New Indian Motorcycle Pursuit Model Details Emerge

[Hugh Janus]

New paperwork confirms Indian’s upcoming Pursuit model will be heavily based on the current Challenger bagger. (Indian Motorcycle/)

It’s been nearly two years since Indian trademarked the name “Pursuit” for a new model, but now we finally have some definite details about two upcoming machines that will bear that title. Although there are still no photos of the bikes, we’ve got our hands on specifications that reveal that Indian is on the verge of launching a Pursuit Dark Horse and Pursuit Limited, with both bikes being virtually identical, apart from their cosmetics. In line with Indian’s usual styling conventions, the Dark Horse will be blacked out, with minimal chrome and a subtle look, while the Limited will be a glitzier, chrome-laden take on the same idea. The Pursuit name might have initially been thought to hint at a lighter, sportier model, but the new details show that it’s actually Indian’s biggest, heaviest bike yet—a full-dress tourer based on the water-cooled DOHC Challenger bagger.

Related: 2021 Indian Roadmaster Buyer’s Guide

The new bike will come in Dark Horse and Limited options, and with the same engine and chassis (and possibly fairing) as the Challenger. (Indian Motorcycle/)

The specs show that the bike uses the same 1,768cc (108ci) V-twin as the Challenger, putting out 121 hp at 5,500 rpm and 131 pound-feet at 3,800 rpm (103.1 hp on our dyno), with an identical state of tune, intake, and exhaust as the existing bike. The chassis is also a carryover part, with the new Pursuit models sharing the same 65.7-inch wheelbase as the Challenger, as well as identically sized wheels and tires: 130/60-19 at the front, 180/60-16 rear.

So then what’s different? That’s revealed in the Pursuit’s overall dimensions, which show it’s taller, longer, and heavier than the Challenger—a combination that can only point to it being a full-dress tourer. The length increase puts the Pursuit at 102.7 inches overall, up from 98.5 inches for the Challenger. With no change in wheelbase, that additional 4.2 inches can only mean a longer tail, no doubt the result of the addition of a top case, probably incorporating an armchair-style passenger backrest.

The bike is powered by the same liquid-cooled 1,768cc PowerPlus V-twin, outputting the same claimed 121 hp. (Indian Motorcycle/)

Up front, the Pursuit is likely to share the nose design of the Challenger, despite earlier patents from Indian showing the Challenger’s chassis and engine fitted with a more traditional batwing-style fairing. The clue that the Pursuit carries over the Challenger’s nose—which is distinctly similar to the Harley Road Glide’s slanted front—comes from the fact that its electrically adjustable screen has the same range of movement, around 3.25 inches, as the Challenger. The Pursuit’s screen itself is higher than the low-cut version on the Challenger, coming in at 56.85 inches at its lowest setting and 60.1 inches at its tallest. In comparison, the Challenger’s low setting is only 53 inches high, rising to 56.25 inches at its highest.

There’s no change in the wheelbase, but the new bike will be taller, longer, and heavier, which suggests it’ll be a full-dress tourer with a backrest and top trunk, à la the firm’s current Roadmaster model. (Indian Motorcycle/)

The Pursuit’s additional weight is apparent confirmation of its status as a full-dresser. Ready to ride, complete with fuel, it comes in at 917 pounds, making it even heavier than the firm’s Roadmaster (which weighs in at 908 pounds by the same measure). Both the Dark Horse and Limited versions of the Pursuit weigh the same, though the specs we’ve seen note that the tested bikes are fitted with a “Premium Package”—presumably a kit of add-on parts—that might make them heavier than versions without that option. The Challenger Limited, in comparison, is 77 pounds lighter than the Pursuit, while the Challenger Dark Horse is 86 pounds less than the new model.

Related: Riding The Completely New 2020 Indian Motorcycle Challenger

Documents also point to a new higher-spec Challenger Elite model coming soon (Challenger Limited pictured). (Indian Motorcycle/)

The same document that reveals the Pursuit Dark Horse and Pursuit Limited’s details also confirms that Indian will soon launch a high-spec Challenger Elite, sitting above the Dark Horse and Limited in the bagger range. Dimensionally, it’s the same as the Challenger Limited, including the same weight, so the Challenger Elite is likely to be marked out by a higher-spec audio setup and hand-finished paintwork.

Source

[Buckster]

Looks like they have employed the same ugly stick as BMW.