Chances are, the only time you’ve heard of Indian motorcycles is from the reality TV show American Pickers on the History Channel, where the show’s hosts travel the length of the country in search of antiques and collectibles to resell. If they come across an old motorcycle, it’ll more often than not be a ramshackle Indian, sitting neglected in the corner of someone’s barn under a decades-old layer of dust and cobwebs.
However, Indian’s beginnings were far less shabby. During its heyday in the early 20th century, such motorcycles were a household name.
Competing head-to-head with Harley-Davidson (which was founded two years after Indian in 1903), the two giants of American motorcycling fought fierce battles, both on the racetrack and in showrooms. Sadly, that rivalry ended when Indian went bankrupt in 1953.
After several failed attempts to revive the legendary brand over the years, the manufacturer seems to be back for good (thanks to its acquisition by Polaris Industries, a manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATVs and electric bicycles), and with a slew of new models slated to land on our shores.
First to arrive is the Indian Chief Classic shown here, aimed squarely at the American cruiser market currently dominated by longtime rival Harley-Davidson.
While other manufacturers’ cruisers are unabashed in their imitation of the “Big H”, the Chief is proud to be different and more elegant than an extrovert Harley, with the Indian’s iconic valenced fenders that swoop to cover half the wheels at both ends (a fixture on all Indian bikes since 1940).
Elsewhere, the bike’s quality is top-
notch, with gorgeous paintwork and intricate details, such as a beautifully stitched leather seat.
In case passers-by don’t know what bike you’re riding (and they won’t, judging from the barrage of questions I got during my test-ride), the iconic Red Indian branding is scattered throughout the machine, from the engine to the foot-boards, and even down to the bar-ends.
But this bike, despite its Classic moniker, is more than just retro charm – there’s a chrome-lined instrument cluster packed with modern touches such as a digital tachometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge (with a distance-to-empty readout) and gear-position indicator. The Chief even comes with cruise control, ABS and keyless start as standard.
As with a “typical” cruiser, you get generous lashings of chrome (a blacked-out version is available for those who prefer riding, as opposed to spending most of their time polishing their bikes) and an upright, legs-outstretched riding position that is heaps more comfortable than any H-D I’ve ridden, thanks to low pullback bars that don’t require a monkey’s gangly arms to reach. This is handy when manoeuvring a 2.63m long, 370kg motorcycle.
It may have the dimensions of a small submarine, but the Chief requires minimal manhandling to manoeuvre, as it carries its weight well on the move, even when lane-splitting through traffic.
You do feel the bike’s bulk and heavy steering when you’re reversing or making U-turns, but get going and the feeling disappears completely. Its ground clearance is also surprisingly generous for a cruiser, although it’s not exactly a bike you’d go hunting corners with.
What it does well is cruise, and what’s a cruiser without a massive V-twin engine between your legs churning out bags of torque? The Chief is powered by an all-new 1811cc 49-degree V-twin that produces 139Nm of torque at 2600rpm. Power figures aren’t disclosed, but we have it on good authority that it’s in the region of 100bhp, which is decent.
But how the Indian differentiates itself from any H-D is the smoothness of its powerplant that pulls cleanly from low revs without any thumpy vibrations, unlike a Harley, which threatens to rattle all your tooth fillings loose every time the pistons struggle to get up to speed.
The Indian has torque in abundance, making pottering around at city speeds a breeze without the need to slip the clutch or downshift when speeds drop. I manage to accelerate from 40km/h in sixth gear without any nasty surprises, which is no mean feat.
Even the sound the Indian makes is less offensive than most Harleys, with its civilised, creamy rumble, which is in stark contrast to the latter’s lumpy roar. Complementing the engine’s refinement is a smooth 6-speed transmission and a plush, excellently resolved ride which, again, is unlike any H-D I’ve ever ridden.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the Indian Chief is proof that its rivalry with Harley-Davidson is back on track, and it trumps its rival for smoothness and general comfort.
Then again, H-D fans like Harley-Davidsons precisely because they’re bold, brash and uncivilised. But if you’re after an American cruiser with a rich history and without the rawness of a Harley, the Indian Chief Classic will make a fine addition to your stable.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 1811cc, 4-valves, V-twin
MAX POWER Not available
MAX TORQUE 139Nm at 2600rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed manual
0-100KM/H Not available
TOP SPEED 180km/h
CONSUMPTION 19km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE
$45,348
