Road-testing the 2009 Indian Chief
Back on the warpath
November/December 2009
By Alan Cathcart
 |
1953 meets 2009: Elegant and lavishly detailed, the Chief Vintage draws heavily from Indian’s rich heritage.
Photo by Tom Riles
|
The latest attempt to bring the well-known Indian name back to life comes courtesy of the born-again Indian Motorcycle Co., headquartered in Kings Mountain, N.C. Indian’s new chieftains, Stephen Julius and his partner Steve Heese, have a proven track record of turning around other heritage brands that have gone under including boat companies Riva and Chris-Craft, giving them a head start on doing the same with Indian.
RELATED CONTENT
How do you like your old Indian motorcycles – restored to concours condition or in their work cloth...
Classics will shine at the International Motorcycle Shows in California...
Anthony Hopkins stars in "The World's Fastest Indian."...
Larry Feese, Sr. and his team of original Indian Sport Scout racers....
For 2009 there are four different Indian Chief models, the Standard, Deluxe, Roadmaster and Vintage, all powered by the same “Powerplus” 105ci 45-degree V-twin engine. Originally developed by the Gilroy, Calif.-based company that tried — and failed — to relaunch Indian starting in 1998, the “Bottlecap” engine (so nicknamed for its fluted rocker covers) has been slightly over-bored from its earlier Gilroy guise for a capacity of 1,720cc, up from 1,638cc. For 2010, the Standard model will become the Classic, the Deluxe model is dropped, the Dark Horse and Bomber models are added, and the Vintage model remains.
On the road
The chance to spend a hands-on day at the helm of each of the four different versions of the 2009 Indian Chief line came in company with head honcho Stephen Julius for part of the way, as we headed west from Kings Mountain, N.C., into the foothills of the Appalachians. Alternating mostly between the two extremes of the Chief line up (in terms of both price and specification), the single-seat 2009 Standard ($25,999) and the fully loaded Vintage ($35,499), one thing rapidly became clear as my 200-mile riding day unfolded: The new Indian is one of the most comfortable American V-twin cruisers I’ve yet sampled, with a great riding position that’s both relaxing and rewarding, with your legs stretched comfortably forward, yet not too far to sacrifice control, letting you plant your boots on the Indian’s footboards.
That high-end but low-slung (27.9in/708mm) leather seat lives up to the looks, providing a firm yet accommodating throne that never gave a hint of numb-bum syndrome, even as twilight began to fall on the road home to the Indian factory. Although there’s a reach up to the pulled-back handlebars, there’s no sense of having to stretch too far — everything falls nicely to hand, as the old cliché has it, and the smooth but tactile rubber grips give good control of the bike’s light-action throttle.
Front brake and clutch levers are both adjustable for reach, although the clutch action proved a little stiff in repeated use in traffic. Switchgear is accessible and well-made, but the fact the indicators aren’t self-cancelling becomes an issue because the warning lights are hidden behind small grilles flanking the fuel tank-mounted speedo. You can’t see them flashing at you in daylight, with the result being you can ride for miles with them still winking away. That notwithstanding, these are bikes with good ergos and they’re enjoyable to spend time on.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Next >>