Indian Motorcycle already has a great presence not only here in India but in many other countries across the world. And with its latest offering, it made sure that presence just gets stronger. Welcome the 2020 Indian Challenger, the Ultimate American Bagger!
Indian Motorcycle has been testing its new Challenger for quite some time now. And it took its own sweet time to make sure everything is perfect. The new 2020 Challenger is a fantastic-looking cruiser; a design that we haven’t seen in any other Indian.
The design from the fuel tank to the rear end of the bike would still give you a hint that it’s an Indian, however, it is the front end that the showstopper! Indian really created something different, something new this time around. The fairing upfront is home to the centre-piece LED headlight and surrounding LED DRLs. It’s huge in size but somehow doesn’t look disproportionate to the rest of the motorcycle.
Sitting right behind this fairing is Indian Motorcycle’s 7-in touchscreen RideCommand which includes weather and traffic overlays, key vehicle information, Bluetooth and USB mobile pairing, and an all-new quad-core processor for faster response.
At the end of the day, the 2020 Indian Challenger is a cruiser and that’s why it gets various features to make it a touring-friendly motorcycle. Electronic cruise control, a long-haul seat for utmost comfort, weatherproof saddlebags with over 68-litres of storage space, adjustable windscreen, adjustable air vents; you name it and it’s there.
A modern and aggressively styled chassis-mounted fairing sits over the Challenger’s inverted front suspension. This, combined with the bike’s lightweight cast aluminium frame and hydraulically adjustable FOX rear shock, delivers unrivalled handling and rock-solid stability. Race-spec radially-mounted Brembo brakes provide superior stopping power, and new performance touring Metzele Cruisetec tyres offer supreme traction.
Powering this heavy-built cruiser is Indian’s new PowerPlus engine which is a twin-cylinder liquid-cooled unit that produces around 120 hp and 178 Nm of torque. It is the most powerful engine Indian has ever made to date. And the Challenger is the first motorcycle to feature this engine.
2020 Indian Challenger Engine Specs-
- Engine Displacement: 1769 cc (108 ci)
- Power: 120.6 hp / 90.1 kW at 5,500 RPM
- Torque: 178 Nm / 131.3 ft-lbs at 3,800 RPM
- Maximum Engine Speed: 6,500 RPM
- Architecture: 60-degree V-twin, liquid-cooled powerplant
- Crankcase: Unit design featuring a high capacity semi-dry sump oil system
- Timing System: Overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder
- Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection. 52mm dual-bore throttle bodies
- Compression Ratio: 11:1
- Transmission: Six-speed with true overdrive, constant mesh
- Clutch: Assist clutch
Are there any variants of the new Challenger?
Well, there are three variants – Standard, Challenger Dark Horse and Challenger Limited. To make the mid and top-end variant that much more special, Indian added a bunch of additional features-
- Indian’s Smart Lean Technology
- Dynamic Traction Control
- Drag Torque Control
The 2020 Indian Challenger Dark Horse is available in Thunder Black Smoke, Sandstone Smoke, and White Smoke. The Indian Challenger Limited is available in Thunder Black Pearl, Deepwater Metallic, and Ruby Metallic.
Just like the case with any other Indian, the new Challenger also has a tonne of official accessories like there’s the Indian Challenger Tour Collection, including a 406mm (16-inch) windshield, quick release passenger sissy bar, passenger backrest and passenger floorboards, an extended reach seat, rider backrest pad, infinite highway pegs and pinnacle heel shifter.
Availability?
We think that Indian Motorcycle will bring the 2020 Challenger in India sometime next year.
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