Leaked footage from a dealer meeting has revealed
the brand name and several styling elements of the upcoming new Indian
Motorcycles’ cruiser. The upcoming product will be called “Challenger”, and it
is likely to make public debut at the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota that is
scheduled from 2-11 August 2019. The motorcycle will be displayed at the 2019
EICMA show in Milan.
The video reveals styling cues such as front
fender-mounted Indian “War Bonnet”, full LED headlight and hard panniers at the
back. The rear panniers confirm that the Challenger will be a bagger-style
touring motorcycle. Spy photographs of the Challenger revealed fixed,
semi-fairing design with a tall windscreen on the upcoming model. The
windscreen will most likely be an electronically adjustable unit while the
panniers will feature remote lock – features that we previously saw on the
Indian Chieftain range of motorcycles. The handlebar will be tilted towards the
rider, while the footboard would be placed forward.
The instrument console on the Challenger is yet to
reveal itself. However, we could see an Indian Roadmaster style cockpit with
analogue speedometer and tachometer along with a massive touch screen display
in the centre and speakers towards the edge of the fairing. Heated grips should
be part of the optional accessories.
The new video also reveals some of the engine
details. The new motor will be called the Powerplus 108. The 108 cubic inches
or 1,770 cc liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-Twin should deliver 120 HP of maximum
power. The peak torque should be marginally lower than the 1,811 cc Thunder
Stroke 111’s 161.6 Nm output. The power mill will be linked to a six-speed
gearbox. Feature list should include multiple riding modes, traction control,
ABS and cruise control.
The hardware specifications will include upside-down
telescopic forks at the front, which will add a modern touch to the package.
Twin discs, which employ Brembo sourced callipers, will provide stopping power
to the front wheel. The rear will use a single disc with Brembo callipers.
The Indian Challenger will compete with the
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special and the likes. In India, it may cost around
INR 35,00,000 (ex-showroom).
