With a slender, slammed look and a choice between the proven Thunder Stroke TM 111 and 116TM engines, Indian Motorcycle has refreshed its Chieftain line for 2020. The 2022 Indian Chieftain Cruisers maintains Indian’s top-shelf infotainment system to keep it competitive against other top beggars worldwide, as it always brings classic beggar style. Regardless of your engine, the Chieftains will provide more than 100 pound-feet of torque and look as good as they function.
2022 Indian Chieftain Cruisers – Features and Specs
Performance and Capability
In 2020, Indian gave customers an option in engine type. Alternatively, you may go with the Thunder Stroke 111 or the punched-out 116 cubic-inch Thunder Stroke. It’s worth noting that while both mics have an 11-to-1 ratio, the 116 mics out to 103.2 mm with an 11:1 compression ratio.
The amount of power you get depends on the engine you have.
Chieftain’s 111/116 can lift stumps with their respective torque outputs of 119/126 pound-feet.
In 2021, Thunder stroke 116 was dropped from the list of available weapons.
Regarding similarities, both use a 54 mm throttle body and a configurable Ride Modes function to customize the power delivery to your preferences. It is where things become interesting. To reduce the heat wash felt by the rider when idling at a stop, both mills have Rear Cylinder Deactivation (RCD).
The parallel push-rod tubes and false cooling fins on the rocker boxes maintain the classic design. Side-valve/Flathead engines were widespread in the middle of the 20th century, and these tubes pay homage to that design. Even though no one is fooled, it’s a beautiful detail that complements the rest of the Chieftain’s timeless design.
A six-speed gearbox will keep you in the valuable rpm range, regardless of the engine you pick. An Indian Chieftain’s peak speed is regulated at 115 mph by its overall gearing.
Design
The Indian Chieftain is a classic example of an American motorbike because of its traditional styling cues. To complete the package, it includes a few morsels from its legendary history.
As far back as the early 20th century, the war bonnet decoration on the front fender is connected. The ornament is mounted on a full-length fender with a retro-style swoop at the rear. There is more of the blackout front rim exposed in these cut-back sides than in the original skirted fenders.
Contrast the blackout with a bit of shine with chrome fork sliders and beer-can fork skirts! Because they date back to the early hydraulic forks, the dresses give historical context.
For a more streamlined appearance, the bating-style front fairing removes the passing lights and relocates the turn signals to a pair of exterior bullets. Cyclops headlamp is the exclusive feature of the fairing. I like that the manufacturer has also dispensed with the garish chrome trim in favor of a more elegant appearance.
To alleviate the irksome head-buffet effect on models with higher windshields, a pair of vents draw air from the entrance and shove it behind the power-adjustable glass. It performs an excellent job of re-oxygenating the air in the fairing’s rear-facing wind pocket.
The Chieftain’s analog speed and tachometer are mounted within the fairing. The Ride Command infotainment system’s seven-inch color FT touchscreen sits between the two.
Weather and traffic information combined with Bluetooth connects to your smartphone and provides a virtual music player and hands-free phone conversations through Bluetooth. Detailed engine data, such as TPMS and the remaining fuel range, are also offered. It has a dynamic equalization that responds to variations in speed and the related wind and engine noise, delivering 100 Watts of sound.
Vintage hardtails and early swing arm frames are hinted at by the fly line’s gasoline tank and deep scoop seat, which have a 5.5-gallon capacity. At its lowest point, the slamming seat rises to 25.6 inches. When the vehicle is stopped or in a parking lot, it gives a lot of leverage and confidence for both short and tall passengers.
The absence of a top case keeps the back end clean and beggar-tastic thanks to stretched, hard-side bags. LED lights complete the look and make you more visible to vehicles in the rear.
Chassis
Chieftains have a traditional look thanks to their cast aluminum frames, but with a wet weight of 821 pounds, I doubt they do anything to lighten things up.
With a 25-degree rake angle and 5.9 inches of trail across a 65.7-inch wheelbase, the steering geometry gives an agile riding experience. Leaning to either side by 31 degrees is possible, allowing for both excitements in the turns and robust tracking in a crosswind.
The 4.7-inch-travel front forks have a diameter of 46 millimeters. Fixed damping and reload levels are used in the forks.
There is no method to alter the damping on the rear air-adjustable mono shock, which has a broad range of air-reload adjustments. It has a 4.5-inch travel range, which provides a comfortable ride.
The rolling chassis is complete with cast wheels. Dunlop Elite rims in 130/60-19 front and 180/16 rear provide a custom-sized offset for the wheels.
Four-pot calipers are on both front and rear axles and a twin-piston caliper are on the rear axle. The anchors are serious business.” The standard package includes ABS protection.
2022 Indian Chieftain Cruisers – Price
The 2022 Indian Chieftain costs $22,499.
For a free two-year period, the Ride Command system with related services is included. A monthly membership is required once the free trial has expired.
Indian Chieftain vs. Harley-Davidson Street Glide
The MoCo, like Indian, has a rich history from which it may draw authenticity that can never be faked. Lockable, hard-side saddlebags are standard equipment on the Street Glide, with a streamlined front fairing, a hefty front end, and a tidy rear end. While the Chieftain’s front fender is full-length with shorter sides, it has no decoration to keep it clean and simple.
Unlike the H-D, Indian’s adjustable windscreen is unmatched in terms of comfort. It is just another illustration of the superiority of American-built motorcycles over their foreign counterparts since Harley’s infotainment system matches Indian’s Ride Command system point for point.
On the Street Glide, H-D has installed Showa Dual Bending Valve stems that provide the rider a better experience than the stock forks. The damping performance of emulsion-type rear shocks is superior to that of air shocks. Both manufacturers offer their vehicles standard anti-lock brakes (ABS).
In terms of technology, there is a wide variety. In contrast to India’s Rear Cylinder Deactivation and Ride Modes features, Harley-base Davidson’s package offers no ride quality settings. The Reflex Defensive Rider System package, which costs an additional $995, includes traction control, riding modes, and cornering ABS.
Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine pumps out 111 pound-feet of torque for the Street Glide. Regardless of the Indian engine you pick, the MoCo is still a little short on power. Even if the difference is minor, it benefits Indians anyway.
There is no need to be surprised by Street Glide’s $22,499 price tag, given neither brand focuses on affordability as a selling element. Regardless of the outcome, the price will not be a decisive factor.
2022 Indian Chieftain Cruisers – Technical Specifications
Engine & Drivetrain
Bore x Stroke | 3.976 inches x 4.449 inches (101mm x 113mm) |
Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
Displacement | 111 cubic inches (1,811 ccs) |
Drive/Driven Clutch | Wet, Multi-Plate, Assist |
Electronic Fuel Injection System | Closed loop fuel injection / 54mm bore |
Engine Type | All-new Air-cooled Thunderstroke 111 |
Exhaust | Split Dual Exhaust w/ Cross-over |
Peak Torque | 119ft-lbs |
Peak Torque RPM | 3,000rpm |
Transmission/Final Drive | 2.2:1 |
Transmission/Primary Drive | Gear Drive Wet Clutch |
Dimensions
Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gallons (20.8 Liters) |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
GVWR | 1,385 lb (628kg) |
Lean Angle | 31-degree |
Overall Height | 51.6 inches / 1310mm |
Overall Length | 98.7 inches (2,506mm) |
Overall Width | 40.3 inches / 1023mm |
Rake/Trail | 25-degree / 5.9 inches (150mm) |
Seat Height | 25.6 inches (650mm) |
Weight | 791 lb |
Wheelbase | 65.7 inches (1668mm) |
Brakes
Front Brakes | Dual / 300mm Floating Rotor / 4-Piston Caliper |
Rear Brakes | Single / 300 mm Floating Rotor / 2-Piston Caliper |
Tires / Wheels
Front Tires | Metzeler Cruisetec 130/60B19 66H |
Front Wheel | All-new 10-Spoke Contrast Cut 19 inches x 3.5 inches |
Rear Tires | Metzeler Cruisetec 180/60R16 80H |
Rear Wheel | All-new 10-Spoke Contrast Cut 16 inches x 5 inches |
Suspension
Front Fork Tube Diameter | 46mm |
Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork |
Front Travel | 4.7 inches (119mm) |
Rear Suspension | Single Shock w/ Air adjust |
Rear Travel | 4.5 in (114 mm) |
Features
Color/graphics | Black Metallic |
Factory Warranty | 2 Years, Unlimited Miles |
Gauges | Fairing-fixed instrument cluster including analog speedometer & tachometer featuring fuel gauge, range, odometer, and current gear. |
Infotainment | Seven in touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND with the real-time clock; ambient air temperature; heading; audio information display; vehicle trouble code readout; Vehicle Status (voltage, engine hours, oil change); Vehicle Info (speed, fuel range, RPM, gear position); Dual Trip Meters (fuel range, miles, average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel economy time, average speed); Ride Data (heading, moving time, stop time, altitude, altitude change); Bluetooth Status for phone and headset; Ride Mode Selection. |
Lights | Halogen Headlamp, LED Tail/Brake/Turn Signal |