INDIAN has just dropped information and pictures of its whole 2018 range which includes the recently-unveiled Scout Bobber, plus new Roadmaster Elite and Springfield Dark Horse models.
The Roadmaster Elite (pictured above) is a 250-off limited edition intended as an ‘ultra-premium’ model. Finished in cobalt candy (or ‘blue’ to you and me) and black, it’s hand-painted and has 23 karat gold leaf badges on the fuel tank. Not for shrinking violets, then. Nor is the 300 watt sound system.
The Springfield Dark Horse is quite the opposite. It takes ‘black’ to Spinal Tap levels: “How much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black.” According to Indian, it’s actually matte black with gloss black details. It also gets a quick-release screen, allowing you to swap between practicality and stripped-down style, and a 19-inch front wheel. In black, of course.
Grant Bester, General Manager for Indian in the EMEA region, said: “We continue to see positive growth in sales, both in the heavyweight and mid-size categories.
“For this new model year we welcome the addition of Scout Bobber to the Scout family. This really is a beautiful looking machine and has the engaging ride to match. We can’t wait to see Scout Bobber arrive in dealers later this year.
“Whether you want a motorcycle for long tours with a comfortable seat for a passenger or something stylish for the weekends, Indian now has at least one model in the line-up that will appeal.”
Indian’s Marketing Director, Reid Wilson, said: “The Roadmaster Elite and Springfield Dark Horse are two fantastic motorcycles, with two different attitudes. The Roadmaster Elite packs all the bells and whistles perfect for riders looking for the best of the best, while the Dark Horse brings blacked-out style to the Springfield line.
“Beyond these two offerings, we have elevated each and every model – listening to our consumers to bring new features and colors they have asked for.”
Other updates for 2018 include a standard pillion seat and new cartridge forks for the Scout, along with two new paint schemes; metallic jade and willow green over ivory cream. The Scout Sixty is mechanically unchanged but gets a new bronze colour option and a black/titanium two-tone scheme.
The Springfield gets a new colour, jade over black, while the Chief Classic is updated with white wall tyres, wire wheels and chrome hand controls.
The Chief Vintage gets black leather bags and a matching seat, plus two new colours – silver/black and blue/white. The Chieftain only comes in grey in 2018, and now has an ‘open’ front fender, but the old style Chieftain now becomes the Chieftain Classic, available in black, red or silver.
If you’re still managing to keep track of all these models, the Chieftain Limited – previously only offered in black – will now come in five colours, adding blue, white, ‘black pearl with graphics’ and ‘bronze smoke with graphics’ to the options.
Yet another variation on the same theme, the blacked-out Chieftain Dark Horse, is updated to get Indian’s RideCommand touch screen plus a 19 inch front wheel and open front fender.
Finally, the Roadmaster gets a couple of new colours – bronze/black and white/silver – and a new tan seat on the carry-over burgundy colour option.
All these bikes are set to be available from early next year.
