I got to borrow a Vintage... for 3 weeks! Indian Motorcycle Reviews & Impressions >
Founding Member 396 posts Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
Indian.jpg 


Well today I picked up a Chief Vintage, kindly loaned to me by the guys at the Sydney Dealership while my Scout gets fixed up. James in particular thank you, your assistance has been greatly appreciated.

Dark Scout has chronicled his Chief adventures I thought I’d give it a little go myself – keep me focused on the bike and my impressions of it as a “newer” rider used to a smaller bike. So please forgive the over enthusiasm – but I reckon some of y’all will read something here and think back to your first ride on a “big bike” and smile along with me.

So the Vintage – How did I end up with the Vintage? Simply put I ride to and from work every day and needed something with saddle bags, the Vintage fit that bill.

So there she was, Black as the soul of a tax collector (That’s Smith with 2 f’s for any member of the ATO reading) First impression… Wow that’s big. Everything about it felt big.

Getting on and rolling out for the first time, I’ve never felt like I was “inside” a bike before, the depth of the seat, the way the bike sits around you, screen, highway bars, pillion. With the Scout I find I sit up and forward a bit (probably should’ve gotten the extended reach but anyway), the Vintage sits me down and pushed me back a bit.

The engine note – it was deep and rich, I could feel it, and it felt like this bike is made to chew up the road mile after mile day after day without missing a beat – but also without beating up the rider.

Hitting my first corner I took it gently trying to get a feel for the bike, how far I could take it over, it wasn’t pretty those first couple but then I got rolling. For me I found the more – for want of a better term – aggressive I took the corner the better the bike responded to me.

Once I had that understanding we got on a lot better and a short trip up the highway beckoned to acquaint ourselves better. The Cruise control was a revelation – although that took some getting used to – just felt odd.

Coming back down from the Hawkesbury we took the Old Pacific Highway from the river up past Cowan, uphill, lots of sweeps and twists – she just pushed me through forgiving a couple of poor lines. I pulled up with sore hips and shoulders but that is just the new seating position kicking in.



The Minister for War & Finance, well she’s excited and she’s not been on her yet. The problem I have now is that if I name this bike, well it’s harder to give back then isn’t it… Rita is a good name

So in comparing the Vintage to the Scout based on my first impressions – in the city, where I do a lot of my riding the Scout is the bike to be on. I get the feeling fuel consumption, off the mark acceleration and the ability to freely filter on the Scout just can’t be beat in the city run. Maybe with some time on the Vintage I’ll find I’m wrong. But on the open road… there is no disputing which I’d prefer to be riding already
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 1 0
Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
So it’s been a week since Rita & I first met…. Ordinary week to meet too, home to work and work to home day after day – no real chance to get acquainted properly, find out what makes her purr and what makes her scream…

chief1.jpg    

My first impressions about the fuel consumption & lane filtering were spot on (for me anyway) – Geena (my Scout) has Rita hands down there. Most nights I’m adrift in a sea of brake lights as I cruise over the Harbour Bridge at a leisurely 40km/h & keep an eye out for the rubber neckers who like to steer where they are looking – which is usually towards Rita. This includes the way too excited “surfer dude” who on making eye contact made some sort of “gnarly” hand signal at me like I was some floral shirt wearing hippie (nothing against floral shirts). I’d hate to think what he would’ve done if he actually saw the bike moving rather than being caught in traffic but I digress.

Speed off the mark well trying to gun and go, that’s one of those things that makes her scream – a bit like a snooker crowd when you’ve gone for the pink but hit the brown. Rita likes a run up, so hitting those little gaps – she’ll hit them but she lets you know she’s not happy while shes doing it.

Rita makes a big impression in peak hour traffic – actually everywhere, the number of people who want to stop and talk about her or take a photo adds 10 minutes to every trip. Positive - people wish they were riding it, negative they all want to let you know that - it's like having the hottest girl at the bar every bloke wants to have a crack.

With winter creeping up on me and while the extra heat thrown off by the engine is nice and toasty on those cold mornings although in peak hour I cook. The little pocket provided by the windscreen has kept me out of the thermal gear. Big positive for me - a windshield may be ordered for Geena soon.

Friday I was off with my boy – When I picked Rita up there was a bit of rain about so spray and associated road crud had marked her up a little, so while he had his nap, Rita got a bath and polish (chrome & all) and didn’t she come up a treat.

chief2.jpg 

I’d hate to be cleaning those spokes every couple of weeks though - moving the bike around to get access to every part there has to be an easier way.

What do you do with a clean bike? Ride it. Out before dawn this morning to watch the sunrise down at the beach where I got artistic with my photos of course – not bad for a little old Samsung 4. The peace and quiet of the sunrise – I love it looking out to the ocean just alone with your thoughts… until the guy who wants to take photos of you, the bike and know everything about the bike comes along (including “…would you mind if I took it for a spin in the car park?” Reply “Yes I would half-wit, now will you go away I’m trying to get all serene”:mad:)

chief3.jpg 

Feeling a bit hungry a hot breakfast was in order and I knew just the place, The Old Road Café @ Mt White so off we went into the smoke haze for a little jaunt north along the old Pacific Highway. (Yes I love riding this road and it is easy for me to get to). I was early enough to avoid all the morning traffic and heading north before I knew it.

Rita was in her element…. She pushed me through corners beautifully, the only ugly points were again some of my lines but that’s something that will change with time on the bike. She really ate up the road, I could feel her purring away under me everything just felt bang on. IF I did that ride everyday Indian wouldn't be getting this bike back.

We crossed the Hawkesbury River and ran straight out of the smoke haze and into smoke haze with fog and worst of all road lice.

The fog and haze had visibility down to about 50m in some parts but it was patchy so no problem. The road up from the river to Mt White is narrow and nice and twisty but this morning it was infested with road lice. Most were sensible and pulled left when cars or bikes came up behind so they could get past. One group of yuppies on their five thousand dollar bikes with all their racing gear and whatnot who think they are in olympic training decided to ride double file, uphill and to slow down to the pace of their slowest rider which was about 20km/h.

Of course this happened in a tight section lots of blind corners and the sun was coming up in front of me so I was stuck for about one km. When I got the space I took great delight in verballing them - not my fault I didn't get all my serenity at dawn - and I’m pretty sure some over strained lycra got soiled when I throttled past with Ritas exhaust note really crackling with frustration.

Finally clear of the lice it was into the Old Road for breakfast – Big breakfast, cup of coffee and a thaw out and what do I see on the wall?

chief4.jpg 

That was old rust on that signs – I don’t think they were new. Oh and the answer was 1, plenty of sports bikes, BMW, Harleys but only 1 Indian.

After a chat with the mandatory bike inspector off we go. Coming home we took the Expressway, throttle up and hit the cruise control. Still felt weird having no input to the throttle but we motored along nicely and just a quick click of the switch gave really good speed adjustments. Just watch out when you hit the flat or an incline coming off and downhill run – the sudden engine surge caught me off guard more than once.

All in all it was a beautiful run home, the sky was clear, the sun was warm and the traffic was light. A little light shopping at Bunnings on the way home and we were done, and yes the bags managed to hold quite a bit. I was happily surprised by that.

Again before I left two photographers and 3 more tyre kickers had to be satisfied before I could fire up and get going. Having a nice bike is a chore when you just want to go and when you really don’t like talking to strangers (I tell my kids not to so I want to set the example – stranger danger y’all;))

Back home to the Minister for War & Finance and the tin lids. Now it’s up to me to work out how to convince the Minister that a threesome is a great idea to make it the perfect weekend - Me, Geena & Rita.

Oh Darkscout 500 now.

Thanks for stopping by try the veal you’ve been a great audience
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 1 0
Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
So I managed to shake a little time free this weekend… by a little time I mean the entire weekend!

Given that it would appear that my time with Rita is coming to an end, the Minister for War & Finance and I thought this weekend would be a perfect time to go visiting the outlaws down on the NSW South Coast so they could spend some time with their grandchildren HAHAHAHAHAAHA.

Friday we packed up the car & the bike and off we went roaring into the back end of the southbound peak hour 90 minutes to get across Sydney to Heathcote – it is seriously less than 50k’s.

From Heathcote the traffic lightened up – despite the road works and we started up a dream run down the Princes Highway. Coming down past Albion Park on towards Gerringong is normally a stretch of road I hate dead straight and flat, right behind the beach you are chugging into a real headwind the whole time bashing you about, but behind Ritas windshield it was a dream. Geena will be getting a windshield really soon.

Cruising around the back of Kiama I had some goose in a 4WD come up and sit in behind me with high beams on & being an A#$. I spent the next 10k’s getting away from him, blew him off pretty good on the straights.

I’ve never had a ride like this as I kept cruising just down past Nowra, the night sky was pristine stars out everywhere, air was fresh with a bit of wood smoke from time to time with those home fires it was the run of a lifetime – still there was plenty of time spent watching for suicidal wombats and roos.

Up early the next morning and it was cold but crystal clear and still. Back on the bike with the minister on the back heading south to Batemans Bay. We were out early enough that there was no traffic around. The stretch of road between Batemans and Nowra is a cracker. Enough of it has been upgraded that the road is sweet and there are still heaps of little towns and servos on the side of the road to stop off at – it’s not like going up the Pacific Highway where they have bypassed all the towns.

FP.jpg 

Just coming into Batemans we took the turn off to the Kings Highway headed for Braidwood about 50k’s away. This was one of the nicest stretches of road I have ever ridden – going through bushland that is just pristine (apart from the highway). They’re upgrading it too. The road has plenty of ups and downs, a few great big switch backs lots of bends it was a real work out going up but I loved every second of it. Rita just chewed through it and kept begging for more and it was nothing like the city riding, it was like a never ending tank.

All of a sudden we were up on the plain and it was just straight road cleared land all round with rocky outcrops – and a favourite hunting ground of the local HWP.

Rolling into Braidwood we parked Rita up outside the church and went for a walk. If you are after coffee and breakfast there is a little place straight across the road from the church that is meant to be pretty good – but there was a big queue so we went up the street.

Braidwood.jpg 

After a good stretch ‘All aboard’ and we headed north for Nerriga. The less said about this road the better. We started motoring along - when horses run away from the fence when you pass – it is probably a sign that either bikes don’t go along this road often or bikes like yours don’t go along this road often… lots of horses ran – I didn’t take the tip. Before long I swear I could hear Banjos dueling on all sides.

This should not be considered me slagging off Nerriga. When we got there I really needed a break and a drink and Nerriga pub would have to be the best country pub I have ever set foot in. If you ever get there check out the bar top it’s outstanding. Guy behind the bar was a legend and the food there looked pretty good. From Braidwood I should have gone out to Tarago to get to Nerriga its about 100km trip –hindsight hey?

Nerriga.jpg 

Now I know that I said the Kings Hwy was one of the nicest stretches of road I have ever ridden… well the Braidwood/Nerriga Rd back up to Nowra is the nicest stretch of road I have ever ridden.

Wide, neat, well maintained, nice and bendy and the views! Out to the West it was valleys, mountains and bush land, to the East you were looking out over the St Georges Basin and all the south coast beaches in the distance. There are lookouts on both sides of the road along the way. This road was outstanding and this is probably why the Nerriga pub is packed with bikes every Sunday but we had to get back and relieve the grand parentals so that was the end of us for the day…. But a stunning days ride

Sunday morning up with the dawn and homeward bound with just a short stop at Berry for breakfast and fuel. As I headed north I easily saw 100 bikes going the other way…. Saturday is the day to ride the south coast & southern highlands if you want plenty of road room.

Berry.jpg 

What a weekend – 700km’s down, $30 on fuel (with a half) tank left I might add $30 on breakfast for the Minister & I dirt cheap weekend! The Minister agrees- Rita would be an ideal weekend bike, we had an outstanding time, just made for those country miles and highways. She ripped along and didn’t miss a beat.

Weekend total: 700km

Total: 1300km (at this rate @Darkscout I’ll have your record covered in 8 more weeks…. Trip to Broken Hill anyone?)
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 1 0
Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
Sadly Rita (for those who are new my loan Vintage) went back to the Dealership today, but Geena (again for the new my Scout) is back in the garage after her unscheduled repairs and I am happy to have her at home.

So as I was rolling along today, savoring that last ride I started reflecting on my experience with Rita I mean that is why I started this thread in the first place! Rita was such a big beast of a thing. When she was mad she let me know, when she was happy she purred like a kitty in front of a fire. The Minister for War & Finance loved her from first sight....if only ;)

The only way I could really think to do this was a Positive & Negative list. Again these are from my impressions, other people may have other experiences. Bear in mind I am not a mechanically minded person so I won't always have the right term or phrase- I just know what I like doing on bikes...

Positives
Comfort - windshield, foot boards, grips, pillion & seat.... it was all just so comfortable once I got used to the position. I had a couple of big days in the saddle and ended each day with no fatigue no soreness feeling like I could put an extra couple of hours in.
Forgiving - for such a big bike, she was just so forgiving of me. She pushed through my poor lines and it felt like at times she corrected for me.
That Engine - Wow... it sounded good, when I hit the throttle I knew the power was coming
Gear "Range"- I don't really know how else to describe this, but I felt like the most improvement in my riding has come in the last 3 weeks. I got a real understanding of using my gears more efficiently if that make sense?
Position - The seating position on Rita -again once I got used to it - was far superior to the Scout. I find on Geena I am up on my shoulders a bit more, Rita sat me down deep,pushed the shoulders back and dropped the elbows a bit. It felt amazing and just increased that comfort.

Negatives
Filtering - City riding makes up 90% of my riding and Rita just couldn't hit those real tight gaps that Geena is able to squeeze through. that meant we ended up getting caught in peak hour Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic... and then I'd start to cook on top of that wonderful engine.
Weight - I didn't mind the weight of the bike, actually really enjoyed the size of the bike, but when I was looking for that off the mark speed or quick gun through lanes (again peak hour) it wasn't always there. I found the Vintage to be a real downhill runner - momentum was Ritas friend
Interest - At Bunnings once - while I was trying to leave I had 5 tire kickers and 3 blokes come up and stand next to her for a photo. I don't like talking to strangers. Things like that happened constantly.
Price - I can't afford one right now
Size - I can't fit another bike into my garage right now
She had to go back - what more can I say 

Those negatives just sound petty - but when I'm ready I'll be a 2 bike owner one for the City and one for the country and I have no doubt about where I am headed there.

So we rolled across the Harbour Bridge, I got looking around me, the rust of the bridge, the view, the number of people checking her out, round the back of Darling Harbour - the smell of the fish markets... didn't matter where we were she was turning heads

As I turned into the dealership Rita clicked over 1503.6km for our time together. (Not a bad contribution in only 19 days considering I work or commute close to 50 hours a week.) Darkscout at that rate I would have beaten your record in 9 weeks ;)

I got the keys for Geena. Got on - gee the seat was uncomfortable, and is this actually my bike? It felt like I was getting on a Shetland pony... went through all the pre ride... I looked over and saw Rita, the tassels on the bags were waving to me in the breeze, calling me back. I nearly got up then and there to go do a deal on the upgrade - but the sensible voice kicked in, this is the bike I need for now - and let's face it if Rita was mine I would've taken my boot knife to those tassels before we left the dealership day 1.

I kicked up the stand, put Geena in gear and rode off with a great big s#$% eating grin on my head excited to have MY bike back.... lets see what shes got

And like all good things this thread must come to an end.... Hope y'all enjoyed the trip
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 1 0
V-Twin Founding Member 7,820 posts
V-Twin
Great write up Joel. I think you missed your calling in life... as a motorcycle magazine journalist.
Melbourne, Victoria
Quote 1 0
Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
Would love to do that. If I could get that as a sideline.... well all my riding becomes a tax deduction doesn't it?
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 1 0
John Bryant Junior Member 35 posts
John Bryant
I'm just coming up to 28,000km on my 2014 Vintage and I can say it's easily the best bike I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot of bikes in the past 52 years of riding). It has performed flawlessly, and even after two years I find it hard to stay off it. I have dyed the leather twice and love the deeper tan appearance. I've also removed the exhaust plugs, which gives better mileage and also a throatier note. Love it!
My real name is BLUEY !!!!!         Ulysses #813
Quote 3 0
DarkScout Full Member 305 posts
DarkScout
Excellent rite up Houso.... and is the scout still running well,,,
Quote 0 0
Houso Joel Founding Member 396 posts
Houso Joel
DarkScout wrote:
Excellent rite up Houso.... and is the scout still running well,,,


Thanks mate, 

Scout is still going put a coupe 100 k's on but with the weather change up here it is hard to maintain any heat in the engine.... wind just sucks the heat out the second you start moving.

On the flip side I am suspecting that heat may have been identified as part of the issue and that may be part of the program - to keep the heat down.

I don't think there will be  definitive answer on this until Christmas
Houso Joel
SYDNEY NORTH
Harley Davidson Traitor [wink]
Started with an Indian - stayed for the conversation
2017 HD Road King Black(Anita)
Previous 2015 Scout Red (Geena)
Quote 0 0