While at the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally I had the opportunity to test ride some of the latest offerings from Harley-Davidson and Indian, and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you. While I’ve always been partial to Indian Motorcycles, I have to admit that Harley-Davidson has really stepped up their game in terms of tech and motor performance.
Below are some notes I made during the 20-minute demo ride on each motorcycle.
2024 Harley Davidson Street Glide
- Great motor 117: The Street Glide’s 117 cubic inch motor is a powerhouse, delivering impressive acceleration and torque.
- Small Floorboards: I found the floorboards to be a bit cramped for my 5’11” frame.
- Lots of shaking: There was noticeable shaking, especially at higher RPMs.
- Infotainment system is amazing: The Harley-Davidson infotainment system is top-notch, with a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features.
- Spacious fairing tray: The tray underneath the fairing provides ample storage space for your belongings.
Summary:
The Harley-Davidson Street Glide boasts a powerful 117 cubic inch engine that delivers impressive acceleration and torque. However, the motorcycle’s performance is somewhat hindered by noticeable vibrations, particularly at higher speeds. Additionally, the floorboards may feel cramped for taller riders.
On the positive side, the Street Glide features a top-notch infotainment system that is both user-friendly and packed with features. Furthermore, the spacious fairing tray offers ample storage for personal belongings during rides.
Overall, the Street Glide provides a thrilling riding experience with its strong engine but may require adjustments for rider comfort and vibration management.
2024 Harley Davidson Road Glide
- Great motor 117: Like the Street Glide, the Road Glide boasts the same powerful 117 cubic inch motor.
- More roomy: The Road Glide felt more spacious than the Street Glide, likely due to the handlebar placement.
- Less shaking: I experienced less shaking on the Road Glide compared to the Street Glide.
- Infotainment system is amazing: The infotainment system is just as impressive as on the Street Glide.
- Impressive power: The Road Glide delivers impressive power past 3000 RPMs, making it a blast to ride on the highway.
Summary:
The Road Glide shares the same powerful 117 cubic inch engine as the Street Glide, delivering impressive acceleration and torque. However, the Road Glide offers a more comfortable riding experience with a roomier cockpit, likely due to the handlebar position. Vibration is noticeably reduced compared to the Street Glide.
Like its sibling, the Road Glide boasts an exceptional infotainment system. Its performance truly shines past 3000 RPMs, making it an exhilarating motorcycle for highway riding. Overall, the Road Glide combines power, comfort, and technology into a satisfying package.
2024 Indian Chieftain
- Tried and True 116 motor: The Chieftain’s 116 cubic inch motor is a reliable and proven performer.
- Infotainment system falls behind: While still functional, the infotainment system feels outdated compared to the Harley-Davidson offerings.
- Large floorboards: The Chieftain’s spacious floorboards provide plenty of room to stretch out.
- Ample storage space: The saddlebags and fairing glove box offer enough storage for a 3-5 day trip.
- Vibration at higher RPMs: The motor does start to vibrate above 3000 RPMs.
Summary:
The Indian Chieftain is equipped with a reliable 116 cubic inch engine that provides solid performance. While it offers ample storage space and comfortable floorboards, the motorcycle’s infotainment system feels outdated compared to more recent models. Additionally, vibration becomes noticeable at higher RPMs. While touring, keeping the motorcycle under 3000 RPMs shouldn’t be an issue, which makes this a excellent touring motorcycle. On the street or inner city highway you will notice it 3000 RPM vibration the most.
Overall, the Chieftain provides a comfortable touring experience with a proven engine, but riders may find the technology lacking.
2024 Indian Challenger
- Powerplus 108 liquid cooled engine: The Challenger’s liquid-cooled Powerplus 108 engine is a true standout, offering smooth and relentless power delivery.
- Infotainment system falls behind: Similar to the Chieftain, the infotainment system feels a bit dated.
- Large floorboards: The Challenger offers the same spacious floorboards as the Chieftain.
- Seamless frame-mounted fairing: The frame-mounted fairing provides excellent wind protection and doesn’t feel bulky or obtrusive.
- Ample storage space: The saddlebags and fairing storage provide plenty of room for your gear.
Summary:
The Indian Challenger stands out with its powerful and smooth liquid-cooled Powerplus 108 engine. While it offers ample storage and comfortable floorboards similar to the Chieftain, the infotainment system feels outdated. The Challenger’s frame-mounted fairing provides excellent wind protection without compromising aesthetics. You should be able to eat up miles on the Challenger without issue.
Overall, the Challenger delivers a strong performance package with a modern engine and comfortable features, but its technology falls short in comparison to the Harley’s.
Conclusion
Both Harley-Davidson and Indian offer impressive touring motorcycles for 2024. Harley-Davidson has made significant strides in technology and motor performance. Indian, while still offering solid and reliable options, could benefit from some updates in the tech department. Ultimately, the best bike for you will depend on your individual preferences and priorities. I encourage you to test ride both brands to see which one suits you best.
Feel free to post below with any questions or additional comments.
