Indian 1800 Challenger RR 2023 — Specifications

Fat! Not Fast. The "King of the Bagger" is a very special interpretation of competition. Putting big, heavy, cumbersome custom-GT motorcycles on a track to use the slider and clock lap times?! Something’s not right.

Other peculiarities include a minimum weight of 288 kilos mandated by the regulations; a huge engine designed for cruising, weighing in at around 80 kilos; a long, boat-like chassis; mandatory luggage with a minimum capacity of 36 liters. And yet, these machines really kick. To the point that Indian will manufacture a special series of its vibration gladiators.

This will be the Challenger RR! A blend of Big Mac, Dominic Toretto, and rocket. A bagger derived from production and road use, then profoundly revised to scrape through corners.

However, the Challenger won’t be going on the track with its original engine. It develops 122 horsepower – ideal for a 600 Supersport, but not enough to send a barge with a wide handlebar. A brief stay at Dr. Jekyll’s is mandatory:

The 1769 cm3 twin receives a thorough preparation. The renowned motor specialist S&S is called in to provide more aggressive camshafts, CNC cylinder heads, adjustable tappets, an automatic chain tensioner, an air intake system with a massive 78 mm throttle body, a specific transmission, and a bore/stroke kit with piston/liner to increase the displacement to 1834 cm3 (112 ci). Indian Racing isn’t pretending. Add a fully programmable ECM Maxx control unit, a quickshifter, and an AIM DL2 counter/telemetry system, and you’re ready to charge in like a bull. With this concoction, the Powerplus should have around 160 horsepower. Now, imagine the brontosaurus roar with the 2-into-1 S&S exhaust system as well.

But simply beefing up the engine would only make the Challenger untamable. Fortunately, the chassis is also refined. Just in terms of suspension, the Indian changes worlds. Everything comes from Öhlins, including a superb FGR 250 front fork (derived from Moto2 hardware). Holding this tool will be somewhat disconcerting. If the fork tubes are held by a superb machined aluminum housing, the racing clip-on handlebars are not fixed to the top of the tubes but to the end of a large "cowhorn" handlebar. Surprise and suspense guaranteed. For the rear, it’s S&S repositioned controls. Let’s go back to the chassis. Who had the bright idea of fitting 17-inch wheels? More practical for mounting Dunlop racing tires. The swingarm is very seriously reinforced (bordering on SBK) as is the braking system, entrusted to Brembo for the front. These are large 330 mm discs with M4 calipers. Apparently, the Americans aren’t familiar with Stylema… nor even M50. But this is still very good hardware! The rear caliper comes from Hayes.

A raised seat to the height of an enduro saddle... a aerodynamic kit... a headlamp with the (fake) look of the standard Challenger... carbon fiber luggage... a hypersport front end... an engine of slow-cooked beef marinated in cocaine... Almost three quarters of a ton on the scale... You propose this to a sporty R&D engineer, he’s going to throw his desk at you. But with the Challenger RR, you have a track beast.

The Indian’s star rider is Tyler O’Hara and wears the number 29. To celebrate his victories and his title of "King" of the baggers, the Springfield firm will produce 29 copies of the Challenger RR; which will be sold for $92,229. Only a handful of countries will receive them: France, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

This motorcycle is primarily intended for combat; it will be exclusive to the track, handcrafted, and tuned according to O’Hara’s specifications. But there’s a good chance that some will end up in collections. Moreover, many will seek the interest of putting a machine displayed at the same price as a Panigale V4 Superleggera – which will inflict 10 seconds * per lap in the American style – on the track. An X-Files, where the pleasure is elsewhere.

M.B - Photos manufacturer

* Approximately 10 seconds. At Daytona, the record on a prepared Road Glide turns in 1’52’’9. With a ZX-10R, the chronograph goes to 1’45’’9.