Indian Scout, Victory Octane, Harley Roadster, Triumph T120 Bonnie

DECIMIS

DECIMIS

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Which one is your preference, and why? I like them all, but have some complaints with each as well. The Scout looks stunning, but rear suspension and front brakes are the issue. The Octane is a revised Scout, but rear suspension and front brakes again not satisfactory. I love the Bonnie, but dread chain cleaning and adjusting with the exhaust right in the way.

I never thought I'd ever consider a Harley, but final belt drive, dual disk brakes up front, my favourite rims of the bunch, and improved suspension front and rear.

I am liking it so much, I actually went into the local HD dealership to view and talk. Bad news on that front though, they're only getting 3, and only 12 in total are coming to Ontario! They said I could put a deposit down on one now if I wanted it... :(

So any of these bikes get your lusting? Which one and why?
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For me it's the Octane. My dad rides a Victory Kingpin, it's very smooth, has a ton of torque and is surprisingly light and handles well. The Harley is a close second on looks alone. You don't really need dual discs up front, just let off the throttle and those big v twins really slow you down.

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I don't know much about these bikes, but ever since I saw the Indian Scout in person I've thought it's a beautiful machine. The Victory Octane also looks pretty cool though.
 
Indian and victory demo this weekend at peak powesports

I really like the styling of the Indian but brakes and suspension really need to be addressed

The victory is based off the scout model but I prefer the Indian

The revised bonnie is excellent performance wise but just not a fan of triumph

The Harley looks great though can't wait to see it in person

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The Triumph will likely out-perform the others in all circumstances and provide a more comfortable ride for longer periods. For all I know it may also be cheaper. Chain maintenance isn't what it used to be, in that it's not messy, frequent or time consuming.

having said that, it sounds like you prefer the HD, so go for it. Nothing ventured nothing gained as they say.
 
You're kinda comparing 2 cruisers to 2 standards.

Victory and Indian are almost identical looking, with Indian going for the retro feel more. Both have that power cruiser vibe. Aesthetically pleasing but I wouldn't find them comfortable.

I'd pick the Triumph for practicality. H-D would be my 2nd option.
 
18 inch back wheel on the HD and upside down forks but that's debatable because to late comers they probably appear right side up. Be that as it may why does HD keep changing the definition of cool, albeit within a very narrow spectrum, how many doorags are we supposed to buy? Do they think we're all a bunch of yoyos? I would hold off on the Harley until things settle down. Go Triumph. They are made in Thailand which is very close to China proper.
 
Don't underestimate that Scout on power vs the T120. It's got 100 hp with a V-Twin that loves to rev (how many can you say that about) and feels refined at it ... after riding it twice back-to-back I fell in love with it. I ended up getting something bigger but it has a fabulous engine with awesome throttle response.

Only way to know is to ride them all.
 
DemonPig said:
You're kinda comparing 2 cruisers to 2 standards.

Victory and Indian are almost identical looking, with Indian going for the retro feel more. Both have that power cruiser vibe. Aesthetically pleasing but I wouldn't find them comfortable.

I'd pick the Triumph for practicality. H-D would be my 2nd option.
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yup...thats exactly what i was thinking... that sportster isnt a regular sportster suspension and brake wise that is.
the rest of the bike is basically the same though.
 
Really tough choices there. All very nice, stylish bikes. I think I would go with the Scout. It's a very powerful cruiser that is light and nimble and flawlessly styled. Suspension gripes are easily fixed with a thicker fork oil. Lots of aftermarket upgrades for the Scout, and the history the Indian name carries with it is priceless. I don't like what they've done to the Bonneville this year, too sportbike looking now. I prefer the classic Bonnie styling. The Sporty is a favorite with the millennial/hipster crowd lately, particularly the older ones that can be chopped. IMO the Sportster's best advantage is air-cooling and great bottom end torque. If you're the kind of person who likes to mod and customize, Sportster takes the cake. But yeah, Scout for sure.
 
i think ide also choose the scout or a sportstster 48 - 1200cc (not the trim package OP is mentioning) i hust like the wider front tire...ive ridden one and it was nicer than mine that had the standard tire...120 wide i think...maybe 110.
 
How reliable is the Indian?

The HD Fat Boy is truly one of my favourite bikes, even when it is more $$$$. I can see myself getting one some day.
 
A friend has a scout and he loves it.
 
Maybe checking out the dealerships that sell them will help you make your decision. Mackey HD is a large and busy shop, as is GP Bikes. While I've had great service from both and have been going to GP for many years others prefer a smaller, more personal feel in a shop. The HD dealer in Peterborough was good to deal with service-wise and were really enthusiastic. I was recently in the Polaris shop in Belleville which is also a large John Deere tractor dealer. As I was buying tractor parts the service was good but I got the feeling that it was "all hands on deck" for the equipment and the atv's and bikes were secondary. I think I saw the octane there.
At the very least you get to see what the dealers have in stock.
 
Victory/Indian reliability and cheap maintenance is amazing. It's the big reason I bought a Victory Magnum over the HD competitors. Vic demo rides at Spoiled Sports May 17/18 since you're already in Bowmanville anyways so sign up and try out the Octane.

Everyone knows the Sportster is a ladies bike anyways ;)

Triumph is a nice bike. Not having a chain to clean/lube is sooo nice (you don't realize it until you buy a bike without one). It's a bit of an apples/oranges compared to the other 3 though. Depends what you want. Ride 'em all first.
 
Save for the likes of Hyosungs and MVs there are no more bad motorcycles being made today and certainly none among the delectable options listed above. Of the bunch I would go with the one that most closely aligns with your Ch'i and if it has a rubber band final drive so be it. The Indians are an interesting choice, above and beyond the technical sophistication of forward footholders, because of the companies rich history. I believe the brand is better than one half decade old at this point.
 
Thanks for all the replies – I’ve been reading them all!

As others have mentioned, there really isn’t a bad or wrong choice in this group. While they have their differences, I think all four of these bikes are appealing to the same demographic.

Test/Demo ride suggestions are obviously best. Thank you to the poster who mentioned Peak Powersports demo this weekend! It’s a very busy demo weekend apparently, I was planning on:

Saturday Morning – GP Bikes Ducati Demo (try to beg a ride on the new xdiavel, and when they turn me down I’ll try and setup a Bonnie test ride!)
Saturday Afternoon – Clarington Honda Demo (only because it’s just down the road from home, and I’ll be driving right past it on way back from GP)
Sunday Morning – Mackie Harley Demo (surely I won’t be the only one there who feels out of place!)

I’d love to do Peak Powersports (Victory/Indian) on Saturday, but maybe I’ll keep my original plan and try an Octane at Spoiled Sports the following weekend.

It sounds like that majority consensus find the Indian Scout the most appealing, based on looks and partially heritage. I fully agree. Scout is the best looker.

I think the Octane is more my ‘style’ as I’d wear a full face helmet, A* and Dainese gear. I look more ‘modern’ compared to ‘heritage’ and the styling of the Octane I think is more modern, and the Scout heritage.

The Bonnie will be timeless, truly never out of style, liked and respected by most, forever. I like this bike, plain and simple.

The Harley. I can’t explain it. I think I drank from someone else’s cup and am drunk on the kool-aid. Maybe I’ve watched too much Sons of Anarchy recently? After the demo day and rubbing shoulders with HOG members, this might help me understand what I’m feeling and why. It's just like on TV, right? ;)

inreb said:
I would hold off on the Harley until things settle down. Go Triumph. They are made in Thailand which is very close to China proper.
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Oh, and I love Chinese food, so this must count for something right?!
 
Peak Powersport had a Scout at the shop in a dark red, almost a vintage firetruck color with tan leather saddle and some ivory pinstrip. If I had disposable cash it would be in my garage right now, just gorgeous.

Sure they are trading a bit on legacy, who isn't right now.
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