Intake
Intake
NEW INDIANS -> OLD INDIANS -> (VO STICKER SHOCK -> DR. WINNIFRED CUTLER
KIEK5THRT THE EIII1P/ERSRT1OD
"GREAT ARTICLE ON THE NEW INDIAN. MAYBE A NEW AMERICAN COMPETITOR WILL FINALLY MAKE HARLEY-DAVIDSON UPDATE ITS ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY. INTERESTING THAT THE NEW INDIAN IS 111 CUBIC INCHES, ONE INCH BIGGER THAN HARLEY'S 110-CUBICINCH S(REAMIN' EAGLE (VO MOTOR. LET THE NEW RIVALRY BEGIN."
MARK McCONKIE LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA
THUNDERSTRUCK
Bells are ringing in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the Indian faithful. Polaris deserves congratulations for producing an absolutely brilliant and beautiful engine for Indian’s first real and new beginning. Now, if Indian will make the lll standard fare in a new Scout as well as the Chief, and not limit their best motor to an affluent few like some unmentionable others, then Indian will surpass those boutique pretenders and be embraced by loyal enthusiasts who feel forgotten by other manufacturers.
TOM OUINN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
I spotted the May “Cruiser Issue” peeking over the other cycle mags at Walmart and giggled at yet another “Indian Is Back” blurb. Upon closer examination, my cynicism morphed into slack-jawed
awe. Aside from the “Thunderstroke” male-enhancement moniker for the new engine, it looks like somebody has finally gotten it right: the squatty massiveness, the fins, the pipes, the chunky primary, the freakin’ heads—all utterly gorgeous. Great job from Cameron, Girdler and Hathaway. Tell Greg Brew and the Polaris crew that they’re guaranteed to revive a great rivalry if they provide what Harley abandoned nearly 30 years ago: the substance that justified the baroque form. An Indian product line designed from the get-go for parts interchangeability, retrofitting and easy modification (and thus, owner involvement) would be the key to owner loyalty that no other manufacturer offers.
DAVID SNOW LITTLE ROCK. ARKANSAS
Hi from Australia. Thanks for the beautiful article and pics of the new Indian engine.
It looks fair dinkum, and not just some cloned S&S parts shoehorned between valanced guards. I've enjoyed riding exWWII model 741B Indians these last 40 years; couldn't help but send you this shot from my shed. Cheers from Down Under!
BRUCE LINNELL TANT ANGOLA. AUSTRALIA
You did an exceptional job capturing the aesthetic and technical beauty of Indian’s Thunderstroke in. Extra points for the glamor shot on the cover! I'm anxious to see what kind of bike Indian wraps around that gorgeous powerplant. Hopefully, someone will have the presence of mind to offer that motor in a package that comes in under $20,000.
Speaking of wrapping a gorgeous bike around a stout powerplant, how about that Honda F6B?! Look out, grandpa! Junior is seriously considering a Gold Wing!
EVERETT TACKETT TAMPA. FLORIDA
MEDIA CRITIC
Note to Polaris: Fire your ad agency and the geniuses that hired them. You need people who currently ride H-D to like your product. Alienating them by calling them “hobbyists” or “sheep” is not going to win you any business from them. Pissing off a potential customer is generally considered a no-no and very short-sighted. You are destined to fail unless you realize that you want an Indian parked next to a Harley in someone’s garage, not necessarily instead of. Never forget this fact: You bought a legendary motorcycle marque. HarleyDavidson is one.
S.R. MUNDAY
STRYKER. OHIO
DOCTORAL DIS I
I hate to risk the emotionally charged response of aficionados and your editorial ire, but why do some of you love so dearly the classic Indian “Motocycle”?
I agree that the full fenders and motors are beautiful, but what is the wild attraction and all this magazine coverage for a company with a spotty reliability record and periods of mismanagement? Personally, I think it is the attraction of an American-made product. The brand means very little to me. Now, I am going to start my Triumph Tiger. It’s 65 degrees in Denver today!
PAUL FRANKEL, PH.D.
DENVER, COLORADO
CVO SHOCK
When I read the $34k price tag on the Harley CVO Road Glide in the Honda F6B comparison test (“Clipped Wing Meets the
King of Bling,” May), I was shocked. The next day, I read in Popular Mechanics that a new sporty Cadillac could be had for $35k. Only another thousand dollars for luxury and comfort that can blow the footboards off a CVO.
KEVIN MOLYNEUX
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA
Can you get a Cadillac with skulls on it? Didn't think so.
DOCTORAL DIS II
I’m looking all over your May, 2013, “Cruiser Issue” for that devil of a bike you keep choosing for cruiser of the year. I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Could it be that you finally realized that the Diablo [Ducati Diavel] isn’t a cruiser after all?
After this issue, I’ll eat my fiberglass hat if you pick it as cruiser of the year again.
DAN MILLER, PH.D. KENOSHA. WISCONSIN
PERFECTION
EIC Mark Hoyer’s opening line in “Revolution of the Species” (April) about the BMW R1200GS is perfection! I have always lived and felt this way, keeping my finger poised over the “eject” button, but never could I put words to it so eloquently. Love it! It’s pinned to my wall and I look at it every day!
DUAYNE MICKLER
ROYALSTON, MASSACHUSSETTS
There could be a future here for you at CW, Mickler. Do you like gladiator movies?
PHEROMONE 10X
I am a short, balding hunchback with halitosis and a wandering eye. Where the hell is Dr. Winnifred Cutler?
0E0R0E BOWEN
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Don't worry, she’ll be back; we've got a whole case of her 10X miracle attractant.
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