The Cruiser For Riders Who Think Harley-Davidson Has Become Too Complicated
When you think of a cruiser, a simple air-cooled V-twin, a comfortable saddle, and old-school design are all integral elements. And no one has embodied that formula better than Harley-Davidson. For decades, the brand has been closely associated with cruisers. However, to match the modern standards, the bike maker’s updated lineup is more complex than ever. You might even argue the essence of an old-school Harley cruiser is diminished. So what do you do if you prioritize simplicity and a cruiser that embodies Harley vibes without being overly complicated? Well, you pick Indian’s most affordable large-capacity offering.
How Harley-Davidson Cruisers Have Become More Complex Today
Harley-Davidson’s Softail range has six models: the Street Bob, Heritage Classic, Fat Boy, Breakout, Low Rider S, and Low Rider ST. All of them are powered by the Milwaukee-Eight in three states of tune, ranging from 98 horsepower to 114 horsepower. The 2025 update brought a lot more tech. Every model now gets riding modes, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and much more.
And while all of that is useful, more tech means more sensors, switches, and control modules – which means more parts that could fail over the years. While features are a common sight on every motorcycle now, these cause more electrical issues and failures, which makes the ownership experience less pleasant. However, there is one American motorcycle that proves that simplicity goes a long way.
The Indian Chief Brings The American Cruiser Back To Basics
The Chief nameplate has been around since 1922, and 104 years later, it is still quite relevant. Indian reworked the modern Chief lineup for 2022, the nameplate’s 100th year, with an exposed steel-tube frame and a leaner, more purposeful look. It also gets a teardrop fuel tank, a scooped solo seat, and bobbed fenders, which are all heritage-inspired design elements, keeping the original recipe intact.
Among these, the Indian Chief serves as America’s simplest cruiser option. The base model of the Chief is a stripped-down cruiser, offering an old-school charm without complicated electronics and tech. Bobbed fenders, exposed rear shocks, a steel tube frame, mid-mounted foot controls, and drag handlebars give it a proper cruiser stance. And there’s no touchscreen – only a 4-inch analog gauge with a small multi-information display. But you still get the essential features and tech like ABS, ride modes, cruise control, and LED lighting as standard.
Powered By An Air-Cooled V-twin That Feels Nostalgic
Powering the base trim Chief is the Thunderstroke 111 engine – an air-cooled 49-degree V-twin with a 1,811cc displacement. The engine produces 90 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque, which goes to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and a belt final drive. Indian also offers rear-cylinder deactivation to keep the heat in check. Once the engine is warm and you are at a red light, it shuts off the rear cylinder to reduce heat outside as well as inside the engine.
Simple Underpinnings Get The Job Done
Much like the engine, the rest of the hardware is just as simple. You get a steel tube frame that holds the V-twin, backed by a cast aluminum sub-frame. Up front, you get 46mm telescopic forks with 5.2 inches of travel. And you get two exposed rear shocks with preload adjustment and 3 inches of travel.
The braking is handled by a 300mm floating disc up front with a four-piston caliper and a 300mm disc at the rear with a two-piston caliper. The old-school body sits on a 19-inch cast front wheel and a 16-inch rear wheel, wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tires. Nothing here is fancy or complicated. It is all basic, proven hardware that does its job without much fuss.
Everyday Riding Remains Effortless Without Any Complications
This promises to be an easy bike to live with. The seat sits just 26 inches off the ground, which keeps it accessible even for shorter riders. The wheelbase is 64 inches, and the mid-mount foot controls and drag handlebars give you a forward but upright riding position. Weighing in at 670 pounds, it is fairly light when compared to 800-pound heavyweight motorcycles. Out on the freeway, cruise control takes strain off long stretches. Finally, since keyless ignition is offered as standard, you don’t even need to fish out a key, adding to the convenience of the rider.
At $14,999, The Chief Is Pleasantly Affordable
At $14,999, the base Chief is the cheapest way into Indian’s Chief range. That’s the same starting price as Harley’s cheapest cruiser, the Street Bob with its Solo Trim Package. So, you are not really paying extra for choosing a simpler motorcycle. And you’re also not giving up the basics. You still get the basic tech, alongside a 111 cubic-inch air-cooled V-twin with 108 pound-feet of torque, which is ample for relaxed riding. It is a proper big-twin, not a watered-down starter bike. And the affordability doesn’t stop in the showroom. Fewer systems to maintain means fewer bills over long-term ownership. For a cruiser with this much character, the $14,999 price is a fair deal for what you get.
The Dark Horse Version Brings More Tech
And if you seek more tech, the Chief Dark Horse is the one to look at. At $18,499, which is $3,500 more than the base Chief, you get substantial equipment. You get a bigger Thunderstroke 116 engine with 120 pound-feet of torque. Moreover, a 4-inch round Ride Command touchscreen replaces the analog unit. The screen brings in features like GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and ride stats. You also get a USB charging port for added convenience. And for some cosmetic changes, you get blacked-out finishes, giving a sportier appeal. You only pay for the extras if you want them. And if you seek a stripped-out cruiser with only the basics, the base trim Chief stays as simple as ever.
Source: Indian Motorcycles
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