The new 2014 Indian Chief made its first public appearance on Saturday August 3, 2013 at the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally to a crowd of enthusiastic bike fans. Turns out, there’s a lot to be excited about. Not only do the new Indians have a Harley rivaling price point ($18,999 for the Chief Classic; $20,999 for the Vintage, and $22,999 for the Chieftain), but the reviews of the new Thunder Stroke III V-Twin engine have been complimentary and effusive, citing the innovation of the design and the absolute rush of feeling that the sound of the engine stirs in folks.
The Indian Chieftan is a hard bagger with a huge fairing.
The new Chief Classic is a cruiser with a 29 degree rake and 6.1 in trail, a 26 in seat height and a 68.1 wheelbase. The Vintage, which is being marketed as a “Soft Bagger” has similar ratios and geometry. The Chieftain was designed as a more traditional bagger, with a smaller wheelbase (65.7 in) and a 25 degree rake/5.9 trail. The Classic and the Vintage both feature a cast aluminum frame, and the Vintage offers a windshield, and a leather saddle and saddlebags. The Chieftain is the first Indian to have a fairing with integrated driving lights and a power windshield. It has hard saddlebags, integrated Bluetooth connectivity and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The Indian Chief Vintage is a soft bagger perfect for weekend rides.
The aesthetics of the bike harken back to the early days of the marque, while still retaining a modern flair – lots of chrome and shine and power on display. They curve gracefully, while also showcasing their ancestry as bikes to see the world on. Sure, it’s not Harley, but still pretty.
Andreanna Ditton is the Editorial Director for the Internet Auto Communities and Auto Classifieds groups. She has worked as an editor, managing editor and moto-journalist for more than a decade covering the enthusiast space and the motorcycle space as Managing Editor of Motorcyclist Magazine. She has a passion for Ford Broncos, Shelby Cobras and tiny British sportscars that she's far too tall for.
