Indian Roadmaster Elite 2020 — Specifications

What is the price of an Indian Roadmaster Elite? That of a well-equipped German sedan. At 40,990 euros, this 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite motorcycle is not aimed at the undecided. It targets a clientele that has already tried everything, ridden everything, and wants to put the final period on their collection. Limited to 225 units, it plays the exclusivity card with a weighty argument. 431 kilograms on the scale, fully fueled. We're no longer talking about a motorcycle — we're talking about a flagship.

Beneath this hand-painted bodywork — thirty hours of work for each unit — beats a 1,890 cc Thunderstroke 116 V-twin. The 49° V-twin produces 90 horsepower and, more importantly, 167.7 Nm of torque from just 2,800 rpm. Numbers that speak to American touring connoisseurs. Raw power matters little here; it's the low-end thrust that defines the character. This engine hauls — it doesn't sprint. Its top speed caps out at 180 km/h, an almost anecdotal figure given that this machine is built to devour miles at legal speeds, in sixth gear, without ever straining. Three ride maps — Tour, Standard, and Sport — let you adjust the twin's response to match the mood of the road. A rear cylinder deactivation system cuts the heat at standstill, a welcome detail when 1,890 cc are cooking between your legs in the middle of summer.

Against the Harley-Davidson CVO range, the 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite puts forward its own arguments. The two-tone Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Gunmetal Flake livery displays a depth that catalog paints simply cannot reproduce. The Pinnacle chrome mirrors, chrome handlebar controls, branded floorboards, and leather passenger armrests deliver a level of finish that even a Road Glide CVO struggles to match on certain details. The 600-watt PowerBand audio system, doubled compared to the first 2018 Indian Roadmaster Elite, features a nine-band dynamic equalizer that adjusts sound based on speed. At 130 km/h, the wind no longer drowns out the music. For a 2019 or 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite test ride, it's the kind of detail that leaves a mark.

The standard equipment carries over the full package from the base Roadmaster and enhances it. Electrically adjustable windshield, heated seat and grips, cruise control, keyless start, a 17.8 cm Ride Command display with GPS, Bluetooth, and multimedia control. The 140 liters of storage spread across the saddlebags and top case swallow two full-face helmets. For the 2020 model year, the front wheel moves to 19 inches with a new rim design — an aesthetic choice that elongates the silhouette. On the other hand, the saddlebag crash bars and the front chrome engine guard have disappeared. A debatable trade-off for long-distance riders who rack up the miles and dread a standstill tip-over on a machine of this size.

The question of positioning remains. At this price point, the used Indian Roadmaster Elite market will be closely scrutinized by those torn between buying new and picking up a 2019 or 2021 Indian Roadmaster Elite with a few thousand kilometers on the clock. The limited production run guarantees a certain value retention. For anyone seeking the pinnacle of American grand touring without systematically going through Milwaukee, this Indian Roadmaster Elite motorcycle represents the most serious alternative on the market. It will suit neither beginners nor hurried city riders. It is meant for long-haul travelers who want to ride in a living room, with torque to spare and chrome as far as the eye can see. The kind of machine you don't choose by chance, but by conviction.