Indian Motorcycle has announced updates to its range for 2021, with a new model Dark Horse joining the lineup to expand the American manufacturer’s offerings.
The changes to the Indian lineup come following the brand’s strongest sales quarter ever, despite the challenges of Covid-19 on global motorcycle sales.
“We’re extremely motivated by the significant brand momentum we’re experiencing, and we’re as focused as ever to provide our riders with best-in-class products and experiences,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle.
“Our riders are extremely discerning, with high expectations across the board and it’s incumbent upon us to stay on the cutting edge in style, performance, and technology. Our 2021 lineup additions and upgraded features are a result of the hard work and dedication we pour into every bike in the lineup.”
Developed in direct response to rider feedback, Indian Motorcycle’s 2021 overhaul sees changes across its Thunderstroke, PowerPlus and Scout lineups.
Joining the Indian cruiser lineup is the new Indian Vintage Dark Horse, which brings the firm’s signature Dark Horse matte paint scheme to a Rock n Roll audience with its soft black leather bags and fully blacked-out styling. Standard features include genuine leather fringed saddlebags, touring chassis with a touring rear air shock, ride modes and rear cylinder deactivation for the Thunderstroke 116 engine.
Over in the hard luggage side of the range, the Roadmaster lineup has also seen a technological injection with Apple CarPlay now standard across the lineup. The higher specced Roadmaster Limited and Roadmaster Dark Horse models also feature Indian Motorcycle’s all-new ClimaCommand Rogue heated and cooled seat with Ride Command integration.
Joining the Roadmaster lineup is the Roadmaster Limited, which features gloss paint, chrome finishes, a modern fairing design, open front fender and slammed saddlebags. Meanwhile, the restyled Roadmaster Dark Horse includes fully blacked-out finishes for mean and modern attitude. Each model is powered by Indian Motorcycle’s powerful, air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 with premium features, including Metzeler Cruisetec® tyres, lower fairings with adjustable airflow vents, heated grips and a push-button adjustable windshield. Standard amenities across the entire Roadmaster lineup include remote-locking saddlebags and trunk with over 140 litres of combined storage, adjustable passenger floorboards, ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, tyre pressure monitoring and full LED lighting.
Furthermore, the power buttons on the Chieftain, Roadmaster, Indian Springfield, and Indian Challenger models have been relocated to the switch cube on the handlebars to accommodate a new 12-volt charge port on the dash. The charge port conveniently provides riders with an opportunity to plug in and connect to a wider range of electronics.
New for 2021, riders can now upgrade the Indian Challenger’s audio experience with PowerBand Audio Quick Release Trunk Amplified Speaker Kit. When paired with PowerBand Audio Plus, this system delivers exceptional sound and clarity from high-output fairing and saddlebag speakers that are 50% louder than the Indian Challenger’s stock audio system.
In 2021, Indian Challenger riders can pack for the long haul and enjoy new touring amenities. The Indian Challenger Quick Release Trunk adds 64 litres of additional storage. Similar to the Indian Roadmaster trunk, the Indian Challenger trunk is lockable via key fob and can fit two full-face helmets. When paired with the Slim Trunk Passenger Backrest Pad, passengers have up to 50mm of additional room for comfort.
For both Indian Challenger and Thunderstroke models, a new low-profile quick-release padded sissy bar with low-profile passenger pad is available to those who want added passenger comfort without sacrificing the bike’s low-profile and sleek styling.
Additionally, Indian Challenger and Thunderstroke riders can add even more wind protection with taller accessory windshield options and added comfort with an extended reach seat, infinite highway pegs and a pinnacle heel shifter. For those riding two-up, a quick-release passenger sissy bar, passenger backrest pad, and passenger floorboards add passenger comfort.
For Thunderstroke models, Indian Motorcycle offers a full package of comfort and passenger accommodations, including extended reach seat, mid-rise and 406mm (16-inch) ape hanger handlebars, rider and passenger backrests, colour matching Quick Release Trunk, passenger armrests and more. Indian Challenger riders can upgrade with mid-rise handlebars, a tinted curved windshield, and front highway bars.
When it comes to the Scout, the New Zealand market still misses out on the smaller offering – the Scout Sixty – which has never made much sense on our market as, at 1000cc, it is far from LAMS compliant. Instead, the Scout lineup sees a range of new colours while retaining the 94hp 1133cc V-twin engine across the range as well as an even more extensive range of accessories for 2021.
Included in the 2021 catalogue are all-new Scout touring parts, riders can turn their city cruiser into a capable long-haul touring machine.
A Scout Bobber low or mid wind deflector protects riders from the elements, while heated grips for all 2017-2021 Scout models keep your hands warm in cold weather conditions. In addition, a new fairing bag and semi-rigid saddlebags add stylish storage options. Finally, a colour-matched quick release fairing with a 50mm (2 inch) windshield is available for all Scout models in new 2021 colourways.