Indian Chieftain

INDIAN CHIEFTAIN

RIDING IMPRESSION

The storied brand returns with all-new motorcycles, including this hard bagger

ALMOST EVERYBODY is aware of the Indian motorcycle name. The company was founded in 1901 and became the major player to take on Harley-Davidson in the formative years of American motorcycling but went out of business in 1953. Following this, Indian went through many attempted revivals, but none succeeded. Finally, American company Polaris Industries (founders of Victory Motorcycles 16 years ago) bought the Indian name in 2011, and the 2014 Chieftain is one of the first products.

The Chieftain, in fact, is the first hard bagger to wear the Indian name. Like the Chief Classic and Vintage models, the Chieftain is new from the ground up.

Thumbing the starter lets you know that the jewel of the package is the Thunder Stroke 111 (cubic-inch) V-twin. This is one of the best-sounding engines in a motorcycle— period.

Power is ample, with 77 hp at 4,160 rpm and 108 poundfeet of torque at 2,850 rpm, as measured on the CWDynojet 250Í dyno. You feel that torque peak as the tach runs through 3K, and acceleration is vigorous for an 827-pound machine.

The gear primary drive features a large wet clutch with excellent feel. The 49-degree Vee demands a balancer for smoothness, but there is ample mechanical personality communicated through the bars and floorboards, particularly under power. Serene, smooth cruising at 60 mph shows 2,250 rpm on the tach.

The fork-mounted fairing is excellent, and the electrically adjustable windscreen works great to allow more airflow or better protection from the elements at the push of a button. Bag capacity is very good and the latches are excellent. GVWR is 1,385 pounds, giving a load capacity (fuel tank full) of 523 pounds.

The Chieftain’s steering geometry (25 degrees of rake, 5.9 inches of trail) produces nimble (for a bagger) handling with light bar effort. This geometry is achieved using negative-offset triple-clamps because of the greater loads expected on this touringoriented model. This offset places the fork tubes behind the steering head to put more weight on the front contact patch, which gives more consistent handling when carrying greater loads. Rear spring preload is air-adjustable.

The Chieftain is a surprisingly good-handling motorcycle. Damping is controlled, and cornering clearance is excellent, which allows a swift back-road pace. Straight-line ride comfort is sublime.

All Indians come with ABS and excellent triple disc brakes, plus cruise control, keyless start, a light bar (or riding lights for the Chieftain), and leather seats. The Chieftain also has a great stereo, Bluetooth push-to-talk hands-free calling, and tirepressure monitors.

Indian got the details right. The seat is comfortable, the paint is exquisite, and the chrome is both lustrous and deep. All for a competitive price of $22,999.

With a bike like the Chieftain, Indian should need no further revivals.

UPS + Fantastic engine + Great chassis + Beautifully finished

DOWNS - You better like valanced fenders - Harley-Davidson Rushmore models have better infotainment