Indian

Indian rolls out its MY22 Super Chief Limited in the 2021 season to add a nostalgic note to the new Super Chief platform. Powered by a Thunderstroke 116 plant, the “SCL” bundles modern performance and electronics with old school custom looks that hail all the way back to the years immediately after the end of WWII. Chrome and blackout combine to complete the homegrown panache that the SCL wears so well.

Indian Motorcycle rolled into MY2020 with an all-new model family – the Challenger – that comes complete with a new look, powerful 122-horsepower PowerPlus engine and improved safety equipment to keep America’s oldest bike builder competitive against challengers domestic and abroad. The inaugural year sees a trio of packages ready for public consumption, but it’s the sinister, boulevard-bruiser blackout Dark Horse version we’re going to look at today. Like the rest of the Dark Horse category, it makes a visceral connection to the custom-life underbelly of American motorcycling and brings a showroom-custom vibe to the new Challenger line.

Indian Motorcycle’s famous “Chief” branding first saw light of day way back in 1921, so the factory put together an all-new, 100-year-anniversary model Chief to mark the occasion. A post-war panache joins classic-custom chops and contemporary technology to complete the antique-looking package and ensure modern performance parameters. Indian powers this platform with its powerful Thunder Stroke 111 engine.

No doubt about it, Indian Motorcycle entered a new chapter with its all-new Challenger line and PowerPlus engine, and so far, the toppest-shelfest example of that combination is the Challenger Limited. It has that custom bagger style that Americans like so much along with a host of electronic goodies that improve safety and comfort over the long haul. Of course, the 120-plus pound-feet of torque it brings to the table doesn’t hurt at all, neither does all the historical Easter eggs the factory scattered about to tie into its own storied history.

Based on the success of its Chieftain Dark Horse, Indian Motorcycle expanded its Dark Horse lineup in 2020 with the new Roadmaster Dark Horse. It brings blackout treatment to the table along with Indian’s newest technological treats. Touring amenities and comfort features join with the Ride Command electronics and 200-Watt sound system for your riding enjoyment. If you’re into power, then the Roadmaster Dark Horse has you covered with Indian’s Thunder Stroke 116 engine that churns out over 120 pound-feet of grunt.

Indian expands its street-friendly Flat Track Racer line for 2022 with the addition of the FTR S model that brings top-shelf ride-quality/safety equipment and advanced electronics to the table. Power comes from the same mill that drives the rest of the platform with 120 horsepower on tap to get things moving right along.

Indian Motorcycle rolled into the 2020 model year with a host of new features, and the new Chieftain Elite serves as the flagship bagger model, delivering some of the best gear the factory has to offer. Hand-painted sheet metal in a distinct color combination heralds the coming of this aptly-named elite machine. Not only does it rock with a premium sound system, it rolls with a new engine that boosts displacement up to a total of 116 cubic-inches. Indian also upgraded the Ride Command system with a new quad-core processor and Indian’s new Connected Services feature that further improves an already top-shelf system. It all comes with the usual bad-itude that has always come stock on Indian’s baggers.

Indian Motorcycles has revealed the second of three tattooed Indian Chief bikes ahead of a VIP event in London in Spring 2022. This bike, by Japanese artist Shige will join two others by Mayonaize and Carlos Torres respectively and a fourth bike whose design will have been voted for from 40 designs by renowned tattoo artists. The winner gets an all-expenses trip to the UK for a two-day tattoo session worth 5,000 Pounds.

The Indian Scout has proved itself to be a favourite of customisers around the world. None have been quite so successful as this pair from French Indian dealership Indian Motorcycles Metz. Two distinct influences have shaped them and they are both beautiful examples of the custom builders’ art.

Indian subjects its new Chief platform to the homegrown-custom treatment to turn out the new Chief Bobber Dark Horse. Liberal blackout treatment adds another spice to the already custom-flavored Bobber as it seeks to connect to the homejob bikes of old. In spite of its attempt to channel the antique, the factory packs in lots of the modern with its Thunder Stroke 116 engine and under-the-hood electronic wizardry that promise to help you keep the thing dirty-side down.

Indian Motorcycle’s Joe Public, dual-surface version of its podium sweeping FTR 750 racebike, the FTR Rally, sees a number of improvements ahead of model year 2022. A refined powerplant drives this model along with expanded electronics and an off-road bias in the rider’s triangle, elements that play right into the “Rally’s” multi-surface capabilities. It comes naked, but a robust accessories lineup lets you gear up for proper rally riding or good old-fashioned globetrotting work.

Indian Motorcycle made a number of changes to its touring lineup ahead of MY2020 including a new powerplant for its full-dress Roadmaster. The base-model Roadmaster hits important historical high notes and maintains the full-size front fairing, but the real news here is the addition of the new Thunder Stroke 116 engine that toes the family line and pumps out over 120 pounds of stump-pulling torque. Comfort and luxury for the every-rider are the hallmarks of the Roadmaster, and it delivers with its usual style and aplomb.

America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer rolls into model-year 2022 with a new platform that pulls double duty as a celebration of the Chief’s 100th anniversary; the Indian Super Chief. Old-school bagger style and homegrown custom details join to set this new machine apart from the pack. Available with and without ABS, the Super Chief is powered by the proven Thunder Stroke 111 plant. It comes shot in monochromatic paint schemes on the sheet metal with liberal blackout treatment everywhere else. The Super Chief is a rolling history lesson, and class is in.

Indian Motorcycle revamped and rebranded its FTR 1200 model as the FTR ahead of 2022 to maintain the momentum of the civilian-version of its proven Flat-Track platform. A new paint package dresses up the new version that comes complete with standard goodies such as a top-drawer suspension system and a retuned engine that now comes with Rear-Cylinder Deactivation for improved comfort.

Bagger Racing. That’s right folks. In further proof that if humans get ahold of at least two “things that go,” they will find some way to race ’em every single time, I present you with the Bagger Racing League. These ain’t your grandpa’s tourbikes by any stretch of the imagination as they roll with engine performance and potential lean angles that will quickly embarrass one of what you might call a “traditional” bagger. These high-performance machines butted heads from June 25th through the 27th at the first-ever Battle of the Baggers that was brought to us by aftermarket giant Drag Specialties at the Utah Motorsports Complex, where it was well received to say the least.

For folks new to two wheels, one big consideration is what to buy. Do you want a cruiser? I’ve put together my pick of cruisers available for 2021 that offer new-rider friendly features.

Indian completely reworked its Chief Dark Horse ahead of MY2022 with a ground-up build that actually has little in common with its predecessor. A new frame carries a larger engine and comes clad with minimal bodywork in contrast to the outgoing model. Custom fenders and blackout paint makes the connection to the U.S. custom culture with ride-safety electronics under the hood to finish off the package.

Indian Motorcycle spruced up its Chieftain Limited ahead of MY2020 with a new color palette and abundant chrome treatment. It ain’t all about the aesthetics, though. The factory powers its revamped Chieftain Limited with the Thunder Stroke 116 engine with over 120 pound-feet of torque on tap. Custom touches abound on this top-shelf bagger with the usual smattering of historical references to tie in with the factory’s storied past along with a modern electronics suite to round out the package.

Indian Motorcycle carried over its popular Chieftain Dark Horse into MY2020 with much the same custom panache, but repowered it with the Thunder Stroke 116 engine. Classic historical touches abound on this ride for a healthy dose of nostalgia, but of course, it rocks all of the factory’s electronic fandanglery to make it a thoroughly modern machine. Whether you want to do some light touring or just do some boulevard cruising, the Chieftain Dark Horse brings something to the table for you.

Indian Motorcycle is proving to be quick to capitalize on popular products, and the 2021 Springfield Dark Horse is yet another example that drives the point home. The Springfield Dark Horse seeks to ride on the success of the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition model that made such a splash at Daytona. Bad-boy blackout is a constant throughout the paint packages up for grabs this year, as are the factory-custom touches that set this model apart from the crowd. Best of all, Indian powers it with the brand-new Thunder Stroke 116 that boosts power and performance even further with over 120 pound-feet of torque on tap.