Indian Roadmaster 2023 — Specifications

Four hundred and twelve kilos on the scales, 1890 cc of American V-twin and a price nudging 34,390 euros. The Indian Roadmaster does nothing by halves. This two-wheeled ocean liner, heir to a name that was already rolling in 1947, returns in 2023 with discreet but targeted updates: lighter clutch, revised lighting, and still that fierce determination to challenge Harley-Davidson's supremacy in the grand touring segment. Against the Ultra Limited and its Milwaukee Eight pushed to 117 ci in CVO trim, the ThunderStroke 116 answers with 170.9 Nm of torque at just 2,900 rpm and 90 horsepower. On paper, it's modest. On the road, this engine pulls like a locomotive from the lowest revs, and that's precisely what's asked of it.

The 2023 model year is part of a lineage of progressive evolutions stretching back several years. Since 2017, the 7-inch Ride Command touchscreen has replaced conventional instrumentation and centralizes GPS navigation, audio, phone and vehicle data. The sound system delivers 200 watts with separate tweeters and a dynamic equalizer that adjusts frequencies based on speed, compensating for wind and mechanical noise. A gimmick? Not when you're devouring 800 kilometers of motorway in a single day. Since 2019, three engine maps — Tour, Standard and Sport — allow the throttle response to be tailored to the rider's mood. Tour mode smooths out jerks for optimal two-up comfort; Sport mode unleashes the full fury of the twin for overtakes on back roads. A rear cylinder deactivation system at standstill helps limit the heat radiating onto the thighs, a long-standing sore point with big American twins.

On the comfort front, the Roadmaster plays in the premium liner league. Heated leather seat with independent rider and passenger adjustment, ten-level heated grips, electric windshield, adjustable passenger footrests. The 137 liters of storage split between saddlebags and a padded top case rival those of a Honda Gold Wing. The passenger is treated to first class, settled against a generous backrest. Tire pressure monitoring, keyless start, ABS, cruise control, full LED lighting, three 12 V outlets: the list of standard equipment would make some European tourers look positively spartan. The faired lower panels incorporate adjustable vents to ventilate the legs when the mercury rises, a solution Harley already offered on its Glides but which remains welcome.

The cast aluminum frame houses a 46 mm telescopic fork and a rear mono-shock with pneumatic adjustment. The setup filters road imperfections adequately, with a 1,668 mm wheelbase that guarantees metronome-like stability in a straight line. Ground clearance of 140 mm calls for caution on tight roundabouts, and the 673 mm seat height puts this machine within reach of most builds. The six-speed belt drive ensures silent, maintenance-free operation. As for the 20.8-liter tank, it provides reasonable range for a machine of this size, provided you don't abuse the right grip too often.

Then there's the question of positioning. At 34,390 euros new, the Indian Roadmaster sits opposite the Harley Ultra Limited and above the Gold Wing on prestige grounds. The used Indian Roadmaster market, particularly for the 2019, 2020 or 2021 model years, offers more accessible entry points for discovering the universe without breaking the bank, with machines often showing low mileage. The Indian Roadmaster Elite version, with its two-tone paint and exclusive finishes, pushes the bar even higher for collectors. Indian Roadmaster accessories allow you to customize the beast to your liking, from a chromed engine guard to an Indian Roadmaster motorcycle cover to protect it in the garage. This tourer is aimed at long-haul riders, at those who want to cross a continent with their other half in supreme comfort, lulled by the deep rumble of a V-twin that asks for nothing more than to devour tarmac. Not a motorcycle for everyone. A motorcycle for those who know exactly what they want.