Indian unveil their new range in simultaneous Sturgis and Sydney launch events --  By Trevor Hedge The new Indian Motorcycles were officially launched today in simultaneous events staged in Sydney and Sturgis. A cocktail evening on the Saturday night in Sydney included a draw for riders with deposits on the new Indian Chief to draw their bike number. The first 111 Indian Chief models will be individually numbered and this special arrangement is for Australian delivered motorcycles only. This honour bestowed upon Indian in Australia due to the size of the cruiser segment in this market and the huge uptake of the new machine.  Nearly 150 customer place deposits without even seeing a picture of the motorcycle, almost 100 of those deposits were taken before Indian even announced the price! They, with the rest of the world, glimpsed the look of their new steeds today in the star studded reveal in Sydney. Something else that Indian had managed to keep under wraps until today was not only the reveal of the Indian Chief, but also two more models that will be launched simultaneously later this year that comprise a three pronged Indian line-up. The Indian Chief Classic ($28,995 ride away), the Indian Chieftain (35,995 ride away) and the Indian Chief Vintage ($31,495 ride away).  All three bikes share the Thunder Sroke 111 (1811cc - 101mm bore, 113mm stroke; 49-degree air-cooled v-twin with six-speed transmission) engine producing 162Nm of torque at 3000rpm.  The all-new Indian Chief Classic features iconic styling like valanced fenders, rich genuine leather saddle, classic tank-mounted instrumentation, tear-drop fuel tank design, and sculpted and lighted front fender war bonnet. The Indian Chief Classic comes standard with a host of premium features including endless chrome, keyless ignition, ABS, cruise control, throttle-by-wire, true dual exhaust, high quality chrome laced spoke wheels, brake caliper covers, cast aluminum frame with integrated air intake, and much more. The new Indian Chief Vintage is a soft bagger with handcrafted detail and a signature heritage aesthetic. The Indian Chief Vintage offers top-quality quick release soft-sided leather bags, leather fringe, chrome fender tips, vintage chrome badging on the front fender and a quick-release windshield for easy installation or removal. It includes the same premium standard features as the Indian Chief Classic, and sports the same iconic design elements like valanced fenders, laced wheels, whitewall tyres, tank-mounted instrument cluster and extensive chrome finishes throughout. The first Indian Motorcycle of its kind, the Indian Chieftain maintains the legendary Indian Chief styling, while taking this progressive machine to new heights with advanced features and premium comfort. Unlike any Indian Motorcycle ever made, the Chieftain features a fairing with integrated driving lights, and its power windshield is an industry-first for a fork-mounted fairing. Standard features include hard saddlebags featuring remote locks and quick-release anchors, a high-output audio system featuring integrated Bluetooth® smartphone connectivity, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. "When we acquired Indian Motorcycle two and a half years ago we set out to capture the heart, soul and legendary heritage of this iconic American motorcycle brand and then infuse it with unparalleled design, engineering and state-of-the-art technology," said Scott Wine, CEO of Indian Motorcycle parent company Polaris Industries Inc. "Yesterday we revealed three stunning new Indian Chief models that represent the results of our journey and the future of this brand. It was a triumphant day for all of us, and I know motorcycling fans around the world proudly join us in celebrating Indian Motorcycle and the realization that choice in American motorcycles is here to stay." All have a 22 litre tank promising a handy 300km+ touring range and carry a two-year unlimited kilometre warranty and premium roadside assist.

• published: 05 Aug 2013
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