Skip to main content

Indian Motorcycle announces two new sleeker, meaner 2017 Chieftain baggers

indian motorcycle 2017 chieftain special editions limited elite press california group 01a
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Looking for a new trip and town bike? Indian Motorcycle just announced two new custom-ish Chieftain bagger models that might fit the bill. The 2017 Chieftain Limited and 2017 Chieftain Elite come on the heels of the 100-unit 2017 Jack Daniel’s Indian Chieftain special edition models, which sold out in 10 minutes. The Chieftain Elite is a limited edition, only 350 will be available for sale globally.

The new Chieftain Limited and Chieftain Elite share what Indian calls “sawed off” front fenders — no fender valance, a common brand design element loved by some, not so much by others. The models both have a huge new ten-spoke 19-inch contrast-cut front wheel and matching 16-inch rear wheel. Indian says the new look is “more sleek, meaner … than ever before.”

Recommended Videos

Before we look at the two new Chieftain variants, let’s be clear on the naming. The Chieftain Limited is not the limited edition version, that’s the Elite. Both new models have the slightly cut-down look. The Chieftain Elite is the one that’s loaded with accessories — that’s why the $7,000 higher price tag, that and the truly limited edition hand-painted special finish.

2017 Indian Chieftain Limited

The Chieftain Limited has a starting price of $24,500, $500 more than the standard 2017 Chieftain. Styling touches the Limited shares with the Elite, in addition to the front fender and wheels, include a color-matched headlight bezel and a more aggressive-looking, shaped seat.

Like the 2017 Chieftain, the Limited has a Thunder Stroke 111 engine, Ride Command infotainment system with 7-inch display, keyless ignition, anti-lock brakes, 100-watt premium audio system, chrome front highway bar, power adjustable windshield, and remote locking hard bags.

2017 Indian Chieftain Elite

Indian will only build 350 2017 Chieftain Elites, with $31,500 starting prices. The Elites assume the top-of-the-line Chieftain role. “With Chieftain Elite, we wanted to design the most-premium, feature-packed Chieftain that we could possibly imagine,” said Reid Wilson, Indian’s director of marketing.

Each Chieftain Elite will wear a hand-painted finish in Fireglow Red Candy with Marble Accents paint. Each bike takes 25 hours for a Spearfish, South Dakota team to paint. No two will be alike. No other color choice is available.

In addition to its sawed-off open front fender and 19-inch front wheel, every Elite will have a color-matched headlight bezel and a contoured leather saddle. Indian opens the option book for the Elites and adds Pathfinder LED headlight and driving lights, a flared windshield, billet driver and passenger floorboards, and a 200-watt saddlebag audio system.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Tesla and Elon Musk sued over use of AI image at Cybercab event
tesla and spacex CEO elon musk stylized image

Tesla’s recent We, Robot presentation has run into trouble, with one of the production companies behind Blade Runner 2049 suing Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for alleged copyright infringement.

Tesla used the glitzy October 10 event to unveil its Cybercab and Robovan, and also to showcase the latest version of its Optimus humanoid robot.

Read more
Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms
Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms

It’s been a big year for Qualcomm. Alongside its massive launch into laptop chips through the Snapdragon X Elite series, Qualcomm is now entering the automotive space. The company has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms at its annual Snapdragon Summit, which it flew me out to attend.

The two platforms are designed for different purposes, and can be used togetheror separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite is built to power autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that go into those systems.

Read more
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra.

Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.

Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.

Read more