5 Big Differences Between Harley & Indian. Which Brand Should You Buy?

Harley and Indian motorcycles are two of the most loved motorcycle brands out there and today I will tell you 5 big differences between the two.

[whitebeltchamp]

I think the biggest difference is the community. Other than myself I don't know anyone that owns an Indian. Most of my buddies ride Harleys. I hope sometime in the future that will change. Me personally, I don't care what your ride. As long as you're on two wheels.

[zoochase]

I was asked by all my Harley friends "why Indian?" when I bought my first bike. I have no issue with Harley but I didn't see anything I liked at the Harley dealer and the Indian Scout Bobber was exactly what I wanted in a bike. Looks, price, size (first time bike owner), and I did 3 months research and couldn't find a bad review on it. I put 12k miles in 18 months. Upgraded to a Springfield DH and have 16k miles in 2 years. Waiting for my Challenger Icon to come in right now. Most of my Harley friends are openly impressed with the fit, finish, and performance of my Indians. And they all hate that it's my bike that gets the compliments and looks from passer by'ers when we are all parked. And to the hard core Harley guys that say "it's a Polaris", I don't care. I would ride it if it said POLARIS on the tank. It's a great bike.

[stoogejubilee]

I’m an old guy, 76y/o, been riding since 1974. In 2014 I realized my riding days are numbered, and I’d never owned. H-D. I bought a used 2012 RGU, and loved it. In 2016, my 70th b’day, I bought a new 2016 RGU, also loved it. Been having some heart issues, and H-D, at 925 lbs was just too heavy for me to ride safely. Sold the Harley, still have 2 BMWs, so not ready to quit riding!

Great video - really like your style!

[billortloff]

I had a road king for 8 years. To me, a short ride is a tank of gas. Less than 100 miles is an errand. I've rode all over the U.S. and i love it. I chose to consider a larger ultra limited. I went with the Indian Roadmaster because of the price. The first thing I noticed was the much smoother ride. I'll see in 8 years what's better

[Coach_DukeVI]

Facts bro. I ride a 2020 challenger and added the full dress, lowers and touring pack. I originally looked at Harley but all of the dealerships around me were arrogant and rude and acted like I was in the wrong place. So I walked out and went to Indian Milwaukee and bought my bike because their customer service was better.

[robertgamble]

One thing you touched on that I can say with absolute certainty, I will NEVER step foot in my town's harley dealership again. I have had nothing but absolutely horrible experiences with them and that alone might be the factor that pushes me over to Indian for my next bike. And since no company will ever be loyal to me, I have no loyalty to any company beyond what they provide me for what I pay.

[christopherfarish]

Truth is, Harley is a very as aesthetically pleasing bike, but the people are something else. You’re not wrong about the dealerships. I work there and see it from the inside.

[stavrosescobar]

I've owned and own Harleys and Indians and have had great experiences with both dealerships sales and service. I prefer Harley's softails over Indian's and Indian's baggers over Harley's. Thats just me. Keep putting out great content bro!

[Tinman]

Harley Sporster 48, Deluxe, and Heritage 114, here. However, when it came time for a bagger, I opted for a new 2020 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse. Now, I’m thinking about adding a Challenger.

[NicePantsLance]

I cringe when people use "dealer network" as a knock against other brands. Funny way of saying that your bike breaks down alot, you can't wrench on your own bike, or you just bought a Harley to feel special eating free donuts at the dealer on Saturdays. Its herd mentality at its purest form

Meanwhile people that own Indians, Triumphs, Aprilias, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis and Royal Enfeilds (very few dealers all around) get by just fine without $100 t-shirts and some fluffed up "heritage" story. We want to ride our machines, not be just another member of some cult. I think Harleys themselves are fantastic machines, but the majority of the HD crowd is toxic af

[tjmac]

I traded my 2017 Indian Chief Darkhorse in for a 2020 Indian Challenger August 2020. I have not looked back. Love my Challenger. Two of my friends who were Harley or die guys now also own Indian Challengers.

[russellhalleran]

Indian is doing well! Both Indian and Harley are Great for America! Enjoy the road!

[richardpace]

I have always been of the mindset that everyone ride what you like. I also feel that any pair of 2 wheels is better than a cage most of the time. My first bike was a 2010 Honda Sabre 1300. The look and ride was at a great price point for me. I got it in 2012 brand new, after sitting on the dealership floor for 2 years. 10 years, 53, 000 ish miles and many many test rides of Indian and HD later, I grabbed a 22 Pursuit DH premium. Over my test rides and trying to ride comparable bikes of each company, I just love the look and feel of the Indian much more than HD. My closest dealership is 100 miles away, but It is worth it to me, as the closest HD dealership is just over 60 miles away. One issue I have had with Indian is a major flaw with the clear coat being very soft, and scratching easily. Other than that my experience so far has been pretty good. I also ride with a guy who is now on his 2nd Indian after having 2 HD and loving them.

[larrymolina]

In June of 2020 I bought a brand new Indian Dark horse Challenger from Mission City Dealership in Boerne TX have put over 40k miles to date. I have taken my bike as far north to PA and toured all around TX hill county. I must say that this bike has exceeded all my expectations and some. I now have my eyes on the Persuit Elite. I am extremely pleased with the overall riding comfort, the performance and handling of the Indian. The ft pounds of torque and horsepower are impressive.

[rhino]

I ride an Indian because I liked the cruiser/bagger looks and Harley didn't offer anything that really spoke out to me. The Scout and Springfield Dark Horse had been my dream bikes since they debuted. When I finally got my license I purchased a Scout Bobber for my first bike. Absolutely brilliant bike, just didn't suit my riding style. By then I had enough experience to be comfortable to step up to a Springfield Dark Horse and I haven't looked back. And much like you my Indian dealer has been awesome. Very accommodating and friendly staff. My local Harley dealers not so much.

[valis]

The reason I own a couple of Victorys is my experience with HD, I think they are so accustomed to people coming in that will spend endless money but MUST own a Harley and nothing but a Harley, has led them to take their customers for granted. When there were issues with my bike they were bordering on rude and dismissive. I'm sure at the corporate level they get the changing demographics and competition, but I don't think it has really soaked in to the guys in the dealerships, they can either adjust the way they do things or continue to shrink.

[jderrico]

Spot on man and the competition forced Harley to up its game. Love them both, owned them both, but after trading my CVO Ultra in for a Chieftain back in 2013, haven’t looked back. Lack of dealer network scared me back then, but learned I never need the dealer for much other than routine maintenance. Bike is still rock solid after nearly 10 years and now added a 21 Challenger to the stable. Damn is that a fun bike to ride.

[matthuber]

Started video, and paused to comment before I watched.
Here's my background.
I'm from the MKE area. My family is from MKE.
I'm a patriotic American. I remember when American made objectively, meant better.. I was a sk8er, a BMXer. I listened to punk rock.
I loved counter culture, even if it meant getting my as ass kicked. I built American hotrods, I loved speed, I raced motorcycles.. I loved performance.. but when it came to motor cycles, I never rode HDs. they and their fans were the status quo.. they haven't listened to the counter culture since the 70s. When they failed at technical progress hd blames their customers and They became the status quo.. they made fun of the counter culture they used to be while we the counter culture rode brands that handed them their asses in regards to objectively better performing..
Indian saw this.. Indian filled that starving Market of counter culture that still demands performance. Indian gave these people and my self a reason to buy an American motorcycle for the first time....I'm from MKE, I still say F you and now own 3 indians... because Indian actually listens to its customers and improves, while HD blames it's customers for it's failures..
Aftermarket is less of a worry for Indian, Because it's great from the jump. HD the after market is more important, because we'll, they need it, and still falls short..
That's not to say HD aren't reliable, but much like Glock, they rely on the after market to keep up with the company's that actually listened to it's

[axelfoley]

I bought a 2021 Honda monkey to learn the basics than a year later after looking at different bikes I kept going back to the Indian scout. I got a 2023 Indian scout rogue and I couldn't be happier with it. Everytime I get off my bike I look back and say damn that's my bike! It handles like a dream and has more than enough power that I can't get bored of.

[joedunne]

Love both brands and have owned both and currently have my third Indian a 22 Pursuit. Love it! And you are correct in the value get way more for your buck. With that said the bike is also far superior stock and you don’t have to spend 5-8 grand to make the power and handling that the iNdian does. I think they are beautiful looking as well.