The Indian Chieftain has been Indian Motorcycles’ first faired hard bagger Chief. Here’s a glance at the 2016 model. Indian’s “Bagger” line of bikes offers a balanced compromise for touring cruisers with $4500 less luxury than their “Touring” line’s flagship, the Roadmaster. With a front fairing and good-looking saddle bags, the Chieftain is an eye-catching road trip machine.
2016 Indian Chieftain
At first glance, not very much seems to have changed from the 2015 model. The new Chieftain is slightly more compact with an overall height of 1388mm (54.6in) and width of 1000mm (49.4in) while the 2015 model reached 1529mm (69.2in) high and 1022mm (40.2in) wide. The Indian Chieftain has a wheelbase of 1668mm (65.7in), ground clearance of 142mm (5.6in), and seat height of 660mm (26in).
All Indian’s bikes use the same Thunder Stroke 1811cc (111cu in) triple cam, 49-degree v-twin—except the 1133cc (69cu in) Indian Scout. The Indian Chieftain is no different than the former, sporting the air/oil-cooled big boy power plant mated to a 6-speed transmission with wet multiplate clutch. Claimed peak torque is 119.2ft-lbs at 3000rpm. Power will reach 75hp most likely. Its 20.8L (5.5 gal) will keep you going, and real riders have reported an average of 40mpg in mileage.
2016 Indian Chieftain
See this Tomahawk Re-curve 12″ Clear Windshield for the Indian Chieftain and Indian Roadmaster
Suspension on the front of the Indian Chieftain is taken care of by 119mm (4.7in) telescopic forks with an air adjustable single 114mm (4.5in) shock in the rear. Front brakes are dual 300mm floating rotors with a single 300mm out back. Stock tires are Dunlop Elite 3s—130/90B16 73H in front and 180/60R16 80H in the rear, on 16”x3.5” and 16”x5” wheels respectively.
Passenger seats come standard on both the Bagger Chiefs. The Indian Chieftain is heavier than the Chief Vintage by 14lbs, with a power windshield and power-locking hard saddlebags as opposed to the Chief Vintage’s quick-release windshield and quick-release leather bags. The wet or curb weight of an Indian Chieftain is 385kg (848lbs), but its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating assures that the motorcycle can carry up to 630kg (1385lbs). Do the math and that’s 245kg (537lbs) of passengers and cargo.
2016 Indian Chieftain
Modern touring features come standard in the Chieftain… ABS, cruise control, highway bars, and keyless starts to name a few. Electric gauges conveniently deliver all manners of pertinent information to the rider. The fuel gauge with odometer accommodate dual tripmeters. Instant and average fuel economy readings are available, as well as gear position, tire pressure, engine hours, oil percentage, voltage, and average speed… And then some.
The Chieftain is audio capable with a 100-watt stereo with AM/FM bluetooth and smartphone compatible input. Their Premium Concert Audio speakers are located both in the the dignified front fairing and the hard saddlebags—shaped to almost mimic art deco pontoon-like fenders.
2016 Indian Chieftain
The classic lines of the bike are emphasised by sweeping chrome accents and by a new set of dazzling paint schemes: Thunder Black, Indian Red, Silver Smoke, and the two-toned Star Silver and Thunder Black. Plush genuine leather seats add to rider comfort, and contribute to the bike’s stunning design and luxurious looks. The Indian Chieftain is a class act.
Kuryakyn 5621 Chrome Fairing Turn Signal Trim for all ’14 Indian Chieftain Models KU 5621
