America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer, Indian Motorcycle, marks its 125th anniversary this year. To celebrate, new owner Carolwood LP has unveiled the striking Chief Vintage.
From 20 metres away, it could pass for a late-1940s Chief. The classic silhouette, solo floating seat and deep valanced fenders channel vibes from the post-war era… all grainy photos and returning WWII veterans reunited with their big V-twins. Sceptics will say the Vintage is more about style than substance. They’ll tell you a 317kg (dry) heavyweight should wear twin front discs, not one, and that a modern liquid-cooled motor would deliver more than the air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 specified here . I’m not convinced. It looks superb, and pushrods do the job just fine in this 1890cc behemoth.
Unlike most manufacturers, Indian keeps things refreshingly simple. There’s no IMU, no lean-sensitive rider aids, and not even standard traction control. ABS is there to satisfy Euro5+ requirements, and you do get three riding modes (Tour, Standard and Sport) to subtly alter the engine’s character. There’s also a circular touchscreen dash to inject a modicum of 2026 into this rolling time capsule.
The result is a handsome and charismatic motorcycle, which feels entirely worthy of the original icon.
With some bikes you just jump on, press the starter and ride away. Not this one. You approach the Vintage slowly, taking in the lines and the sheer presence. I found myself circling it like a cat settling into a sofa. I wouldn’t call myself a cruiser fan, I come from a racing background, but it’s hard to ignore the beauty and bold execution of this ‘new’ Indian Motorcycle.
The inspiration is obvious: a 2026 interpretation of the post-war V-twin Chief, itself shaped by Art Deco America and sweeping, optimistic lines. Up close, the huge valanced mudguards dominate. Closer still, you notice they’re metal, not plastic. Indian could have cut corners. Thankfully, it hasn’t.
Detail work runs deep. The single floating seat and visible pushrod V-twin architecture are deliberate heritage statements, simple and honest. Then there’s the deep red paint and the LED-illuminated headdress on the front fender. The hyper-critical might ask for a tank-mounted logo or visible seat springs, but there’s little to truly fault.
Climb aboard, and the old bike’s DNA shines through the vast footboards, swept-back ‘bars and relaxed ergonomics. Modern switchgear, standard cruise control and a 4” touchscreen dash with connectivity anchor it firmly in 2026, yet they don’t jar with the retro aesthetic. Digital convenience hasn’t diluted the mechanical feel.
It’s refreshing to ride a brand-new motorcycle without needing an hour’s briefing on rider aids. The Chief Vintage keeps it simple with its three riding modes, selectable on the move, to alter throttle response, and ABS to satisfy Euro5+ rules. That’s your lot.
There’s keyless ignition and rear-cylinder deactivation at a standstill. The latter reduces heat and marginally aids economy, with a small dash icon confirming when it’s active. The keyless system works via the right-hand switchgear, though the dash takes its time to wake, like an old laptop gathering itself.
The air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 (1890cc) delivers around 81–83bhp, although that’s an educated estimate, as Indian doesn’t quote power figures. On paper, that seems modest. But chasing peak horsepower misses the point. This engine is about presence, simplicity, and torque. There’s a colossal 156Nm (115 lb-ft) to be found at just 3,300rpm. Most of the work is done before other bikes have cleared their throats and there’s little reason to rev it past 4,000rpm.
On the road that translates to effortlessness. Short shift at 2,000rpm all the way to top and it still pulls cleanly. Leaving villages at 20kph, I deliberately kept the revs low just to test the smoothness. It never complained.
Don’t mistake laid-back charm for softness. With no traction control, a heavy hand will light up the Metzeler Cruisetec rear tyre. For a machine weighing over 300kg, it shifts with surprising urgency, making overtakes easy. Like a retired heavyweight boxer, it can still throw a punch.
Handling impresses, too. You must be trying hard to deck the footboards, and ground clearance is better than expected. A narrower 150-section rear tyre (rather than the usual 180 on other Chiefs) helps agility, giving the Vintage a lighter feel than its spec sheet suggests. Ride the torque, let it flow, and it’s genuinely enjoyable.
Braking is suitably old-school: a single 298mm disc up front and another at the rear with conventional ABS. You’ll need more than one finger in an emergency, but twin discs would spoil the fender’s clean lines. This setup suits the bike’s character.
Cruising is where it excels. The solo seat may look tractor-derived, but it’s surprisingly comfortable, inspired by 1920s hardtail saddles yet updated with modern know-how. Two to three hours between fuel stops is realistic. There is a pillion option, though it rather spoils the look.
Cruise control is standard, the dash offers Bluetooth connectivity and basic GPS, and there’s even a 12v charging point. I averaged just under 40mpg during spirited riding; more relaxed touring should improve that. With a 15.1-litre tank, 150 miles before reserve feels about right.
Ergonomics are excellent, not overstretched like some rivals, and the ride is plush. High-speed touring is less convincing due to wide handlebars, splayed legs and zero wind protection. An accessory screen would help, but at the expense of those clean, uninterrupted lines.
Some riders will glance at the 1940s styling and immediately say, “Not for me.” Others will scan the spec sheet, the weight, the modest power figures and reach the same conclusion. No rider aids? I’m out!
But plenty won’t care about the numbers. They’ll fall for the Chief Vintage on sight. And I suspect there will be many, at least as far as big and expensive cruisers go. For me, it’s one of the most attractive cruisers currently on sale, possibly the most.
More importantly, once you ride it, the appeal deepens. It doesn’t just pose well; it works. It feels solid and authentic, exactly as a heritage machine should. The seat may look like it’s been lifted from 1920, but it’s properly comfortable. The engine won’t win pub bragging rights for peak horsepower, and it could sound a touch more charismatic, yet it delivers waves of smooth, full-blooded torque and looks superb while doing it. Handling is impressively composed for a bike of this size, braking is adequate to match its character, and the touchscreen dash is neat and informative without overwhelming the experience. Would more rider aids be welcomed? Perhaps, but they didn’t feel necessary on our test.
The Indian Motorcycle Chief Vintage may, at heart, be a styling exercise (there are five other, more contemporary Chiefs in the Indian range, Ed) but it’s also a celebration. And I’ve fallen for it. Offerings from rivals from Triumph Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad, and old adversary Harley-Davidson offer more tech. Some have more power and some have less weight or a sharper price, but I’m not convinced any can quite match the sheer style and presence of the Vintage.
Words: Adam Child ‘Chad’
Photography: Indian Motorcycles
Indian Chief Vintage specification
Price: £18,995 (€23,345 in Ireland)
Engine: 1890cc V-twin, air-cooled, pushrod, two valves per cylinder
Power: 83bhp (estimated)
Torque: 156Nm (115lb-ft) @ 3300rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt final drive
Frame: Steel tube
Suspension: (F) 46mm mon-adjustable conventional forks, (R) Non-adjustable twin shocks.
Wheels: Wire spoked, 16 x 3”/16 x 3.5”
Tyres: (F) 130/90 x 16 (R) 150/80 x 16
Brakes: (F) 298mm disc, two-piston caliper, (R) 298mm disc, single-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 317kg (dry)
Wheelbase: 1,626mm
Seat height: 686mm
Fuel tank: 15.1 litres
Fuel consumption: 39.2mpg (tested)
Service intervals: 6000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: www.indianmotorcycle.co.uk
