Road Glide vs. Challenger Bagger Battle
One of the oldest rivalries on two wheels has been rekindled.
Market Rivalry
Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle are at it again—rekindling one of the oldest rivalries on two wheels. Looking to claim a slice of the fixed-fairing touring market, Indian has set its sights on the venerable Road Glide with its newly released 2020 Challenger. In a battle of old versus new, how will these two road warriors stack up?
Photos courtesy of Cycle World.
Proven Performance
Up until now, the Road Glide's biggest competitor was its stablemate, the Street Glide. Fans of the Road Glide are happy to debate the advantages of a frame-mounted fairing, but the aptly named Challenger shifts performance to the forefront of the conversation. Fitted only to the Challenger, Indian's new PowerPlus engine is primed to take on Harley-Davidson's new-ish but already proven, Milwaukee-Eight.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
Speculated Spread
Both the Road Glide and Challenger models are slated to continue for 2021. Confident in their endeavor, Indian has already announced that the Challenger Limited will join the existing base model and Dark Horse versions. For 2020, Harley-Davidson offered a similar spread with the Road Glide also appearing as a Special and Limited—the same is speculated for 2021.
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Styling History
Unlike the Challenger, the Road Glide is not a new model by any means. First introduced in 1989, it was preceded by the 1979 FLT Tour Glide—one of the first factory-built fix-fairing touring bikes. That legacy and styling history is one of the Challenger's biggest hurdles. The task at hand for Indian is not only technological, it is also cultural.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
Independent Testing
Few manufacturers can match the fit and finish of Harley-Davidson, but the Challenger is close. To counter the Road Glide's style and history, Indian has gone all out with technological and performance advantages. Along with the new PowerPlus motor, Indian focused on the Challenger's brakes, suspension and riding systems. That attention seems to have paid off according to independent side-by-side testing.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
Comparative Point
At the heart of the issue is the new PowerPlus—a SOHC, 108 cubic-inch, liquid-cooled 60-degree V-Twin motor. Echoing the Indian Scout's design, the PowerPlus puts out a claimed 122 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, although real-life testing drops that number to 103. At a comparative price point, the Road Glide Special puts out a measured 90 horsepower, with just over 100 foot-pounds of torque.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
Limiter Curve
The 2020 Road Glide Special is fitted with the 114 cubic-inch Milwaukee-Eight—a push rod motor that can trace its lineage back to 1937. Despite having similar torque outputs, the key difference between the Powerplus and the Milwaukee-Eight is in the curve. With a higher redline, the Challenger can move faster and keep going, while the Road Glide Special hits its limiter sooner.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
Improved Advantage
The Challenger elevates the definition of a 'performance bagger.' With more power, improved suspension, and better handling it edges out the Road Glide in almost every category. To its advantage, the Road Glide can be fitted with a larger engine and is supported by a well-established aftermarket. Yet, all this comes at an additional cost, making the Challenger a bike Harley-Davidson cannot ignore.
>>Join the conversation about the Road Glide vs Indian's Challenger right here in HDForums.com.
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