Indian Chief Deluxe: Overview, History, Detailed Specs, Performance, And More

Suppose you ask a bike lover to choose between a motorbike and any other vehicle, such as a car. You will find that they will choose traveling by motorbike every time. The experience of traveling by motorbike is unmatched.

Motorbikes nowadays are constructed with all the major and minor details taken into account, including style, performance, speed, power, and comfort level. The additional accessories added to the motorbikes not only provide extra benefits like more space and a better level of comfort, they are equally significant to the aesthetic appeal of motorbikes.

Customization is quite common nowadays. It allows riders to modify the bike into a better version of itself and include more functions than the basic version lacked.

In this article, you will learn about one of the masterpieces manufactured by the Indian Motorcycle Company known as the Indian Chief Deluxe. This article discusses all the technical specs and will answer any questions that are in your mind. If you are unsure whether to buy the Indian Chief Deluxe, this article can help you make up your mind.

The Indian Chief Deluxe represents great craftsmanship in terms of design and technology. The comfortable leather seat, the mighty 105 cubic inch PowerPlus V-twin engine with air-cooled technology and bulky teardrop-shaped mudguards make the Indian Chief Deluxe cruiser a dream motorbike.

George M. Hendee, the founder of Hendee Manufacturing Company, helped establish America’s first motorbike company. The company’s brand name was later changed to the Indian Motorcycle Company in 1923.

The Indian Motorcycle Company has shown extreme diligence and consistency when it comes to crafting and innovating motorbike technology. The company persisted even in times of wars and hardships. Going through WWI and WWII, the Indian Motorcycle mass-produced and delivered several vehicles to America and France to provide transportation for troops.

The Indian Chief Deluxe is a subcategory of the Indian Chief, along with the Chief Vintage, Chief Standard, and Chief Roadmaster. These models were launched in 2009. There is a previous variant of the Chief Deluxe that was introduced from 2001 to 2002.

The Indian Chief Deluxe gives the motorcycle an antiquated yet classy look. If customized and fitted with add-ons, including SADDLEBAGS, FAIRINGS, and SISSY BARS, it can give your Chief Deluxe cruiser a new look while on the road.

The 2009 variant comes with a leather seat and has the exact same feel as in traditional Indian motorcycles. When it comes to performance, the Chief Deluxe offers a high power, classically built 105 cubic inch PowerPlus V-twin engine that is fuel injected electronically. The blend of power, torque, style, road grip, boost, and technology make this two-wheeler a masterpiece.

The key features include chromed plating and teardrop-shaped headlamps that are supported by subsidiary lights. The cruiser also offers a polished engine and spoked wheels with chrome coverings. It also comes with a stylish two-into-one exhaust made of stainless steel, blended with a modern three-way muffler or catalytic converter. The teardrop-shaped, long skirt fenders give the Chief Deluxe cruiser its unique look. The Deluxe cruiser is available in vintage-styled dual color tones that give this cruiser a real handsome look.

The other characteristics include the electrical ignition, fuel level indication, and perfect gauge display.

The older variant of the Indian Chief Deluxe was available from 2001 to 2003. The equipment, machinery, technology, and dimensions were modified in the 2009 Chief Deluxe cruiser. The major variations include the transmission as the old one had a five-speed gearbox while the 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe cruiser had a six-speed gearbox. The 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe cruiser has greater fuel capacity. The 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe has a greater dry weight of 738 lbs due to having more capacity and technological advancements than the older one which has a dry weight of 650 lbs. Other notable differences include the seat height, with the older variant having a seat height of 23.6 inches and the 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe having a seat height of 26.69 inches.

The technical overview and specs of the Indian Chief Deluxe are listed and discussed in further detail below.

The Indian Chief Deluxe has a catchy old-school look with its unique fenders, headlight, and seat. The Indian Chief Deluxe has enough seats for two. The leather seat, its height along with the positioning of the handlebars and footrests make it comfortable to ride even during long drives. The V-Twin engine not only guarantees high performance, it also offers a very compact and modish look.

Moreover, the most noticeable part of the Indian Chief Deluxe is the teardrop-shaped long skirt fenders.

If you are not a fan of long skirt fenders, there are four different combination options for fenders, wheels, and tires available for the 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe. These include:

The most striking aspect of the Indian Chief Deluxe cruiser is the availability of fancy, shiny, and dual color options. The dual color range offered covers almost everything that any individual with a unique style would wish for.

The single and dual colors that are offered include:

The most vital factors for bike lovers are the engine and its specifications. A seasoned rider will always check the engine specs and performance parameters to make comparisons before deciding the best cruiser for him or her. The Indian Chief Deluxe never disappoints when it comes to performance.

The cruiser is powered by a high-performance PowerPlus V-twin engine with an air-cooling option, and an electrical fuel injection system that ensures an optimal amount of fuel is injected and burnt. The engine has been built with a displacement of 105 cubic inches. The bore x stroke that the Indian Chief Deluxe offers is 3.966 in x 4.25 in. The powerful engine also has a stunning compression ratio of 9:1.

With its manually operated six-speed gearbox, the Chief Deluxe is capable of achieving higher momentum and acceleration. Being able to reach a torque of 100 lbs/ft ensures a balance between speed and thrust that allows the motorcycle to pull forward even when carrying a lot of weight.

With the closed-loop fuel system and port injection, the 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe enables more efficient fuel adjustment and consumption. The 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe also has a large fuel capacity that is capable of storing up to 5.5 gallons. The fuel level is measured by the display meter mounted on top of the fuel tank.

The Indian Chief Deluxe is equipped with a highly comfortable leather seat big enough to seat two people that is available in three different colors (red, tan, and black). To complement the classy look, the seats can come with and without fringes. As the Indian Chief Deluxe comes in a naked shape, i.e., without saddlebags, sissy bars, luggage bars, and rider/passenger backrests, you still have plenty of options available to customize the motorcycle accordingly. This will not just improve its look but will also improve your level of comfort. Viking Bags offers you a wide range of SISSY BARS to provide back support while you ride this cruiser. You can also check out the amazing RIDER AND PASSENGER BACKREST to ensure a comfortable riding experience.

The electrical display system comprises primarily a classy analog speedometer along with various digital displays. The digital displays include the fuel level, battery voltage, a clock, light options, signals, low fuel indicator, gear display, low engine oil display, etc.

The Chief Deluxe has good visibility, thanks to the teardrop-shaped headlight along with the glass front fender. The headlamp is supported by two supplementary lights.

The front suspension or the shock absorber installed in the 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe has a diameter of 41 mm, allowing wheel travel of 108 meters. On the other hand, the single suspension installed allows wheel travel of 73 meters. This ensures a pain-free and relaxing ride even when traveling over uneven terrain.

The braking system installed in the Chief Deluxe cruiser is reliable and ensures safe travel. The 11.5-inch diameter front dual calipers and the rear caliper attached to the floating rotors provide extra traction and safety while braking. The cruiser stops instantly without slipping even when the rider applies the brake on slick terrain.

The dry weight (without the fuel and rider) of the Indian Chief Deluxe is estimated to be 738 lbs (334.8 kg). Whereas, the gross vehicle weight (GVW) is approximately 1260 lbs (571.53 kg). The GVW is the weight of the motorbike without any fuel, plus the expected weight of the payload that the cruiser was designed to carry. Despite its large size, the Indian Chief Deluxe travels smoothly on the road while offering excellent handling and control.

The base price of the Indian Chief Deluxe version is $31,999.

The Indian Chief Deluxe has a two-cylinder, four-stroke, and 45° V-twin engine with a displacement of 1721 cc (105.15 cu in). Also, the high torque of 135.58 Nm (13.83 kg/m) makes it possible to carry two people as well as luggage.

The Indian Chief Deluxe is a cruiser that was built heavier and more powerful compared to the previous Indian cruisers. It was built with the intention of being a top-notch and upgraded luxury cruiser. With the inclusion of add-ons like saddlebags, fairings, and backrests, the motorcycle can become more comfortable.

A number of tourers and bikers love traveling to beautiful spots around the world. As it involves traveling to or through, mountains, hills, rocky, or uneven surfaces, the motorbike you choose is a very crucial decision.

The Indian Chief Deluxe is ideal for traveling to such locations. If you are looking for a comfortable, powerful, and stylish ride, Indian Chief Deluxe is all that you need.

With just a few modifications and some extra PARTS, you can make this cruiser ready for a wonderful touring experience. Viking Bags offers almost everything your Indian Chief Deluxe requires. To help you pack and carry your belongings with you on the tour, you can mount SADDLEBAGS, LUGGAGE BAGS, and LUGGAGE RACKS to your Indian Chief Deluxe. To provide back support, Viking Bags has RIDER OR PASSENGER BACKRESTS and SISSY BARS available. FAIRINGS are also available to improve your Indian Chief Deluxe’s look and provide extra wind protection. Also, to improve safety while riding, CRASH BARS can be mounted to serve as a buffer. If your SEAT is too old and you wish to replace it, Viking Bags has got your back. In addition, you can also select from the available HANDLEBARS that best suits your height and adjustment.