The Roadmaster has always been the cream of the crop from Indian motorcycles and has constantly been raising the bar for comfort, convenience, power, style, infotainment, craftsmanship and most important of all - confidence. Being the best money can buy is not easy but this pulls it off with all bells and whistles every single time.

The same will be repeated for the 2019 edition where it receives a fresh sleaze of technology under its belt that enhances riding experience to an all new level. New Ride-Enhancing Technology like ride modes, rear cylinder de-activation, improved airflow and enhanced audio systems improves performance, comfort, and audio quality.

STYLING

Bright, brash and power are what oozes out when you have a look at this Roadmaster. It is huge. No getting around that. Huge handlebar mounted fairings which look like the 50’s steamliner locomotives adds to the gigantic stature of this motorcycle. Chunky round LED headlight and fog lamps.

It holds true to its pedigree with its design and makes it its purpose to let you ride in style. It offers a wealth of features to roll as one of the most badass V-twin on the market. Features like the electronically adjustable tinted windshield that rises 9 to 12 inches to cover most riders from the buffeting wind.

For 2019, it gets redesigned lower fairings with adjustable airflow vents to provide significantly more airflow to the rider. The vents can be opened or closed manually for total weather protection. Talking of comfort, you can even lock and unlock the bags with a remote which also acts as a keyless ignition. An automatic trunk release for you and a start-stop button. Fancy stuff.

The industry-leading Ride Command system also gets an update this time. It includes an explosive AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB, Smartphone Compatible 100 watt stereo boom box. For 2019, the tweeters have been separated from the mid-range speakers, and a fully customizable dynamic equalizer now adjusts specific frequencies at different vehicle speeds.

The speakers are flanked beside a neatly tucked in multi-functional displays having a 7 inch split touchscreen for GPS and classical analog trip meters including a fuel gauge. You also get speakers for the rear passenger on flanking the saddle and on top of the saddle cases.

The dash also includes dual trip meters with distance and time, instantaneous and average fuel economy, fuel range, real-time clock, ambient air temperature, gear position display, front and rear tire pressure, engine hours of operation, engine oil life percentage, average speed, battery voltage, radio information display, vehicle trouble code readout, heated grip level, 15 LED telltale indicators, cruise control set, neutral, high beam, turn signal, ABS, check engine, low tire pressure, battery, low fuel, security system, low engine oil pressure and MPH or km/h unit designation. Phew.

Continuing towards the tank, you get additional switches to operate the top-loading saddlebags and to set yourself a heated handgrip. It also has twin analog console for fuel level and voltage. The saddlebags themselves will carry 22 lbs each and can be unmounted with a quick-release lever. This being a Roadmaster, you obviously get 37 gallons of weatherproof storage trunk, fairings, and lower storage units.

And of course, there is chrome. Lots of it. Finally, there is nothing better than having a lit up War Bonnet leading the way for you. It can sure take your breath away. Representing phenomena since 1947. The new lowers can be retrofit to bikes from past model years with the addition of new highway bars.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

Indian has kept the old-school charm for this engine layout with its valvetrain geometry, head construction, and valve-cover design. But don’t get fooled because the inside story is an out-and-out modern mill.

Designed from the ground up, the Thunder Stroke 111 engine does the job still with its 1811cc 490 V-Twin capable of belting out 73bhp of power and 111 lb.ft of torque. Enough torque to tear apart the tarmac and accelerate without breaking a sweat in every situation. It is both oil and air cooled and operates pretty smooth compared to the heavy throbbers around.

For 2019, Indian will equip this motor with Rear Cylinder Deactivation. This technology automatically deactivates the rear cylinder when the bike is at a standstill, resulting in less engine heat for improved comfort in slow-moving or stopped traffic. The rear cylinder instantly reactivates when the throttle is applied for a seamless transition to full power.

The engine breathes through a 54 mm throttle body and transmits power to a 6-speed gearbox through cable-actuated clutch having a relatively light pull. Power, like in all Indians, is always on tap and is delivered to the rear wheel via a belt-driven system. The forward foot controls are available on floorboard operations like the Springfield.

The transmission is set on the right-hand side of the right cam cover and multi-directional finned valve covers. You can even notice the downward firing exhaust outlets of the Six-Shooter that makes the Roadmaster roar like the God of Thunder.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

One chooses an Indian luxury tourer for unparalleled riding position and comfort. Be it the seats, suspension, wind turbulence or anything else, this Roadmaster has it all at the optimum offering you the best of every world.

First thing’s first, the seats. The Roadmaster has got it covered with a well-supported genuine leather plush two-up saddle. This is convincing enough to make one understand the ultimate luxury and comfort concept. It is low and is trimmed at the thigh area to give the rider comfortable long-haul journeys without breaking a sweat or a bone. It also has in-seat heating feature individually controllable by the rider and the passenger and heated grips.

The Roadmaster just falls into easy turns, but hairpins and u-turns can be quite tricky for those not used to the bike’s size or weight. 929 lbs of meat this one. The steering geometry is engineered in such a way to deliver responsive handling in any situation. The cast aluminum frame is lightweight yet exceptionally strong and provides the rider with excellent low-speed handling and confidence inspiring stability on the highways.

When running across countries, one thing all riders face is the wind buffeting. This is being taken care by the 50s’ loco inspired fairings fairing that has seen a lot of wind tunnel testing days resulting in smoother air flow and drastically reducing wind buffeting. It can be powered with just a push of a button to electronically lower or raise by 19 inches.

Suspension leverages are carried out by new cartridge type 46 mm telescopic forks at the front end having 119 mm of travel, and the single rear pneumatic shock adjustable for load or preference with 114 mm of travel. To halt this 929 lbs monster, you need heavy performers, and hence dual four-pot calipers bind the front 300mm brake discs, and a twin-pot caliper binds the rear 300mm disc. ABS will come as standard, knowing which you can brake under control in any situation.

16-inch cast wheels running on 180/60R16 80H at the rear and 130/90B16 73H at the front will give you precise feedback or rather no feedback. You will glide on these. Cruise control comes as a standard feature too which can be operated with the Ride Command system. New features for 2019 include three ride modes (Tour, Standard or Sport) – selectable on the fly.

Chassis Specifications

| Frame | Cast aluminum frame | Mild steel; tubular frame; two-piece stamped and welded backbone; cast and forged junctions; twin downtubes; bolt-on rear frame with forged fender supports; MIG welded |

| Suspension / Front | Telescopic fork, 46 mm diameter, 119 mm travel | 49 mm dual bending valve fork technology |

| Suspension / Rear | Single shock 114 mm travel, air adjustable | Emulsion shocks with hand adjustable pre-load |

| Brakes / Front | Dual / 300mm Floating Rotor / 4 Piston Caliper | 300 mm Dual Disc, 32 mm 4-piston fixed front and rear calipers |

| Brakes / Rear | Single / 300mm Floating Rotor / 2 Piston Caliper / 1 Piston Caliper | 32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear |

| Tires / Front | Dunlop Elite 3 130/90B16 73H | BW 130/80B17 65H |

| Tires / Rear | Dunlop Elite 3 Multi-Compound 180/60R16 80H | BW 180/65B16 81H |

PRICE

The 2019 Indian Roadmaster will be available in Thunder Black, Burgundy Metallic, Polished Bronze over Thunder Black, Pearl White over Star Silver and Steel Grey Smoke Over Thunder Black Smoke. It will be priced at $28,999 - $30,499, same as the 2018 model.

Indian Motorcycle offers a wide range of authentic accessories for riders to customize their bike’s style, comfort, and storage. Exciting additions to the accessory line will be announced shortly.

| MSRP | $28,999 - $30,499 | $28,089 - $30,289 |

COMPETITION

Where else do we go for this other than the other American’s stable - Harley Davidson. We are specifically talking about the Ultra Limited.

Harley Davidson Ultra Limited

What we have here is a classic American cruiser, the result of decades of evolution and innovations in order to meet ever-changing popular demand. The front fender comes pared down a bit to leave the front wheel open and visible while the trim, badging and fender skirt makes a strong connection to the past.

The sound of every Harley-Davidson’s V-twin engine rings throughout the history of the brand, and it is this reverberation that carries the trademark every Harley moxie makes. All models use a version of the Milwaukee-Eight with slightly more bore and stroke to displace 1868cc, up 18 cubes from the mainline bikes. It is a twin-cooled, 4-valve per head, the asphalt-eating beast that kicks out 111 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm. Estimated power could be 78 bhp.

When it comes to ergonomics, we feel Harley could have done a tad bit better. In general, all Harleys have the riders closer to the handlebar, and if you are not used to this, you will feel cramped. The floorboard isn’t particularly spacious, and the brake pedals are of the size you find in cars. Harley has abandoned air shocks in favor of emulsion shocks with hand adjustable pre-load. With improved damping performance and travel, one can be sure of a smoother ride and confident braking and handling.

VERDICT

Indian Motorcycles is lifting itself to the pinnacle for 2019. With having better sales figures and profits compared to Harley Davidson (who is experiencing dwindling in market share), they have been making the right decisions in the right directions.

For its new installment for 2019, the most premium of all Indians will be this Roadmaster. It’s huge, and there is no running away from it. Measuring 105.4 in and weighing 929 lbs, it is quite intimidating given the fact that it is a motorcycle. At the end of the day, it is a luxury tourer designed to carry you and your loved one with having to reap every creature comfort offered to you. A complaint is not even in the dictionary for this bike.

Developed in direct response to rider feedback, the new technology features focus on improving performance, comfort, and providing more customisability. Take the selectable riding modes or the improved airflow on the lower fairings, it’s all rider-centric to heighten cruising experiences like never before.

It is an epitome of luxury with everything on the face of the planet packed between two wheels. The decidedly retro looks will seamlessly fit into the lookout of a niche clientele wanting to splurge on something of a personified saga.