Red Bull
The 2020 Indian Chieftain arrives with more power.
You may recall that Brum christened our Long-term Indian Chieftain test bike the ‘Running Bull’ back in 2014 and the Bull theme has run through our Indian stories since.
This 2020 edition has to be ‘Red Bull’ for the very nicely executed matte/satin finish on the ‘Ruby Smoke’ paintwork. The quality of the paint is one of a number of improvements that Indian has been making steadily since the initial launch. It’s now really good.
It was also an interesting finish in the way it colour-shifted when photographed, depending on the ambient light. It’s a polarising finish in more ways than one. Some people loved it – others were not so sure. Overall, I find the new Chieftain shape and styling slightly more attractive than the ‘freight train’ of the previous models - but it’s a close-run thing.
The ‘Dark Horse’ black engine finish and the contrast cut wheels worked really well with the new shape. It had a definite show bike feel as I rode it out of the Fortitude Valley Parking Lot and over the bridge to Redcliffe for some photos. I do see some Victory motorcycle in its lines and bodywork – but it still has a big nod to the Indian heritage look.
Thunder Stroke 116
It’s not just a good-looking engine either. It now has an oversquare bore and stroke of 103mm x 113mm for a capacity of 116 cubes or 1890cc. The throttle body size has been increased to 54mm, it has the bigger pistons, heavy-duty valve springs and heavy-duty clutch - all standard.
The guys at Indian told me that the new stock factory 116 would be familiar to me as I had previously tested a few of their Stage III builds - also taken out to 116 cu in.
As you would expect, the 2020 stock tune and exhaust gives more low-down torque and power than the Stage III kitted version but the top end isn’t as ‘long’.
Red Bull is fitted with a Stage One kit: Air Cleaner, Indian’s new Oval Pipes and a tune, and it went really nicely.
It’s a smooth, strong motor and it gets all 375kg (in running order) up to speed very pleasingly. The gearbox is solid and sure-shifting and the clutch is light. On board it feels like the modern tourer/cruiser that it now looks like.
Process This
High on the list of modernisations for 2020 according to Indian is that the “Ride Command System has been redesigned and now has twice the (computer) processing power of previous models”.
What this translates to for the rider is that the amount of data that can be displayed on the dash-mounted TFT screen has significantly increased, so too has the number of ways the data can be presented.
The whole system has become ‘widgetised’. It’s a matter of going to a set-up screen and selecting which widget combination you want displayed on one of the multiple screen layouts you can swipe through.
Maps, tyre pressures, ambient temperature, GPS data, elevation, detailed Engine data, Weather overlay, Service Data and many more are all configurable from a drag and drop interface on the touch screen. It’s something you set up before setting out on the ride. Then just enjoy the show as you go.
Modes Made Easy
What works well on the fly is the interface for changing riding modes. It’s the easiest I’ve used. It has three modes available with the press of an on-screen button – that naturally work with gloved fingers.
Tour, Standard or Sport Modes are available, and they do make a difference to the throttle response, output and fuel economy of the engine. It’s also easy to switch the rear cylinder decompression system on and off - to reduce engine heat in stop-start conditions.
If you are one who likes to analyse a ride ‘by the numbers’, then the bike’s trip computer, GPS and much other data can be downloaded to an app for serious crunching and for tracking info, like time to service and more.
The ‘tainment’ component of the system benefits from the extra processing power as well. The Stereo belts out 100 watts of I-remember-the-Magnum-style Power and there are graphic equaliser and other audio control enhancements available on the screen. The screen’s touch controls are so reliable now I hardly use the joysticks on the switch blocks to navigate.
Bright Lights
All the lighting on the bike is now LED, including the headlight. It’s another aspect to the bike’s more modern look. The fairing is still large enough to accommodate Indian’s powered windscreen. This remains one of my favourite features of the Chieftain … on any bagger! The ability to adjust for the conditions is great, although taller guys will probably need to install a taller screen than the standard shorty buffeting-wise. There are also extended (and reduced) reach saddles available to make the bike a good fit for a long and short range of riders.
On the Road
The 2020 model year is more of an evolution of the Chieftain’s 2019 model year design shakeup.
It’s still running cartridge forks with dual rate springs and air-adjustable rear. It’s still got the nice 300mm full floating 4-piston brakes up front and all the other niceties that add to how well it works as a cruiser or a tourer. It’s pretty nice to throw around on a country back road too. It’s a very accomplished machine. The remote locking luggage, keyless starting and security system all remain.
I really enjoyed my time with the bike. The Red Bull proved quite energising.
Things I Liked
The smooth and strong 116 engine, easy-to-use ride modes, vastly improved Ride Command system, powered windscreen, excellent brakes and its accomplished handling as both a cruiser and tourer.
Things I Didn’t Like
The stock tune does not pull as long at the top end as the earlier Stage III 116, and the standard short windscreen can create buffeting for taller riders.
What I Would Change
For a taller rider, fit one of Indian’s taller accessory windscreens. Otherwise, this Stage One-equipped Chieftain needs very little.
2020 Indian Chieftain
Engine
TypeThunder Stroke 116
Capacity1890 cc / 116 cu in
Bore × Stroke103 × 113 mm
Compression11.0:1
Fuel systemClosed-loop injection; 54 mm throttle body
Torque168 Nm @ 2800 rpm
ExhaustSplit dual with crossover
Drivetrain
Primary driveGear drive
ClutchWet multi-plate
Ride modesTour, Standard and Sport
Front suspension46 mm cartridge forks; 119 mm travel
Rear suspensionAir-adjustable single shock; 114 mm travel
Rolling Chassis
Front brakeDual 300 mm floating rotors; 4-piston callipers
Rear brake300 mm floating rotor; 2-piston calliper
Front wheel / tyre19 × 3.5 in; 130/60B19
Rear wheel / tyre16 × 5 in; 180/60R16
Wheelbase1668 mm
Rake / Trail25° / 150 mm
Lean angle31°
Dimensions
Length2506 mm
Width / Height1000 / 1385 mm
Seat height650 mm
Ground clearance130 mm
Weight361 kg dry / 375 kg fuelled
GVWR628 kg
Fuel capacity20.8 litres
