Indian launch video

[Big Dave]

Here's some info from the Indian Launch. Mainly highlights from the conference room presentations and a bit of ride footage.

[BIG DOUG]

Fark you could have turned the music off so we could hear the engine.

[Big Dave]

Fark you could have turned the music off so we could hear the engine.

Yeah. I would have if I got any good engine recordings.
Helmet was too far away and all it got was wind noise. Only reason for the music.
I had the wrong door on the chest go pro. Thought the helmet would do better.

[unstuck]

Tis a poor tradesman that blames his tools for sloppy workmanship.

[Big Dave]

Tis a poor tradesman that blames his tools for sloppy workmanship.

Yuh, but atchally - I'm pretty pleased with the result.

The 'problem' was the handlebars are too fat for the go pro handlebar clamp. That forced a hurried rejig while everyone else was suiting up.

When I get my mits on a test bike I'll have time and resources to mount cameras and record properly.
On this escapade we swapped bikes 9 times.

I have found a snippet of viable sound in the meantime - I'll upload it.

[Big Dave]

With the chest mount inside the fairing it picks up a lot more mechanical noise than there is at lughole height.

[HenryDorsetCase]

is the big protruberance under the left side switchblock something to do with the infotainment? I thought for a sec it was another camera but it is part of the bike by the looks.

[Big Dave]

And the electric windscreen.

[Big Dave]

I don't mind the the dash/cockpit. I like the integration on the Vision more, but according to Indian this is the first-ever handlebar mounted power screen on a production bike (and it's excellent), so I guess there were design issues.

The Chieftain has different geometry to accommodate that weight, but it actually handles and steers the best of the three models.

[Big Dave]

And yes HDC - I did instigate a pillorying for Lance for having Phil Collins on his iPhone, but none answered the call.

[shafty]

Noice Dave,

Have been Stateside for the last 6 months and followed the launch closely - the Chieftain really appeals - good pricing too - how do y'all rate it?

Shafty

[Big Dave]

Noice Dave,

Have been Stateside for the last 6 months and followed the launch closely - the Chieftain really appeals - good pricing too - how do y'all rate it?

Shafty

I did 50+km on it. Coast road and Freeway. Plus the same stretches of twistys 10 times for photos.

I rate it. Aerodynamically (read comfort) it is one of the better bikes (even for a tall man) that I've tested. It is in the same class as the previous bike launch I wangled at this venue, the BMW K1600GT.

[Big Dave]

I tell you what too Sticky - It was a fumble free transition from handlebar mount to helmet bracket.

Fiddly little suckers they are too. Had to be smooth. Meanwhile the International and Regional Bosses for the brand, The Editors of Live to Ride, Two Wheels, Ozbike, Bikepoint, Trader and others are buckling up their helmets. These aren't the real concern however. (Apart from gratuitous name-dropping.)

It was my friend Boris. I believe I may have even cast the first epithet in the 'brutally-cruel-if-you-dare-state-the-obvious' banter - at the same time under-estimating the strength, and desire, nay, relish, of an Eastern European heritage for such a contest.

Pressure. Diz iz not pressure.

I then proceeded to drop the handlebar bracket in a pond. Luckily they were all facing the other way by then.

[unstuck]

Hey, at least your still living the dream.

[Big Dave]