All three words in the name of this bike exemplify the kind of machine this is. The Indian Chief Classic is as iconic a line to ever come out of the Indian Motorcycle brand.
Its design is simple in order to take advantage of its no-frills characteristics. Air-brushed pinstripes, a tear drop head lamp, a glass front fender light, a black and polished engine with chrome covers, a solo seat available in black leather, chrome-spoked wheels, traditional black wall tires, and the signature Indian script complete the custom quality paint on each and every Indian Motorcycle, including the Chief Classic.
The classic looks are a sight to behold and although the design is relatively light on details, the Indian Chief Classic more than makes up for in its performance. Thanks to a modern 105 cc Power Plus engine that comes with a full chrome package and a 2-into-1 stainless steel exhaust system, the Chef Classic is the kind of classic cruiser that holds more purpose and function than people think.
Find out more about the Indian Chief Classic after the jump.
Together with the Indian Chief Classic and the Chief Vintage, the Chief Dark Horse is one of three Indian Motorcycle models that will be offered for 2012.
Of the three, you could make a case that the sexiest of the lot is the Chief Dark Horse, which comes with a matte black finish, a classic painted Indian headdress logo on the tank, a two-into-one stainless steel exhaust, a color-matched, die-cast console, a matte black teardrop headlight, smoke black (matte) rims, and a tank-mounted speedometer with controls.
As far as performance goes, the Chief Dark Horse carries the same engine as its brethren: a Powerplus 105 cubic-inch air-cooled V-twin engine with closed loop sequential port fuel injection, six-speed transmission, and belt final drive. In addition, all of those also have Brembo triple-disc brakes, 5.5-gallon fuel tanks, dual 12V accessory outlets, and claimed dry weights around 750 pounds.
The Chief Dark Horse retails for $27,999 and comes with a two-year warranty. Needless to say, it’s the kind of bike that owners will have no regrets buying.
Find out more about the Indian Chief Dark Horse after the jump.
The 2012 Indian Chief Vintage carries the same elements of the 1840 Chief, the bike it is based on. From the the two-tone paint schemes based on the 1948 Chief, to the chrome Indian tank badge, and the fender light that will bring you back to the era where the Indian Chief ruled the highway, the new Chief Vintage is the perfect antidote to your nostalgia.
The design of the bike is straight out of a time machine. Great tan leather with fringe wraps the solo seat and saddlebags to create a distinctive nostalgic look in the Chief Vintage. It’s then complemented by b60-spoke chrome wheels with classic whitewall tires, resulting in a more complete vintage appearance. Suffice to say, the Indian Chief Vintage is a minimalist’s retro bagger.
Other styling touches done on the new Chief Vintage include fully fringed bags and deeply valanced fenders. This is the Indian bagger for the rugged individualist. Braving the elements, which are protected only by a windshield, will bring you a Power Plus 105 cubic inch powerplant that stretches its legs through a six-speed transmission.
Find out more about the Indian Chief Vintage after the jump.
Back in the early days of motorcycling, manufacturers didn’t just do a promotional video of the final product as it was being ridden down the highway as convincing as that might have been for the rebel riders of the time. Instead, they would have taken the viewer (and possibly future customer) through the entire building process so that they knew what they’re machines were made of.
This is an Indian Chief promotional video from their factory in Springfield, Massachusetts. At that time, there were no automatic assembly lines that would take care of at least part of the building process so it was all done by dedicated Indian workers.
Indian Motorcycle marks the greatest 2009 comeback in the wonderful world of cruisers with their Chief lineup, the only one of the oldest motorcycle maker in America. Complex and unique, the models offered by Indian may look like impossible to beat, but Harley-Davidson and the Japanese crowd aren’t going to give up that easily.
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The revamped American maker will inaugurate on the 4th of October its first modern day showroom in Lowell, close to the plant where the bikes are being produced. Indian plans on sharing the joy of opening the Indian Motorcycle Charlotte with fans so they will be invited on a tour of the nearby factory (Battleground Road in Kings Mountain) and be offered food, refreshments and music from Swampdawamp as well as special music guest Cottonmouth. Make sure to be there at 1pm. The company’s show trailer will be brought to the event.
On next year’s Chiefs, Indian retains the classic design, but brings great touches of modernity such as the electronic fuel injection on the 105 cubic inch V-Twin engine that produces 100 lb-ft of torque. Easy to develop soft spots for and an Indian emblem, the white wall tires are nicely contoured by sweeping fenders while the unique pin striping and studded saddle define Indian Motorcycles.
