INDIAN ROADMASTER LONG TERM REVIEW

[@crobin9150]

I am looking at a 2017 Roadmaster and appreciate your honest comments

[@icebrakernh]

I am happy with my roadmaster I can dive mine hard in the twisties I only worry about scraping my c n c floor boards. With you looking at a 2017 you will have the ride comand and a few upgrades from this bike

[@themotorcyclegene]

The 2017 still has the 111 (newer models have the 116) but it does have the updated electronics package with Ride Command. Honestly, I am extremely happy with my Roadmaster.

[@themotorcyclegene]

One time while my wife was on the back and we were going around a round about she asked "what was that sound" and I had to tell her it was the floor boards scraping. Oops.

[@icebrakernh]

@@themotorcyclegene oops lol scrape scrape oh nothing honey this is normal lol

[@Diap842IV]

I have about a thousand miles of Indian 111 time from renting two Vintages, a Chieftan, two Roadmasters and a Springfield. They all have the softest rear suspension though the front sent bumps direct to my wrists. I owned and maintained a Suzuki Cavalcade for 31 years until being rear ended on a freeway. I’m glad for the opportunity to rent once a year or so to satisfy the itch for a big bike again. The accident taught me several hard lessons in reality. For now I’m riding an old Vespa 250. It discourages me from riding freeways or long distances but is fun for short local runs. Ive ridden for 55 years so as I walked away from the big one, I haven’t given up but I’m less bold.

[@themotorcyclegene]

At least you are still riding. I like basically all bikes, but I have always loved Indian. Thanks for commenting and ride safe.

[@trippontwowheels]

Gene Gene the Motorcycle Machine!!

[@themotorcyclegene]

Yes sir.

[@janerussianchannel4669]

I think it's a nice motorcycle, Gene. Another good video as usual.

[@themotorcyclegene]

Thanks 👍

[@icebrakernh]

I own a 2018 roadmaster new I'm the only person who has had the bike. Over all I love it. I do wish there were more after market parts and if we could program our own keyfobs would be a plus. Performance no problem windshield no problem. Kickstand big problem the bolt keeps breaking. I get great fuel mileage until I get on it and run it to the limits.

[@themotorcyclegene]

I haven't had a single issue with my kickstand, just the windshield. Compared to my last bike (Kawasaki Vulcan S 650) my Roadmaster gets horrible fuel mileage, but compared to my care it gets phenomenal fuel mileage. The Vulcan S got almost 60 miles per gallon, but it was not comfortable at all on long rides and my wife would not ride on the back.

[@onlyhereonce7290]

I own a 2021 Chieftain DH. I took this bike and made it into a Roadmaster. I hear it’s fairly common for Chieftain owners to do this. Who knew. Anyways, I had my windshield motor fail. The plastic gear used to raise and lower the windshield stripped. Other than that, it’s been a great bike.

[@themotorcyclegene]

I love my Roadmaster, but now that the new Indian Pursuit has come out I may trade my Roadmaster in on one in a year or two. Really though, my only complaint is the windshield. I have gotten use to the throttle.

[@stevenk1965]

Great review and I appreciate your honesty

[@themotorcyclegene]

I appreciate that. To be completely honest, with the exception of the windshield, the Roadmaster is a near perfect bike, or atl least for me. It has basically everything I want in a bike. Thanks for watching and ride safe. If you haven't done so already, I would appreciate it if you would subscribe.

[@icebrakernh]

Ok correction on your speaker placement they are not in the lowers it's all in the faring and trunk. 2 up on the interstate you won't have a problem hitting 110 and getting by people. The torque will run up a hill with no down shifting. 2 full helmet trunk. 36 gallons of storage air shock rear you can adjust the ride with its hand pump. It also has a alarm. Don't mean to step on your toes my friend but I've been a proud owner for 4 years . Warning your crotch will get hot in stop and go traffic.. there is a crotch cooler and love jugs you can install on them . Get rid of the cat and add Tab pipes with a stage 1 intake and stage 2 cams you will need not for power and improve fuel efficiency

[@themotorcyclegene]

The dealer I take mine to for service suggested getting rid of the cat to make it run cooler, but I have not decided if I want to spend the money for an exhaust. I absolutely love my Roadmaster, other than the windshield sometimes not working. Someone recently told me that I could have the computer reprogramed to get rid of the lag in the throttle, but I'm used to it now so I don't care. I probably won't upgrade the engine as it handles just fine with my wife and I. If I decide I need more power, which I don't, I would trade it for a newer model with a 116 or for the new Pursuit. Honestly though, I will probably just ride it stock for a few more years and put tons of miles on it. The main thing the newer models have that mine doesn't that would use is the navigation. I used to mount my iPhone to the handlebars for navigation but I got a notice from Apple telling me that doing so will damage the camera. Anyhow, thanks for the comment and ride safe.

[@Miles_on_2wheels]

Just purchased my first new bike today. 2022 Roadmaster. It is a 116 cubic inch tho. Im guessing they changed the size? I have seen alot of vids about the throttle but I didnt notice this issue. Maybe the fixed? Good video

[@themotorcyclegene]

The newer model have a lot of differences from the older models, including larger displacement engine (116 vs 111), rear cylinder deactivation at stops, navigation etc.

[@Jodyrides]

how is the heat coming off of the engine on a warm day? does it have a reverse, I don’t expect it to, but I’ve had a couple bikes with reverse and it did come in handy a few times. My Honda Goldwing I think I used reverse twice. My BMW K 1200 LT, I don’t think I ever used reverse. I’ve been riding a long time and I know not to park my bike in a situation where I would have trouble backing it up. does it have self adjusting valve clearance? is the suspension adjustable? Does it have air suspension, are there damping adjustments? Does it have unusual size tires?

[@themotorcyclegene]

The heat coming off the exhaust is pretty hot and about sets my leg on fire during slow speed such as when stuck in traffic. It does not have a reverse. Yes, it has adjustable air ride suspension. I’m not sure if the tires are odd sized or not, but when I replaced them I didn’t have any trouble finding them.

[@Jodyrides]

@@themotorcyclegene thanks for the quick response. There is one of these machines for sale locally here in August 2024. So I have been watching videos. I have had motorcycles that have tire sizes that do not give you much of a selection from the different manufacturers. One of my bikes I’ve had there were only two companies that made the odd sizes I needed in sets for both front and rear.. thanks for telling me about the heat off of the exhaust onto your leg. That kept me from buying several motorcycles over the years. The Honda, ST 1300 was an oven, as was the early FJR 1300, more recently, the Yamaha V twin Venture is a leg roaster. One owner in Texas said that he ended up going to the hospital with second-degree burns, and he didn’t even touch the exhaust with his leg. that pretty much rules out me considering the Indian roadmaster. I had a Goldwing, GL 1800 that you could not feel any heat, I’ve had 200 Pacific Coast, same deal, no heat from the engine or radiator onto me ataall.. I even had for moto guzzi”s.. I could feel some heat, but it was not an issue, even though my knees were practically touching the backs of the cylinder valve covers.., it apparently is the exhaust pipes that are the culprit, and I understand that there is a catalytic converter inside the pipes on the Indian, which makes it even hotter.. thank you very much for telling me straight out and not trying to sugarcoat it

[@icebrakernh]

On the 2017 there was smaller throttle lag my 2018 is instant I had them flash it for quicker throttle response

[@themotorcyclegene]

I may look into that the next time I take it in for service. Thanks.

[@onlyhereonce7290]

The electronic throttle is not something I’m used to. And I don’t like it. It’s not the end of the world. But again, I don’t like it.

[@themotorcyclegene]

Someone recently told me that it is more responsive on the newer models, but I can't say for sure since I have not ridden the newer Roadmasters, however, the 2021 Chiefs still had a little bit of a hesitation in the throttle like my 16 Roadmaster does, but not as noticeable.

[@balmoralpjk]

☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

[@balmoralpjk]

☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

[@themotorcyclegene]

Seriously, what is your issue? Why are you posting frowning faces as comments to all of my videos.? I don't owe you anything and I have no obligation to model clothing for you.