Motorcycle specifications Indian1770 Pursuit Dark Horse 2023 The Challenger suite

When the States think of travel, they always use the superlative. The territories are immense, the highways endless, their Tourers huge. The Indian 1800 Pursuit is no exception. Wide as an American fridge and richly endowed, this mile-devourer offers an alternative to Harley's serene Roadmaster and Limited models.

What alternative? With an S, please. Because with the Pursuit, you choose a different style and a different type of engine. Indian has built it on a Challenger, exacerbating its body and its desires. From the front and in profile, the machine impresses.

the Bagger's cousin was already imposing its face with largesse... The appendages in front of the knees maximize the Pursuit's width. They offer more than generous protection, unrivalled abdominal stature and seasonal bonuses. Additional headlamps are inlaid at the bottom of each sidewall, themselves equipped with movable flaps to ventilate the legs when temperatures rise.

The 2023 menu also includes a number of small improvements, but they are so discreet that they need to be detailed. Pursuit Premium Packages now offer storage compartments in the lower fairing as standard. The clutch has been softened for less lever effort, and the LED headlight has been redesigned.

Two versions coexist, at virtually the same price and convinced of the same possibilities. The Dark Horse likes metal to be black. The exhaust system, outer protection tubes, handlebars, running boards, casings, top-case plate... many parts are dark. On the Limited, they're all chrome.

with its large top-case, the Pursuit significantly enhances its Grand Touring credentials, making it easy for passengers to wedge their lumbar vertebrae against the wide backrest. In fact, it would be more appropriate to say "tuck in". What's more, luggage capacity is doubled, with 68 liters of additional capacity provided by this large box. In all, the Indian provides its crew with 133 liters of cargo space. Or even more, thanks to the rack fitted as standard on the upper boot lid.
For lighter days out, you can remove the "Quick Release" and ride a Challenger with enhanced protection and comfort.

The Pursuit features heated grips and seat, a larger electric windscreen and electronically-adjustable Fox rear suspension. Preload can be adjusted via the Ride Command infotainment system. This sweet treat can now be applied to the Challenger as an optional extra.
A minori ad majus - For several years now, Japanese and European GT bikes have been offering semi-active suspensions as standard or as an option, with real-time adjustment of several settings.

At Harley, the choice between theUltra Limited and the Road Glide Limited is mainly a choice of fork head. The distinction between the Indian Pursuit and the Roadmastergoes far beyond that. The latter is designed with an engine in the truest American motorcycle tradition: a big air-cooled twin, with fins that make for a superb engine, with disastrous efficiency but torque as strong as an ox. The Pursuit is a different kind of motorcycle, with a smaller (1768 cm3), liquid-cooled twin (from the Challenger ), double overhead camshaft and 4 valves per cylinder. This PowerPlus delivers 122 hp and over 18 mkg of torque. A different soul from the Thunderstroke, more power and enough to shake up age-old habits.

this Big Twin is governed by three riding modes: Rain - Standard - Sport. Each mode has its own settings for traction control and fuel injection mapping.
But electronics are not limited to the rear suspension, engine management and large 7-inch TFT color display (with GPS, 200-watt sound system, Apple CarPlay, radio, Bluetooth, intercom, etc.). It is further enhanced by Cornering ABS, the IMU inertial unit which influences steering aids, cruise control, keyless ignition and locking, rear cylinder deactivation to prevent overheating and limit fuel consumption during short stops (red lights, traffic jams, crossing rabbits at crosswalks), and tire pressure monitoring.

The Challenger / Pursuit family also features 43 mm upside-down forks, Brembo 4-piston radial brakes on 320 mm tracks, lighter steering than on theChieftain / Roadmaster since the headstock is fixed to the frame, an aluminum frame structure and weight galore. The big Indian Tourer comes in at 416 kilos fully loaded - 39 more than the bagger.

With BMW, Indian and Harley-Davidson, there are no less than a dozen big tourers at the gates; in our neck of the woods. Cross the Atlantic and you'll find an enriched range of Yamaha Star Ventures and Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyagers. Indian strengthens its position in the sector with this imposing Pursuit, apt to seduce terminal shredders.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos