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The Indian Chief is one of the most amazing retro-cruiser motorcycles on the planet.
Indian Motorcycle refreshed the entire lineup for 2022 at the beginning of the year. With the return of their most popular cruiser, the Chief motorcycle is now bigger and better than ever. To celebrate the bike's 100th anniversary, a lot of the features have been revamped, refined, modified, upgraded, or improved, and new variants and new options are also available. The aluminum frame used since 2008 has now been set aside in favor of a steel frame. From the engine and other ergonomics to comfort, electronics, and aesthetics, Indian Motorcycle has really given the Chief a complete makeover and reinvention, making the bike more appealing, practical, and efficient than it ever had been previously.
Read on to discover just what's happening with all the options, features, and developments regarding the 2022 Indian Chief.
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A few modifications have been made for the 2022 model that was not present in earlier models from previous years. One of the most prominent among them would be the drag bars and mid-mount controls. In an effort to present a crisp new appearance, the risers are exposed thanks to the bike's updated 46 mm fork. The wheelbase is now 64 inches, which is much shorter than it had been previously.
Being more lightweight is also a factor, as a new gas tank has decreased a bit of the bike's overall weight. The new look is also more ergonomically modified, aims to give a more relaxed feel, focuses more on touring, has a more minimalist goal, and leaves itself open to personalized customization. Riders have thus far praised the variety of trim options and the responsive handling, though they have derided the quality of the front brake disc's performance.
Two different engine configurations are available: Thunder Stroke 111 or Thunder Stroke 116. The former offers 1,811cc of displacement, while the latter offers 1,890cc of displacement. Part of this slew of options is intentional to celebrate the centennial of the Indian Chief, which debuted in 1921. New models and variants will also be available as part of the 2022 lineup. Also new this year is the use of an all-steel frame, which is a deviation from the aluminum frame that Indian had been using since 2008. The starting MSRP is reported to supposedly be around $15,500.
This model happened to have both electronics and comfort as a central focus, as the electronics on this bike are thoroughly elaborate, with comfort as a close second. For example, the seat on the new model had to sacrifice a bit of size in order to achieve greater comfort. Riders report less soreness on the new seat, and in the cases of shorter commutes, no soreness at all.
Electronics include keyless ignition, cruise control, various ride modes, LED lighting, and rear cylinder deactivation. ABS is also available as an option, and some of the variants include a four-inch round display that allows for increased navigational abilities and Bluetooth compatibility.
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When it comes to transmission, brakes, and engine, details are complex on the 2022 Indian Chief. The engine has also been modified for the 2022 lineup, with frame mounts added to the front cylinder that will make the chassis more rigid, as well as making foot room for the rider by making the primary cover smaller. The suspension has been received with praise, as it stays consistently firm throughout the ride and gives a consistently smooth feel. Even the front brake, which was derided for lack of a performance-centric feel, was also noted to still be an improvement over the bike's predecessor.
The bike's 26-inch seat height has been well received, with many riders noting it's a good intermediate height; not too tall, but not too short. The wet weight for the 2022 Indian Chief is 670 pounds and has a six-speed transmission. The 2022 Indian Chief has three available color schemes: Black Metallic, Ruby Smoke and White Smoke.
The 2022 Indian Chief showcases some intriguing specs. It has a 49-degree V-twin with closed-loop fuel delivery, as well as a 64-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 4.9 inches, while its fuel tank can hold four gallons. The front brakes are semi-floating 300mm discs with a four-piston caliper, while the rear brakes showcase a single floating 300mm disc with a two-piston caliber.
As mentioned before, it has a six-speed transmission, a wet weight of 670 lbs, a 46mm fork, and a steel frame. Also of note is that while the starting MSRP is $15,500, the price can go much higher if you add on extra accessories.
Sources: cycleworld.com, ridermagazine.com, elkhartindianmotorcycle.com, motorcycle.com, indianmotorcycle.com,
Kenny graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Indianapolis. He has since gone on to be a reporter for and write for three newspapers following graduation. Kenny also has experience editing websites using WordPress, and he directed a newspaper team to produce two issues during Indianapolis' 2012 Super Bowl. Kenny was hired onto Valnet to write list articles in March 2020. In his free time, Kenny is often out socializing with friends, practicing karate, reading comics, discussing the Enneagram, or at a game night.