BREAKING

First Rides

The White Devil – A Cycle Source Test Red On The PCH

Published In The December 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source

Article By: Chris Callen

First Ride

 

So, usually these types of articles are reserved for manufacturers’ bikes. However, as I was riding the Indian Larry White Devil down the Pacific Coast Highway, I started to think about our roots and how much we go against convention. One of my favorite parts of non-custom motorcycle magazines like Racer X or Transworld Motocross was always when they’d test ride a famous racer’s track bike. Now there was no way you could ever hope to have this bike or the “unobtanium” it was built from. This is not the case with an Indian Larry Motorcycle, but I felt like it had that personality. Plus, how many times can I say I got to ride one of these things. Sure I’m gonna shoot my mouth off about it for a few hundred words or more!

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Indian Larry was known for bikes that handled and performed above all else. They were killer in the looks’ department, but as far as ride-ability, they were unparalleled. To make it home alive in the real big city you can’t have any rattletrap bullshit; you are literally taking your own life in your hands. I have been around for plenty of firsthand accounts to see my brother and owner of Indian Larry Motorcycles — Bobby Seeger — abuse the living shit out of his bikes with no extreme failure. Now I wanted to see how one of the new bikes would stand up to the reputation of the man who made the name of the shop synonymous with bulletproof bikes built New York tuff.
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My test ride would go down over a two-day period, and in all fairness, I explained to Bobby up front that I was going to beat the hell out of this bike. As I first headed out alone on the PCH, I immediately did the speed test. The 113 inch S&S motor did not disappoint as I banged through the gears. I figured as much, as these are the motors of choice for hot rodders like Bobby. I found it interesting how comfortable the bike actually was under aggressive riding conditions. It seems as if they have found the perfect geometry for rider position as it applies to all types of riding. Whether you’re putting around, splitting lanes or hauling ass, I never felt like I was uncomfortable or slipping off. This has a lot to do with their recipe and list of parts made inhouse. From the ILM bars to the Throw Back risers and signature ILM hardtail frame, they all work together. It would figure after the years of proving and improving on that formula. PCH is a great place to test all aspects of a bike. With the on and off traffic, hill climbing and flat out straights, I really got a sense of how well the Baker 6 in a 4 tranny measured up. This had the N-1 drum but didn’t really need it since unlike most Indian Larry motorcycles, it was a hand clutch with a foot shift. It did not however miss a beat for the entire two days of pounding.

as I can tell you from what could only be turns that numbered over 200 or better along the PCH. The somewhat steep steering angle of the 30 degree rake on the frame keeps it nice and tight. The fact that it has a Pingle steering dampner that ensures that it stays where you put it was a real nice feature and the short wheel base of 89 inches combined with the 180 rear tire all added up to a canyon carving machine.

Braking was more like a track bike than a chopper since they use four piston Brembos for the front and rear. Stopping is not an issue and I noticed that I was riding a lot like I do on the track with my two middle fingers up over the Brembo brake lever so I could feather it in the turns. Awesome! Many of the other components are from ILM as well and makes up that classic look that only comes from one spot in Brooklyn. The world famous dished tank they make in-house; the oil tank, the foot controls are all products of Brooklyn and they finish it off with hockey tape for grips. Cmon, that’s where it’s at baby, and I think that’s something you see on every bike Larry ever did.

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Of course everywhere I did stop, when you could get me off the White Devil, I had tons of people wanting to look at it and ask me questions. In those moments I would drum up my best Bobby Seeger impression and simply tell them: ‘Of course you dig it, it’s a man’s bike…it’s from the East Coast,’ and I’d be on my way. With the list of components, and partially just for the experience, these bikes are a great investment at $65,000 and I would personally recommend one to anyone. Check them out online today or do yourself a favor and visit their place on Union Ave in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn.

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