Motorcycle specifications Indian1830 Roadmaster Limited / Dark Horse 2025 The other side of the ship

For Roadmaster fans, this will come as a shock. It may even make you look away. But you'll have to accept it sooner or later: this master of the road is no longer powered by its air-cooled engine! Indian has to think of the future, and that vision involves the widespread use of its latest-generation twin, and with a fleet.

Standards will sound the death knell for the Thunderstroke (in Europe, because in the USA, life goes on). The end of this sculpture of metal and emotion, carved out of the fever of American heavy industry. Born 10 years ago, the Roadmaster came to upset the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited and Road Glide Ultra. The Milwaukee-based competition managed to keep its mechanics conservative (and far more modern than it looks). Its mission hasn't changed, but its heart will be quite different. Literally and figuratively.

A twin with a different soul

The new generation Roadmaster takes over from the Powerplus, which takes the opportunity to grow in displacement. A little more bore to reach 1834 cm3, a few revised injection parameters, still 4 valves per cylinder and overhead camshafts, and now 126 hp and 18.5 mkg. The gain is modest, but American powerplants like words and sensations more than numbers. Even so, the PowerPlus 112 is 4 bhp and almost half a mkg more eloquent than the 108 ci version.

Now, let's put a little pressure where it hurts. Let's put the beautiful finned twin-cylinder and its radiator successor side by side. Admittedly, the cylinders lose in style and nobility... But when it comes to performance, it's a cold shower. The difference between the two types of powertrain is a hefty mkg and around ........quarantine horsepower. To illustrate this change in dimension, Indian has no hesitation in boasting of its involvement and victories in the "King of the Baggers" - the race for road-going pachyderms on the racetrack.

New style, new body, but still opulent

Style-wise, it's time for a velvety, liner-like look. Theex-Roadmaster was available under two identities: the original, with its retro Streamliner shapes; and a more modern one for the Limited and Dark Horse models.
The vintage chapter is definitively closed! Make way for a more reserved expression, but one that's still elegant, precious and imposing - like a block, like a rock, like a cruiser that stops at nothing. More flared than that of the Challenger and Pursuit, the fork head with its large windscreen heralds first-rate protection. Fins under the cheeks complete the look, as does a duo of leg fairings.

The new Roadmaster not only changes its engine, but also its chassis. The forks are inverted, the calipers are Brembo radial-mount, and the rims are those of the ........ Pursuit. In fact, virtually the entire frame comes from the Pursuit. Now, the main difference between the Pursuit and the Roadmaster is the fork head. Not only in its design, but also in the way it's attached. The Challenger and Pursuit attach to the chassis, while our host attaches it to the fork. This naturally has an influence on steering. Anecdotally, this is exactly what differentiates the Road Glide from the Electra / Street Glide.

Comfort first

Let's not let all this distract us too much from the reason for riding this imposing Indian. Travel, luxury and performance of a different calibre. Both rider and passenger enjoy sofa-like seating. Heated grips, a heated AND cooled ClimaCommand seat and a 10 cm electrically adjustable windscreen help to counter the effects of winter and summer alike. Added to this are generous footboards, navigation and integrated infotainment with Ride Command and its 7-inch color TFT screen, remote preload adjustment and integrated luggage. You'll be able to fit 68 liters in the panniers, and up to 140 liters with the top-case and small on-board storage compartments.

New electronic aids arrive on the Roadmaster. A rear-mounted radar system "sees" potential hazards approaching and warns :
- the driver when a vehicle is in the blind spot, with a flashing light in the rearview mirror and an alert on the dashboard
- When a vehicle is driving too close, always with the mirrors and display
- or the driver of the vehicle behind, letting him know that he's too close by illuminating him and informing him that he's about to hit the wheel.
It also gains combined braking, hill-start assist and angle sensitivity for its ABS and traction control.

An extra layer on top of the already abundant offering. Because today's Indian is like a Harley or most basic motorcycles: it's loaded with technology. In addition to the add-ons seen above, the Roadmaster comes with three riding modes (Tour / Standard / Sport), cruise control, keyless start and locks, rear cylinder deactivation, USB port and tire pressure monitoring.

A wide range of options

Two editions are available. Either the Limited, with the ostentatious look befitting this kind of road cruiser; or the Dark Horse, with all chrome parts in black (exhaust, crash bars, mirrors, controls, rims, engine, luggage covers, packet holder, Sioux head, etc.).

There was a time when indian gave us a hectic choice for its tourers: tasty with the air-cooled Thunderstroke or spicy with the more contemporary Powerplus. No more! From now on, all long-distance vessels in Springfield will be powered by the latest-generation engine, powerful and torquey but less "authentic".

M.B - Manufacturer's media