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The flagship Indian Chieftain comes loaded with goodies to the neck and comes with impeccable performance that will keep you happy on long weekend tours, says Indian motoring website MotorBeam.
With heads turning and camera flashes all over you, Indian Motorcycles are nothing short of an icon that grab more eyeballs on the road than Steve Tyler on his best day. As large, imposing and expensive cruisers, the Indian Chief range offers the classic American appeal coupled with modern underpinnings, promising a new standard in luxury touring. With the flagship 'Chieftain' though, the cruiser also gets equipped with a host of additional goodies for a better riding experience. But does it live up to the hype? Motorbeam extensively rides this chariot to find out.
Bound to leave you breathless at first glance, the Indian Chieftain grabs your attention with its tastefully done styling and an extremely imposing stance. The front gets a classic round headlight covered by a huge front fairing that also houses the fog lights. While the engine is completely done up in chrome, Indian has used plenty of chrome throughout but at no point does it feel excess.
The cruiser gets two hard saddle bags with remote electronic lock and also gets two fuel lids on either side, but with the left one being faux. The bike comes with several signature elements including the illuminated war bonnet on the front mudguard, valenced fenders, teardrop tank and a big chrome crash guard. There is also the option for cruising pegs that will help you stretch on long rides.
A spectacle on two wheels, the attention to detail will leave you spellbound.
The Indian Chieftain gets a traditional looking console with an analog speedometer and tachometer while the Multi-Information Display (MID) unit sits in the centre. The MID though packs lots of details including battery voltage, range, odometer, trip meters, average speed, real-time as well as average mileage, temperature, time, tyre pressure, engine oil and audio system display.
The switchgear quality is just excellent and the bike comes with a plethora of controls with the left handle housing buttons for audio, windshield height adjustment, indicators, low/high beam switch and horn while the right handle gets engine kill switch, starter button, hazard light switch and cruise control.
The Chieftain has been designed around providing comfort and comes with an upright seating position while the leather seat (with Indian badging) offers the right cushioning for both the rider and pillion. The luxury cruiser comes with a 100 watt audio system with front mounted marine speakers (waterproof) that ensure you are entertained throughout the journey.
The bike gets radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity options along with two charging ports while you can also get additional speakers installed (up to six) for your music needs.
Powering the Indian Chieftain is the 1.8-litre V-Twin engine with a roaring 139 Nm of torque available at 2600 RPM and maxes out 5500 RPM. Power is an estimated 100 PS. Despite the narrow torque and power band, the Chieftain offers ample performance and overtaking is hardly ever an issue.
The bike comes with decent low-end performance while the mid-range is its strong point. Top-end performance does feel quite lacking though.
The 6-speed gearbox is smooth shifting complimented by a progressive clutch and the gearing is extremely tall aiding in quick acceleration in the first three gears; while the last three gears are short and helps hit a top speed of 170 km/hr.
The V-Twin layout does result in vibrations through the handlebar and pegs when you hit the redline, but the aural note is extremely appealing.
The Indian Chieftain is not even close to being lean with a kerb weight of 385 kgs which does intimidate you at first. But pick up some speed and the weight eases out.
Despite being a heavy cruiser, the Chieftain handles very well and tips into corners with little effort while grip levels are superlative thanks to wide Dunlop tyres.
The Chieftain absorbs bad roads with the utmost comfort and comes with higher suspension travel at the rear and also gets pneumatic pre-load adjustment which is exclusive to the model. The bike does feel fast at 150 km/hr, but the electronically adjustable windshield works well to prevent windblast.
Braking performance is impressive and confidence inspiring courtesy of the ABS. The Chieftain has a good touring range of 350 kms returning a mileage of 18 km/l and comes with a 20.8-litre fuel tank.
The Indian Chieftain offers impeccable quality, performance and loads of equipment that makes it too valuable to be parked in public or be used during commuting hours within the city simply for the owner's peace of mind.
Hence, much like its competition, the Indian Chieftain will be the happiest during its weekend tours preferably outside the city where it can showcase it prowess as an outright luxury cruiser that is heavy, imposing, well engineered that performs brilliantly even on our not so satiable roads.
At an on-road price of Rs 36.89 lakh, the exclusivity offered by the Indian Chieftain doesn't come cheap.