VOLUME 58 ISSUE 21 MAY 25, 2021 P111
but the Stage 2, in sport, would just let you lug
the motor and still have a nice hit when you twist
the throttle. Lazy, but wicked. The enhanced 116
doesn't make some sort of insane top- end rush,
but just seems to boost power in all ranges.
More to Come
Indian promises that there are more models com-
ing for this platform (which is promised to have
about a 10-year lifespan), but as it is now, with
just three closely connected models, they all kind
of look the same. While I wouldn't normally bring
up other manufacturer's bikes, Indian basically
invited it with a constant stream of comparison
to the Softail. The untrained eye would have
trouble understanding that a Fat Boy and a Fat
Bob are basically the same bikes with some parts
swapped out, the same viewer would have no
trouble telling that all the Chiefs are the same
bike. They feel different (which is great), they have
tons of interchangeable parts (also fabulous), but
with the same sheet metal and overall lines they
look very similar. In other words, if you're not into
a bobbed-style retro custom, you're probably not
going to buy a Chief, regardless of how much you
like the ride.
But! The upside of all this crossover between
the versions is that all of the parts are cross-
compatible. Like the Chief, but really want forward
controls? Change them, as with the Stage 2
Chief we rode. Or, if you'd rather have the sleek,
covered shocks on the Bobber, but want the drag
bars from the Chief? Swap 'em out. Each of the
versions works well on its own but can also be
recombined to your heart's content.
In a rapidly shrinking cruiser market, is con-
solidation a genius move, or is it suicide? Star,
the last heavyweight contender to go after Har-
ley's crown doesn't even exist any longer, with
its former models fading away in Yamaha's larger
lineup. It's a bold move, and some would argue
needed, to keep loyalists from drifting if their
tastes call for something "heavyweight" (but not
too heavyweight).
CN
CHIEF BOBBER DARK HORSE ($18,999)
ENGINE
Thunderstroke 116, 4-stroke,
V-twin
BORE X STROKE
103.2 x 113mm
COMPRESSION RATIO
11.0:1
DISPLACEMENT
1890cc
PEAK TORQUE (CLAIMED)
120 ft-lb @ 2900 rpm
FUELING SYSTEM
EFI, 54mm throttle body
EXHAUST
Dual
TRANSMISSION
6-speed
FRONT SUSPENSION
Telescopic fork, 46mm
REAR SUSPENSION
Dual shock w/adjustable
preload
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL
5.2 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL
3.0 in.
FRONT BRAKE
Single 300mm floating disc
w/4-piston caliper
REAR BRAKE
Single 300mm floating disc
w/2-piston caliper
FRONT WHEEL
Wire Spoke 16 in. x 3 in.
REAR WHEEL
Wire Spoke 16 in. x 5 in.
FRONT TIRE
130/90-19 in. Pirelli Night
Dragon
REAR TIRE
180/65-16 in. Pirelli Night
Dragon
GROUND CLEARANCE
4.9 in.
SEAT HEIGHT
26.0 in.
WHEELBASE
64.0 in.
RAKE/TRAIL
29°/5.2 in.
WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED)
694 lbs.
