Good trip you got! Last time I was in Yellowstone was after the big burn. Watch out for the Buffs on the Park Roads.
Winter time when I was there. Late in the evening, near dark, and I wandered over to Ole Faithful. Buffs came up, circled me, so I used the concrete seats for cover. Stay still stay calm.
Can the New Polaris Indian Scout Take Down Harley-Davidson's Sportster? By Rich Duprey | More Articles | Save For Later August 8, 2014 | Comments (0) The big supercruiser motorcycles seem to gain most of the headlines. Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII ) , however, understands that women and new riders represent the key to future growth, and the 2015 model of its 69 cubic inch, 1133 cc V-twin Indian Scout, which it unveiled at the annual Sturgis, N.D. Motorcycle Rally last week, shows the company is looking to compete in those two markets. Polaris is on the warpath with its all-new-for-2015 Indian Scout. Source: Indian Motorcycle. Harley-Davidson's (NYSE: HOG ) Sportster has long been seen as a classic cruising bike, perfectly built for those two demographics. Women Riders Now, for example, ranks three Sportster models among its best top-nine cruisers for women just starting out riding. Last year, Harley unveiled its own strain of new, smaller bikes, the Street 500 and Street 750, and said it was targeted toward younger, urban riders. The competition: Harley's Street 750. Source: Harley-Davidson. The market Harley currently has a commanding lead in aming its "outreach customers" -- women, African-Americans, and Hispanics. IHS Automotive data indicates that Harley's market share among Caucasian women exceeds 62%, is more than 54% with African-American men and women, and is almost at 60% among Hispanic men and women. Perhaps more impressive is that its nearest competitor in each of those categories fails to break into double-digit percentages. Women, though, might be the linchpin of it all. The latest statistics from the Motorcycle Industry Council show that they've become quite a force in riding: Some 12% of all motorcycle owners are women, up 30% in the past decade. Nearly 25% of all motorcyclists are women, or 6.7 million out of the 27 million people in the U.S. who operate a motorcycle. About 40% of women owners ride a cruiser-style motorcycle. Harley doesn't say exactly how many women buy its bikes, but Bloomberg News estimates that around 20,000 bikes will be sold to them this year. The bikes I'll admit to being a fan of almost all of Harley's big bikes (though my wife is wearing my Softail Deuce on her left ring finger these days), but the Indian revival, particularly the Scout model, renews my appreciation for this classic line of bikes, and could cause some disruption in the industry. Much like Harley did with its Street bikes, Indian has given the new Scout an identity all its own, not going back to its heritage, but building on it. The Scout was one of Indian's most popular bikes during the three decades between 1920 to 1950, becoming a preferred choice for racers and performers. There was a seemingly half-hearted attempt to resurrect the bike more than a decade ago, between 2001 and 2003, but that ended when the whole company collapsed and it wasn't until ATV-maker Polaris bought the nameplate in 2011, and introduced three all-new Indian-branded motorcycles based on historic styling, that it once again became a nameplate to be reckoned with. Measure-for-measure, the Scout leads the pack, but it comes at a price. Source: Indian Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson. With its size, lean, and rake, the Scout is perfect for the new target demographic giving Harley a run for its money. The new Indian's fat front tire provides balance, the handlebars are a good fit for ease of grip and steering, and the transmission provides for a smooth shift experience. But don't think of it as just a "starter bike." That 100 horsepower and 72 foot-pounds of torque is a cool, muscular ride for experienced riders as well. The lightweight bike holds to the road, and Motorcycle USA says its goes smoothly through its gears without clunking and thunking, with the V-twin letting you accelerate higher without red-lining. Yet, as much as the Scout has received rave reviews -- Cycle World gave its Reader's Digest version of its first-ride review as "Buy it! The Scout rocks." -- it could still face challenges in unseating Harley for the throne. With an MSRP of $10,999, it is Indian's cheapest bike; but it's more expensive than both Street models or its Sportster, as almost all of its models start at thousands of dollars less. The Scout in its native environment. Source: Indian Motorcycle. The Scout, though, gives the rider extra power, extra muscle for that higher price tag and could very well be the better value. It may be Indian's first real effort at stripping market share of the key growth customers from Harley-Davidson. YUP Need to see this Puppy!!! HK
Needs a larger gas tank. First thing I did on my, then new, 67 Bonnie was add a touring tank from a 64 Triumph. Saved me on a coast to coast trip. I had been riding into a 65MPH head wind and did not know the head wind was so strong. That figures to be a 130MPH wind load when you consider my speed. Stopped early in the middle of a desert to gas up. That was when I found that the 4.2 gallon tank took 4 gallons! And I thought I had a gallon left! Times before when fuel gauges seldom were seen on a Bike.
Yup, been looking of late. Liked the 2014 Honda 1100 4 banger, Got a 1970 K1 in the shop but not as ready to ride as the new stuff. I had a test ride scheduled on the Honda 1100 and a Indian Chief. Things happened and I canceled for that time. Glad I did now, the Scout is more to my liking. The last Indian I had was in 1965.
Made it to Pocatello idaho for the night then on to the home stretch in the morning Had a 3 hour delay. blew my tire fractured the wheel at 80 mph a complete blow out. Gillette wy Harley was awesome had me out the door in under a hour with a new wheel n tire. Truck had a 10 ft aluminum bed fall on the road n a 4x4 had a choice between the two. Chose the jump. If it would had hit between my spoke it might have totally fractured. My wife almost pooped her pants at the 80 mph jump and down on a flat tire.
I lost a timing belt at 70 on the 10 freeway in California, I know that feeling. I take it, you maintained control , and no other damage?
Don't know that reference, but glad you are alright. With me, it locked the rear wheel....that was an interesting hundred yards or so, in heavy traffic.
Jeeze Louise, Quig.... Glad you could bring it down to walking speed, and still upright.... The Big Man must have been watching out for you Folks.... I know that sign, well....
Anybody have a Royal Enfield motorcycle? This one caught my eye. Reasonable price. Light weight. Supposed to be very dependable. 85 miles per gallon. What's not to like? If you ride one, I would appreciate your thoughts on it.
Buzzy one lung. Dependability problematic. You will NOT do well on H1 or in the hills, but should be OK for neighborhood putting about. Reviews are mixed. Built in India, sells widely in Asia. Disclaimer: I've never owned nor ridden one, way too underpowered for the use I've had for bikes.
Thanks @ghrit. That's the kind of intel I was looking for. Like the Ural too, but don't fancy the side car. Plus it costs almost as much as a cheap car, needs higher octane gas, and mileage is not great. For me, 95%+ urban and maybe 5% other. Was originally looking at a dual sport until I saw the Royal Enfield on H1.
