Indian Chief Bomber: Specs, Features, Background, Performance & More

The Indian Chief Bomber was launched in 2010, having the shortest manufacturing run in the history of motorcycles. This limited edition bike was available for only one year and garnered much praise for its high performance and distinct styling. The bike had a large number of admirers due to its muscular 1721 cc V-twin engine, low maintenance power drive, drag-style chromed handlebars, large fenders, stylish leather saddlebags, and exceptional touring capability. Unfortunately, very few managed to buy this expensive ride priced at $30,999.

Many American cruiser enthusiasts actively search for this motorcycle in the second-hand markets.

Read this review to help you learn all the necessary information about the Chief Bomber’s specs, features, background, and performance. This way, you’ll be better prepared to make the purchase once you manage to find a well-maintained Chief Bomber.

The history of Indian Chief motorcycles is a long story. The first Indian Chief was launched in 1922 and possessed a 1000 cc PowerPlus engine. Production was interrupted due to World War II and the transfer of manufacturing rights to different companies.

Finally, in 1999, nine companies formed a merger to establish the Indian Motorcycle Company (IMC) which began production in Gilroy, California. The first bike manufactured by this company was none other than the Chief. After only three years, the company went bankrupt and stopped all operations in Gilroy, California.

In 2006, Stellican Limited re-established the fallen Indian Motorcycle Company. Under the ownership of Stellican Ltd., the production of the Indian Chief motorcycles resumed in North Carolina.

In 2009, the exclusive Indian Chief Bomber motorcycle was manufactured to regain former Indian fans. This revamped Chief motorcycle had a performance-oriented 1720 cc V-twin Powerplus engine with a six-speed transmission system and closed-loop electronic port fuel injection system. This sequential port charging system improved the efficiency of the fuel system.

The Chief Bomber was available on the market in 2010. It featured factory-installed saddlebags, classic military-inspired color schemes, removable fender rack, and bomber leather rider seat. But it didn’t yield much success due to its exorbitant price of $30,999. This is the reason why the Indian Chief Bomber is difficult to find in the second-hand market.

The following year, in 2011, Polaris Industries bought the Indian Motorcycle Company , marking the end of the production of Indian Chief Bomber motorcycles.

However, IMC owned under Polaris Industries was able to re-design the engine and fitted the 2013 lineup with the Thunder Stroke 111 engine.

The Indian design team drew inspiration from the WWII aircraft when coming up with the style of the Chief Bomber. At first glance, its highly-finished hand-painted fuel tank and fenders, plus the retro-style spoke wire wheels helped this vehicle to stand out. The bike was launched in 2010 but has been designed with a more modern look similar to the latest cruiser lineups by the company.

The paint job has a subtle shine to enhance the war-style cruiser look of the Chief Bomber. The pin-up fueltank decal is reminiscent of the bomber aircraft’s nose art that was popular in the WWII era. The drag-style handlebars and forward-positioned floorboards are chrome plated. The large front and rear fenders are color-matched, covering half of the tires and complement the blacked-out front fork, exhaust pipe, and side covers.

The solo Bomber leather seat is brown and has beautiful chrome embellishments. The brown color looks a bit out of place at first but it grows on you eventually. The fender racks, brown leather saddlebags, and highly polished brake piston calipers give the bike a sharp custom look.

The Chief Bomber features an impressive re-tuned PowerPlus engine with a displacement of 1721 cc. The Chief Bomber’s engine produces ample low-end torque and a peak torque of 135.6 Nm at 3200 rpm.

The four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engine has two Nikasil-plated cylinders with eight valves that allow the engine to work at a higher rpm and generate a peak horsepower of 72 hp at 5000 rpm.

The two-into-one exhaust system has dual pipes to increase the flow of emissions. The exhaust optimizes engine performance and produces a deep rumbling sound. The three-way catalytic converter has heated oxygen sensors to regulate the amount of oxygen leaving the exhaust system. This feature maintains a proper amount of oxygen required for combustion and increases power output.

The fuel injection system has an electronic sequential port for smooth throttle response and better fuel economy. The blacked-out engine parts give the bike an edgy look.

The engine comes with a six-speed transmission that ensures linear power delivery. The manual multiplate wet clutch allows smooth and quiet gear shifts. The engine power translates to the rear wheel via a final belt drive.

The Indian Chief is quite heavy but its lean silhouette, low center of gravity, and lightweight handlebars make steering easy. The Chief Bomber’s chassis supports straight-line cruising. The 34° rake angle and 5.9-inch long trail keeps it stable when turning corners. But the increased stability has one disadvantage. Riders have to apply greater force to maneuver the bike when turning tight corners. The 5.5-gallon fuel tank makes long rides possible, allowing a rider to hit the highways without worrying about frequent fuel breaks.

The Chief Bomber’s suspensions are not as great as one would want them to be. The front suspension is a typical 41mm fork that offers 108 mm of wheel travel. The rear monoshock lacks an adjustable preload and offers 73 mm of wheel travel. Both suspensions offer adequate riding comfort, but only on smooth streets. The shocks are not well-damped which means it cannot handle rough terrain and aggressive riding styles.

The Chief Bomber is not a nimble ride so it cannot be classified as an entry-level cruiser.

The Chief Bomber motorcycle has satisfactory braking power. The front disc brake features dual floating rotors and four-piston calipers, while the rear disc brake features a single floating rotor and two-piston calipers. Though floating rotors offer predictable stopping power, it is suggested you avoid riding at high speeds on public roads as the rear brakes are not always reliable.

The Chief Bomber’s old school, wire-spoked wheels are fitted to a 130 mm front tire and a 150 mm wide rear tire.

The durable tires offer a commanding profile and excellent traction. You can safely ride the Chief Bomber on wet roads due to the wheels offering good stability.

The Chief Bomber’s single-face instrument cluster is tank-mounted so you would have to look down at your tank to check your speed every so often. The instruments include an analog easy-to-read-speedometer and a digitalized multi-function display which consists of a tachometer meter, turn signal indicators, clock, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, and high beam adjuster.

The Bomber features a teardrop-shaped headlight with a stylish black nacelle and a halogen bulb. The front fender also houses a compact blacked-out headlight. The forward lighting offers maximum visibility at night while the round tail light and turn signals indicate your presence to other riders.

The Chief Bomber is the perfect solo ride with its Bomber leather saddle, drag bars, and roomy floorboards. The superior ergonomic design keeps the seating posture relaxed for a comfortable cruising experience.

To make the Chief Bomber unique, the designers equipped it with leather saddlebags. This feature makes commutes easier and hints at the bike’s touring potential.

The Indian Chief Bomber can attain an estimated top speed of 100-125 mph.

The Indian Chief Bomber is fitted with the PowerPlus 105 cc V-twin engine that features a sequential-port fuel injection system for optimum fuel supply.

The Indian Chief Bomber’s 1721 cc engine produces a peak horsepower of 72 hp at 5000 rpm and peak torque of 135.6 Nm at 3200 rpm.

The Indian Chief Bomber is a heavy mid-sized cruiser with an overall length of 100.5 inches and a dry weight of 728 lbs.

The Indian Chief Bomber is a great bike that gets its styling cues from the bomber aircraft. To match the bold styling, the bike is equipped with a large 1721 engine that produces large amounts of torque and ensures linear power delivery at all rpm ranges thanks to its six-speed transmission.

The suspensions are nothing new but they perform well on smooth roads. The brakes are reliable and allow the rider to reach the bike’s top speed. The leather solo seat and drag-style handlebars offer great levels of comfort. The special edition saddlebags mounted onto this bike also enhance its touring capabilities.

Chief Bomber is performance-oriented with only one major drawback: it was a limited edition bike that is now difficult to find in the second-hand market.

The Indian Chief Bomber offers a mileage range of 33-40 mpg due to its fuel-injected engine, efficient six-speed transmission, and advanced exhaust system with its three-way catalytic converter.

The Indian Chief Bomber is a gorgeous cruiser admired for its classic styling and functionality. The bike is highly reliable and perfect for long motorcycle tours and trips.

The Chief Bomber’s 1721 cc PowerPlus engine, peak torque of 135.6 Nm, six-speed transmission, wide tires, comfortable seat, and saddlebags inspire riders to hit the highways and see what this bike is capable of.

However, all adventures require proper planning. The Chief Bomber is a naked cruiser and you will need to add a fairing to endure the harsh highway winds. For better riding comfort, install sissy bars and a comfortable rider backrest to your bike.

If you are planning a camping trip, then you may have to replace the factory-installed saddlebags due to their insufficient storage capacity. Or you can opt for other luggage options such as a tail bag or handlebar bag. Other modification options include adding crash bars, luggage racks, and seats. These custom Indian parts can still be useful to you even after you return from a long trip, so choose wisely.