country and you know the language then it's respectful to its people and less frustrating to speak the country's language. I visited the UK several times and I always made sure that for example when I ask the hotel receptionist for the elevator that I always say Lift because I do know it, that was a short visit and I made sure to show maximum amount of respect and to not be a prick. If your channel is directed to a British audience then I do understand and apologize to you sir, but if the majority is Americans then again with all due respect I think speaking with a British English while you're totally knowledgeable and fluent with the American English is frustrating and in my humble opinion a showoff. I would also excuse you if you didn't know some of the vocabulary but like you mentioned before your experience with Harley Davidson, if you have a state issued driver's license there's no way you didn't know that it's a turn signal, you must have learned that before taking your license test. Anyway thank you for the review and good luck sir 😊.

[@Bass.Player]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle There are people in some parts of England that I can not understand at all. The first time I heard the Beatles talk I wondered what they said. I have no trouble understanding you.

[@brucemessick6862]

I have 51 years riding, Hondas and Yamahas, touring and sport, last 30 on road kings and limited and ultras, still have my 2019 ultra. Always loved the looks of the Indian Road master and got one last week. I have the 114 on my Harley. As far as the fake above saying Harleys leak and gaskets fail, on the shovel heads in the 70's lol but not since. I have put over 100k on 3 of ,mine and do my own maintenance, they never saw the shop. Now to compare fairly. I only have 1057 miles on the 111 Road Master. Indian has better suspension, easier to ride like a small bike but its not. Quicker response on the throttle, looks way better just beautiful. Better advanced pc screen. But I'm keeping my Harley, It has more power would pull it backwards if they were boats, faster over all, but not quicker if that makes sense, not as good around curves but not much difference. The seat is way more comfortable, long trips not on the Indian on the stock hard seat, dependable both I hope. Different bike and I love them both, but thought I was going to rid my Ultra from my friends that have a Indian, no way.

[@chonasimpson6487]

You missed taking about suspension how Indian has 2.5 more inches of travel.

[@rocks3389]

Ok first of all i like your video due beeing honest on beeing a Harley fan and anyway a very informative video on your thoughts. One thing i am not with you, yes not a sportsbike, but u can ride both like a sportbike 😂. I never would sell such a bike just for the other brand, if u already own one. I drove the 116 Chieftain from Indian and the 117 Streetglide and the 114 EGlide. I have to say none of them has real issues, at the End u need decide which brand u like more, or what features u like more. Both awesome tourers and no mistake to buy either of them !

[@wayneholmes1800]

So I've got a 2019 Roadmaster and I did change the saddle. I've just now started leaving it in higher gears like you say plenty of torque. My only knock (maybe it's all full dressed) is two up the center of gravity is much different and passenger catching lots more wind than say a Heritage. Not an issue moving along just parking lot and in high winds.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I've not ridden the RoadMaster 2 up, so that's interesting feedback. Thanks.

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@harryhowell5644]

I see your riding to deals gap. Love that area. I had a 17 ultra limited liked it alot but needed a new bike. Test rode a 21 indian challenger and the roadmaster limited. The test rode the 21 ultra limited and roadglide limited. Ended up getting the roadglide limited. I like to ride alot and this is surely one of the best distance bike.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Well spotted. That was indeed the Tail of the Dragon I was riding.

[@harryhowell5644]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle maybe you can test the roadglide limited and the new indian pursuit. Man indian making some nice bikes. I originally wanted the roadmaster limited. But once I rode the roadglide it was over.

[@edmonddantes3499]

Awesome review. I'll wait for the follow up.

[@airtexaco]

Yes, had two HD’s and now on my second Indian. I won’t be going back. Indian still has a long way to go, but is the only one actually making progress. In every area. It’s your money, get what YOU want. My dollar just goes further with Indian and you don’t have to spend so much aftermarket money “making it your own” while fixing a lot of HD issues. From what I hear, HD is finally addressing many of them, but I’m with the old victory guys when they say the HD engines are dated and limping into the new millennia with 1930’s technology. I’m on the Challenger, btw.

[@alblane36]

Enjoyed your review.😊

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Thank you! 🤗

[@captainbob406]

I know this is an older thread but, will toss in my 2 cents. I traded my HD in for an Indian 2 bikes ago. I have never looked back. The Indian is much more refined than a Harley in my opinion. I am picking up my second Indian this week. A 2023 Leftover Roadmaster Limited. Can't wait to bring it home. Your video was great. Loved the comparison. Now, 2 years since this video was posted, I am wondering if you are still riding a Harley or, did you make the switch?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I'm now touring on a Triumph, but would definitely buy another Roadmaster. Great bikes.

[@captainbob406]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle Have owned and ridden many Triumph's including 2 Rocket III's. Great bikes! Which Triumph are you riding?

[@ericdunlap1924]

The loyalty given to an inferior product is staggering.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I find it fascinating, even though I am part of it.

[@JimVeneskey]

I’ve been riding a 2014 Ultra Limited since I bought it new in late 2013, and am thinking about giving Indian a try. For those that have switched, which has more passenger room - the Harley or the Indian, since the wife does occasionally ride with me as a passenger.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I can't help you with that as I ride solo.

[@FatGuysRedemption]

They both have similar sitting room, but there's more adjustment for the passenger footboards.

[@Geriatric_Gaming]

I went from Harley Electraglide to Goldwing to Indian. To me, the Indian Roadmaster is like the Electraglide and the Goldwing had a baby. I still love Harleys (I still own one) but they get lost in the sea of other Harleys and there really is nothing special about it and I've owned more Harleys than I care to talk about. The Indian is unique enough that people from all walks of life stop and look at it. You have a good review of both bikes, but really I don't care if the Indian would have been 14k gold plated created by the hand of God with every conceivable luxury known to man - people will choose Harley because they are what they know because HD has marketed to the masses and the masses own Harleys. I can't even count the number of video reviews who rave about all the things the Indian does that the Harley can't yet they still choose to buy the Harley because.... its a Harley...despite the fact they had almost no points where the Harley was better. Its Cool Aid for the masses and the masses drink it in.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Very well expressed Adrian. I think you nailed this issue there!

[@1969luap]

Lot's of Indian riders here, so I'd like to ask a question for the Roadmaster owners - has anyone been able to incorporate a CB onto the bike? I currently have an 2013 Ultra Classic and enjoy the security of a CB, plus, the group of friends I ride with have CB's and it's a nice to have the ability to yik yak about gas stops, taking a break, etc. I know of the Bluetooth system, but I am more interested in knowing if anyone has successfully installed a CB somewhere on the Roadmaster, as I am looking to switch

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Not something I have experience with. Maybe someone else reading this can help.

[@semperfipar1299]

Victory bikes were like that. They were heavy but did not feel heavy. Styling? There is no comparison between Indian and Harley. Put them next to each other and it is plain to see. The Indian flows from a design concept from front to back with the way the tank and fenders and seats meld together with the hard saddle bags. The Harley looks awkward. They added a bigger tank and just plopped it on the bike with no thought. Their boxy saddle bags look they drew a couple of parallelograms and stuck them on the bike with no refined curves which does not meld with the fairings on either the RG or the SG. A friend of mine just bought a 2022 SG and I was disappointed in the paint when I got up close to look at it. My twenty year old Sportster has a better paint job on it. I can see my face in the clear coat on a twenty year old bike and could not on the brand new bike. Don't get me started on the engine comparison. Let me make it blunt, primary chain drive is antique with bandaid fixes(compensators) to make up for bigger displacement.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

You make some very good points!

[@robard418]

Great video. 👍

[@mumbler5644]

I see you are still drinking the HD Cool Aid

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

😂

[@chonasimpson6487]

Close but you short changed the Indians torque by 9 ft. lbs. It puts out 129 ft. lbs. just wanted to point this out.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

That's the later model, not the one I was riding

[@chonasimpson6487]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle That makes sense sorry missed that.

[@chonasimpson6487]

@@SongsFromTheSaddle Did you not find that the Roadmaster was smoother that is the number one comment most people make about the difference of the two.

[@roddewey5347]

What roads were you on for this review?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

If I remember correctly, Tail of the Dragon, North Carolina & Angeles Crest, California

[@BernhardtNyp-ch5fn]

How much money do you have.

[@ayedee6681]

I bet you can't wait to ride the pursuit.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

It looks like an awesome bike, but there are no dealers near where I live, so unlikely to be able to try one soon.

[@babayaga74]

I stand for indian

[@BernhardtNyp-ch5fn]

The people who can afford both bikes need to be middle class. The normal bloke or girl around the place can't afford any of these bikes. We go for used.

[@billytaylor5215]

Indian

[@MightyMick88]

Thanks im interested 2 know more about the reliability of both bikes?

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

I'm not best placed to answer that. I rode the Indian only for about 3,500 miles. I had no problems in that time, but a long-term owner could answer with more knowledge.

[@mortondavisproductions7578]

You aren't qualified to judge the Indian motorcycles. Get a life.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

You are not qualified to judge my abilities. You get a life.