It’s a nostalgic yet sumptuous take on the already blummin’ good Roadmaster dresser. The Elite has been the best money can buy, and has pulled it off with all bells and whistles ever since it was launched a couple of years ago.
For 2020, the Elite gets a brand-new custom-inspired two-tone candy paint, requiring nearly 30 hours and hand finishing to complete, an upgraded Ride Command system with a 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus set up, 19-inch precision-machined wheel. Powering this is Indian Motorcycle’s most powerful air-cooled engine - the Thunder Stroke 116.
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite
- Make: Array
- Model: 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite
- Engine/Motor: V2
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
STYLING
Unfortunately, or not, the Elite does not carry over the 2020 Roadmster Dark Horse’s aggressive modern styling that features a streamlined fairing, and slammed saddlebags. The 2020 Elite still loves carrying on the Vintage Charmer appeal donning the old 50’s streamliner locomotive inspired fairings.
Coming to what that “Elite” really means, the paintjob. There is no other motorcycle manufacturer on the planet that gives you a custom inspired two-tone paintjob that takes more than 30 hours to complete and is finished by hand. The paint itself is 20 layers of hand-painted Thunder Black Vivid Crystal color, Gunmetal Flake paint, and clear coats. The black crystals are actually glass flakes that play around with lights falling on them, making the whole bike sparkle, especially outdoors.
And of course, there is chrome — lots of it. Chrome mirrors, hand controls, front and rear bumpers added to this Elite gives it a higher presence and character along with billet aluminum footboards that offer both the rider and the passenger a feel of luxury. Leather passenger armrest also adorns this Elite edition to promise the passenger with the highest levels of comfort on two wheels and is heated. Fancy!.
Slotted under a two-tone valanced front fender is the fresh 19-inch precision-machined wheel looking so much more refreshing than the 16” it replaces. This luxury continues onto the off-set red pinstripes and exclusive red elite badging with matching push-rod tubes delivering a new, meaner and sportier look (they say). The real 23K gold leaf embellishments are all gone, and in comes the red.
The updated 7” touchscreen is supposedly the largest, fastest, most customizable infotainment system on two wheels. It still will carry forward the navigation, Bluetooth compatibility, customizable rider information screens, and pairs with the Ride Command mobile app. An upgraded 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus system creates a symphony right between those two wheels from the high-output fairing, trunk, and saddlebag speakers. It gets an enhanced nine-band dynamic equalizer that adjusts the volume to the vehicle speeds to compensate for road, wind, and engine noise to deliver crystal clear sound quality in every riding condition.
It offers a wealth of features to roll as one of the most badass V-twin on the market. A cool electronically adjustable tinted windshield rises 9 to 12 inches to cover most riders from the buffeting wind. Talking of comfort, you can even lock and unlock the bags with a remote, which also acts as keyless ignition. Redesigned lower fairings with adjustable airflow vents, tank-mounted analog fuel and voltmeters, Pathfinder LED lighting, multi-setting heated seats get carried over from the previous model. This being a Roadmaster, you obviously get 37 gallons of weatherproof storage trunk, fairings and lower storage units.
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 vintage phenomena since 1947.
Make Model |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
Length |
105.4 in |
102.4 in |
Width |
39.4 in |
39.1 in |
Height |
56.7 in |
59.6 in |
Wheelbase |
65.7 in |
64 in |
Seat height |
26.5 in |
27.7 in |
Wet weight |
951 lb |
944 lb |
Fuel Capacity |
5.5 gal |
6 gal |
POWERTRAIN
The Roadmaster Elite hits all the glares and shines, but the real news here is the addition of the new Thunder Stroke 116 engine. It carries the Elite will all pomp and presence. It does the job with its 1900cc 490 V-Twin capable of belting out 82 hp of power and 126 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 smoothly compared to the heavy throbbers around.
Indian has equipped 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 throttle-by-wire and a 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. You can even notice the downward-firing exhaust outlets of the Six-Shooter that makes this yacht roar like the God of Thunder.
Engine Specification
Make Model |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
Make Model |
1890 |
1870 |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
103.2/113 |
101.6/114.3 |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
82 bhp |
78 bhp |
Capacity cc |
126 lb.ft @ 3100 rpm |
125 lb.ft @ 3500 rpm |
Bore/ Stroke mm |
Thunder Stroke 116 |
Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 |
Output |
Wet- Multiplate |
Wet- Multiplate |
Torque |
6-speed |
6-speed Cruise Drive |
RIDE AND HANDLING
The Elite 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. Plush and cozy, it also has in-seat heating feature individually controllable by the rider and the passenger, and heated grips. Take that!
This 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. 951 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 excellent low-speed handling and confidence-inspiring stability on the highways.
Suspension leverages are carried out by the forks available on the Roadmasters’. This Elite version gets a new cartridge type 46 mm telescopic forks front end having 119 mm of travel, and the single rear pneumatic shock can be adjusted for load or preference with 114 mm of travel. To halt this 951 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 Dunlop Tires with the rear having multi-compound specification (hard on the center and soft on the sides for maximum grip during cornering). You will glide on these. Cruise control comes as a standard feature, too, which can be operated with the Ride Command system. This machine, by default, features three ride modes (Tour, Standard or Sport) – selectable on the fly.
Chassis Specifications
Make Model |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
Make Model |
Tubular steel Trellis frame |
Tubular steel Trellis frame |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
Telescopic Fork / 4.7″ (119 mm) – Cartridge Type Suspension |
49 mm dual bending valve fork technology |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
Single Shock w/Air adjust / 4.5 in (114 mm) |
Emulsion shocks with hand adjustable pre-load |
Frame |
Dual / 300mm Floating Rotor / 4 Piston Caliper |
300 mm Dual Disc, 32 mm 4-piston fixed front and rear calipers |
Suspension / Front |
Single / 300mm Floating Rotor / 2 Piston Caliper / 1 Piston Calliper |
32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear |
Suspension / Rear |
Dunlop American Elite 130/60B19 61H |
BW 130/60B19 61H |
Brakes / Front |
Dunlop Elite 3 Multi-Compound 180/60R16 80H |
BW 180/55B18 80H |
PRICE
This Elite is the epitome of luxury with everything on the face of the planet packed between two wheels. Such premiumness carries a premium price tag too - $ 38,999. Of course, Indian will give you a plethora of accessories to make it your own deal, and the list includes 300 different fitments to your Roadmaster Elite.
Make Model |
2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite |
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited |
Make Model |
$ 38,999 |
$44,039 |
COMPETITION
Where else do we go for this other than the other American’s stable - Harley Davidson. We are specifically talking about the CVO Limited. It is H-D’s full cruiser created as part of their Project Rushmore.
Harley Davidson CVO Limited
The Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) Limited is the best luxury chariot on two wheels money can buy. For 2020, this machine will come with the Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) that sees updated traction control, cornering ABS, slipper clutch, Vehicle Hold Control, and a tire pressure monitor. Then there is a subscription-based H-D Connect, a 300-watt Boom! GTS infotainment system, which includes a Bluetooth Helmet wireless headset interface, Daymaker LED lights, exclusive paint schemes, custom suspended dual control heated seat, and more. Exclusive to the CVO lineup is the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 grunts out 125 lb-ft of torque, the biggest and the baddest of them all. Harley has abandoned air shocks in favor of Showa’s Dual Bending Valve technology and an emulsion-type shock at the rear. H-D’s proprietary Reflex Linked-Brake system makes the scene here with ABS. MSRP: $44,039.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This right here is the cream of the crop of Indian motorcycles and is heading to raise the bar for comfort, convenience, power, style, infotainment, craftsmanship, and most important of all - confidence. It is everything the Roadmaster stood for, and this time, this Elite rises higher with the brand-new custom-inspired two-tone candy paint, and Indian Motorcycle’s most powerful air-cooled engine - the Thunder Stroke 116.
There is no higher level of luxury available on two wheels, and being an Elite makes it ultra-limited, almost like a land yacht. It holds true to its pedigree with its design and makes it its purpose to let you ride in style.