TRAVERSE Issue 15 - December 2019 | Page 115

Indian Motorcycle says it has lifte dthe bar for Amer- ican made motorcycles and redefined the American bagger with the release of its 2020 Indian Challenger. They say the bike is a striking combination of American muscle, next-level technology, and premium comfort to deliver a truly unmatched riding experience. Indian says their designers stopped at nothing to en- sure that the Challenger out-classed its competition and delivered the highest performing, fully loaded bagger on the market, and perhaps the perfect travelling bike. “The Indian Challenger delivers a new level of per- formance for riders who understand that the seemingly small details make a huge difference,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “Our mindset was to leave no stone unturned and deliver a bagger that exceeds the standards in categories like power, handling, comfort, and technology.” It starts with the all-new Indian PowerPlus engine, In- dian’s first liquid-cooled large displacement motor (1769 cc/108 cubic-inch, 60-degree V-twin - see related article) that packs a best-in-class 122 horsepower and 178 Nm of torque. The new powertrain also features a six-speed transmission with true overdrive, assist clutch to reduce clutch effort, and hydraulic valve lash adjusters and camshaft chain tensioners for a low maintenance, reli- able powerplant. The Challenger features electronic cruise control, full LED lighting, a long-haul seat, ABS, keyless ignition, and weatherproof saddlebags with over 68 litres of storage space. In addition, a modern and aggressively styled chassis-mounted fairing sits over the Challenger’s in- verted front suspension. This, combined with the bike’s lightweight cast aluminium frame and hydraulically adjustable FOX® rear shock, delivers unrivalled handling and rock-solid stability. For its inaugural year, the Challenger lineup is ac- companied by a variety of Indian Motorcycle Authentic Accessories that allow riders to upgrade their ride based on their preferences. With the Indian Challenger Rogue Collection, riders can and add premium blacked-out styling with a gloss black mid-rise handlebar, a tinted curved windshield and gloss black front highway bars. “While we are grounded in our iconic history, we are focused and driven to break new ground and establish a higher standard for riders; and the Challenger is a tes- tament to that,” said Steve Menneto, President of Indian N Motorcycle. “The amount of technology and level of detail packed into this bike is incredible, and it’s something we’re ex- tremely proud of.” Contact your local dealer for more information on the new way forward by Americas oldest motorcycle manu- facturer. E W S TRAVERSE 115