2015 INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE
RIDING IMPRESSION
P124
next downshift to relaxed like it's on vacation, the
two pistons thumping away in harmony matched
to sixth gear and a Californian afternoon. Every-
thing chills out—the ride is nicer as the suspen-
sion soaks up the motorway's corrugations, the
seating position feels right, my wife's content. And
sure you it's not all shakes and sunsets. A couple
of issues stand out. I'm far from a fan of the un-
lockable leather panniers—with as much luggage
space as they have you should be able to lock
them. I also think the brown leather will fade pretty
quickly with weather (it was happening on our test
as the sun sets to our left across the entry to the
Pacific Ocean, our homeland some 7500 miles
away, Annabelle and I sit back, enjoy the ride,
and revel in an American moment.
H I T S A N D M I S S E S
Two weeks with a machine is more than enough to
help you draw some basic conclusions. And I as-
bike) so these are something that you'll have to
take extra care off. Also, the bend of the massive
one-piece bar gives my long-suffering shoulder a
bit of discomfort over a distance like that between
Irvine and San Diego via the long way home.
Chrome has never been high on my priority
when purchasing a bike, and after two weeks on
the Chief Vintage I know why. Riding this bike
Cruising lonely
backroads
on an Indian
– there are
worse things
to do on a
Monday.
