validation for the work our product designers and engineers have put into developing the Indian Challenger ." It was an idea that deserved to succeed and despite the pandemic-induced four month delay , succeed it certainly did - with this landmark first race playing out in dramatic fashion , there is already talk of a three or four race series for 2021 . www . MotoAmerica . com
Winner - S & S Cycle / Tyler O ' Hara ( Indian Challenger )
Lead engineer on the project at S & S ' HQ in Wisconsin was Jeff Bailey , and he is quoted as saying that the stock bike weighed 806 lbs to start with , and that after S & S had made it as ' Laguna proof ' as they could , on what company president Paul Langley described as a " not excessive " budget , Bailey said they got the weight down to around 599 lbs wet . A custom aluminum fuel cell contributed to the weight reduction and improved the airflow to the engine . The race rules stipulated that the bikes had to keep their luggage , so S & S used Air Tech carbon fiber bags , fenders and tank cover for further weight reductions , along with billet machined cases . Bailey said that " throughout the process the focus was on handling , ride height , ergonomics , adjustability and , of course , performance - this is S & S after all !" The stock bore 108 " PowerPlus engine in the Challenger is rated at 122 hp , but the plan was to get the bike up to around 150 hp at the rear wheel for the race , so a one-off lightweight stainless exhaust was fabricated with the heads CNC ported , the stock cams swapped out for Stage 2 upgrades , a Full Spectrum battery installed and K & N air filter used and a chain drive conversion meant S & S could easily change the gear ratios . A custom tuned FOX shock was valved and extended to raise the bike up to give a 58 degree lean angle . The taller front suspension was an FTR1200 forks setup that was also valved for weight and riding style , set into adjustable S & S machined triple clamps . Upgraded specification Brembo calipers were used on 17 " front and rear Performance Machine billet wheels with S & S built hubs - the wheel size allowed for the better tires that were needed .
The ergonomic changes to help rider Tyler O ' Hara get as close to an optimum race position as possible on such a big bike included a " crazy shape " custom Saddlemen seat , S & S custom made rear sets and Klock Werks ' Kliphanger ' bars that " allowed us to adjust the height and pullback - finding a good position for Tyler and getting the all important ground clearance required a ton of work !" Engine : stock bore Indian 108 " PowerPlus ; Stage 2 cams ; CNC ported heads ; K & N air filter ; S & S engine covers ; one-off stainless race exhaust ; Full Spectrum
All picture and information sources acknowledged , including Indian Motorcycle , S & S Cycle , Vance & Hines , SlyFox , Feuling Parts , Visordown , Cycle World , Motorcycle Cruiser
32 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - DECEMBER 2020 www . AMDchampionship . com