Driver’s Notebook
AMERICAN ICON INDIAN MOTORCYCLES INTRODUCES THE CHIEFTAIN ELITE
THE MOTHER OF REINVENTION ARTICLE ROBIN BOND
T
he Indian Motorcycles brand has had more lives than a
Marble Accents in Indian’s custom paint facility in Spearfish,
cat. Originally produced from 1901 to 1953 in Springfield,
South Dakota, no two motorcycles are ever the same.
Massachusetts, Indian became the largest motorcycle manufac-
The Elite’s high-end touches include include primary and cam
turer in the world in the 1910s and perpetually morphed its brand
covers with color matched pinstripes, a color-matched headlight
and focus throughout the 20th century. From its World War 2
bezel and flared tinted power windscreen. The tight rake of 25
focus on designing military models exclusively for the U.S and
inches and shorter wheelbase enables great cruising and han-
its Allies to its resuscitation and near-death numerous times,
dling when opening up the 1,811 cc Thunder Stroke, and the Elite
Indian Motorcycles ceased production altogether from 1977 to
gets consistently high marks for both rider comfort and superb
1998, declared bankruptcy in 2003, rose up again in 2008 and
cruise control operation.
enjoyed a fortuitous acquisition in 2011 by snowmobile and ATV manufacturer Polaris Industries.
Keyless ignition, remote locking sidebags, and a touchscreen Ride Command info/audio/navigation system come standard, as
Since that serendipitous merging, Polaris has been enjoying a
well as Elite’s unique feature: a 200-watt premium audio system.
steady whoopin’ of, ahem, competing motorcycle brands, thanks
One rider discovered the ability to connect his personal device
in large part to the Indian Motorcycles brand, and specifically
via Bluetooth to more than one bike at a time, for true rock-
to bikes like the limited-edition Chieftain Elite. Only the sec-
ing-and-rolling with Chieftain-riding friends.
ond touring bike Polaris has introduced, the Chieftain Elite was released in April 2017 at a price point of $31,499. Only 350 of the bikes will be built, and the enduring legacy
And with releases like the top-of-the-line Chieftain Elite, the Indian Motorcycle brand is sure to keep rockin'-n-rollin' its way into America's heart.
and romance of the Indian Motorcycle brand still draws riders like a moth to the flame -- a particularly fitting metaphor for the
Visit Grand Prix Motorsports at 3105 W. County Line Rd. in Littleton.
Chieftain Elite. Hand-painted in custom Fireglow Red Candy with
GrandPrixMotorsports.com
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Highlands Ranch Lifestyle | June 2017