I owned a scout bobber for 3 years - no issue's. Owned a sportster s new 2021 and within 30 miles engine light was on. Then non start issues. Moved to back indian but brought a 23 sportster s as i was told the issues had been fixed ( loved the looks and performance). 260 miles starter clutch failure and front cylinder hydraulic tappet failure , on a street bob 114 but have a Scout 101 ordered 👌
very nice on Indian to ship this bike with Pirelli night dragon tyres... they made such a big difference when I put them on my HD Dyna. I also spent money and time playing with windshields only to cuss at them LOL... on my last bike, a triumph bonneville I finally got a screen that worked: short, and only took the wind of my chest but did not turn my head into a blender :)
I watch your channel with interest, because I am also looking for my next bike, and it's good to hear your experience. The Indian has been a good project to watch.
as i said before , i am not a lover of 'apes ' but if it suits you thats what matters , the bike looks great in that colour with the options you have fitted ;;; yes - i keep telling people - screens are just a pain , also i have put small metal baffles in the back of my vance and hines , these have stopped the helmet resonation but kept most of the sound ,, 10 uk pounds - job done ;;
My current ride a Scout Bobber 20 and I'm looking forward to adding a Chief Bobber Darkhorse to the stable. I was able to ride one recently at an Indian event at my local dealership. I fell in love immediately. But I think I'll still keep the Scout. It's just too much fun.
I noticed you put bolts into the holes to cover the surface rust. I did exactly the same on my Scout. I have removed them now and used acf50 spray into the holes and now the surface rust is gone and it also protects it from coming back. I highly recommend acf50.
My Super Chief Limited is going in next week for the same handlebars. Looking forward to not slouching when I ride. The stock beach bars are too low for my liking. Love the Thunderstroke though. Classier than any Harley I've ever owned.
I've heard that when Indian dealers work on your bike and hook up to your ECU that Indian is gets that information and may void your warranty. I'd be interested in what your dealership says about that. Very nice review Paul.
Cheers Jerry. Is that regarding having your ECU remapped? I know of local guys who've had theirs done and it doesn't seem to be an issue with my local dealer. They may handle it as Harley does where they assess engine failures differently if modifications have been the cause of the failure. I'll get an official word from dealer but I'm confident my bike would still retain its warranty
I've just cracked 14500kms on my sup chief and after 5 days decent riding around Jindabyne. Both tyres are just above the wear bars, next service is due in about 1500ks so hopefully they'll last till then. Cheers big fella
As a long distance bike while the chief isn't the most suited I'm planning a ride to Toowoomba and back averaging 600k,s a day to really see the capability/comprises of the bike.
My biggest complaint after about similar driving time is I really wish I had gone with a non-matte paint version. The black matte paint looks great, but matte paint is such a pain to keep clean and it just grabs everything and everything sticks to it, especially pollen/dirt from raindrops. Otherwise, it's been phenomenal after comfort upgrades.
@@barrybarnes96pollen right now is just too heavy, even on my car with wax and my other with ceramic coating, it's just a thick layer that makes everything green. Go from regular washes in winter to get off salt, to regular washes in spring to get off pollen. Normal Midwest though, so not much to be done about it.
Oil change? It depends. If your engine is oil is staying pretty clean, then 8000 km oil changes is fine by me. But if your engine oil is looking black and dark after 4000 km, then you should change it. Also, I will do about 1000 km per month, some bikes may sit around all winter and do low mileage. If I was only doing around 4000 km per year, I'd probably change it once a year.
@@BikesILike In what cases oil will not stay clean? Dirty oil filter? Bet its changed along with oil, so what else is there that can make oil dirty or you don't change oil filter everytime you put in fresh oil? Indian recommends to change after every 8000 km both oil and filter though.
I think all of the mods you've made are very tasteful and suit the style of the Chief. Interestingly, I'm quite drawn to the stock (for Australia) license plate / rear lights setup. To me, it helps to give the rear fender a more finished look - less hacked off than the US version.
Love the fact that Indian still offers a completely air cooled engine.
Not for long, with environmental restrictions the thunderstroke 116 will be discontinued in the very near future.
@@shark2075 I’m hoping they either make it liquid cooled or they make a liquid cooled 116/117 alternative
I owned a scout bobber for 3 years - no issue's. Owned a sportster s new 2021 and within 30 miles engine light was on. Then non start issues. Moved to back indian but brought a 23 sportster s as i was told the issues had been fixed ( loved the looks and performance). 260 miles starter clutch failure and front cylinder hydraulic tappet failure , on a street bob 114 but have a Scout 101 ordered 👌
very nice on Indian to ship this bike with Pirelli night dragon tyres... they made such a big difference when I put them on my HD Dyna. I also spent money and time playing with windshields only to cuss at them LOL... on my last bike, a triumph bonneville I finally got a screen that worked: short, and only took the wind of my chest but did not turn my head into a blender :)
No doubt at all The Amazing Indian Chief it's a Great bike 👍, Congrats, and keep Enjoying riding that Amazing Machine 👍, Thanks for sharing 👍!!!
Cheers Lester!
Excellent review! So glad you’re still loving the Chief. Gorgeous motorcycle!
Cheers Guy!
I watch your channel with interest, because I am also looking for my next bike, and it's good to hear your experience. The Indian has been a good project to watch.
The front bag is awesome and surprisingly spacious. Definitely a go
Does it block much wind Ken?
@@BikesILike a bit
@@Ramibiker2023chief Cheers 👍
Those pipes sound killer!
I have to agree :)
as i said before , i am not a lover of 'apes ' but if it suits you thats what matters , the bike looks great in that colour with the options you have fitted ;;; yes - i keep telling people - screens are just a pain , also i have put small metal baffles in the back of my vance and hines , these have stopped the helmet resonation but kept most of the sound ,, 10 uk pounds - job done ;;
8000km wow Respect. I still got 3oookm 😅
My current ride a Scout Bobber 20 and I'm looking forward to adding a Chief Bobber Darkhorse to the stable. I was able to ride one recently at an Indian event at my local dealership. I fell in love immediately. But I think I'll still keep the Scout. It's just too much fun.
Great vlog Paul, your bike is 👍👍
Cheers Ian!
Great review of ownership.
Great bike! Only reasons I chose the Street Bob over this are the rear suspension and too many Indian badges. But that 116 engine sounds incredible!
Awesome you took my advice about wrapping the baffles.
I noticed you put bolts into the holes to cover the surface rust. I did exactly the same on my Scout. I have removed them now and used acf50 spray into the holes and now the surface rust is gone and it also protects it from coming back. I highly recommend acf50.
Beautiful motorcycle.
My Super Chief Limited is going in next week for the same handlebars. Looking forward to not slouching when I ride. The stock beach bars are too low for my liking. Love the Thunderstroke though. Classier than any Harley I've ever owned.
I've heard that when Indian dealers work on your bike and hook up to your ECU that Indian is gets that information and may void your warranty. I'd be interested in what your dealership says about that. Very nice review Paul.
Cheers Jerry. Is that regarding having your ECU remapped?
I know of local guys who've had theirs done and it doesn't seem to be an issue with my local dealer. They may handle it as Harley does where they assess engine failures differently if modifications have been the cause of the failure. I'll get an official word from dealer but I'm confident my bike would still retain its warranty
Sounds great mate 👍👍
I've just cracked 14500kms on my sup chief and after 5 days decent riding around Jindabyne. Both tyres are just above the wear bars, next service is due in about 1500ks so hopefully they'll last till then. Cheers big fella
Hey cool! There you go. I'm in the ballpark :)
As a long distance bike while the chief isn't the most suited I'm planning a ride to Toowoomba and back averaging 600k,s a day to really see the capability/comprises of the bike.
@@user-rz5gu3wp7s Cool! On Chief Dark Horse? With stock seat?
Mines a super chief with a saddlemen renegade solo seat planning a 3k round trip for it.
My biggest complaint after about similar driving time is I really wish I had gone with a non-matte paint version. The black matte paint looks great, but matte paint is such a pain to keep clean and it just grabs everything and everything sticks to it, especially pollen/dirt from raindrops. Otherwise, it's been phenomenal after comfort upgrades.
You'd think a good carnauba wax coating/shine would fix that.
@@barrybarnes96pollen right now is just too heavy, even on my car with wax and my other with ceramic coating, it's just a thick layer that makes everything green. Go from regular washes in winter to get off salt, to regular washes in spring to get off pollen. Normal Midwest though, so not much to be done about it.
Hey Paul! Where in Australia are you from? I’m up in sunny Brisbane and looking at picking up the Chief Bobber DH!
Hey nice! I'm in Ballarat, Victoria. 👍
I'm not a cruiser guy, I ride a ktm duke, but this looks goooood
Hi Paul how are you doing today mate
I change gears in between 2200-2300 rpm, is it bad?
What's your fuel change intervals, after every 8000 km? Why some mechanics recommending to change aftrer 4000 km?
Oil change? It depends. If your engine is oil is staying pretty clean, then 8000 km oil changes is fine by me. But if your engine oil is looking black and dark after 4000 km, then you should change it. Also, I will do about 1000 km per month, some bikes may sit around all winter and do low mileage. If I was only doing around 4000 km per year, I'd probably change it once a year.
@@BikesILike In what cases oil will not stay clean? Dirty oil filter? Bet its changed along with oil, so what else is there that can make oil dirty or you don't change oil filter everytime you put in fresh oil? Indian recommends to change after every 8000 km both oil and filter though.
Hi Paul how are you doing today mate I love your bike mate from Holden man tc
Thanks Tom. I'm doing ok 👍
I think all of the mods you've made are very tasteful and suit the style of the Chief. Interestingly, I'm quite drawn to the stock (for Australia) license plate / rear lights setup. To me, it helps to give the rear fender a more finished look - less hacked off than the US version.
Hi
What are Indian like to deal with in Ballarat?
Really good! Really nice people.