Indian Motorcycle’s Chieftain Power Plus is more powerful, stylish, and advanced. | Overseas test ride

New engine with larger displacement

Indian Motorcycle (hereafter, Indian MC) has announced an update to its Power Plus 108 engine, which it developed and powers its heavyweight cruiser model, the Challenger, and the platform-sharing Pursuit. The company announced that the engine will be installed in the 2025 model of both models. The Power Plus 108 engine, a 108 cubic inch/1768cc 60-degree V-twin, water-cooled, OHC, 4-valve engine, was developed at the forefront of the King of the Baggers, an American road racing championship featuring heavyweight cruiser models with large front cowls and side cases, which began in 2020, the year after the Challenger was released. After trying every possible formula for improving performance, the company concluded that a 2mm increase in bore was the answer. As a result, the engine’s displacement has been increased to 112 cubic inches/1834cc. The company has also changed the engine’s nickname to “Power Plus 112.”

The PowerPlus 112 family, which also features new engines, has been further strengthened with the addition of the Chieftain PowerPlus and Roadmaster PowerPlus. The Chieftain and Roadmaster are originally equipped with the Thunderstroke 116 engine, a 116-cubic-inch/1,890cc, 49-degree V-twin, air-cooled, OHV, three-camshaft, two-valve engine, housed in an aluminum frame different from the water-cooled PowerPlus family. Both models, with their fairings mounted on the front forks, combined with the authentic OHV mechanism of the engine, have made them popular cruiser models that exude a classic style. However, with the announcement of the PowerPlus 112 engine, the engine and frame of both models were changed to the PowerPlus 112 family platform, the same as the Challenger.

New engine/New vehicle added to the Power Plus 112 family

For Indian MC, restructuring and strengthening its heavyweight cruiser category was inevitable. This is because the market is huge, intertwining vehicles, in-house accessories, and a wide range of third-party parts, from performance parts to exterior parts, and the company is engaged in fierce competition for market share with rival brands. To address this, Indian MC has expanded its model lineup by utilizing cutting-edge technology to differentiate itself from rival brands. This is why the company evolved its top-of-the-line engine to become the Power Plus 112, and strengthened the Power Plus 112 family by adding the Chieftain Power Plus and Roadmaster Power Plus.

The new Scout series , which underwent a full model change in 2024 , is also thought to have accelerated the strengthening of the Power Plus 112 family. The new Scout series features a newly expanded 1250cc displacement, 60-degree V-twin, water-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve Speed ​​Plus engine mounted in a newly developed hybrid frame that combines steel pipes and aluminum casting parts. While we generally consider vehicles over 1000cc to be large, in major cruiser markets like the US and Europe, the Scout series is positioned as a “mid-size” cruiser, making it a model series that strongly appeals to new customers, including young riders and those new to cruisers. And as a step-up model for riders who have grown up in these markets, the Power Plus 112 family, with its water-cooled engine and aluminum frame, is a natural fit with the Scout series. Therefore, expanding the Power Plus 112 family was essential.

Furthermore, the growing popularity of the “King of Baggers” race cannot be ignored. Indian MC has openly stated that racing is part of their DNA. Accordingly, with the rebirth of the new Indian MC, they developed a flat track racing machine, the Scout FTR750, and competed in the premier class of the American Flat Track Championship starting in 2017. They won the series title for eight consecutive years until 2024. However, regulation changes made the Scout FTR750 ineligible to compete in the premier class, and Indian MC announced its withdrawal from the Flat Track Championship at the end of 2024. They have also stated that they will be focusing even more on the “King of Baggers,” which has a strong impact on entertainment, brand recognition, and sales. Taking all of these factors into consideration, strengthening and expanding the Power Plus 112 family was essential in terms of promotion as well.

An overwhelming sense of power that is different in quality from the SS

Riding the Chieftain Power+, equipped with the larger-displacement Power+ 112 engine, around the outskirts of Las Vegas was truly exhilarating. Many Japanese riders, myself included, have the image of heavyweight cruisers as leisurely or sophisticated bikes. However, after test riding the Chieftain Power+, I’m convinced that heavyweight cruisers are something to ride while you’re young, or even right now. The 1834cc modern V-twin engine, developed with cutting-edge technology and philosophy, effortlessly accelerates a bike that weighs 360kg (over 400kg with the rider), and even when braking hard before a corner, the bike decelerates with ease, and it turns smoothly with just a light input. It’s true, and it responds in the same way as a supersport or adventure bike, but the experience is completely different. It feels like a mass, or a mass of otherworldly proportions, warping away. Of course, if the rider is determined to ride long distances, the low-revving, low-vibration engine and sturdy chassis will support the rider and the bike, allowing them to ride steadily onward. It’s easy to imagine how little fatigue they’ll feel when they reach their distant destination. If you’re going to ride such a bike, it’s best to be young. Of course, even for veterans with no experience riding heavyweight cruisers, the Chieftain Power Plus is the perfect bike to open their eyes and break away from their rigid perception of bikes.

Cruising at 100km/h in sixth gear is achieved at 2500 rpm. Making full use of the auto-cruise function, it’s nothing short of comfortable. Disengaging auto-cruise and twisting the throttle, the Chieftain Power+ accelerates like a warp. The thumping 60-degree V-twin crank suddenly picks up speed above 4000 rpm, resulting in a powerful boom of acceleration. Switching the riding mode, which changes the engine’s output characteristics and the level of traction control, from “Standard” to the most extreme “Sport” mode enhances the engine’s response to throttle inputs, and the increased torque boosts both the exhaust sound and acceleration. Once you’ve made up your mind and opened the throttle, the bike accelerates with a bang. To test this, I had to contend with a variety of conditions, including road conditions, oncoming traffic, and the distance between me and my fellow journalists riding alongside me.

Moreover, the 2025 model Power Plus 112 family, including the Chieftain Power Plus, is equipped with a Bosch millimeter-wave radar in the rear. Using the data obtained from this, the system grasps the situation of other vehicles behind and adds a rider assistance function that issues various warnings to the rider and following vehicles. During this test ride, these systems were activated, and the information was displayed on the main display and on the indicator lights inside both side mirrors while driving. Through these, I was able to get a more detailed understanding of my own riding situation.

For European manufacturers, such advanced technology is popular with riders and is installed in adventure models that are expensive and have a large volume. However, when it comes to American brands, it is quite interesting to see it installed in heavyweight cruisers with high performance. If you ride such a cutting-edge model from Indian MC, which is engaged in a fierce battle for market share with its rivals, you will get a feel for the current state of the American motorcycle scene.

Riding position & foot reach (170cm/65kg)

Detailed explanation

Chieftain Power Plus main specifications

※[ ] indicates Roadmaster PowerPlus

■ Overall length 2,503mm [2,578mm]

■ Wheelbase 1,668mm

■ Ground clearance 137mm

■ Seat height 678mm [672mm]

■ Rake angle 25 degrees

■ Trail 150mm

■ Lean angle 31 degrees

■ Vehicle weight (without fuel) 366kg [407kg]

■ Engine type POWERPLUS 112 / 60-degree V-twin cylinder water-cooled 4-stroke OHC 4-valve

■ Total displacement 112 cubic In / 1,834cc

■ Bore x stroke 110.0mm x 96.5mm

■ Compression ratio 11.4:1

■ Maximum power output 126hp

■ Maximum torque 181.4Nm / 3,800rpm

■ Fuel supply system Closed-loop fuel injection / 52mm Dual bore

■ Fuel tank capacity: 22.7L

■ Frame: Aluminum casting

■ Suspension (front and rear): 43mm inverted type / 130mm travel, FOX monoshock (link type) / hydraulic preload adjustment & 114mm travel

■ Transmission: 6-speed return

■ Brake system: Combined brake system with ABS

■ Brake type (front and rear): Brembo radial-mount 4-pot caliper + 320mm dual floating disc x twin-piston caliper, 270mm single floating disc

■ Tire size (front and rear): Metzeler Cruisetec 130/60 B19 66H, Metzeler Cruisetec 180/65 R16 80H

■ Price: From ¥4,530,000 [From ¥5,230,000]