INDIAN CELEBRATES 120 YEARS WITH SPECIAL CHIEFTAIN

I ndian Motorcycle is celebrating its 120th anniversary with a stunning new addition to the Chieftain lineup , but you ’ ll have to be one of a select few if you really want to get your hands on the new Chieftain Elite . The 2021 Indian Chieftain Elite is limited to just 120 models and is set to be the most exclusive model to date in Indian ’ s Elite range . “ We designed the Chieftain Elite for riders who want to turn heads and stand out without sacrificing performance or comfort ,” said Reid Wilson , Vice President of Indian Motorcycle . “ The bike ’ s attention to detail and world-class craftsmanship is second-to-none , while its extreme exclusivity makes it something truly special to own and ride .” The hand-painted Chieftain Elite stands out from the crowd with a host of exclusive touches befitting a bike of this nature . From the gunmetal flake layered within the paint to the Slate Smoke engine finishes this bike really pops , and we can ’ t help but feel Indian missed a trick with the Slate Smoke engine as the Thunderstroke V-twin has never looked so good ! That Thunderstroke 116 beating between the frame delivers class-leading performance with 171Nm of torque while rear cylinder deactivation improves rider comfort when traversing through slower traffic . It ’ s also equipped with three selectable ride modes , including Tour , Standard and Sport , which allow riders to adjust the bike ’ s throttle response . Another visual touch is the lowered suspension 19-inch precision machined front wheel which adds to the bike ’ s custom inspired design aesthetic . As standard equipment , the 2021 Chieftain Elite packs in the premium amenities , including full LED lighting , a tinted flare windshield with push-button power , spacious aluminium select floorboards and an integrated 400-watt PowerBand audio system . Other standard features include ABS , keyless ignition , tyre pressure monitoring , as well as weatherproof and remote-locking saddlebags . As with the base Chieftain , the infotainment system is Indian Motorcycle ’ s industry-leading , seven-inch Ride Command infotainment system with Apple CarPlay offering an easier , more customised level of control for music , navigation preferences , and mobile device information . Currently , we have no word on whether New Zealand will see any examples from the 120 bike batch of the Chieftain Elite , but with previous Indian Motorcycle special edition models making their way to Aotearoa , we are hopeful of seeing the Chieftain Elite in person .