Bike Swap Observations - Vintage to Roadmaster Indian Motorcycle Reviews & Impressions >
Founding Member 7,820 posts V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
Thanks to fellow riders (Damich & Ppchief61), I got to experience Roadmasters yesterday.  We hit Black Spur and RM handled beautifully.  You forget how big these bikes are after a few twisty bends.

Only down side was the heat.  With the temperature hovering 30+ degrees, even with the windshield down, all vents open, I was boiling hot.  The greatest casualty was my ‘boys’!  Much like the slow roasted potatoes in their skin. 😵  Thighs copped a fair bit of heat as well.  No wonder you guys fit those heat shields.  RM is great in winter but boy in summer... do you know what, we all need two Indians each!  👍😀  That’s the answer!!  Now only my wife was so easy to convince... 🤔

I am not sure if it is due to Stage 2 cams on these two Roadmasters I rode, but at around 2,600rpm to 2,900rpm, 3rd and 4th gear roll on (say 30% - 50% throttle) produced a lot of drive train noise.  Full fairings do bounce a lot of sound back to the rider so it could be that...

No doubt, both Damich and Ppchief61 have their own observations about riding my naked Vintage. 😜
Melbourne, Victoria
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Dogmanii Junior Member 21 posts
Dogmanii
I installed Captain Itches's Crotch Cooler on my RM and my wife made me a leather wrap that fits between my knee and the upper part of my boot.  Now I don't have to worry about 3rd degree burns when in heavy traffic.
"Only bikers know why dogs like to drive fast and hang their head out the car window."
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V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
Dogmanii wrote:
Now I don't have to worry about 3rd degree burns when in heavy traffic.
I was glad we were not stuck in traffic, that’s for sure.  Mrs Dogmanii sounds like a fine lady making you leather wrap! 
Melbourne, Victoria
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Damich Administrator 524 posts
Damich
Thank you V-Twin for the swap but you know it felt like we put keys in a bowl [smile]
First impression of the chief was it felt bigger than the RoadMaster, I know that sounds counter intuitive but it felt longer. With the suspension it felt stiffer and more rigged.
Performance was impressive due to the re-tune and reeving right through the torque range and more, nice note from the aftermarket pipes V-Twin has fitted.
In relation to engine rattles, I was trying to listen for the famous clacking but was not noticeable but V-Twin explained it goes away when you ride it for a while and warms up.
I couldn't hear a thing due to the wind noise from no fairing. Its been a while since I've felt the wind on my chest. I can understand why you get cold on a naked bike V-Twin. Yes not as warm as the RoadMaster but i must say it was nice to get back on the RM knowing on cooler days I will be warm and comfy [biggrin]

Thanks again V-Twin and PPchief
Damian
North East Melb
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CHF10 Senior Member 2,396 posts
CHF10
Felt longer and bigger probably because it is longer. The rake on the RM and Chieftain is steeper, making them both shorter and easier to handle than the Chief and Vintage.
Live free or die!
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ppchief61 Full Member 348 posts
ppchief61
I thought that was the case CHF10, I did enjoy jumping on your RM Damich as I wanted to see if there was any difference in both our bikes. I must say I couldn’t tell any difference at all, as for V-Twins naked bike Ive rides it on another day and it felt like I had a Hugh wind sail, I was hanging on for dear life😏😂😂
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Indie Girl Full Member 221 posts
Indie Girl
CHF10 wrote:
Felt longer and bigger probably because it is longer. The rake on the RM and Chieftain is steeper, making them both shorter and easier to handle than the Chief and Vintage.
  Yeah i loved the look of the vintage. . .but i rode the Chiftain with more ease. .. hence the rake ... why my bike looks like it's  father was a vintage 😉
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