Motorcycle specifications Indian1890 Roadmaster 2023 American Majesty

The road-defying eye is still there, but it's been reworked, the clutch has been softened and the will to dominate the field remains intact. 2023 timidly refines the Roadmaster. A majestic Tourer proud of its designer's name.

This is the story of a challenge that began in the early 20th century. When George M. Hendee crossed swords with Harley and Davidson. The joust is still going strong today, with each side advancing its pawns at an ever-accelerating pace. Faced with the recent H-D Milwaukee Eight engine with cubic capacities of 107, 114 and up to 117 ci (CVO), Indian's ThunderStroke twin goes up to 116 ci on most big-bore models.

With 1,890 cm3 of displacement, revised cylinder heads and a much higher compression ratio, torque is up to 17.3 mkg. 2020 marked an overhaul of the Roadmaster's course and a reassurance of its achievements. The road can get longer, and this GT cruiser will love to go the distance. A violin d'ingres for him, regularly persevering in his improvements. Let's take a step back in time...

Demonstrations are regular. Like, for example, when Indian unleashed the 'Ride Command', and later the progress made with the sound system. The Roadmaster sends out 200 watts of music, in a seriously controlled wave enclosure. Tweeters have been separated from the speakers for a clearer sound, and a fully customizable dynamic equalizer adjusts frequencies according to the bike's speed. As speed increases, the equalizer adjusts each frequency to its optimum level to compensate for road, wind and engine noise.

So much for the zeitgeist. Let's move on to leg protection. The fairing sides are now equipped with a vent to release air over the knees. It's nothing new, Harley Glides have had it for a long time - but it's a welcome development. The rider will choose the closed position in cold or doubtful weather. But when the heat is on, a bit of ventilation will be appreciated.
Speaking of hot, the twin also thinks about limiting its calorific expenditure. On request, a system can deactivate the rear cylinder when the bike stops.

And let's save the most surprising feature of 2019 to denounce this chapter. Like most Indian models equipped with the 116-cubic-inch twin, this majestic tourer comes with three riding modes. Tour" offers progressive acceleration for optimum smoothness of ride; in "Standard" mode, engine response is characterized by still-reactive throttle control and balanced, progressive power delivery; in "Sport" mode, the mechanics offer instant throttle response and more aggressive power delivery for even more pronounced acceleration.

By 2018, the twin-cylinder engine had gained in power. Enough to fuel a cycle that seems to bode well for the brand. Since 2017, the Roadmaster's dashboard has been extensively redesigned. The delicately shaped, classic handset has been replaced by an imposing 7-inch screen, the tactile interface of'Ride Command'. This top-of-the-range unit controls a whole range of multimedia functions. There's something for everyone. GPS navigation, audio system, phone functions, vehicle information, Bluetooth - all the details of 'Ride Command' are detailed here ->. 2020 takes the system to the next level with a more powerful processor, new functions and predictive capability (a bit like Google's).

Indian is now synonymous with luxury and prestige in the custom world. Since Victory took over, the brand has posted impressive sales figures for its sculpted, tempting and imposing Premium models. Now that the renaissance has gained momentum, Indian needed to complete its range with a grand touring model. And since the Chieftain already had the genetics for this type of excursion, Spirit Lake used it as the basis for developing and offering the Roadmaster. 60 years on, the name is back to take over the road.

The original Roadmaster exercised its power between 1947 and 1953. Today, the proportions have all increased - and not just a little. Of course, the motorization remains faithful to the V-twin. The ancestor cubed 1212 cm3, an impressive figure for its time. Its 21st-century descendants claimed 1811 cm3 at the outset. What does it matter that the engine's bourrinsque output is worthy of a diesel boat? The audacity of this sculptural engine is a detail or a sacred duty! An expression brimming with metal, anxious to put all its torque from steel to road. And it takes muscle to lift 400 kilos of history, travel and pleasure. Since the Chieftain, the level of American luxury has gone up a notch, to compete with the icon of the segment: the Ultra Limited.

It wants to go far, for a long time, so it equips itself to carry more luggage. The Chieftain 's suitcases are complemented by a majestic leather-upholstered top-case. A very upmarket seat for the passenger, truly pampered on the Roadmaster. The luggage compartments can be locked remotely, and the total load capacity on board this Tourer is 137 liters - almost as much as a Honda Goldwing and a little less than an ex-VictoryCross Country Tour, a freight champion.
Comfort comes into its own on this American liner. Feeling cold? The leather saddle (superb) is heated, with individual rider/passenger heat settings, as are the grips, with 10 levels of adjustment. Badly placed panels? The passenger footrests are adjustable. Should I conclude by saying that the windscreen is electric?

No, because the Indian comes with other refinements, such as a tire pressure monitoring system, keyless ignition, Bluetooth, three 12V sockets, LED lighting, ABS, cruise control, and chrome, lots of chrome, everywhere. The Roadmaster is extensively clad in original chrome, including the fork, trunk rails, front and rear Highway Bars, fender tips, and many other trims. Since 2020, the luggage rack has been lightened and redesigned for added style.

With the Roadmaster, Indian gains a foothold in an ultra-selective segment. Featuring comfortable visual power, a fat, buffalo-cut engine, a plethora of equipment and a historic name, this long-distance cruiser is sure to satisfy lovers of fine American machines.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos