Indian Motorcycle is marking its 125th anniversary with a motorcycle that looks back at one of the most important chapters in American motorcycling history: Sturgis, South Dakota.
The company has introduced the Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition, a limited-production version of the Chief Vintage built as a tribute to the origins of the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Indian says just 125 examples will be produced worldwide, making this as much a collector’s motorcycle as a celebration of the brand’s heritage.
A motorcycle built around Sturgis heritage
Sturgis has become synonymous with American motorcycle culture, and Indian Motorcycle has a particularly strong connection to its early history. The rally’s origins can be traced back to Sturgis, South Dakota, where a rider, a race and an Indian Motorcycle were part of the event’s beginnings.
The new Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition takes that history and wraps it around a modern Chief Vintage rather than attempting to recreate an old motorcycle. That means plenty of traditional Indian styling, but with modern mechanicals and electronics underneath.
Only 125 will be made
The most obvious reason this Chief Vintage is special is its rarity.
Indian Motorcycle is limiting production to 125 motorcycles worldwide, matching the company’s 125th anniversary. Each motorcycle receives its own numbered side-cover badge, identifying its place in the 125-bike production run.
The limited production also gives the motorcycle a stronger collector appeal than a standard Chief Vintage. This isn’t simply a new paint option that will be available in large numbers.
Classic Indian colours and details
The Sturgis edition gets an exclusive Indian Motorcycle Red and Cream two-tone paint scheme covering the tank and fenders. The combination is intended to reinforce the motorcycle’s connection with Indian’s earlier machines.
The tank also carries a new multi-colour Indian headdress design, while the illuminated headdress on the front fender continues one of the brand’s most recognisable styling cues. Indian dates the illuminated headdress back to 1947.
The rest of the motorcycle follows the same theme. Wire wheels, valanced fenders, vintage-style handlebars and an espresso-brown floating saddle give the Chief Vintage a distinctly old-school appearance.
There is also a #56 side-cover plate, adding another small piece of the Sturgis-inspired detailing.
A modern motorcycle underneath
Despite all the vintage styling, this isn’t an old-school motorcycle mechanically. That combination is probably what makes the Chief Vintage Sturgis Edition interesting. From a distance, it looks like a motorcycle that could have rolled out of an Indian showroom decades ago. Look closer, however, and there is a modern engine, electronic rider aids, cruise control, navigation and connectivity underneath the vintage styling.
The Chief Vintage Sturgis Edition is powered by Indian’s Thunderstroke engine, finished with black cylinders and silver-painted heads to give it a period-inspired appearance. Indian quotes 120 lb-ft of torque for the engine.
The motorcycle also gets three riding modes (Tour, Standard and Sport) along with ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, full LED lighting and rear-cylinder deactivation. Metzeler CruiseTec tyres complete the package.
The motorcycle also comes with a 4-inch RIDE COMMAND display with GPS navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. RIDE COMMAND+ adds connected features such as account synchronisation.
What do you think?
The Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition certainly leans heavily into Indian Motorcycle’s heritage, but that is arguably the point of a bike like this. 125 examples, plenty of vintage styling and modern technology underneath. Does this combination work for you, or would you rather see Indian build something a little less nostalgic?
What do you think of the Sturgis Edition?
