Featuring the impressive PowerPlus engine, the three new Indian Challenger models should provide a high performance v-twin riding experience, combined with the comfort riders expect from an American bagger. Each of the three models, including the $21,999 base model, the $27,499 Dark Horse, and the $27,999 Limited, share the same aluminum frame, suspension components, brakes and bodywork. The fairing is fixed to the chassis with an adjustable windscreen and air vents. Other common features include LED headlight, electronic cruise control, keyless ignition and weatherproof saddlebags. Here is the full press release from Indian, together with pictures and a video:
MINNEAPOLIS (October 29, 2019) – The bar for American motorcycles has officially been elevated. Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, has dramatically redefined the American bagger with its introduction of the 2020 Indian Challenger – a striking combination of American muscle, next-level technology, and premium comfort to deliver a truly unmatched riding experience.
Designed for the most knowledgeable and discerning riders, Indian designers stopped at nothing to ensure that the Challenger out-classed its competition and delivered the highest performing, fully loaded bagger on the market.
“The Indian Challenger delivers a new level of performance for riders who understand that the seemingly small details make a huge difference,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “Our mindset was to leave no stone unturned and deliver a bagger that exceeds the standards in categories like power, handling, comfort, and technology.”
It starts with the all-new Indian PowerPlus engine, Indian’s first liquid-cooled large displacement motor (108 cubic-inch, 60-degree V-twin) that packs a best-in-class 122 horsepower and 128 ft-lbs. of torque. The new powertrain also features a six-speed transmission with true overdrive, assist clutch to reduce clutch effort, and hydraulic valve lash adjusters and camshaft chain tensioners for a low maintenance, reliable powerplant. The PowerPlus’ overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder deliver incredible V-twin performance and power. Riders can customize the bike’s throttle mapping by selecting one of three ride modes, including Rain, Standard and Sport – resulting in one motorcycle with three distinct performance personalities. Each ride mode has been engineered with its own distinct traction control setting to align with each mode’s specific throttle mapping.
Starting at $21,999, the Challenger features all the premium touring amenities riders expect from Indian Motorcycle, including electronic cruise control, full LED lighting, a long-haul seat, ABS, keyless ignition, and weatherproof saddlebags with over 18 gallons of storage space. In addition, a modern and aggressively styled chassis-mounted fairing sits over the Challenger’s inverted front suspension. This, combined with the bike’s lightweight cast aluminum frame and hydraulically adjustable FOX® rear shock, delivers unrivaled handling and rock-solid stability.
Race-spec radially-mounted Brembo® brakes provide superior stopping power, and new performance touring Metzeler® Cruistec® tires offer supreme traction. Challenger’s chassis-mounted fairing features an adjustable windscreen with nearly three inches of travel and adjustable air vents – delivering unprecedented rider protection from all elements. With menacing LED running lights, a central headlamp, and a redesigned and modernized Indian Motorcycle headdress adorning its front fender, the Challenger presents an unmistakable profile day and night.
A true state-of-the-art bagger, the Limited and Dark Horse variants of Challenger are equipped with Indian Motorcycle’s intuitive Smart Lean Technology™, keeping riders confidently grounded by utilizing a Bosch IMU to add cornering control to the dynamic traction control and ABS, as well as Drag Torque Control. These models also feature Indian Ride Command, the largest, most-customizable touchscreen infotainment system on two wheels. The Challenger’s seven-inch Ride Command system features weather and traffic overlays, key vehicle information, Bluetooth® and USB mobile pairing, and an all-new quad-core processor for faster response.
For its inaugural year, the Challenger lineup is accompanied by a variety of Indian Motorcycle Authentic Accessories that allow riders to upgrade their ride based on their preferences. With the Indian Challenger Rogue Collection, riders can improve sound and add blacked-out styling with the black stage 1 slip-on muffler and black PowerPlus stage 1 air intake. While a gloss black mid-rise handlebar, a tinted curved windshield and gloss black front highway bars add a premium blacked-out finish.
For an added measure of comfort over longer hauls there’s the Indian Challenger Tour Collection, including a 16-inch windshield, quick release passenger sissy bar, passenger backrest and passenger floorboards, an extended reach seat, rider backrest pad, infinite highway pegs and pinnacle heel shifter. Riders can also upgrade the Indian Challenger’s audio experience with the PowerBand Audio Plus system, which delivers exceptional sound and clarity from high-output fairing and saddlebag speakers that are 50% louder than the Challenger’s stock audio system.
With its modern, aggressive look, and a seemingly unlimited array of performance, comfort and technological features, the Indian Challenger stands alone as the ultimate bagger.
“While we are grounded in our iconic history, we are focused and driven to break new ground and establish a higher standard for riders; and the Challenger is a testament to that,” said Steve Menneto, President of Indian Motorcycle. “The amount of technology and level of detail packed into this bike is incredible, and it’s something we’re extremely proud of.”
Pricing for the 2020 Indian Challenger, available in Titanium Metallic paint, starts at $21,999, while the Challenger Dark Horse, starting at $27,499, is available in Thunder Black Smoke, Sandstone Smoke, and White Smoke. The Indian Challenger Limited starts at $27,999, and is available in Thunder Black Pearl, Deepwater Metallic, and Ruby Metallic.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Congrats to Indian! When the Haters subject so much effort to bashing a machine and company before even seeing one in the metal never mind riding it you know the Harley faithful are very concerned. As a independent shop owner I marvel at the various manufacturers ability to produce engineering marvels of reliability and power and handling and segment performance. I make most of our profit from the emotional HD core / culture riders that reel with emotion. Thank GOD for them and HD! My fears are at some point these emotional buyers finally run out of money or continue to die off, without HD’s breaking and their owners dumping senseless money into accessories and the required maintenance making a living on the other machines will be much more difficult.
OldRider said,I’d love to see more young guys out motorcycle touring and camping no matter what brand they’re riding!
One doesn’t need a full dressed bike to travel, camp and have fun.
WOW,an ugly fairing that looks completely tacked on, does not fit or integrate at all with the look of the rest of the bike and a high price tag. What a failed opportunity.
Yes that fairing looks like its about to fall off.
I’m sure its very nice but I would never spend that much money on something that could fall over on soft asphalt.
Cycle World has a video up on youtube of a dyno run. 100.1 HP at the rear. Vrods were more than that.
Okay…But I am certain you are well aware that there are plenty of bikes with more horsepower than this newest Indian. I think the Kawasaki GPz1100 back in 1981 or so hit just over 100 HP as measured by Cycle Magazine to become the first stock motorcycle to do so.
In other words, “Let the pigeons loose!”
If the numbers are all that matter then no one need ride anywhere and just bench race at the BarStucks ad nauseum.
They call me…The Highwayman.
That was my point. the Vord made that power 18 yrs ago. Nothing new to see here.
I understand your reasoning but then why bother to dyno anything unless it’s going to set a new record? Same with 1/4 mile runs or roll-ons from 50 mph (or whatever)?
YMMV is a valid reason to just skip all such objective testing. Most people are NEVER going to use 100+ horsepower on the street. Most people could get by with a third or less than that and that’s because most of us ride on public roads and lack the skill for racetrack use.
Most people don’t need heated grips or heated seats or audio systems on motorcycles and really, what is new to be seen these days?
Nothing new to see (or buy?) here. Move along. Needs are met but wants are ever changing/expanding and that is what drives markets. I agree with you but again, there really is nothing new under the sun, so why bother ourselves looking under rocks?
Because something needn’t be “all new” to be different enough to warrant looking at. Life is full of BNG (Bold New Graphics) and new paint. Enjoy it or not. 🙂
They call me…The Highwayman.
just out of curiosity, who are they?
Horsepower is irrelevant for anything other than bench racing
Rollie Free’s 998cc Vincent Black Lightning (or Shadow) ran 150.313 mph in 1948 and it only had 65 hp. Much less HP and way faster than either the Indian or the V rod and that was what 71 years ago?
Yeah, only 65 HP, but he had a full race Speedo.
Cycle world tested the Challenger @ 103hp and 113ft lbs. of torque. That is what would be expected with aprox. 15% loss to the wheel. However the V-Rod makes about 73 ft. lbs. The challenger does all this at 5500 rpm, and hold 100 + ft lbs. from 2k onward. These are 2 very different motors.
Who cares. Harley can’t even claim credit for that engine.Mention OHC to a Harley rider and their eyes glaze over. It’s 2 different classes of motorcycles. Do you remember when it came out? They sat on the showroom floor like Buells did, because the Lifestyle Crowd didn’t buy them. Go back to watching YT videos and jerking off into your Lifestyle bandanna.
Agreed, from one side the purists did not want the V-Rod, a superior motorcycle in all different ways, it it sat in showrooms.
And on the other side, the Harley Haters that did not want to accept it is a great motorcycle platform/engine revving up to 9k rpms and prefer to buy other brands that are Harely “wannabes” such as this Indian…there you have it.
I suppose people who dole out that kind of dough for a two wheeled conveyance is probably not concerned about depreciation. You could buy a decked out Tracer and have 10 grand left over.
Does anybody really care about someone’s opinion on baggers after he states that he’s never been interested in that type of bike and he never will be?
I have a super nice ’66 Ford truck and am told every time I drive it by people who’d never own one that my truck is awesome.
“…Riders can also upgrade the Indian Challenger’s audio experience with the PowerBand Audio Plus system, which delivers exceptional sound and clarity from high-output fairing and saddlebag speakers that are 50% louder than the Challenger’s stock audio system…”
For the record, the “loudness” scale in audio is a logarithmic scale, not a linear scale. A “doubling” of “loudness” equals 3.0 dB, so “50% louder” equals 1.5 dB. 1.0 dB is a common step size for volume controls on consumer audio gear. If you have a music source with dB loudness steps of 1.0 dB you can toggle between X dB and + 1/+ 2 dB to get an idea what is “50% louder.”
1 dB is often quoted as the minimum step size detectable by an untrained ear; a trained ear of someone with excellent hearing can detect a much smaller step size.
50% is a smaller step size than the number may indicate, but conversely, the intended environment (outdoors in a moving exposed vehicle, subject wearing a helmet and possibly ear protection) is so difficult (no boundaries to multiply bass wavelengths, as is the case in a domestic size room) that 1.5 dB extra “headroom” may be audible in use.
IMO if you want to test potential audible difference between the two audio systems, it’s best to compare them in use on a moving vehicle with helmet and ear protection if you normally use such.
Comparing the two systems stationary requires only a tiny fraction of acoustic power (really, maybe 5%, again, differences are logarithmic) compared to the above test. (Forget comparing indoors, absolutely useless because of boundary reinforcement in the bass range.) A reasonable analogy might be like comparing a vehicle with vs. without nitrous oxide for parking lot maneuvers.
If you hear a big difference in use, it’s possible that Victory understates the 1.5 dB power difference and/or there’s other differences (EQ) beyond the power gain.
I think they meant to say that it goes to 11.
Best reply E V E R! 🙂
I seem to recall that you had to double the power output from an amp to hear an appreciable increase in “loudness”.
Of course that could be some sort of “audiofool rule”. 😉 Regardless, for the kind of money Indian and HD et al are asking, these rigs should come equipped to the max. It’s a motorcycle, not a car or truck and as such material content is a whole lot less. I know…”economy of scale” and all.
These days I would not buy a luxury touring bike without the inclusion of Android Auto and fApple Carplay. A Springfield or Road King, yes. But not one equipped with a fairing. trunk, bags and “Bimbotainment Centre”. 😉
Please, for the sake of others, just put some headphones in your helmet. Nothing is more lame-ass than a bagger blasting music for the whole world to hear.
Maybe you prefer the sound of straight pipes on a HD? Radios aren’t a problem for the general public, but obnoxiously loud pipes ARE!
Man that’s over my head but I know something about hearing sound. I had worked in heavy industry for several decades and wore hearing protection all the time. I heard a noise in a bearing under load and reported it to mechanical. They sent a guy with a stethoscope who heard zero. They brought in a vibration analysis who found nothing. They concluded I must be imagining the noise and yet there I was discussing this while all the time I could hear the rattle in that bearing in the background.
Two days later that same bearing failed causing a fair bit of downtime, 8 hours to r&r a 2 ton $50,000 bearing. This type of issue happened a couple more times over several years to the point where if I mentioned I heard something it went on the PM list ASAP.
But all that means nothing cause I still can’t figure out what the heck you’re talking about.
Whew, my eyes glazed over too, when I read that. All I can say is I can’t hear crickets in one ear but I can hear a snake slithering through the grass.
Nice bike but too much stuff on it for me. The front end sorta reminds me of a Ford pickup but then there are those that’ll love it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been downsizing and this machine sure isn’t that. I’m afraid I’d have to take a little blue pill to get it “up” off the side stand.
The engine looks beautiful but I just can’t get past that huge fairing. Hopefully it looks better in person. Personally, I fall into the old guy camp, I have a 13 year old Harley that has taken me cross country and countless points in between many, many, times. No complaints about performance. It has been 100% reliable too. I do my own maintenance and the only time my Harley has ever been in the dealers service department is for new tires. Probably never buy another bike. Really tired of listening to the Harley bashing from people who likely have never owned one. I seriously hope Indian, Harley, and all the others find a way to appeal to younger generations. My wife and I went on a ride recently on a beautiful fall Sunday. We stopped for lunch at a place that had quite a few bikes of various makes outside. Kinda sad as we hung around and talked to some of the other riders as every single one of them was at least old enough to qualify for an AARP card… I’d love to see more young guys out motorcycle touring and camping no matter what brand they’re riding!
Look at that engine! Who knew a liquid-cooled engine could look that good. This is the first motorcycle of this genre I’d consider buying. So glad they left the iconic Indian front fender for the vintage models. I wonder if they’ll consider entering the muscle cruiser class once engine production is humming along smoothly.
I prefer the looks of my Cross Roads
One thing Spirit Lake Indians continue to miss is that Springfield Indians’ chain guards extend over the front sprocket in the same color as the bike. On Spirit Lake Indians this only happens on the dark horse models. Please powder coat the front sprocket covers to the same color as the bike.
Already grief stricken by multiple defeats at Flat track events and unable to stand tall in a sea of unsold, unloved and unwanted TwinCam 103s, a cry was heard throughout the land of the Road Gliders for in mourning they were.
And verily, there was much weeping and gnashing of dentures followed by the sound of the rending of T-Shirts and the odious smell from the donning of used Amsoil soaked sackcloth.
Where are you Joe DiMaggio, our ego turns it’s lonely eyes to you…boo hoo hoo.
🙂
Bravo! More poetry please!
LOL! Very good!
If I were in the market for a cruiser/bagger, which I’m not nor have I ever been or ever will be, I don’t see that there’s any other choice.
Harley D is rolling by the wayside with their antiquated yet expensive designs. They best hope the LiveWire keeps them afloat.
Livewire has shorted!
I totally get the design and mission of this motorcycle. After a few decades of sport-ish bikes, then adventure bikes, then European touring bikes, this Indian and its features now really appeal to me. The only downside is its mass. Even though many will say that “it seems to lose a bunch of weight when you roll past 10 mph”, you still gotta ride through crowded parking lots and move it around the garage.
Even ten years ago a nearly 900-pound motorcycle would have been intimidating to me, just too much of a good thing. Scaled down to about 4/5ths, I believe it would be a manageable and attractive alternative.
Road Glide owners are gnashing their teeth.
Why are they gnashing their teeth? It’s basically the same thing. Ever ride a 113” Road Glide?
The point is that it is not the same thing.
Maybe the same in looks only. Try testing a Streetglide side by side to a Chieftain or the Roadglide next to the Challenger and you’ll see how much better the Indians are.
Everyones bagging on the looks of the Indians. Yes they have similar looks but thats where the similarities end.
Daytona 2019 had both Harley and Indian with their full model range available for demo rides. I rode 20 models between the two companies: My verdict: Indian surpasses Harley in every measure, including performance, quality, technology, and value. Indian even has riding modes and push to start buttons on their baggers, plus electronically adjustable windshields. The sport riding mode on an Indian bagger simply rocks! Bottom Line: I’ve got an Indian Darkhorse bagger in my personal fleet and love it.
I’ve been pushing a button to start my motorcycles for decades now.
kudos to Polaris for continuing to drive cruiser market and push Harley to step up their game. This year HD removed fairing air vent & 2nd key fob while increasing prices WTF?! This coming from a guy with 19 HD SGS in the garage.
Seems really low on luggage capacity. These style bikes look comfortable, but give up too much in performance and handling. This one seems to break that mold, but I need room for stuff!
Wait next year for the $40,000 full tourer model
I keep finding myself shopping baggers, this could be my next bike. All the comfort, features, and low maintenance you want for traveling with a minimum of fake nostalgic frippery. I wonder ow long the Chieftain and Challenger are going to be sold side by side. The Eluder is almost there, but is stuck with an non competitive engine. Electra Glide standard is cheaper, but worse performing and has a fixed screen.
The line has been split now. Models powered by the air cooled Thunder Stroke 11/116 for the old school tradionalists and the liquid cooled Power Plus 108 for those seeking higher performace from their engine.
I can see a Chief Dark Horse sized unit with the Power Plus 108 in it at some point. That would be a beast.
I’m a Scout guy with a 2016 model, and I now want to add a Challenger to my lineup.
Very nice for those that like that genre of motorcycles. Not my style though. I can see them selling a bunch of them, and making a further dent in Harley’s domination.
Doesn’t look like an Indian and that’s the sad part. I do wish motorcycle companies will ban grey paint schemes as the drivers around us can’t see and we will continue to be invisible. Bring back the iconic fender design and stop the Victory intrusion on Indian.
Still have the classic look on the air cooler 111/116 models.
“While we are grounded in our iconic history … ”
Excuse me while I barf.
I didn’t know Polaris had an iconic history.
yea you know, snowmobiles and snow sleds etc
This I do give props to Harley for. Since 1903 there has not been a single year that new Harley Davidson’s did not roll off the assembly line and into dealer showrooms for the public to buy.
No 50 year gaps, with different owners, locations and tooling. I don’t think someone can take 50 years or more off and then claim to be the same company with the same heritage. Same name? Sure, they bought the rights to it, but it’s not the same company, or a continuation of the same motorcycle.
Not Indian, or Triumph, or Norton, or Excelsior, or Vincent.
Claiming to be Americas First Motorcycle Co from 1901 is just disingenuous IMO.
Harley HAS been through several owners. Remember AMF? And no motorcycle brand that is 100 years old that is still in existance still has the same ownership. Harleys aren’t made in Milwaukee anymore either, and many of their parts come from Japan.
Harley claiming that they are the same company as the original is just as much BS as Indian claiming that they are.
If you want a REAL Harley, get a knucklehead. A modern Harley isn’t any more authentic than a modern Indian.
I do believe even when they were under AMF there was a
Member of the Davidson family on the board of directors.Annd when AMF took over it was with the same tooling, same location.
Like I said, every year since 1903 customers have been able to walk in and buy new Harley Davidsons, no gaps.
116 continuous years.
No one else can make that claim. Particularly someone who stamps 1901 in their engine cases when they weng out of business in 1952 and didnt resume until 2011 a gap of over 1/2 a century
It would probably be safe to say no one working at the current Indian company was even alive when the old company folded.
I was 2 years old when the original company folded and I turn 70 in a couple of months.
I want to make it clear I have nothing against these new bikes. They have done so much in the last 8 years since their “inception” in 2011 it has been nothing short of incredible. No one has been able to make a dent in HD’s dominance until Polaris came along. If they called themselves ” The New Indian, since 2011″ I would have no issue with them at all since that is the truth.
Really this really only matters if you are a student of motorcycle history, and if motorcycle history is important to you.
And BTW America’s real FIRST production motorcycle was the Orient, also mfg in Massachusetts in 1898, (3 years before Indian, 5 years before Harley) but they only lasted until 1907. Truly beautiful motorcycle though. Google it if you want to see one.
Moto Guzzi has been struggling along for almost 100 years now. Each new owner kept the same employees and beautiful factory with only a short layoff in 2004 ever halting production. In the past 97 years, customers have been able to find a Moto Guzzi dealership, non stop, with the appreciation that each new bike has come out of the same factory as the original. No other motorcycle company can claim the same.
Guzzisti! The few, the proud, the slightly weird.
Next year Guzzi will reach 100 years of continues production,(there was no halt in 04). Longest run of any EU motorcycle company. Viva Moto Guzzi!
This may come as a surprise to many of the Harley faithful, but there is no evidence that Harley Davidson built and sold a motorcycle in 1903. Is it possible that the Davidson brothers and their friend Bill Harley were doing some experimenting in 1903? Probably. 1904 is the first year there is any record of a Harley-Davidson seen by the public—and that bike was built for a race that was held at a nearby horse racing track. That was in September of 1904. There is one photograph showing a 1904 bike that was eventually sold. Factual evidence shows that Harley-Davidson did not become a serious manufacturer and seller until 1905. Anything else you may have heard, especially from the Motor Company is nothing but myth and/or legend. If you don’t believe it, get yourself a copy of “At The Creation” by Herbert Wagner. It continues to amaze me how that 1903 legend continues to be put out there like it’s the gospel truth. If you go to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee you will see a bike enshrined in a glass case. Supposedly this bike is serial number one. If you really want to believe that, well go ahead if it makes you feel good…..but……..? Before anyone flames me, I have been a Harley owner since 1996 and I love their products, but don’t call me a Kool Aid drinker.
And I think this new Indian is pretty cool.
Much to the chagrin of both Harley and Indian the first production motorcycle sold in the USA was actually a bike called the Orient 1898-2007 I believe, made in Massachusetts. Good looking motorcycle too. Google it.
With an engine that powerful does it qualify as a sports bike?
Part of the attraction of Indian bikes was if you saw one you knew what what you were looking at. With this I don’t know if I’m looking at a Harley, the big Yamaha or a Polaris.
What’s with sealed beam styling on the headlight?
It may have as much power as a 600cc sport bike, but it weighs wore than two of them parked next to each other. I think that alone squashes any hopes of being “sporty”.
Sporty is a realtive term. The balance (frame/motor combo) of the Indians allow them to be “sporty” for a bagger touring bike. Pair the low center of gravity and the ride modes (sport mode) with the new 19″ front wheel and you have a bike that is “sporty” for a big bagger.
Will it be as sporty as a 600 supersport? No, but if your going to travel from say Texas to Canada with your wife/GF. You’ll want the big bagger.
I think you are confusing “relaxed” and “comfortable” with “sporty”.
Seriously, you guys complaining about the front fairing….
You’re right. It’s ugly as sin. For some reason, “wheelbarrow” comes to mind.
Too bad; otherwise it looks classy and well put together.
Can they retro fits the Victory cross country fairing?
Or any fairing that doesn’t look like a sack of potatoes.
I would expect Android Auto or Apple Car play with the latest iteration.
Ride Command does interact better with Apple iPhones rather than Droid phones. It does not work with iPods any longer.
I’d rather have android auto which always works better than a proprietary vehicle application. Honda motorcycles seem to be the only ones embracing Carplay and Android auto. Being in software, I know it’s expensive for motorcycle company to keep developing & maintaining their own mobile applications. Most car companies now finally realizing this and integrating Apple/Android which is a much better way of controlling the phone.
I do hope Polaris goes this route soon with their motorcycles/UTV’s.
Well, well, well. MD readers never disappoint.
“It looks like every other cruiser. I don’t like it.”
Or, “It looks different. I don’t like it.”
Or, “The firing is ugly. I don’t like it.” Equivalent to beak comments.
The fact is, the moths in your wallets would love to have a different motorcycle to be seen on. Personally, I think the styling is awesome, the engine moves the brand and segment forward, the features are well-integrated, the detailing is impressive.
It is unlikely to be the next motorcycle for me– it’s not an ADV– but I’m on board and will point this bike out to my friends who like long distance cruisers. It is beautiful.
Now this is someone that understands motorcycling! Well written!
This is fantastic big horsepower and torque and all the high technology for safety. Long distance comfort and entertainment. Some folks posting here are very narrow minded and extremely biased to point of feeling only they determine what motorcycles are, mostly that attitude can be attributed to lack of funds to buy in rather than experience. This motorcycle is absolutely fantastic congratulations to Indian for knowing what to build.
Well said. Indian appears to be trying to give a certain class of riders what they want.
Most of the negative comment-kids here wouldn’t blink at paying a grand for a stupid cell phone especially so long as someone else is footing the bill. A certain class of folks always desires “equality” with those they envy.
These bikes are expensive and to my mind, too much for something that still allows you to get wet. 😉 Like so-called “Adventure Tourers”, who cares if these motorcycles never make it past the Starbucks? That’s not my problem. In fact, it’s not even a “problem”. 🙂
Some folks aren’t comfortable on anything that makes power and torque below 6K and doesn’t have a beak on it.
That being said, most of the naysayers have never ridden this style of motorcycle on a long ride or they may change that “narrow minded” opinion.
As an ex-road racer and someone that’s owned literally dozens of Japanese and Italian race replica bikes, I eventually decided to try touring.
Bought a Honda ST1300, then moved on to BMW R1200RT.
Both great bikes for different reasons.
Last year when I saw how cheap you could pick up a Victory, I bought a Vision.
My first big V-twin.
Amazing motorcycle!
Now I understand what they hype is regarding this style of riding and the smile you get while riding that wave of torque.
This new Indian will be my next bike, with the tour package, but I’m going to wait a couple of years until someone else takes the hit on resale.
In the meantime I’ll ride the hell out of the Vision.
Great job Polaris.
Another blahmobile from a blah manufacturer. Who buys these things?
People that want and can afford to do so?
I would guess the answer to your question would be – People that want such a bike and can afford to buy it.
Blah people?
You know. We motorcyclists tolerate a lot from from team obsolete. Why do they have to push it with these ugly frame mounted fairing baggers from Hindian or Indarley or whatever these obsolete bike manufacturers are called.
What’s next? Are we going to have to endure some kind of ridiculous stroke rule in GP? Oh wait…
Make that steam power. Are we going to have to endure some kind of steam power rule in GP?
Wow. What ever the fairing may look like, it reminds of the potential protection it can offer like my Vetter fairing on my gold wing 1100 which is pretty good compared to my gl1800.
Why would anybody call themselves a motorcyclist, if they wanted to roll down the road seated behind a shiny manure cart ?
I knew this was coming and probably sooner than later. Water cooling is inevitable for the big bikes especially- even Harley knows that. Looks like Indian is trying to find a more modern yet Indian look to their bikes as well by getting away from the valanced fenders, etc. They look pretty good to me. For a touring bike, I would still prefer something with more cylinders than a twin.
This Challenger is good Looking. Harley Need to watch their pricing, And update their suspension. I’m Looking at Indian closely Now.
Chieftains look a lot Street Glides and Challengers look a lot like Road Glides, but those powertrains set them apart.
sweet another Road GLide knock off.I do like the motor.
It’s the only thing Mericans seem to wanna buy
Maybe where you live. There are nineteen (male and female) motorcyclists at my work and not one owns a Harley or Indian or Victory or any cruiser for that matter. There is one guy that has a Bolt but he’s from Italy!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the bike in the pictures is nice enough and better looking than the HD Road Glide (and it’s laconic “Snark Nose fairing” 🙂 ) but then that alone is just damning it with faint praise. It probably looks better in person but to my eyes, it is still a nice piece of work. While I’m certain this is a really nice motorcycle the problem is in the real world I can get a very nice car for this kind of dosh. That goes for any brand’s touring rigs.
I’ve read it has a six gallon tank. Good. Hopefully it gets mpg in the mid-forties and up and runs on regular, not premium gas.
Demographically speaking, I’m the target (read: an adult nearing or at retirement) for this bike and this target is moving. I like riding. I have enjoyed touring for several decades now on bikes small and large. You don’t need a big rig to enjoy yourself but in the world outside our fantasies you do need the time and the wherewithal, i.e., $$$$$.
I’ll be looking at this new scoot at the upcoming shows as well as looking forward to reading Dirck’s real world thoughts (including real world mpg, service costs, etc.). Thanks for the heads up this article provides!
another nail in the HD coffin. If I were a cruiser/bagger guy, this would be it. Air-cooled, schmair-cooled
Who designed the front fairing?? Take him outback and beat him with it!
+1