This year marks Indian’s 125th anniversary, and to celebrate, they’ve gone back to one of the most important chapters in American motorcycling with a reimagined ’40s-era Chief that’s been reimagined for today.
The original Chief line debuted in 1922, but it was the post-War models that cemented the Chief’s status in motorcycle history. Those bikes became the visual definition of American cruisers with the iconic illuminated headdress, raw aluminum finishes, and a V-twin with an unforgettable rumble. Indian’s design team took that blueprint seriously here, even 3D-scanning the fenders from a 1948 Chief to nail the proportions on this modern interpretation.
The Proper Heritage Treatment
Indian’s design director Ola Stenegärd and his team struck that difficult balance between honoring the past and building something that’s ridable for modern enthusiasts. Those massive valanced fenders wrap around 16-inch wire-spoke wheels, while the narrow rear subframe and Vintage Solo Seat mirror the silhouette of the original. The solo seat went through countless prototypes before Indian landed on something that looked period-correct but wouldn’t destroy your back. Thinking outside the box, they borrowed inspiration from tractor seats to get it right.
For the engine, Indian coated the Thunderstroke 116’s cylinders in black and painted the heads and pushrod tubes silver — a direct nod to the manufacturing finishes of the 1940s when raw aluminum and basic paint were standard.
Modern Muscle in Vintage Clothes
Underneath all that throwback styling sits Indian’s air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin, pumping out 120 lb.ft of torque. The 116-cubic-inch (1,890cc) mill runs through a six-speed transmission with three selectable ride modes: Tour, Standard, and Sport. There’s also rear cylinder deactivation at idle to keep heat down when you’re stuck at stoplights.
The tech package brings the Chief Vintage firmly into 2026. Indian’s 4-inch round touchscreen runs their updated Ride Command software, which boots up 25% faster than the previous version. The new App Enhanced Navigation is particularly useful; you can search for a destination on your phone through Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps, then send it directly to the bike’s display via Bluetooth. Hand controls let you manage everything without taking your eyes too far off the road, and if you’ve got a wireless helmet communicator, the whole system integrates for calls and music.
The Details
The bike rides on 46mm telescopic forks with 5.2″ of travel up front and dual shocks with 3″ out back. Braking comes from 298mm discs at both ends — four-piston caliper up front, two-piston rear — with ABS standard. At 721lbs wet, it’s not exactly light, but the low 27-inch seat height and that torquey V-twin make it manageable.
Indian’s offering a solid accessory lineup too with quick-release windshield, vinyl saddlebags with over five gallons of storage per bag, passenger pillion, highway bars, and performance upgrades like the Pathfinder adaptive LED headlight and Stage 1 exhaust system.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Indian Chief Vintage
Engine: Air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin (116 cu in / 1,890cc)
Torque: 120 lb.ft
Transmission: 6-speed
Fuel Capacity: 4 gallons
Seat Height: 27″
Weight: 721 lbs (wet)
Wheels: 16″ wire-spoke front and rear
Brakes: 298mm discs front/rear with ABS
Colors: Indian Motorcycle Red, Black Metallic
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Indian Chief Vintage starts at $19,999 and hits dealers in March. That positions it right in the middle of Indian’s Chief lineup — same price as the Sport Chief, below the Super Chief.
Recap
2026 Indian Chief Vintage
Indian’s kicking off its 125th anniversary with the Chief Vintage, a modern take on the iconic 1940s Chief that actually nails the balance between heritage styling and real-world rideability. It’s got those massive valanced fenders and throwback details you’d expect, but underneath sits a proper 116-cubic-inch Thunderstroke V-twin with modern tech and 120 lb.ft of torque.
