Originally Posted By: montero1
I really like the Indian Roadmaster. Something tells me I need a Harley at some point, and this will be the last Bike I ever buy. I plan on keeping the other bikes (well, possibly parting with the VFR), and this last Bike will see very limited mileage. There are some nicely reduced Harley Electra Glides from '16 (since the Milwaukee Eight motor is out).
I'm just not sure how big a difference there is in power from the 16's to the 17's, and not sure I want to buy a first year model of any motor. The Indian is a beautiful bike, but Harley has a larger Dealer network, should I ever need service or repair.
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If there is no measurable difference in the new Harley motor, I would a consider a Used Electraglide...
I know you asked for current electra owners, thought I would share my thoughts since I have the same engine and frame, different model though.
I have a 14 Rushmore Road King, I have not rode a 17. It too was my first Harley and possibly MAY be the last bike I ever own, I plan on keeping this one a long time and so far it has been FLAWLESS.
(disclaimer, every bike I buy is always going to be the last*L*)
I have done A LOT of reading on the 17s.
To me, as with any vehicle I would be afraid to buy a vehicle with a brand new designed engine in the first or second production year.
I admit the M8 sounds like an awesome engine and I am not saying I wouldnt buy it in the second year, just would be leary, HP is about the same in the 16 and 17 model year but the 17 M8 engine is documented to be a torque monster in the low RPM range, right through to the top RPM, where the 16 engine, slowly builds up torque (for lack of a better word)
This torque monster very well may serve you well in a really heavy bike like the Electra, I have the "light weight" version (Road King*L*).
Both engines are silky smooth above idle but the 17 M8 even gives you silky smooth at a dead idle whether you like that or not is a personal decision. They are still working on some issues, depending on what you read in the HD forums with some M8's but it seems like HD did good for a first year engine.
As far as Indian, my wife and I looked at them many times in the showroom, look like very well put together bikes, for us personally, not into the look of the bike but again, not everyone is the same.
My only problem is, the price is the same and MORE then many Harleys, Harley in business 100+ years with huge amount of dealer network and honestly, some really nice dealers.
Polaris Indian has been in business 5 years, no dealer network and so little amount of bikes sold you really do not know if they are trouble prone or not. Also with Polaris Indian, much like Polaris has done to the Victory models, they cut model lines like butter if they dont sell well.
It just seems to me, for my money, I am getting the value with the HD Road King. 4 years ago I almost bought the Polaris version of the Road King, Crossroads only to find out they killed the line because they werent selling enough, I would have been really upset to find out I just bought a brand new bike that will no longer be made.
Polaris is known to do that, Indian and Victory motorcycles make up less then 20% of Polaris business.
Motorcycles are 100% of Harley Davidsons business, I look at Harley as the small, specialty bike maker compared to the international companies that make all kinds of products. Whether or not that and pride of ownership is important to you is yet, another personal decision.
