New Indian Chief Classic Cruiser review, test ride

Before we delve into the finer details of the Indian Chief, here’s a short brief on its maker, Indian Motorcycle. The name may mislead a few unfamiliar with the brand but Indian is an all-American bike maker that has been around since 1901. It’s had it fair share of ups and downs and ownership changes over the course of its history. However, since 2011, Indian Motorcycles is part of Polaris Industries, best known in India for its range of specialist off-road vehicles. Polaris, and the corresponding money it pumped into the company, allowed Indian to develop a new range of bikes that were launched at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in USA in 2013. 

 

 

The ‘base’ model in the Indian line-up, if you can call a bike that costs Rs 26.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) that, is the Chief Classic. However, the name is not the only element this bike shares with the Indian Chief of the 1940s; the new bike looks like the original too. Sure, it’s been given a computer-like ‘power’ button here and an LED tail-light there, but the whole look is still very, very retro. Some traditional Indian touches carried over from the old bikes include the motif that sits on the front fender (it lights up too), those lovely white-wall tyres and, of course, the trademark swoopy rear fender.  Detailing is superb too - studded seats, an embossed Indian logo on the frame and handlebar ends, are just some of the finer examples. And clichéd as it may sound, there’s genuinely enough chrome on the bike to light up a moonless night.  Continued..