Indian Chieftain Long Term Review - Part 1 - Engine, Exhaust, Transmission

Part 1 of my review of the Chieftain after over 7 months of ownership. This will be divided into a few parts, and the last part will include answers to all of the questions you guys provided me with in my other video. And yes, there is a weird audio thing going on here. My wireless lapel mic was recording, AND my camera's shotgun mic was recording at the same time. Makes for a weird synthesis of my voice. At this point, that can only help it! :)

[@redrider736]

Great vid once again!! Looking forward to the Q&A segment...... Do you preform your oun oil changes or do you winter storage you bike??? If so maybe a idea for a future vid?? Cheers.

[@elsonjacks6237]

Good review, i just bought a 2014 wirh 1,500 miles on it. As far as clutch goes it's common practice to warm your clutch with several pulls.....been riding for about 40 years and learned that one long ago

[@ArisimaSpinosa]

Thanks for your insights! I had an opportunity to test drive a Roadmaster at a Demo Ride this weekend. All I can say is, "Wow!" Very stable at interstate speeds. I really enjoyed the power windshield (unlike you, the stock windshield is fine). The only time the bike seemed heavy was at really low speeds (

[@joec.5086]

Great video, I've had my eye on a chieftain for a while. I'd like to get a 2017 but a 2014 would be in my price range. Thanks for all the information

[@user-lf6en3fy4r]

sounds great!

[@MrWildwilly48]

After owning two new indians I agree the bikes do shift hard when cold and it helps to warm them up but i have found for the first few shifts keeping the engine revved up a little instead of letting it drop down in between shifts makes it much easier

[@Biker_q8]

Good review, many thanks

[@charlieg.6242]

As always, nice job on the vlog, the bike looks great and sounds great. Good advice on pulling the clutch lever during warm up. A little disappointed with the mileage numbers, I was expecting mid to high 30's. The fuel light is a little disconcerting though, is there any other low level indicator after the light has been on for so long, or are you just guessing at that point? As for the engine heat, I wonder if Indian has come up with some kind of heat shield in the interim to neutralize the heat problem. Once again, nice job, miss the quirky humor though.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

well u have me wanting this bike...gonna demo ride it end of june .....you happy with your pipes ? heard that the vance and hinds turn down pipes sound awesome also on this bike...what are your thoughts ?

[@billsbunts]

Great review NightcruiserMA I have the Dark Horse with stage 1 exhaust and fishtails Perth Western Australia has temperatures in summer at 45°C (115°F) I find the Dark Horse performs better in our cooler months..April to November ...and yes neutral is sometimes tricky to select cheers Phil..☺

[@zatoich1st]

Fine job on your review......Thanks

[@marks.6656]

Thanks for all YOUR GREAT WORK AND VIDEOS! It's unfortunate and absurd that Indian charges a high, top-shelf premium price for their bikes, and people all over KZbin are talking about dumping more money into their machine to get a "Stage 1" this or a "____ Super Tune" that because they didn't like the factory stock equipment or they felt something was inadequate. I can see why people love these, but for the high price tag I expect a machine that ticks nearly all boxes and should really have very few complaints about transmission/engine/heat/wind management. I want to like Polaris, but I don't.

[@yobabybubba]

I have been wanting to ask you a question. I know you now have a Roadmaster. But I was wondering with your Chieftain or Roadmaster did you add the touring pullback handlebars. I believe I remember you saying you did in one of your videos. It brings the handlebars 2 inches closer to you? Was it a big difference? How do you like it? I'm 6 feet 1" tall and I still think that would help me. I feel my arms extended straight out hurts my back and makes me more tired. I think the touring pullback handlebars would help.

[@NightcruiserMA]

Well, with the Chieftain, I tried two things - I tried the pullback handlebars for a few days but they seemed like they were too close. I then had some custom work done to it, which only rotated the grips toward me a smidge but not much else. I wasn't fond of those, either. I'm not sure what year your Indian is, but the 2015's and up have much better handlebars than the 2014's. I'm really picky about handlebars. I like the ones on my 2015 Roadmaster. Not perfect, but not bad. Ness makes a set of modular bars for Indians that allow you to really dial in the right amount of pull back and hand angle.

[@hitendrasarthi798]

Nice video I want to buy this bike can you explain this bike chessis and frame material. If any rust problem in this bike

[@BMOCroc]

great vid

[@BeaverPelt66]

What about the Intake ?

[@michaelmarimpietri423]

Nightcruiser, I have a 2015 roadmaster, you should cover the fuses. If you haven't had the problem yet, the indian head on the front fender,gauge cluster/radio is on a ten amp fuse labeled switched power. My wire to the front indian head was severed driving down the highway at night, guess what ? the control cluster went black,it is tied into the same fuse. pull the fuse 10 amp labeled switched power and you can simulate the problem. Very scary at night. This is a safety issue all owner need to be aware of in case it happens to them. also my bike gets extreme hot sitting at idle in traffic an its only about 50 degrees, still have breakin oil and hope the 1st oil change will cool down the engine.

[@connecticutgunner9333]

Nice bike!...I have a 2016 Springfield, Thunder Black of course ;) I had the Freedom True Dual exhaust the Free flow air cleaner and the oil cooler installed... Big heat reduction! better bark and power.

[@damnyankeeyankee6812]

Wow...32mpg? My Chieftain has never gotten less than 41 mpg even when brand new - and now that I have 4k miles, it's averaging 46mpg (in town and hwy).

[@michaelmarimpietri423]

you should also note that not all controls light up at night only the stereo controls. The bike is the most comfortable ride I have ever driven. Braking and handle is great also. I wish both tank cap were real, I'm a lefty and have a habit of pulling up to the pump on the left side which makes it awkward to pump gas with the cap on the right side. left side is fake

[@joecat1973]

I’m looking at older chieftains because I dig the old school look, one question I have for any who have one is about the wind buffeting on your helmet my road king blurs my eyes with a helmet and the windshield

[@GOLFADDICT65]

nice bike.....trying to decide on this bike or a Harley Street Glide Special......how many miles or Km are you getting on a tank...and how many before fuel light comes on...thx......

[@damnyankeeyankee6812]

MySpankster I rode both - Indian Chieftain was hands down. More chrome, more features, more engine/power, less money. I have not looked back.

[@sjcea0512]

I have none of the issues you mention with the transmission or finding neutral on my 2017 Chieftain Limited?

[@NightcruiserMA]

That's so great if the 2017's are better! This was a first year model.

[@Sig721Tau]

Hey, NightcruiserMA. What happened to that Star Raider/Stratoliner bike? Btw, I'd love to own a Indian motorcycle.

[@NightcruiserMA]

Hi Okie. I test rode each one once, but as I was coming off a Suzuki C50T at the time, the Stratoliner felt huge and the Raider, well, I couldn't adjust to the styling in my little brain. I bought a Victory Judge that I had for 10 month and then traded that in for the Chieftain in late February of 2014 :)

[@strokex1]

just glad the license plate are under the tail light rather than above which is a pain for loading up the bike without having to buy and install back fender racks. great bike, but dam i hate the front fairings. Victory ness fairings are not any better looking.

[@davidcamillo937]

hi Nightcruiser I like to know is the engine load with a lot of ticking or lifter noise . some one said that there is a fair amount of noise. iam looking at a roadmaster.

[@NightcruiserMA]

Hi David... I would say that in the range of 2000 to 2500 rpm, there is definitely some valve noise. Roughly the same as Harleys I've ridden. You'd have to test ride one and see if it's distracting enough to you to deter you from buying the bike. Good luck! The Roadmaster is a beautiful bike.

[@damnyankeeyankee6812]

David Camillo The noise is way overblown - I've had same issue with Harleys. Big deal. After the motor is broke in, it calms down just like any other manufacturer engine. Now that I have 4k on mine, I don't even notice it anymore and I'm up to 46 avg mpg (but granted, I don't live in a congested city either).

[@JohnnyRebKy]

You get that mpg even with exhaust and stage 1 tune??

[@NightcruiserMA]

I did an exhaust and tune (on a dyno) later that year, but only kept that bike until around April of 2015 as I loved the Roadmaster. I had my 2015 Roadmaster until late summer of 2017. I'm not certain what the mileage was after the exhaust and tune.

[@russellcupples2170]

I have a 2004 vtx 1300r .Heal toe sifter and running boards .will never own anything that does not have both .I personally love them .

[@cesarr5006]

I have the same bike (vtx) love heel shifter; keep your boots looking good. 24k on mine love the carburetor sound with Van's and Hines

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

I have been missing your videos. I hope you are ok.

[@NightcruiserMA]

+Jim Tom Stimpson So you're the one! lol... Yes, I am doing okay, thank you. Check back in a couple of minutes and you shall see a brandy new new vlog :)

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

AWESOME!

[@ut1004bp]

Hmm, One again, I'm pretty sure you forgotten your ride on the Stratoliner with the 1900cc power plant (though it was an earlier year model with the weaker sounding exhaust) as a comparison of speed, power and torque comments, but then you seemed to scared to give it much throttle...lol. Word to the wise..don't pull up and race one with your stage one Indian unless you wont mind a loss... and Huge? I'm 5'4", 130 lbs ,with boots..lol. Yes, 32-34 mpg is horrible, almost as bad as the old carbed honda Valykries (I wonder if you have a brake or two dragging...check for hot rotators), I get 38-46 mpg with the big 1900cc . Was the Stage one upgrade costly, it does sound good. I do like the gear driven primary on Yours and my bike (over the Harley chain drive and huge clutch pack design which is one of the reasons I fail to buy another) But I am considering an Indian just for a change., but I'm hearing from a few on the Stratoliner forums that they regretted the swap in just a month to 3 months down the road. yikes! this is why I'm here reading and asking.

[@charlieg.6242]

In reference to my earlier comment below about the engine heat. I found this little nugget that you might be interested in:shop.captain-itch.com/Crotch-Cooler-for-INDIAN-motorcycles-Indian-crotch-cooler.htm

[@Keith52188]

do you have any idea why your fuel mileage is so poor? I avg about 42 with my cross country and I have the equivalent performance mods as you.

[@NightcruiserMA]

I have two theories: 1) Riding style 2) My level of fatitude results in reduced mileage. I also do less highway riding than most.

[@damnyankeeyankee6812]

NightcruiserMA My wife and I are over 200# each and we average about 42-46mpg. It's NOT your weight. Your problem is, you're addicted to the Thunderstroke's roar as you roll back on the throttle to 4k rpm then shift. *LOL*. Shift up at 1.5k rpm and shift down at 1k rpm and you're gas mileage will hit 40smpg.

[@2169scs]

Do you still own this Bike?

[@NightcruiserMA]

Nope, I traded it in early 2015 for a Roadmaster.

[@2169scs]

@@NightcruiserMA That's what I'm looking at, Roadmaster. I recently test drove a 2019 Roadmaster. I was impressed. My purchase will be in the spring It seems that when you get a lesser model, you end up putting extra stuff on it. Why not get it with every on it from the get-go! How do like your Roadmaster? What year?

[@gwapogorilla1]

As far as windshield vibration goes, I found a link to the same problem and this guy was able to fix it. Hope it helps. 50.116.74.150/how-to's/how-to-fix-the-windshield-rattle-on-chieftains/

[@70DMac]

The 2014 Street glide is actually faster from 0 to 60 and has less vibration at highway speeds and handles better and lighter in the corners.

[@Sig721Tau]

Well, that's great for you Harley fan boy. Btw, no one asked you about Harley bikes nor was this a comparison video about Harley vs. Indian.

[@DrJekyl30]

Okie Rider If you go back to the beginning of this video Nightcruiser states that this bike will outrun harley and victorys from 0 to 40 and this bike has more torque than he's ever felt. So althouth no one asked 70DMac's opinion you kind of open yourself up for opinions when you do a video and not disable comments. Furthermore he's right, well at least from published data. Second, the Raider has waaaaaaay more torque than either of the bikes mentioned by Nightcruiser. More than Victory, Harley, and Chieftain. So when you make a video making these claims you are comparing and opening yourself up for opinion. The published data doesn't make this guy a harley fan boy so be nice.

[@Sig721Tau]

DrJekyl30 Well, how many times have you heard about Harley riders teasing or harassing other non-Harley riders about their bikes? A lot is the answer. I'm so sick of those guys and their piss poor attitudes, etc. Its about the ride not necessarily the bike.

[@NightcruiserMA]

It's very true - I welcome comments on my videos. Not everything I say will always be perfect (I know this is a tremendous shock.) The numbers are a little fuzzy. Generally, manufacturers post (if they post torque specs at all) the measurement at the crank, not at the rear wheel. For what it's worth, I'm looking at numbers that show the Raider to have 109.7 lb-ft (from Cycle World) and the Chieftain to have 119.2 lb-ft (from Indian's site.) Having actually ridden both, my conclusion is that my memory of the Raider is too fuzzy to actually have a good comparison to the Chieftain I have put over 6k miles on. All this being said, I have no issues with criticisms, corrections, etc... of anything I do or say. If I were afraid of feedback I'd never click Publish, would I? :) PS - I like the Street Glide very much. Personal preference - I wouldn't trade my Chieftain for it, but give me one of those metallic orange ones and I'd have a tough time deciding which to take out of the shed in the morning!

[@DrJekyl30]

NightcruiserMA No criticism from me boss. I'm just correcting the information. And you're right, manufacturers publish torque measured from the crank, however I have a dyno I can send you of my stock raider measuring 92hp/119ftlb on a dyno, this is at the rear wheel. I can also show you a publication showing the raider measuring 122ftlb from the crank shaft. I wouldn't believe every publication especially cycle world. Also dynos are not all calibrated the same. Some mechanics use a different standard that others also which will show lower or greater numbers. All this being said, I doubt the Indian 111 could ever outsprint the raider. It might be able to take it top end but not through a 1/4 mile. And now that I think about it not even on top end, it doesn't have the hp or torque plus it's a heavier bike and with the fairing, the wind drag would play a significant role in the outcome. Now all this being said, I just sold my raider and bought a 2015 Street Glide Special LOL. Merry Christmas Guys and Happy New Year.

[@richardclaude9245]

The transmision on mine as well as other Indian Owners, fail after 16k miles costing over 4k. Look into this, cause Polaris is denying it. The main shaft bearings burn up. The hard shifting is the start of the problem, then difficulty shifting all the time after warm up. I've always used synthetic oil recommend by Polaris.. I found over a dozen owners w/blown transmission after 14k. Mine is 2015 Roadmaster. Recommend extending warranty insurance.

[@randymarks4011]

4,700 miles hahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaahhahahaahahaha long term hahahahahahahaahahahahahahah