2017 INDIAN ROADMASTER CLASSIC
IGNITION
FIRST RIDE
All leathered up
Don Canet
Minutes after deplaning the 1943 vintage Douglas DC-3 chartered by Indian Motorcycle for transporting several journalists to Lake Havasu, Arizona, its on-site press relations corps dropped the bomb!
Wraps were pulled unveiling the new 2017 Roadmaster Classic. The leather-clad variant of Indian’s proven Roadmaster touring platform blends modern long-haul amenities with iconic styling cues akin to those of the popular Chief Vintage. The Classic’s spacious sculpted saddle, relaxed riding position, and superb wind protection behind its bar-mount fairing are all very familiar. In fact, nearly every aspect of this machine is identical to its hard bag-
equipped stablemate that topped our “Highway to Hell” comparison just two issues ago.
Differences begin with the full-grain leather saddlebags and top case. While offering a 33-gallon combined capacity and the trunk’s ability to swallow two full-face helmets, the side bags are slightly smaller than the Roadmaster’s, and I particularly value the security and convenience of the latter’s remote locking luggage. Other changes include a new teardrop tank badge and omission of the lower fairing (standard on the Roadmaster) offered as a colormatched accessory item.
All the best bits are accounted for, including the stellar 7-inch touchscreen Ride Command infotainment system featuring vehicle data displays, GPS
navigation, and a 100-watt stereo. You also have cruise control, heated seat and grips, motorized windscreen with 4-inch height adjustment, ABS brakes, and tire-pressure monitor.
Smooth riding and sure-footed, the on freeway and back roads alike, steering feels natural and responsive whether flipping a tight U-turn or negotiating the twisty mountain pass along our route. The Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin pulls like a 12-mule team providing loads of torque and passing performance.
While Indian knows its current customer and hasn’t forgotten its roots, good things are on the horizon. As colorfully stated by an Indian spokesperson, “We’ve got a lot of cool s—t coming.”
2017 INDIAN ROADMASTER CLASSIC
ENGINE TYPE air-/oil-cooled V-twin
DISPLACEMENT 111ci (1,811cc)
SEAT HEIGHT 26.5 in.
FUEL CAPACITY 5.5 gal.
CLAIMED WEIGHT 864 lb. (dry)
BASE PRICE $26,999
