2026 Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition: First Look

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Friday, 11 Sep 2026 11:00 0 8 autotech

Indian Motorcycle unveiled its 125th Anniversary Collection earlier this year to celebrate the 125th brand anniversary. The collection includes the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition, which features an exclusive livery and is limited to 250 units worldwide. Priced at $24,999 MSRP, the special-edition cruiser adds several unique touches that set it apart from the standard model.

Timeless Design Inspired By The Original Chief, Now With Exclusive Paint

Indian Motorcycle

Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle is America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer. To celebrate that legacy, the manufacturer launched the 125th Anniversary Collection earlier this year, featuring four models based on the Chief Vintage, Scout Bobber, Challenger, and Roadmaster. Each model boasts hand-painted livery, exclusive badging, and premium commentary. Indian says the collection offers riders an exclusive opportunity to own a piece of Indian Motorcycle history.

Indian Motorcycle

The Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition is part of that collection and honors the Chief lineage. Based on the standard Chief Vintage, it combines 1940 Indian Chief-inspired design with modern big-twin performance and exclusive styling elements. The original Chief defined American cruiser styling, and its hardware became the basis for military variants like the Model 340-B; this limited-edition Chief celebrates that legacy.

Exclusive Hand-Painted Paint Scheme

Indian Motorcycle

The Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition uses the same basic architecture as the standard model, so it is nearly identical visually. You still get valanced fenders with an illuminated Indian Motorcycle headdress logo up front, plus a floating solo seat, wire wheels tucked neatly within the fenders, and vintage bars that Indian says are built from the original blueprints.

Indian Motorcycle

The bike builds on that design with an exclusive paint scheme hand-painted over 14 hours to reflect the “exceptional level of craftsmanship and attention to detail” of the past. The 125th Anniversary Red with Black Crystal paint scheme features Indian Motorcycle Red base paint, enhanced with metallic micro-flakes said to create a richer, more dynamic look.

Indian Motorcycle

Complementing the hand-painted scheme is exclusive pinstriping with ghosted details that read “One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Anniversary,” as well as exclusive badging throughout. The floating solo seat is covered in premium leather and features an embossed 125th Anniversary logo with color-matched stitching. This edition also features polished rider floorboards, and each model receives a unique serial number that attests to its exclusivity.

Powertrain, Hardware, And Capabilities Are Unchanged

Indian Motorcycle

Apart from the exclusive paint scheme, little is changed on the 125th Anniversary model. It still features the air-cooled 116 cu in. (1,890cc) Thunderstroke V-twin producing 120 lb-ft. at 2,900 rpm, and it is said to offer effortless passing power in every gear. The engine’s cylinder heads, pushrod tubes, and non-machined fins reflect the manufacturing processes of the 1940s, with the silver-painted heads imitating the raw aluminum finish of the original Chief engines.

Indian Motorcycle

Other hardware and dimensions are carried over, including the non-adjustable 46mm fork and dual shocks with 5.2-inch and 3-inch travel, respectively. The 16-inch wire-spoke wheels wear Metzeler CruiseTec tires. Both wheels use 298mm floating rotors, though the front gets a 4-piston caliper and the rear gets a 2-piston one. Meanwhile, the seat is 27 inches off the ground and Indian claims a cornering clearance of 28.5 degrees. The bike tips the scales at 721 pounds in running order.

Indian Motorcycle

There’s a small tech upgrade, as this special edition features adaptive headlights, which are optional on the standard Chief Vintage. Apart from that, the 4-inch touchscreen display with Ride Command+ is carried over. It also includes 3 ride modes (Tour, Standard, and Sport), keyless ignition, cruise control, ABS, and LED lighting all round. The bike also features rear-cylinder deactivation that shuts off the rear cylinder when the bike is stationary to reduce engine heat in traffic.

The Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Goes For $24,999

Indian Motorcycle

The American manufacturer says the Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary gives enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of the company’s history. That exclusivity comes at a $5,000 premium over the standard Chief Vintage, with the limited-edition model priced at $24,999 MSRP. For collectors and fans of classic American cruiser styling and the brand, that added cost could be justified by the model’s limited production and distinctive commemorative details.

The Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary is limited to 250 units worldwide. Contact your local Indian dealer for availability and pricing.

2026 Indian Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition Specifications:

Engine

Type

Air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin

Displacement

116 cu in.

Bore x stroke

4.063 x 4.449 inches

Maximum torque

120 LB-FT @ 2,900 RPM

Compression ratio

11.0:1

Fueling

Closed loop fuel injection / 54mm bore

Exhaust

Dual exhaust with collector at catalyst

Cooling

Air-cooled

Transmission

6-speed

Clutch

Wet, multi-plate

Final drive

Reinforced belt drive, 2.2:1

Chassis

Frame

Steel welded tube frame

Front suspension; travel

Non-adjustable 46mm telescopic fork; 5.2 inches

Rear suspension; travel

Dual shocks; 3 inches

Wheels

Wire wheels

Front wheel

16 x 3 inches

Rear wheel

16 x 3.5 inches

Tires

Metzeler Cruisetec

Front tire

130/90B16

Rear tire

150/80B16

Front brake

Single 298mm floating rotor with 4-piston caliper

Rear brake

Single 298mm floating rotor with 2-piston caliper

ABS

Standard

Electronic rider aids

Adaptive headlights, ride modes, keyless ignition, rear cylinder deactivation

Dimensions & Capacities

Wheelbase

64 inches

Rake

29 degrees

Trail

5.2 inches

Seat height

27 inches

Ground clearance

4.9 inches

Lean angle

28.5 degrees

Fuel capacity

4.0 gallons

Curb weight

721 pounds, running order

Price & Warranty

Website

Indian Motorcycle

Price

$24,999 MSRP

Warranty

2 years, unlimited mileage

Service interval

Every 5,000 miles or 12 months

Color

125th Anniversary Red with Black Cyrstal

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