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Considering a Roadmaster Darkhorse vs Harley Ultra Classic

5.9K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  bullet33912  
#1 ·
I posted as newbie in the welcome thread and mentioned I am looking at switching from Harley to an Indian, specifically from a 2005 CVO ElectraGlide to a 2021 Roadmaster Darkhorse blackout.
I recently moved from Coeur d Alene, ID to Arizona, have 76k miles on the ball slapping nag CVO and I loved the test ride on the Roadmanster I took last week. My '05 is generations behind all the new tech and specs but the 103 engine in it is, in my opinion, the absolute best engine Harley has ever made and mine has a stage 1 and 108hp and 115 ft lbs of torque, its a screamer and I ride it as such.

So what are the things you former Harley guys like better about the Indian, specifically to the touring models?
 
#2 ·
I went from an 09 UC to 13 UC. Between the 2 had 75k miles. Traded for 19 RM on the spot after test ride and review of features. To get the features on HD would have required a CVO to get heated seats, grips. Always had to have multiple windscreens for HD, now have adjustable WS. The ride modes is nice. Felt it was a smoother ride and center of gravity seemed lower. I am 6'4" and way 220-240 (dwpending on how good i eat). I would have to spend another 20k to upgrade to CVO or get RM. Only things i have added are phone holder on bars, highway pegs, and Tab performance mufflers. Absolutely love it.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
 
#4 ·
So that bike you’re after has a killer saddle. The climacommand. That’s like a 1200 dollar upgrade. You’ve got heated grips, power wind screen, lowers, bags, tour trunk, and ride command infotainment. There’s no comparison at that price point. I have a 19 roadmaster and my brother has a 21. That 116 engine from the factory is just awesome. You’ll love it.

One admission, I did grab a Harley recently. The pan America. That’s a totally different time zone, though.
 
#8 ·
I know you are considering an Indian Roadmaster--but let me tell you about my Harley to Indian comparisons with my new Indian Challenger. My last 2 Harleys were a 2013 Road Glide Custom and a 2016 Road Glide Ultra. Loved both my Harleys. But...., was impressed with the write ups and reviews of the Challenger starting in early 2020. Finally rode a Challenger just a few months ago, in February. That was all it took! I guess you can tell I love the Road Glide styling. The Challenger has that same type of styling, a bit different from Harley but, still, love the look. My Challenger is 76 lbs. lighter than my RGU was and the Challenger is NOT top heavy like the RGU was. Of course, I don't have a trunk on the Challenger but the Challenger is still less top heavy than my RGC without a tour pak was. In general riding, the Challenger is more "nimble" than my Harleys were. I LOVE the adjustable windshield and put it to good use. If I lose/forget my fob I can remember the 4 digit PIN and key it in and be riding quickly unlike fiddling with the Harley turn signal switches that must be entered properly switching from one turn signal button to the other and doing all of that within the allocated time frame. And I've noticed I can clean up my Challenger a lot faster than I could clean my Harley due to most of the Indian motor being enclosed and the side covers that cover quite a bit of area. The stock Challenger stereo is quite adequate for me and, IMHO, I don't need to spend bucks to upgrade like I did on my Harley. The Challenger suspension is far superior to Harley and I read somewhere that the Challenger rear suspension has a little more than twice the available travel of a Harley RG.

So far, my experiences with my Indian dealer have been pleasant. Sure hope that continues cause a really big thing that turned me off of Harleys is both Harley dealers here in Louisville have been, on more than one occasion, azzholes.

If you get an Indian I hope you will be as happy with it as I am with mine.
 
#9 ·
So what are the things you former Harley guys like better about the Indian, specifically to the touring models?
There is so much to love about a Roadmaster that it is too much work to try and explain. Once you spend a full day(s) on the RM, you won't need your questions answered. You will just know. The only problem you are going to have is staying off the bike.
Of course, just like HD's, you will want to cool the right side down and also get a better exhaust note, so a cat removal may be in store or complete exhaust system and a tune from Fuel Moto.

Then just ride your brains out.
 
#11 ·
Since you're an engine/performance guy, you may want to check the Challenger, too. I have the Roadmaster with the Stage 2. It's supposed to be in the same range for power, but a little more torque. I would imagine you don't want to step down from 100+ hp to 80. You won't be disappointed with the Roadmaster with the stage 2, but you'll probably really like the engine in the Challenger.
 
#12 ·
I had an 05 road king, then a 2010 Ultra Classic that I did the stage 1, decat, fans, etc. When it came time to trade, I looked an Ultra limited wet head (I grew on Hondas and like water cooled, especially here in Florida) and the RM. Simply put, the RM is a much more refined bike all the way around. That is not to say the Harley is bad -- it's not. The RM is simply better. The biggest things for me are the lower center of gravity and the better handling, etc. and the features that are standard (or not offered by HD) that you would get nickled and dimed to death on by HD. I also thought the changes in suspensions and frames on the Harleys were minimal and that I was buying gadgets and not a huge improvement on the bike itself. Would I have been unhappy on the Harley -- no. Am I happier on the RM -- yes by far.
 
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