Indian Motorcycle is always rolling out some of the toughest bikes on the road, and for 2023 they're offering an incredible, limited edition bagger. The 2023 Chieftain Elite is a statement from Indian that holds true to their heritage and muscular style, but also looks to the future with cutting edge technology to enhance the ride. The Chieftain Elite comes in only one spec, and can't be customized at all, but that's okay because Indian absolutely nailed it with this special edition. From good looks, to big power, the Chieftain Elite is a must-have for anyone who enjoys a bagger-style bike. Here is what makes it so great.
The 116 V-Twin Makes 126 LB-FT In The Chieftain Elite
With a bike as good-looking as the Chieftain Elite, it better come with some big power as well. The engineers over at Indian understood their task and dropped a 116 cubic inch V-twin engine between the wheels. Aptly named the Thunderstroke 116. It's a special name for a special engine; the Thunderstroke is the most powerful air-cooled engine ever produced by Indian. The engine achieves its 126 ft-lb peak torque at 3,000 RPM. Horsepower numbers haven't been disclosed, but it is safe to assume it could make around 120 hp or even more.
On top of the big power, Indian packed multiple features to help with comfort on the road. The Thunderstroke engine comes with rear cylinder deactivation which enhances the drivers comfort through slow traffic. The bike has three drive modes to select from, Tour, Standard, and Sport, to give the rider flexibility on how they want to ride their Chieftain Elite. Those driving modes affect the throttle response of the bike, making it more or less quick on the gas. The Chieftain Elite is built on a 65.7 inch wheelbase and rides on 64mm forks in the front. The rear utilizes an adjustable air suspension. The front wheel is 19 inches across and uses dual, four-piston calipers and the rear is 16 inches across using a single two-piston caliper.
Indsutry-Leading Tech Is A Highlight Of The Chieftain Elite
The level of technology available to the rider on the Chieftain Elite is almost equivalent to what you would find in a car. For the gauge cluster, the bike comes equipped with a classic analog speedometer and tachometer which display fuel levels, range, the odometer, and the current gear. That is the last of the low-tech you'll see on the Chieftain Elite though. In between the analog gauges is a seven-inch infotainment screen that is powered by Ride Command. This system can provide live traffic and weather updates, destination searches, vehicle health checks, and more. More prominently featured in the infotainment system are systems such as Apple Car Play, ride data, navigation, and Bluetooth.
Standard with the Chieftain Elite also comes an eight-speaker Powerband Audio system which can blast above all the noise on the road. The switch cubes on the bike are backlit, and it also features keyless ignition, ABS, and tire pressure monitoring.
The Exclusive Chieftain Elite Will Be Limited To 175 Units
The Chieftain Elite is meant to be a special bike, so Indian made sure to have some luxury cut through the muscle of the bike. The most prominent feature is the elegant bronze accenting. The Chieftain Elite is finished in a bold, eye-catching green which is contrasted beautifully by bronze chrome finishes. The Thunderstroke 116 is plated with the bronze as well as badges and other components around the bike. To complete the custom look, the bike features open fenders to showcase precision machined 10-spoke wheels. The Chieftain Elite features two saddlebags which are both spacious and weatherproof. Adding to the luxury of the bike, these bags can be locked and unlocked from the infotainment system.
With luxury also comes exclusivity, and the Chieftain Elite is an extremely exclusive bike. Indian is limiting the production to 175 units across the globe. This exclusivity carries over to two other Indian Motorcycle models, the Challenger and the Pursuit, which also received the 'Elite' treatment and are limited to 150 units each. The luxury and exclusivity is reflected in the price tag of the Chieftain, as it starts at $35,499. When all is said and done, the bike can be optioned to well over $40,000. For such a special bike though, it doesn't seem like too bad a deal. The Chieftain Elite is the ultimate limited-edition bagger on the market and comes with all the bells and whistles to prove it. Big power, lots of luxury, and a statement on the road.