The Indian Chieftain Elite is the new special edition version of the regular Chieftain cruiser motorcycle. Featuring a bunch of cosmetic and feature updates over the standard Indian Chieftain, the Chieftain Elite comes with a custom paint job, additional equipment, custom leather seats and lots more. Indian Motorcycles first revealed the bike in 2017, and it being a special edition model, only 350 units of the luxury cruiser will be produced globally, and only a handful of units have been allotted for the Indian market.
Indian Chieftain Elite Design & Styling
The new Indian Chieftain Elite basic design is carried over from the regular Chieftain, however, the bike gets a bunch of styling updates that sets it apart from the regular model. The biggest visual upgrade is the new bespoke paint scheme, which is called Black Hills Silver and features marble accenting. This marbling process in the paint ensures that no two Chieftain Elite look the same. The bespoke paintwork takes 25 hours to complete, according to the manufacturer. Complementing the colour tone, the bike also comes with a host of chrome details, right from the mirrors to the rear indicator housing. The bike also gets new dual tone, multi-spoke alloy wheels, adding to the bold design of the bike.
Indian Chieftain Elite Dimensions
In terms of dimensions, the Indian Chieftain Elite measures 2,506 mm in length, 1,000 mm in width, and 1,448 mm in height. Like all cruiser motorcycles, the bike comes with a long wheelbase, measuring 1,668 mm, while the ground clearance is 142 mm high. The Chieftain Elite comes with a seat height of 660 mm, which is very approachable for riders of all heights, however, with a Kerb weight of 388 kg, it’s quite an hefty bike. The bike comes with a 20.8-litre fuel tank.
Indian Chieftain Elite Features
On the features front, the Indian Chieftain Elite comes with the company’s Ride Command Infotainment system that is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and a 200-watt premium audio system. The bike also gets black custom stitched genuine leather seats and Aluminium floorboards, completing the look on the motorcycle. The bike also comes with 10-spoke contrast-cut alloy wheels and a set of body-coloured rear panniers with remote-locking function. Furthermore, the Indian Chieftain Elite also comes with a function called push-button power windshield, which allows you to raise or lower the windshield via a handlebar-mounted button.
Indian Chieftain Elite Engine and Transmission
The 2018 Indian Chieftain Elite is powered by the same 1,811 cc Thunderstroke 111, V-twin engine that is currently offered with the standard Chieftain range. Having said that, Indian has tweaked the engine a little for the Chieftain Elite, and the motor now develops a 161.6 Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm on the Chieftain Elite, which is 11.6 Nm more than the standard model. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox, with a multi-plate wet clutch.
Indian Chieftain Elite Wheels, Brakes and Suspension
The Indian Chieftain Elite comes with a set of new 19-inch wheels up front, and 16-inch wheels at the back. The front wheel comes shod in 130/60 section Dunlop American Elite rubber, while the rear wheel comes with a 180/60 section Dunlop Elite 3 multi-compound tyre. The bike comes with 119 mm telescopic forks up front, while at the rear we have a 114 mm single shock absorber with air adjust function. The braking for the Indian Chieftain Elite is taken care of by dual 300 mm floating discs with 4 piston calipar for the front wheel, and a single 300 mm disc brake with 2 piston calipar for the rear one.
Indian Chieftain Elite Price and Competitors
Being a special edition model, the Indian Chieftain Elite is priced at Rs. 38 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and only a handful of units is available for the Indian market. In terms of competition, the Chieftain Elite competes with the likes of the Harley-Davidson Street Glide and the Honda Gold Wing in the segment.
Upcoming Models are the New Chieftain and Roadmaster Classic
