quality

[Blue1]

Fork seal leaking with less than 9k miles. Fork tube scored from normal operation.

My mechanic (sharp guy, has a shop and tunes race bikes) says plating of late really sucks. So I'm only replacing the seals on one side for now, and will save the other seal set if these seals get eaten quickly by the crappy quality of the original equipment parts. Not to pleased to have to buy a fork tube for this bike with less than 9K.

Very disappointed with this. Have rode over 20k on many bikes, been riding for 45 years, only replaced maybe three sets of fork seals. Had to replace the fork tubes on my Hayabusa (right before selling, didn't want to give the new owner a headache, and wanted to get top dollar for the bike) and now this.

But at least the 'busa's tubes lasted 40K.

 

[R. Warshawsky]

That sux...many people found the seals weeping at first but resolved over time. This is the first I heard of this. Dang...

 

[ferraiolo1]

I have two buddies with new gsxr 1000s and their new fancy forks, both hand already had to have their forks rebuilt before 5k miles.

INDIAN doesn’t make the suspensions. It’s a sachs/zf product, it could have been a unlucky manufacturing defect.

There are a few guys on the fb page with over 30k on the original fork seals.

 

[Blue1]

This bike has "fancy new forks", and the were rebuilt with an Adreanna (sp?) kit, buy a reputable shop, with original Indian bushing and seal replacements.

In any case, I didn't buy the bike from Sachs, I bought it from Indian. The quality of parts they buy for the bikes is on them.

 

[ferraiolo1]

they aren’t the new style nitrogen charge gp style forks every one is moving too.

Just saying, quality defects happen with all brands..

 

[MacBayne]

Fork seal leaking with less than 9k miles. Fork tube scored from normal operation.

My mechanic (sharp guy, has a shop and tunes race bikes) says plating of late really sucks. So I'm only replacing the seals on one side for now, and will save the other seal set if these seals get eaten quickly by the crappy quality of the original equipment parts. Not to pleased to have to buy a fork tube for this bike with less than 9K.

Very disappointed with this. Have rode over 20k on many bikes, been riding for 45 years, only replaced maybe three sets of fork seals. Had to replace the fork tubes on my Hayabusa (right before selling, didn't want to give the new owner a headache, and wanted to get top dollar for the bike) and now this.

But at least the 'busa's tubes lasted 40K.

Did you move? To a more rural area? Fork seals are fickle beasts... anyone making a road trip to Alaska will destroy at least one set.

I've seen fork seals fail nigh-on immediately after installation, because of mis-installation Yes, you spent 20k (Canadian) on a top-of-the-line-bike, yes, you should get the best, but fork seals are considered 'Wear Items."

Is this a potential warranty claim? Did you move? To a more rural area? I'm assuming a typo when you said 20k miles... more like 200K, right? Fork seals are fickle beasts... anyone making a road trip to Alaska will destroy at least one se cid you move?

I'm not a shill... but warranty claims are expected and simply considered "customer service" by big companies.

Claim it as warranty. Push it.

 

[Blue1]

Say what you will, but with over 200K on Jap bikes, I never had a major component rebuild with less than 10k miles.

BTW, why does everyone on this site go out of the way to defend Indian? Don't get me wrong, I like my FTR, but the purpose of M/C forums is to air both your likes and dislikes of a particular bike, as the manufacturers do keep an eye on these things.

When you defend basically defenseless positions, the manufacturers just think, "it's cool, they buy them anyway, we don't need to fix shit".

It's a forum to discuss the motorcycle, not a shrine to Indian. If anything, it's a shrine to the riders/members.

 

[Blue1]

Did you move? To a more rural area? Fork seals are fickle beasts... anyone making a road trip to Alaska will destroy at least one set.

I've seen fork seals fail nigh-on immediately after installation, because of mis-installation Yes, you spent 20k (Canadian) on a top-of-the-line-bike, yes, you should get the best, but fork seals are considered 'Wear Items."

Is this a potential warranty claim? Did you move? To a more rural area? I'm assuming a typo when you said 20k miles... more like 200K, right? Fork seals are fickle beasts... anyone making a road trip to Alaska will destroy at least one se cid you move?

I'm not a shill... but warranty claims are expected and simply considered "customer service" by big companies.

Claim it as warranty. Push it.

To clear things up, I meant I've ridden many different motorcycles over 20K miles each. Probably over 200k for my riding career. All Japanese.

Didn't move anywhere different recently. Bike is 2019, been out of warranty for a year.

Even if it was still in warranty, Indian wouldn't warranty a fork issue that another shop serviced anyway, they would blame the other shop.

Indian dealers suck at customer service just like every other dealer, even the Jap brands. It's just that the Japanese manufacturers understand quality, so you don't have to experience their shitty customer service as often; with admittedly some exceptions (early Honda VFR cam issues, for instance).

 

[edgelett]

the fork seals have been an issue for a small number of people but not many. it's varied quite a lot as to whether people have had them replaced under warranty or not.

try talking to your dealer and see what they say. seals aren't insanely expensive but yes its irritating. mine are still fine at 10,000 kms.

 

[Max Kool]

One thing I noticed when I replaced my forks, and installed Mupo cartridges, is that there was quite a bit of stiction between the inner and outer legs. Lift the fork (with spring removed) by the outer leg, and the inner leg wouldn't glide down. I polished them till that went away.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Say what you will, but with over 200K on Jap bikes, I never had a major component rebuild with less than 10k miles.

BTW, why does everyone on this site go out of the way to defend Indian? Don't get me wrong, I like my FTR, but the purpose of M/C forums is to air both your likes and dislikes of a particular bike, as the manufacturers do keep an eye on these things.

When you defend basically defenseless positions, the manufacturers just think, "it's cool, they buy them anyway, we don't need to fix shit".

It's a forum to discuss the motorcycle, not a shrine to Indian. If anything, it's a shrine to the riders/members.

Simply pointing out, it’s not an indian thing. Just because YOU never had issues with Japanese bike seals doesn’t mean there weren’t issues.

I had to totally rebuild and replace all the bushings on my fz1 forks at 15k miles.

 

[Notaharley]

After having my run with Harley Davidson, I longed for a bike I could confidently ride and one that was American made.

No bikes are more reliable than the big 3 Japanese manufacturers. Yamaha was #1 last I looked.

I went to Victory. Rode 4 of them to 50k miles. Did nothing but change oil.

I'm on my 4th Indian. Same reliability.

I rode way more than most. A slow year would be 10k miles. Just about 5000 miles on my FTR since March and I haven't taken any trips yet.

My forks are protected from debris by the stock fender. I wash my bike after getting into the dirt and mud.

I have no worries. Great machine.

 

[Massimo]

Today,

 

[ferraiolo1]

After having my run with Harley Davidson, I longed for a bike I could confidently ride and one that was American made.

No bikes are more reliable than the big 3 Japanese manufacturers. Yamaha was #1 last I looked.

I went to Victory. Rode 4 of them to 50k miles. Did nothing but change oil.

I'm on my 4th Indian. Same reliability.

I rode way more than most. A slow year would be 10k miles. Just about 5000 miles on my FTR since March and I haven't taken any trips yet.

My forks are protected from debris by the stock fender. I wash my bike after getting into the dirt and mud.

I have no worries. Great machine.

If you’re bored. Google Yamaha fz1 / r1 rotor explosion, fz1 frame cracking, fz09 valve issues, clutch basket, mt10 fuel snatch.

Was and still am a Yamaha guy, Yamaha didn’t really do anything to help customers who had these issues and never issues a recall for the frame cracking or rotor exploding other than making a new part number and making the owners spend lots of money replacing them.

like I said, all brands have issues, some are just unfortunate to get a bad apple here and there.

 

[Notaharley]

If you’re bored. Google Yamaha fz1 / r1 rotor explosion, fz1 frame cracking, fz09 valve issues, clutch basket, mt10 fuel snatch.

Was and still am a Yamaha guy, Yamaha didn’t really do anything to help customers who had these issues and never issues a recall for the frame cracking or rotor exploding other than making a new part number and making the owners spend lots of money replacing them.

like I said, all brands have issues, some are just unfortunate to get a bad apple here and there.

OVERALL, Yamaha has rated #1. They make a lot of bikes!

Haven't seen any company really be awesome to their customers.

Harley spent a lot fixing my bikes after I chased them.

I'm on bike #8 by Polaris and huge mileage. Only "issue" was a bad buss fuse in a Victory.

 

[brad21]

No worries with my 5k mileage FTR...yet.

My 30k mile KTM 790 ADV R though... replacing fork seals more often than oil changes it seems! Luckily I have a 7 year warranty plan and KTM has replaced the seals under warranty TWICE!

 

[mark.lb]

I own 4 Indians, pushing 10,000 mile each. Not a single problem with any of them. Only oil changes, routine maintenance and tires so far.
19-FTR-RR
21-Scout Bobber
21-Vintage
22-Chief Bobber DH

 

[Blue1]

OK, got the fork seal work done, it appears there was some clear substance that my mechanic said looked like clear dried bug guts that ripped up the seal. Hard to remove, but I find it hard to believe it was dried bug guts, probably something I picked up on the road.

So I'll reserve my judgement on Indian reliability for now.

I just call 'em as I see them as they occur, and am willing to put it out there when I make snap judgements.

 

[Max Kool]

Clear dried bug guts are very likely afaik.

 

[Webby]

I've always kept a good swipe of gear grease around my fork seals on the outside to help keep trash from getting between the dust and oil seals. Suspension is probably the most neglected of all parts on our bikes. At 9k mi we're looking at service anyway even though I like Blue1 have had many KYB, Showa, Ohlins and WP all go way longer than recommended with no problems. Throw extra dirt, wheelies, extreme riding and they start to wear as a fact.