Indian Challenger Elite

The Indian Challenger Elite is defined by a multi-layered paint job, complemented by the brand’s Headdress logo pattern. At the front, it sports a tri-coloured fairing and a flared-style adjustable windscreen, both of which distinguish it from other Challenger models. It features Indian’s ‘Pathfinder’ adaptive LED headlight assembly with driving lights and curved turn signals–giving it a more premium glare at night. And, for more detail, an image of Gene “Alabama Flash” Walker, who was once considered as the fastest man alive, is placed on this bagger’s center console.

On the sides, its engine flaunts a sleek titanium-and-black contrast finish. Its remote-locking hard saddlebags, which offer over 68 liters of storage, are a welcome feature for those who frequently cruise over long distances. Additionally, its blacked-out split exhaust pipes enhance this bagger’s sportiness on the road. At the back, it gets an adaptive LED tail light with round LED turn signals.

Aside from these, this bagger ensures that the driver can bring his or her A-game on the highway through a 7-inch display powered by Indian’s RIDE COMMAND. This display is installed with customizable gauge screens, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and AM/FM radio to name a few, and is linked to four 100-W fairing speakers (400 watts in total), which delivers an immersive sound experience. Like its cousins, it also comes with a fairing-mounted instrument cluster with 15 LED telltale indicators for its rider assist features, fuel, lighting, and security system. Meanwhile, pillion comfort is also ensured on this bagger, thanks to its plush color-matched 2-up seat and wide headdress floorboards.

In terms of dimensions, the Indian Challenger Elite measures 2,503 mm in length, 1,063 mm in width, 1,237 mm in overall height, and 672 mm in seat height. This bagger comes with a 1,668-mm wheelbase and a 137-mm ground clearance. The Challenger Elite runs on 5-spoke precision machined wheels (front: 19-inch, rear: 16-inch) wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tyres.

The Indian Challenger Elite is equipped with a 130-mm Inverted Telescopic Fork suspension at the front and a 114-mm Single Shock with electric preload adjustment at the rear. Thanks to this setup, you’ll be able to enjoy this bagger’s sharp handling on the twisties. You’d be surprised by how agile it moves for its size and weight. However, its bulky frame could make it difficult to maneuver through tight traffic and narrow streets, especially for novice riders.

Powering the Indian Challenger Elite is a 1,834-cc, liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 engine that boasts a power output of 122 hp and a torque output of 181.4 Nm. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox and offers three selectable ride modes: Standard, Sport, and Rain. 

With all of these in mind, the Challenger Elite delivers an exhilarating performance on the highway. It is exceptionally quick and smooth off the line. Its majestic roar also does justice to its confident design. Stop-and-go traffic is also manageable on this bagger thanks to its transmission's wet, multi-plate clutch.

Safety is not a problem for the Indian Challenger Elite as it is equipped with a rider centric technology, which consists of ABS, traction control, cruise control, blind spot warning, tailgate warning, rear collision warning lights, bike hold control, electronically linked brakes, and Indian’s Smart Lean technology. This bagger utilizes dual semi-floating rotors with Brembo calipers for front braking and a single floating rotor for the rear. 

In my opinion, the Indian Challenger Elite is a near-perfect touring motorbike, which is capable of bringing out the best of both worlds: comfort and performance. It stands out as a very compelling choice for experienced riders, performance-minded enthusiasts, and those desiring to experience the American standard of riding.