AS THEY SHOULD BE

 

Courtesy of an invitation from a guy called Dave Brown at MCO and Steve Cain, one of the world’s most exclusive bikers, the Aged Rocker joined in with a demo over in Wigan. No, not the type of demo the Froggies stage on a yearly basis but a collective of likeminded chaps who like American motorbikes. Based at MCO’s Orrell Victory and Indian dealership it was also a chance for those who like to ride an all-American sled without having to throw a leg over a Harley-Davidson. Let’s face it, if ever a brand has become a parody of itself its good old H-D but I must say one of those pink toweling H-D tracksuits does look tempting!!!!! Better still, why not buy one of the dealers T’s and pay them to do some advertising for them. Well I suppose if you’re daft enough.

 

 

 

The oldest name in motorbikes, Indian’s 1953 demise more or less came about due to the Massachusetts’ company patriotism. Whist Indian concentrated their efforts in the production of military machinery at the expense of their dealers and domestic market, another well know US make that could have been mentioned earlier in this diatribe not so keen on flag waving, effectively stole Indian’s market from under them. But much to the delight of real bikers the tables are being turned and here at AR HQ we love it!  

 

 

 

Yes, from an initial re-launch in 1999 complete with S&S engines and then Powerplus bottlecaps, bankruptcy in 2003, another appearance in 2006 it was Polaris’ acquisition of the name in 2011 that gave the brand its newly found solid footing. And solid it bleedin’ well is the Indian’s head now looking arrow straight down the highway ahead.

 

 

 

 

The new range of Indians now recreate the glory days of the name, from the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain Dark Horse, the Roadmaster and the stunning new Springfield all powered by the 111cu inch Thunder Stroke engines or the slightly smaller 61cu inch engined Scout and Scout Sixty, all the Indians recall and recreate the halcyon days of enduring motorbike design. All V-Twins, when the open road meant just that, freedom and the far distant horizon, something the old AR can fully appreciate, an Indian’s V is the only way to chase the sunset.

 

 

If the fully blown retro of the Indians is a little to much for those of a slightly more demure and sensitive nature then there’s always the Victory bikes. Debuted at Plant Hollywood in 1997 by none other than Al Unser Jr, the Victory is the tangible vision of how the American motorbike should have evolved if other complacent manufacturers hadn’t sat on their lardy arsed laurels. Divided neatly into Cruisers, Baggers and Touring catagories along with the all new electric Empulse TT and the squared off, 1200cc Octane, the Victory bikes are a beautifully balanced combination of American bike tradition and modernity. Whether it’s a Vegas 8-Ball, the High-Ball, the Hammer S, the new Gunner or the transcontinental Cross Country Tour, it’s a case of big engines, low revs and relaxed riding that make the Victory bikes what they are.       

 

 

 

But if the bikes don’t float yer boat and you’ve got twenty-five large doing nothing do please try a Slingshot. Is it a car, is it a bike or is it a trike? Apart from the fact nobody seems to know as to what exactly the Slingshot actually is, what the AR can tell you is that its one hell of a piece of machinery that can be driven or ridden on both a bike and car license. It gets even better when the R’s got a blonde babe riding shotgun.

 

 

With two ultra wide alloy rims up front and one big belt driven wheel at the back the 2.4 litre,173hp DOHC VVT engine that delivers 166ft/lbs of torque to a vehicle that weighs a mere 1,683lbs. Sited as low as it’ll go and between the passengers’ legs, the Slingshot is encapsulated within and around a steel spaceframe and some of the most off the wall, recreational pharmaceutical induced bodywork, the Slingshot the culmination of a creative genius, a seriously deranged mind or someone with a need for speed that’s off the chart.

 

Mated to a 5-speed transmission, electronic power steering and stability control and Double-Wishbone front suspension and sway bar, if Sigmund Freud was still alive it’d skullf#$k the old guy into submission. Want to know why? Well let’s put it this way, Polaris either won’t or can’t tell you what the 0-60 is but all the AR can tell you is that with 4,000rpm on the clock all hell lets loose. And at MCO Orrell you even got the four piece rockers Marauder and their seriously different version of ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, as heartwarmingly non-PC as it gets. 

 

 

So if American metal and bikes that look like what they should get things stirring down below, go visit your local Indian or Victory dealer and find out when the Road Show hits town. Or why not visit www.victorymotorcycles.com or www.indianmotorcycles.com to find your nearest dealer. And even if bikes aren’t your thing you’ll still get the chance to meet Emma or Stephanie who’ll definitely get things stirring down below. If not, both makes have some rather nice leather chaps in their clothing collection!!!! But thank the Lord, there’s not a pink track suit in sight.