2018 Roadmaster Elite Test Ride Indian Motorcycle Reviews & Impressions >
Full Member 131 posts CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Hi all . I am on holidays in the USA . Having a ball at the Daytona Beach  Biketoberfest.  Indian have a big demo fleet at the Daytona Speedway.  I tested the new RM ELITE  and the std RM . The Elite was fabulous,  the paint and finish is outstanding  . The main difference is the tank bezel inc fuel and voltage guages and the switch blocks  . The engine has been changed in the heads to make it run a little cooler . ( no info on what changes though ) the RM was the same as my 17 RM except the switch blocks and engine changes . 

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BigTone Administrator 1,638 posts
BigTone
That blue and gold RM looks stunning.
Cheers,
Tony
St. Kilda  Victoria
IMRG: 20380071
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
CHF007 wrote:
I tested the new RM ELITE  and the std RM . The Elite was fabulous,  ...The engine has been changed in the heads to make it run a little cooler . ( no info on what changes though )
This is a great info!  👍   Any chance you can grill them for more info on what changed in the heads?  This could be what Indian might be thinking of rolling out on future TS111 before the new engine arrives.  I am particularly surprised that you could feel the difference between a standard RM and RM Elite.  Was it quieter, by any chance?  Referring to top end chatter.
Melbourne, Victoria
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
The Elite actually quieter in the motor . Could be just the bike . I will ask them . I will tepost if I get any more info .
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1854cc Full Member 167 posts
1854cc
I am curious to see what the new switch block looks like.  You didn't by any chance take any pic of that ?
rsm8
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Why as a matter of fact I did . Changes include . Press the kill switch on starts bike .put up screen press button 2 times . All different really  . Check it out . 

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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Hi again . Re Roadmaster Elite changes . We are now in Texas and visited the Indian test ride team in Houston,  who are here support of the Indian team at the Lone Star Rally in Galveston.  So I test rode the Roadmaster Elite and took more notice of the changes . The 3 areas of change are cooling , so the cooling changes are they have repositioned the actual horn to on the frame below the steering head.  And secondly a reflash is involved . Secondly the tank bezel has the fuel and voltage analog guages in it . The digital display on the dash for these 2 features no longer displays  the info . If you want to retro fit this console , info from the USA INDIAN  forums  says it is a 30 minute process . Probably plug n play . Changes 3 is the switch blocks , No starter button . Press the go half of the kill switch to start it . The volume button also doubles as the station search button . And the screen up / down button has a dbl push option to completely raise or lower the screen without holding the button .  Seems mainly a refining process has been done . A great result .
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10
Start button in the kill switch? I wonder if that meets ADRs or if we'll get a variant?

Does the start button still turn the bike on? I like that feature.

The switchgear for the radio and screen does look a WHOLE lot better though. No more rubber pads to deteriorate.
Live free or die!
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Ok from memory they instructed us to press the run half of the kill switch  . Do not have to press the big power on button  . Just the kill switch . The audio volume button was up / down for volume and left / right to tune channels and probably change songs on your ipod . The screen raise lower  toggle . Press up or down once for manual incriminate adjustment , or press  twice to go all up or down .
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10
CHF007 wrote:
Ok from memory they instructed us to press the run half of the kill switch  . Do not have to press the big power on button  . Just the kill switch . The audio volume button was up / down for volume and left / right to tune channels and probably change songs on your ipod . The screen raise lower  toggle . Press up or down once for manual incriminate adjustment , or press  twice to go all up or down .


That's the same functionality as the current start button then. No need to press the power on button. So they've deleted the start button and made it the run part of the kill switch? Interesting.

I like the all the way up and all the way down shortcut on the windshield too. Overall, the switchgear seems well improved.
Live free or die!
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Doely Full Member 222 posts
Doely
My 2018 RM does all that so it’s not only just the Elite . Basically I think it’s thd tank bezel and gauges   Foot boards driver and pillion with thd chrome inserts and pillion armrest , oh yeah and the paintwork which of course is a buggy . Does it constitute an extra 8g 🤔🤔Stand corrected however as I’m new to it all . 
Cheers Ray
Gympie QLD😎
Ride Free Ride Safe
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Hi Ray . If you buy something that is in limited numbers , expect to pay more . The Elite has a 30 hour hand done paintjob on it , including real 23ct Gold striping . Tank bezel with analog guages fitted with exclusive gold detail . Very expensive billet front and rear floor boards , and exclusive gold badging  . No discount on retail price . 300 watt sound system includes amp and additional saddle bag speakers , also  front and rear bumpers ,  pillion armrests , 20180929_142358_resized.jpg       billet mirrors etc . Well worth the money . I had the 19 billet front wheel fitted to mine . Most beautiful bike I have ever owned .
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
Beautiful bike 007!  

CHF007 wrote:
I had the 19 billet front wheel fitted to mine .
When you had the 19-inch wheel fitted, it came with the replacement triple tree, did you have that fitted OR did you just get the wheel fitted.  I ask because we have another member on this forum with a Roadmaster who had the 19-inch wheel fitted and it is experiencing a high speed front end wobble.  Any details might assist him.  Cheers!
Melbourne, Victoria
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10

V-Twin wrote:
a Roadmaster who had the 19-inch wheel fitted and it is experiencing a high speed front end wobble

With the number of people that have just swapped the front wheel over now, it would (imo) be a balance and/or alignment issue. There's no issue with installing the 19 inch wheel without changing the triple tree.
Live free or die!
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
CHF10 wrote:
There's no issue with installing the 19 inch wheel without changing the triple tree.
Then why would Indian include a set of triple tree with their 19-inch wheel kit?  🤔
Melbourne, Victoria
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10

V-Twin wrote:
Then why would Indian include a set of triple tree with their 19-inch wheel kit?  Ã°Å¸Â¤â€

This comes up EVERY time. Answer is the same. For those who don't ride a Chieftain or a Roadmaster.
Live free or die!
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
CHF10 wrote:
This comes up EVERY time. Answer is the same. For those who don't ride a Chieftain or a Roadmaster.
Unless we get a copy of the installation guide that comes with the 19-inch wheel, I think we are speculating.  I don’t disagree with you but we just don’t know.  

To add to that, a Roadmaster with the 19-inch wheel was fitted with the accompanying triple tree.  That is why I am hoping that 007 can chip in and share with us what happened to his bike - stayed with standard Roadmaster triple tree or the dealer fitted the 19-inch triple tree?
Melbourne, Victoria
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
Had the 19 fitted with the stock triple trees , no problem at all . Steering lighter and more responsive , but you do get a little more feedback through the handlebarsover rough surfaces . Od of wheels are the same , didn't see a need to change them .
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
CHF007 wrote:
Had the 19 fitted with the stock triple trees , no problem at all . Steering lighter and more responsive , but you do get a little more feedback through the handlebarsover rough surfaces . Od of wheels are the same , didn't see a need to change them .
Thank you!  This post might help another forum member.

Two more questions... hypocritically speaking, of course 😉, if you were to ride your Roadmaster up to say 150kph plus, did it feel stable?

Which make of tyres are you running?

Cheers!
Melbourne, Victoria
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CHF007 Full Member 131 posts
CHF007
I have not experienced any issues with handling at all , at any speed . I compare the change to , That new tyre feeling you get with new rubber times 2  . More nimble and easier to ride . I cannot understand why Indian has not fitted them to at least some of the models with a front Valanced guard . I love the look . I looked at what tyre was fitted to the Indians running the 19 " wheel and bought that exact tyre . From memory it is an American Dunlop ELITE . ( ELITE for the ELITE } 
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
CHF007 wrote:
I have not experienced any issues with handling at all , at any speed . I compare the change to , That new tyre feeling you get with new rubber times 2  . More nimble and easier to ride .
Thanks 007 for your feedback.  I hope the other member will see your thread and may consider fitting the original triple tree with 19-inch wheel to see if that could be the cause.  Glad you had no issues with 19-inch on a Roadmaster.  I was beginning to think there may be a reason why Indian has not fitted 19-inch on any of the RMs in two years.  I guess if you are not having any issues, it is just the design choice.
Melbourne, Victoria
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DAVO Full Member 311 posts
DAVO
There must be a reason that Indian supply a new triple clamp with the wheel kit, the part numbers are different between the triple clamps on the RM and kit triple clamp?
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10

DAVO wrote:
There must be a reason that Indian supply a new triple clamp with the wheel kit

It's for people that buy the wheel and don't ride a Chieftain or Roadmaster. As I've said, there are countless people making the swap to the 19 inch wheel on both Chieftains and RMs in the USA with absolutely no issues whatsoever.
Live free or die!
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Doely Full Member 222 posts
Doely
CHF007 wrote:
Hi Ray . If you buy something that is in limited numbers , expect to pay more . The Elite has a 30 hour hand done paintjob on it , including real 23ct Gold striping . Tank bezel with analog guages fitted with exclusive gold detail . Very expensive billet front and rear floor boards , and exclusive gold badging  . No discount on retail price . 300 watt sound system includes amp and additional saddle bag speakers , also  front and rear bumpers ,  pillion armrests , 20180929_142358_resized.jpg       billet mirrors etc . Well worth the money . I had the 19 billet front wheel fitted to mine . Most beautiful bike I have ever owned .
20181225_160629_resized.jpg 

   Ta mate they are great features for sure and yes the paint job is awesome . Must admit I nearly ordered one , but stayed with the RM . Aprecciate  your ride input 👍
Cheers Ray
Gympie QLD😎
Ride Free Ride Safe
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