 "INDIAN CHIEF CLASSIC")
Owning the biggest and most imposing retro cruiser in the country is not all about an ego massage. It is also about being on the road, enjoying the cool breeze and having some precious 'me time' or freedom from everything. I had read so much about the Indian Chief Classic that when I finally got to see it, it was like meeting a celebrity. I spent 15 minutes admiring this magnificent beast, completely ignoring the company spiel about its legendary qualities. Once I got the green signal to saddle up, I felt like a little kid with a new (very expensive) toy.
Fire up the colossal V-twin engine and a unique yet audible roar fills the air. An uncleji sitting in his car popped his head out and exclaimed, "Oye teri what is that?" Thankfully he didn't ask, "Where did you modify this Bullet" or worse, "Kitna deti hai?" I played it cool as I twisted the throttle and made tracks. The Chief is a serious crowd puller and, with tonnes of chrome work, can even make a blind man see the light of day. I loved the attention the machine was getting me. The excess of chrome starts from the handle bars and flows into the the headlamps, engine, exhaust pipes and fuel tank console.
Indian made sure that the Chief retained its classic and distinctive design. The swooping fenders may remind you of bell-bottom pants but it brings in a classy look, with the gorgeous War Bonnet staring down the road. It is an iconic symbol mounted on the front fender in a chrome frame with a back-lit lamp marking it out as a genuine Indian motorcycle.
The Chief is substantial in length, 8.6 feet to be precise. But be warned, riding in the traffic is not a joyful experience as the 360-kg-plus weight weighs in. Let me not even get started on trying to take a sharp U-turn. It can be an embarrassing unbalancing affair, so it's best to take a longer turn and at a leisurely pace.
The 1811cc engine is smooth like butter and never tries to push you around. It also doesn't hurry you into changing gears or into accelerating. The tall gear ratio lets you pace the Chief according to your will and it easily overcomes most of the booby traps on the roads like potholes, speed breakers and stray cows and dogs with its excellent brakes that come with anti-lock braking system. To ensure halting is precise, you have to step on the lever hard instead of pressing it again and again. Though the fact that the Chief is an extremely heavy bike always plays on your mind, it surprised us pleasantly to realise how it swept corners with ease, giving you confidence and showcasing its rock-solid dynamics.
The Chief brings in a lot of character, style, and not to mention a rich heritage that puts even Harley-Davidson in the shade. The Indian company was founded in 1901, Harley-Davidson in 1903. The Indian machine is a distinctly different cruiser from other brands due to traditional design and a distinguishing exhaust note. A special mention must also be made of its loud horn, which will coerce the most stubborn mini-truck driver into giving way - perfect for India and we loved it.
A standout feature of the Chief is that there is no rattle-and-hum or annoying vibrations even when idling, which is where Indian deserves a lot of credit. This also shows the Chief's build quality. The engine is brilliant and with linear power you can simply cruise or ride past the rest of the world. What the parent company Polaris now has to ensure is that there are adequate spare parts and more than enough customisation options. After all, a person buying a Rs 26.5-lakh motorcycle doesn't want to hear, "Sir we shall get back to you at the earliest."
INDIAN CHIEF CLASSIC
Engine: 1811CC
Power: Not revealed
Torque: 138Nm @ 2600rpm
Tank: 21 litres
Gearbox: 6-speed
Price: Rs 26.5 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
Engine: 1811CC
Power: Not revealed
Torque: 138Nm @ 2600rpm
Tank: 21 litres
Gearbox: 6-speed
Price: Rs 26.5 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
