Triumph Rocket or Indian Dark Horse?

[Hailwood]

Hi all..havent posted in a while.....a question to the collective wisdom........if money was no object would you buy a Rocket or a Dark Horse and why? Interested in hearing from owners of both bikes as well as to your experiences....ta

[AllanB]

I'd look at one of the big bore Victorys as well.

I prefer the Indian Scout. Spend the change on a supercharger for it :innocent:

[Hailwood]

I'd look at one of the big bore Victorys as well.

I prefer the Indian Scout. Spend the change on a supercharger for it :innocent:

I looked at the scout but for two up riding, it looks a bit small....hadnt thought about the Victorys..will have a look...anyone have opinions on the Guzzi California as well?:scooter:

[AllanB]

anyone have opinions on the Guzzi California as well?:scooter:

I do! Never ridden one but F-me they are a fine looking ride in their naked form (my preference for bikes is naked) the 1400 custom. Wheels are beautifully machined and there are nice little treats as your look at it. For the price I am surprised people choose a HD over the Guzzi. And it is OK to have leather tassels on a Guzzi too.

[Hailwood]

I do! Never ridden one but F-me they are a fine looking ride in their naked form (my preference for bikes is naked) the 1400 custom. Wheels are beautifully machined and there are nice little treats as your look at it. For the price I am surprised people choose a HD over the Guzzi. And it is OK to have leather tassels on a Guzzi too.

Its never ok to have tassles on anything....lol..thanks for the input though....Guzzis have that something abiout them

[scumdog]

And it is OK to have leather tassels on a Guzzi too.

Not if you happen to be riding Dangerous's Guzzi it's not!:no::laugh:

[Tazz]

On paper the Triumph looks a lot better.

For 10kg more you get bigger brakes, water cooling, more powerrrrrrrr, better 2up and by the looks I'd say you'd get more lean angle, which may or may not be a factor at all for that style of bike.

Looks like more of a bruiser than the Indian too.

[GrayWolf]

Its never ok to have tassles on anything....lol..thanks for the input though....Guzzis have that something abiout them

I've owned a spada and bought one of the first 3x 1100 Cali's in 1995. I can honestly say it only let me down once, {pushrod end collapsed} and I ride 365 a year, ANd lived deep doon sooth. The new 1400 is a tempter for me in the future. As an aside, in 94/95 a USA 'heavy iron' bike magazine actually voted the Cali 1100 as the 'BEST HARLEY', it paraphrase "out harley'ed the harley in every way, torque, comfort, handling, stopping, reliability and look.
Guzzi's get under your skin, everytime I go bike shopping, I always look to see what is around in the form of a Mandello del Lario machine that's available.
Only 'anti' proviso is avoid the 4 valve head bikes older than 2014, there was an issue with the flat end tappets wearing out fast on many bikes... manufacturing/design/ hardness issue, the later ones have a roller system instead.

[Hitcher]

http://bit.ly/1jC3I13

[Flip]

The triumph would fall into the category of nice bike but "once bitten never again suckers". INHO Triumph NZ are a bunch of theiving cunts.

I do like the looks of the Indian, very tasty bit of kit.

[James Deuce]

How about getting a motorcycle instead?

[240]

My opinion is go with the rocket.This sort of bike is something you can sit back in years to come and say"i owned one" not just another v twin and nothing else is like it on the planet!That alone is the reason to buy!!!!:niceone:

[AllanB]

Ducati diavel

[Madness]

My opinion is go with the rocket.

This.


Ducati diavel

And this, if you're mental enough. I don't give a fuck what you say, the Diavel is not a fucking cruiser.

That Indian looks like something Nicholas Cage would ride in a really bad Disney movie.

[AllanB]

That Indian looks like something Nicholas Cage would ride in a really bad Disney movie.


It does! I struggled with the styling when they first came out and now find it kind of appealing (if after a power cruiser for want of another term) I think it may have been slightly ahead of the ball when released now there are new releases with bits of similar styling clues in them so it looks less radical.

One of Ducatis biggest sellers in NZ - so well picked up here.

[Trade_nancy]

The Indian is particularly 1950's ugly..for me..but I'm 50's ugly. I don't want to look as bad at that bike though. Designed to appeal to some but not most I suspect...and they may be happy with that.

[AllanB]

I wondered if they would bring out a big block version of the Scout - water cooled and fancy pants to cream the old V-Rod - man there is a bike that has had a long life span. Released in 2001. Fuck HD will be doing a 15th year anniversary model for 2016 - couple extra badges and charge $2k more!

[Mike.Gayner]

Ducati diavel

The only correct choice here.

[GrayWolf]

My opinion is go with the rocket.This sort of bike is something you can sit back in years to come and say"i owned one" not just another v twin and nothing else is like it on the planet!That alone is the reason to buy!!!!:niceone:

Well in that case you can add the Guzzi to that list, NOTHING quite like it out there. Have to admit though, it's the same feeling I had with the MT-01, nothing else like it, and will always look back on it as one of the 'best' {grins per mile} bikes I've owned.

[Hailwood]

I knew there would be some great wisdom if I asked......Brett..love the write up on the Indian..Clint gave me one to ride and I did love riding it.....Have ridden the Rocket and also fun......havent ridden the Guzzi yet - hard when there is limited support.. I have to say that the Diavel, while clearly an amazing bike, just doesnt do it for me..personal opinion but possibly the uglies bike ever made.... Have heard ;lots of negatove comments about Triumph NZ and lack of support as well so maybe something to keep in mind..... Will have to get a pillion's perspective on the Indian and the Triumph and then see where we go from there.....will keep everypne posted...

[AllanB]

I wonder about the Triumph support thing in NZ. There are shit loads of them hooning around Christchurch and the dealer has been around for some time and gets plenty of repeat and new business. Possibly individual dealer support makes a difference going into battle for their customer when required.

[Hailwood]

A good point Allan.......I ahd some not so good dealings with the local Triumph dealer lots of years ago but cant comment on them more recently....dont want to have to go to another city to get bike serviced etc......

[AD345]

Dark Horse

All day, every day

With the apes and blacked out exhaust


Looking at getting one myself as it happens...

[Hailwood]

Dark Horse

All day, every day

With the apes and blacked out exhaust


Looking at getting one myself as it happens...

Whats the cost of the blacked out exhaust? that would look amazing

[AD345]

Whats the cost of the blacked out exhaust? that would look amazing

Cyclespot had one fully blacked out (its a set of options that includes exhausts and removes/replaces all the chrome) plus the ape hangers and a pillion seat with pegs ride-away 32K. Figure 1K for rego and plates and shit so those options must be about 5K above the base prices of 26K. Considering what I paid for the exhaust on my current ride I would guess that would be somewhere around $1800 - $2000

But I'm guessing

[Hailwood]

all..just an update if anyone is interested.......order placed on 2015 Indian Chief Vintage in willow green and cream......just waiting...thanks for all the input, advice and suggestions..most appreciated

[AllanB]

One of these?

Classic style without any of the problems associated with the old rides. Very nice - be here before Christmas?

[Hailwood]

One of these?

Classic style without any of the problems associated with the old rides. Very nice - be here before Christmas?

Exactly that one......the hope is that Santa does indeed bring it before Christmas......

[smmudd83_1999]

havent ridden the Guzzi yet - hard when there is limited support..

I see you are in Wellington. Scooterazzi should be able to hook you up? They had one (or two?) 1400 Calis on display not long ago. And Marko was doing a first service on one when my guzzi was in. So there is some support locally.

I've briefly ridden the 1400 Cali. Great. I mean, just great.
I used to own an 1100 Cali (i reviewed it somewhere on here?) but there's no comparison with the new Cali 1400. All the idiosyncrasies and foibles have been eradicated. Mostly. Yet it still feels like a Cali, which is quite an engineering achievement. So new owners shouldn't be scared off (not that my older guzzi has ever seriously let me down either).

[AD345]

all..just an update if anyone is interested.......order placed on 2015 Indian Chief Vintage in willow green and cream......just waiting...thanks for all the input, advice and suggestions..most appreciated
Noice!!

You'll love it

[popelli]

Well in that case you can add the Guzzi to that list, NOTHING quite like it out there.

yes have to agree with that nothing quite like a guzzi, had the misfortune to own one once

memorable for all the wrong reasons

unreliable and possibly the worst bike I have ever owned

[Moi]

...the hope is that Santa does indeed bring it before Christmas......

Well? Has Santa delivered it yet?

[Hailwood]

Well? Has Santa delivered it yet?

Soory for delay in replying..been out riding..lol yeah santa came early...woo friggin hoo...absolutely love riding the Vintage..handles well, sounds awesome straight out of the box..only issue is taking longer to leave somewhere because everyone always comes up asking questions...love it