Californians are still waiting for the now not-so-new Indian Chief

Riding a motorcycle through 114-degree heat isn’t my idea of a good time, but I was tired of waiting for the new Indian Chief, and Dante’s Inferno was the closest location I could find. The not-so-new debut from the latest incarnation of Indian Motorcycle, the Chief has been on the market since January. It just hasn’t cleared the emissions hurdles to be available for sale in California, which is why I traveled to Mesa, Ariz., this week to ride one.

Welts and heat blisters be damned. The 2009 Chief was worth it.

To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect from the bike before I got there. Despite its 108-year legacy, the Indian brand, and the bikes that have been built in its name, have been fumbled more times than a football by a second-string running back. Sure, the pictures I’d seen looked great, but so do a lot of fashion models until you see them in person without the benefit of an airbrush. I needed to see and experience the bike up close, which I got to do at a place called Chester’s – a Harley-Davidson dealer that has separated Tonto from its American sidekick with a stand-alone building devoted entirely to Indian merch and motorcycles.(See video after the jump).

 

From the looks of this spacious, well-heeled shop, it’s clear Indian Motorcycle is taking the idea of a boutique brand and interpreting it literally. For every bike, there were about 20 T-shirts emblazoned with the classic script logo. For every shirt, there was a distressed leather jacket or boardtrack-style sweater in muted red, cream or blue – a subtle conveyance of the history that is also the company’s tag line: America’s First Motorcycle. If it weren’t for the grandeur of the bikes, Indian’s emphasis on clothing might seem silly, but the new Chief is so finely trimmed it seems to demand that riders dress for the occasion.

Up close, the latest iteration of the bike that first debuted in 1922 is stunning. It looks as expensive as it is, which should please the diminishing few who can afford such a bike these days. Not only has the Indian preserved the Chief’s classic design elements, such as the valanced fenders and lamp ornament, it’s distilled them into four increasingly fancy incarnations that delve deep into the chromed and studded history of motorcycling – the streamlined $31,000 Standard, the two-up $32,000 Deluxe, the tour-oriented $34,000 Roadmaster and the bike I was testing – the top-of-the-line $35,500 Vintage, with its two-tone Indian red paint job, chromed highway bars, fringed bags and – lest anyone confuse this bike with its sole, heritage-brand competitor – 14 little Indians dotting the body and leatherwork.

All of the bikes are built around the same long and low steel frame, which rolls on 16-inch laced wheels powered with a re-engineered version of the PowerPlus motor pioneered for the ill-fated, malfunctioning and short-lived Chief from Indian’s last owner, which went bankrupt in 2003. Aesthetically, the motor looks almost identical, with its gorgeously rounded and chromed heads. But millions of dollars have since been pumped into its cylinders, not only to make it 5 cubic inches bigger but to ensure it actually works.

Hi-yo, Silver. Does it ever. The Indian Chief was torquey without being abusive, smooth but with an edge. If it weren’t for the mirage-inducing heat, I’d have been tempted to skip town on this bike because this is exactly the kind of power I like, but meat was grilling – and it was my thighs. They were sizzling. Whether the heat was emanating from the engine or merely Mother Nature, I have no idea. Most likely it was a combination. All I know is that it’s been two days since I rode the Chief, and my hamstrings are still mottled. At least it was a good test for this air-cooled V-twin, which didn’t pass out from the high temperatures.

That was just me, who, as compromised as I felt by the weather, still thoroughly enjoyed my experience on this machine. For a show pony of a bike, the Chief’s latest designers haven’t sacrificed rideability. While the bike is big and burly, its angles aren’t at all extreme, which made the Chief easy to steer and control, even at low speeds.

The issues I had with this bike were, by all counts, minor. The kickstand was difficult to kick. There wasn’t any gas gauge. And occasionally, depending on the position of the bike, the flat top of the teardrop head lamp caught the sun and bounced it into my eyeballs, which were already on the verge of evaporating. But on the whole, this bike looked fantastic and worked just as well.

Californians who’ve been saving their money to buy a new Indian should console themselves with the thought that this bike is worth the wait. According to Indian Motorcycle, the four current versions of the Chief – along with the two new 2010 models, the Bomber and Dark Horse – will be available in California in September.

2009 Indian Motorcycle Chief Vintage
Price as tested: $36,000
Powertrain: Air-cooled, fuel-injected, 45-degree V-twin, 6 speed
Displacement: 105 cubic inches, or 1720 cc
Seat height: 27.89 inches
Running order weight: 773 pounds
Road test MPG: 33 (based on 120 miles traveled)

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo credit: Indian Motorcycle

Video credit: Don Kelsen, Los Angeles Times

Comments

[nat turner]

So long as there are suckers for this "parts bike" fraud the "Indian" marque will live on , eventhough there is no real manufacturer .

[Frankenbike]

It doesn't take much to see that it's still an Evo-era Harley custom clone. It's priced to sell to a market that's largely evaporated since the MSRP+ days of Harley are over.

Other than the flared fenders, there's nothing that really distinctly declares this as its own brand. Perhaps not a bad thing for buyers of the bike, who can probably use any S&S part to maintain the bike, it's still a brand in name only, only superficially different, not a distinguished, individual product.

[Louweegie272]

I like the way the bike looks, but $35,000 for a motorcycle?
Are you kidding? At best a very small niche.

[red_dog07]

Hearing what you have to say would be much more interesting and would sound much more like you knew what you were talking about if you would just quit calling the "ENGINE" a m o t o r!!!. That is of coarse unless this bike is not powered by gasoline and is strickly electronic and of coarse we ALL know that isn't the case.

[Markus B]

Nat and Franken: Wrong on all counts. The 09 has no S&S parts whatsoever, and in fact, relatively few parts will interchange with HD now. The engine is, in fact, EVO based, but considerably different in many, many ways. The cylinders have no sleeves, but are Nikasil lined. The motor is operated with an OBD-II onboard computer, and both the closed loop fuel injection, and the six speed transmission are smooth and seamless. In fact, there are about 1800 total changes in the new bike. It's not a 'soft tail', for example..instead .it uses a Fox monoshock suspension, similar to most of the Japanese superbikes. Handling is superb...far better than many bikes that weigh far less. Quite nimble, in fact. As far as there being 'no manufacturer'...well, I have to differ. The factory is state of the art, so clean you can eat off the floor, and is staffed by craftsmen who love the marque,and love what they do. How do I know? I met them, when I toured the factory...when I picked up my 2009 Vintage. It now has nearly 2000 miles on it, and I absolutely love it. I also own two vintage '51 Indians, a replica 1911 Indian boardtracker, and a 2002 Gilroy Indian Roadmaster Chief, and have been an Indian enthusiast for well over 30 years now. I can state unequivocally, in my opinion, it is probably the best motorcycle to EVER wear the warbonnet. And yes, that includes the Four, the Bonneville and Blackawk Chiefs, and even the legendary 101 Scout. Mr.Hendee and Mr. Hedstrom would be proud, I think.

[George Olivos]

35 grand is pretty heavy in these times. I would have liked to seen this bike come out around the same price as a Harley so that it might have some legs to stand on instead of eventually failing again. Good Luck Indian Motorcycles.

[Napalmsteiner]

The bottle cap engine is indeed nice looking BUT if you have chance......look at the oil filter.

You will notice you have to take off the exhaust, bleed and remove the external oil lines, just to remove and reinstall a new filter. So a simple oil change is a major undertaking. You'd think for a bike costing as much as a car that it be better engineered for ease of maintenance...Not impressed...

You ask me that's a major engineering mistake.

[Fran]

First Susan, thanks for a well written article and video. You answered the questions I would have asked. The fit and finish looks awesome. Best of luck to you and happy riding!

[hoyt adams]

once again ,"if we have to explane it you wouldn't understand" well Louweegie ah nevermind

[Brian Neill]

Remember when HD was run by a bowling ball company? Why don't we celebrate the re-birth of a great motorcycle, give the new guys a pat on the back and wish them the best. The Indian is a beautiful motorcycle and I hope they stay forever!

[brettstrodamus]

At that price it better come with a free lifetime supply of clean good looking 25 year old prostitutes!

[Jim Q. Citizen]

What a gorgeous machine! Hail to the Chief!

[johnmcmd]

For that price you can buy 2 real Chiefs (pre-1953) or even an Indian 4 and claim you actually own a real Indian.

Johnmcme
'39 Chief
'46 Chief

[Old Rider]

For Indian's sake I hope the that old adage "There's a sucker born every minute" doesn't hold true for them!
$36K for this antiquated machine? You have to be kidding.
Harley sales are in the dumpster. Tey are closing factories and laying of workers and Indian comes out with this.
Good luck buddy!

[Dennis "Bo" Bozung]

Gilroy Indian Motorcycle was a necessary stepping stone that proved the world has never lost its appetite for these beautiful machines.

My dad, (Allen Leo Bozung), a lifelong Indian Motorcycle enthusiast and his buddies, all collectors and riders of the Indian motorcycle 1901 to 1953 vintage years, always talked about the comeback of Indian Motorcycle. Since I had been raised around Indian Motorcycles all my life, I was partial to my dad's choice of motorcycle. In 2003 something inside of me came back to life when I chose to once again own this piece American history. My dream came true when I took an early flight to a dealer down south, purchased and rode my 2003 Vintage Chief back to Michigan that same day. The thrill of looking down at the odometer with that glowing Red Indian Script penetrating the darkness of the night remains with me to this day.

Dad and five of his buddies founded the All American Indian Motorcycle Club in 1965 and have kept the soul of America's first motorcycle alive over the past 50 plus years. In a very real sense, the "spirit" of Indian Motorcycle has lived on all these years through the passion of these men and women who have been meeting, restoring and riding these works of art from the day the first bike rolled off the assembly line in Springfield Mass.

Indian Motorcycle owners and riders are truly a special breed! The way I see it, Indian Motorcycle has always existed. Gilroy was a necessary stepping stone and proved the world has never lost its appetite for these beautiful machines. And now, King's Mountain Indian Motorcycle Company will deliver the promise and insure that the vision of Oscar Hedstrom and George Hendee in 1901 will live on because of the dedicated commitment of Stephen Julius, Steve Heese and the Indian Motorcycle team. Live Big. Ride an Indian Motorcycle!

Dennis "Bo" Bozung
President, IIRA Michigan Chapter
Member, AAIMC

[Markus B]

"For that price you can buy 2 real Chiefs (pre-1953) or even an Indian 4 and claim you actually own a real Indian.

Johnmcme
'39 Chief
'46 Chief"

That's funny.... you know, It says "Indian" on the titles of ALL my Indian motorcycles, regardless of what year they were built.

I consider all of mine to be 'real' Indians.
They certainly aren't Triumphs, Harleys or Kawasakis.

[Dimitriano]

In manufacturing the costs are determined by the type and weight or size of the materials being used, the engineering and process for manufacturing, the level of automation, the manual labor, the G&A, the marketing and sales budget, profit margins, delar mark up, warrenty costs, etc. this $36,000 machine weighs 773 pounds, that breaks down to 46.571798188874514877102199223803 per pound. Comapre this cost to any other type of vehicle and evaluate the buying decision. It is expensive!

[nat turner]

Great so no S&S parts . This means what ? Rev Tech Custom Chrome crapola . Ha .You tour an assembly station . Do they bulid the engine , tranny , or frame . No . No sleeves ,nicosil ? That is an improvement ? Tell me how you first re-bore goes . I have seen the wiring on these things and special ed kids do better on their Briggs powered carts .

[nat turner]

Stick with that "purist" terminology Red Dog . Have a good time riding your Enginecycle .

[Clem W]

explane? explain not being picky nevermind? never mind hoyt adams let's get together get drunk and be somebody.

this is a beautiful bike i would jump on it in a heartbeat and ride it to Main back to California.

Thank you Susan for the great article and video.

CW

[mk]

too bad for the reviewer, 60 minutes ride north from Mesa gets you into some elevation ( cooler temps and good to evaluate the EFI programming) and some really nice 2 lane roads.
Hwy 87, 260 and 60 all have some very nice riding with a few hundred mile loop that'll get up up out of the heat and return you to metro at dusk
mk

[sal]

ive seen these up close. Nice...really nice. But i think i'll stick to Triumph

[Juan Blanco]

Dimitriano,

That is laughable at best. You run no business.

nat turner,

Please stop talking, your ignorance is showing.

[RDB]

I wish the new Indian success and when (and it will) the price comes down I will be there to purchase a new one. People who criticize the price don’t take in consideration that the first new products are always more expensive. Remember when Beta Max was new, they cost $1,00 to $1400 new, even the VHS recorders were four times more costly when they first came out. DVD players, CD players, computers, etc all cost more when first introduced. The new Indian company has startup costs to consider and they have to be included in the final price. They can’t produce as many as any of their competitors can and that’s fine with me, I don’t follow the crowd.

Good Luck to the new Indian Motorcycle Company.

[thepartspirate]

Thank goodness for AMERICAS FIRST MOTORCYCLE!!!
Seems to me that those of you who complain about Indian's stumbles and problems over the years havn't been paying attention. The road to improvment for anybody or anything is usually bumpy at best. Look back at the history and sales reports for most motorcycle companies. Indian has definately had its share of troubles but, because of interest, the brand manages to live on and, now has built an m/c better than any of its past models. This is called progress. It is one of many goals everyone in buisness is striving for. I too own several "real Indians" as one reader put it. I have two Indian "fours" . They both run well and get ridden. They are the epitomy of "cool" but seventy years later, Indian has made an m/c that once again will set many standards in cruising m/c's. Those of you in the market for a new bike should look further than the $$$ tag and pay close attention to what will get you the "best bang for your buck". Do your homework. This appears to be a well built m/c. Lets talk American m/c's. Visit my ebay store "Happy Daze Motorcycle Parts"