My reaction was largely disappointment when I saw the first ground-up redesign of the Indian Chief by new owner Polaris as it rolled onto the stage for its debut at Sturgis, South Dakota last week. The history of this brand, before it stagnated, and occasionally went into cardiac arrest, had so much cutting-edge design and race-winning performance, I had hoped that the new custodian would pay homage to both the aesthetic and the performance past of the marque by morphing the heir into something light, nimble and classic all at once. Incorporating at least something akin to the spare, elemental profile of the earlier Indians that found success on board tracks and the Isle of Man.
Fortunately for Polaris shareholders, nobody consulted me when the new Chief was designed. As I stood in the sea of Harley faithful at the unveiling, there was no sense of disappointment surrounding me … Pictures and more