Indian Roadmaster 2017 — Specifications

Four hundred and twenty-eight kilos on the scales, a 1811 cc V-twin rumbling between your legs, and a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard: welcome aboard the 2017 Indian Roadmaster, the American ocean liner that aims to make you forget the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Limited on long-haul journeys.

This model year marks a turning point for the Indian Roadmaster motorcycle. The classic cockpit gives way to the Ride Command system, a color screen that centralizes GPS navigation, audio, phone, and vehicle settings. All Bluetooth-connected and operable with gloved fingertips. On paper, Indian closes its technology gap in one fell swoop. In practice, this equipment puts the Roadmaster on par with the best touring bikes on the market, Honda Gold Wing included. For those looking for a used Indian Roadmaster, the 2017 model year is notably the first to offer this modern interface, making it a smart choice over the 2015 or 2016 versions, which came with less electronic equipment.

Under the hood, so to speak, the Thunderstroke 111 is no sportbike engine. Its 74 horsepower raises eyebrows on the spec sheet, but this V-twin plays its hand elsewhere. With 161 Nm of torque available from just 3000 rpm, overtaking is effortless, accompanied by a deep growl that reminds you displacement still reigns supreme among American cruisers. The engine is geared long, the belt drive swallows miles in silence, and the 6-speed gearbox is well-spaced enough to maintain a comfortable cruising speed. The 112 mph top speed won't set anyone's heart racing, but that's not the point. This machine is built to devour asphalt at a steady pace, not to attack the switchbacks of an alpine pass. The cast aluminum frame does its best to contain the mass, aided by a telescopic fork and a pneumatically adjustable rear mono-shock. The 26.5-inch seat height reassures shorter riders, but at 428 kg wet, low-speed maneuvering demands confidence.

Passenger comfort is the true selling point. A leather-padded trunk tops the hard saddlebags, heated seats with individual rider and passenger controls, ten-level heated grips, adjustable rear footrests, a power windshield, and adjustable venting in the lower fairings. Storage capacity reaches 143 liters, putting this tourer within reach of the Gold Wing. The 5.5-gallon tank allows reasonable legs between fuel stops. Add keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, cruise control, ABS on both braking circuits with floating discs, full LED lighting, and three 12V outlets. The standard equipment list goes some way toward justifying the Indian Roadmaster price of €30,400, even if the bill remains steep compared to certain Japanese or German rivals with more powerful engines.

Then there's the question of positioning. The 2017 Indian Roadmaster targets long-distance touring riders who want American style with no compromise on equipment. Against the Harley Electra Glide, it counters with a more generous specification and the goodwill tied to the brand's revival. Against the Gold Wing, it concedes in agility and power what it gains in visual presence and engine character. Chrome covers the fork, highway bars, trunk rails, and fender tips. It's flashy, unapologetic, and very American. For an Indian Roadmaster test ride, you're better off planning a long stretch of highway rather than a winding back road. It's there, over great distances, that this 428 kg battleship reveals its reason for being. The Indian Roadmaster accessories available in the catalog then let you customize the beast to your liking, from Elite editions with two-tone finishes to the most comprehensive touring protection packages.