KIWI RIDER 11 2019 VOL1 | Page 18

INDIAN CHALLENGES FOR BAGGER SUPREMACY H ot on the heels of the news that Indian has developed an all-new water-cooled engine – the 121hp/178Nm PowerPlus – we’ve got our first look at the new Challenger bagger that it will call home. “The Indian Challenger delivers a new level of performance for riders who understand that the seemingly small details make a huge difference,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “Our mindset was to leave no stone unturned and deliver a bagger that exceeds the standards in categories like power, handling, comfort, and technology.” Visually, the Challenger boasts a chassis mounted fairing which features an adjustable windscreen with nearly 76mm of travel and adjustable air vents. As is the current trend, the Challenger features LED running lights in addition to a central headlamp, plus a redesigned and modernised Indian Motorcycle headdress adorning its front fender. Indian says that this, combined with the bike’s lightweight cast aluminium frame and hydraulically adjustable FOX® rear shock, delivers unrivalled handling and rock-solid stability. As we theorised, the 2020 Indian Challenger will be available in multiple trim levels including as one of Indian’s signature blacked-out Dark Horse line. Bringing the big bagger to a stop are radially- mounted Brembo brakes matched to Metzeler’s new performance touring Cruisetec® tyres. As riders have come to expect from premium American Iron, the Challenger features all the premium touring amenities expected for the bagger class, including electronic cruise control, full LED lighting, a long-haul seat, ABS, keyless ignition, and weatherproof saddlebags with over 68 litres of storage space. The Challenger Limited and Challenger Dark Horse are equipped with Indian Motorcycle’s intuitive Smart Lean Technology, which should help keep riders confidently grounded by utilising a Bosch IMU to add cornering pre-control to the dynamic traction control and ABS, as well as Drag Torque Control. 18 KIWI RIDER