Cruising the open road, patched leather jacket buttoned up, massive quiff flapping in the wind – it’s the stuff Danny Lyon’s 1960s classic photo book is made of and a vibe the recent Bike Riders movie resurrected for the big screen.
Unveiled as part of Indian’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the Chief Vintage looks like it’s rolled straight out of said post-war America’s black and white coffee table tome. Think wide valanced fenders, wire wheels, a solo seat and that unmistakable silhouette that made the original 1940s Chief one of the most recognisable bikes ever built.
Indian’s design boss Ola Stenegärd calls the original Chief one of the most celebrated motorcycles in American history, and you can see why the modern version treats it with respect. The flowing fenders, the lit headdress ornament up front, the narrow rear and wide bars all feel intentional.
“Music, calls and navigation all live behind a classic-looking interface”
The modern Thunderstroke engine wears non-machined black cylinders with silver-painted heads and pushrod tubes, a nod to the raw aluminium finishes of early Chiefs.
With 156Nm of torque on tap, the Chief Vintage pulls harder and smoother than the original, delivering that lazy, muscular shove that only a massive modern V-twin can muster. Three ride modes — Tour, Standard and Sport — let you dial in the ride depending on mood, weather or company.
Cutting-edge tech is there too, but it’s handled with restraint. Front and centre sits Indian’s 4-inch round touchscreen running the latest Ride Command system. It’s quicker, cleaner and now properly integrated with your phone, letting you plan routes on Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps and beam them straight to the bike. Music, calls and navigation all live behind a classic-looking interface.
Chief Vintage doesn’t come cheap, though, with prices in the UK starting at £18,995 before you start ticking those tempting options boxes. You might be better off scouring the classifieds for an original.
