Okay so today I finally got my hands on that Indian Chieftain I’ve been eyeing. Wanted to really see what this big boy feels like on the road, you know? Not just staring at specs on paper. Let me walk you through how it went.
Getting On The Beast
First thing hitting me was the size. Man, this motorcycle is heavy. Like, seriously substantial. Putting the kickstand up felt like hauling up a small tree trunk. But surprisingly, once you’re settled in that big comfy seat, feeling those big handlebars… it kinda clicked. Sitting on it felt solid, planted, not tippy-toes heavy, y’know?
First Moves & Low Speed Stuff
Fired it up, and that big Thunderstroke engine rumbled – proper V-twin sound, deep and throaty right out the gate. Letting out the clutch in first gear… smoother than I expected for something this big! Didn’t lurch or feel grabby. Eased it through the parking lot, doing slow circles, figure eights. You definitely feel that weight leaning it over, gotta put some muscle into it, no getting around that. The suspension soaks up the bumps though, barely felt the cracks in the pavement. Steering at walking pace? Takes effort, gotta commit, but it’s manageable. Wouldn’t wanna split lanes in traffic though, forget it.
Opening Up On The Open Road
Now, getting out of town onto the open highway, this is where things got fun. Rolling on the throttle? Whoa. Instant shove. It pulls like a freight train. Doesn’t matter if you’re going 40 or 70 – twist the grip and it just GOES, super smooth power rolling on. This engine:
- Torque: Huge, everywhere. Feels endless.
- Power: More than enough to pass anything, anytime. Feels effortless.
- Vibration: You feel it, but it’s that good chunky V-twin feel, not buzzy or annoying.
Hit the highway. Cruising at 75-80 mph? Engine felt like it was barely ticking over, super relaxed. Wind protection from that big fairing and windshield was excellent, just a nice calm bubble.
Tossing It Into Some Corners
Saw a nice twisty backroad, figured why not? Took a breath, pushed it into a curve. Initial lean-in? Yeah, gotta muscle it a bit. But once it’s leaned over? It holds a line beautifully. Felt surprisingly stable, tracking through the corner like it was on rails. Confidence built quickly. Hit the exit, rolled on that huge torque, powered out hard. So satisfying. Felt way more agile mid-corner than the weight suggested it would be. The suspension soaked up road imperfections mid-lean too, no scary moments.
The Braking Part
Alright, gotta stop this beast too. Rolled up to a stop sign, squeezed the front brake progressively. Good initial bite, didn’t dive too much for its size. The rear brake helped balance it out nicely, no drama. Tried a harder stop from about 50 mph – pulled up strong and straight, no wobbles. Felt reassuring. Wouldn’t want less brake on a bike this heavy, that’s for sure.
Wrapping Up The Ride
Got back to the start, killed the engine. Just sat there for a second soaking it in. Yeah, the Indian Chieftain is heavy and you feel it maneuvering slowly or parking. But once moving? Holy smokes.
It transforms. That engine is phenomenal – powerful, torquey, smooth. The handling at speed is shockingly stable and capable for such a big bagger. Comfort is top-notch for eating miles. It feels planted, powerful, and surprisingly competent when you decide to lean it over. Not a sportbike, but way more fun in the corners than you’d think looking at it. Overall? Awesome piece of machinery. Totally get the hype now.
