Modern cruisers are something of a sleeper category, with technology advancing quietly but dramatically over the last few decades. Ride modes, traction control, strong torque figures, and long-haul comfort are now common, even if the styling often suggests otherwise. Still, not all cruisers benefit equally from that progress. Many lean hard into old-school aesthetics, sometimes at the expense of real-world capability, while others chase a muscle-bike image without the performance to back it up.
Then there’s the Indian Super Chief Limited. With its vintage silhouette and unapologetically traditional details, it’s easy to dismiss it as a “grandpa’s bike.” That assumption would be a mistake. Beneath the heritage styling sits Indian’s torque-rich Thunderstroke 116 V-twin, paired with a modern electronics suite that feels genuinely out of place — in the best possible way — on a bike that looks this old-school. The Super Chief Limited isn’t trying to look capable; it simply is. Let’s take a closer look at what Indian has built beneath the nostalgia.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Indian Motorcycle. The information provided is current as of the time of this writing.
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A Classic Look Backed By Serious Muscle
Indian’s Thunderstroke engine is a proven unit at this point, refined over years of real-world use. In the Super Chief Limited, it appears in upsized form, displacing five cubic inches more than the base version and delivering an extra 12 pound-feet of torque. That added grunt gives this so-called “grandpa’s bike” a genuine shot in the arm, with strong holeshots and surprisingly brisk acceleration that flatly contradict its old-school appearance.
The muscle isn’t just mechanical, either. Ride Modes let the Super Chief Limited be tuned to conditions or personal preference, while Rear-Cylinder Deactivation shuts down the rear cylinder at idle to reduce heat when stopped. A six-speed transmission and a low-maintenance belt drive round out a drivetrain that’s equal parts traditional and quietly modern — exactly the kind of capability you wouldn’t expect at first glance.
Engine Specifications
|
Engine |
Thunderstroke 116, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1,811 cc |
|
Compression |
11-to-1 |
|
Power |
~90 HP |
|
Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,900 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Modern Road Manners Sweeten The Pot
Like the engine, the Super Chief Limited’s chassis leans heavily into nostalgia, appealing to seasoned riders while introducing newer ones to the charm of classic American design. The backbone frame uses a dual-downtube, double-cradle layout, with a backbone angle that echoes old hardtail proportions. While Indian stops short of Harley-Davidson’s Softail approach, the effect is similar: it looks vintage, but it rides unmistakably modern.
Up front, stout 46 mm forks provide a smooth, controlled ride and give the bike a Heritage Softail–like presence from the front. Out back, a swingarm and dual preload-adjustable shocks are canted to match the backbone’s angle, completing the faux-rigid look. One benefit of this geometry is a very low seat height, making the Super Chief Limited easy to mount and easy to paddle around parking lots. A 29-degree rake and 5.2 inches of trail help it track confidently at speed, reinforcing its role as a relaxed but capable cruiser.
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From Bare Cruiser To Pocket Tourer
In stripped-down form, the Super Chief Limited leans on its looks and performance. Fully kitted, it quietly turns into a capable pocket tourer. The windshield is large and classically shaped, but it’s far more than a styling exercise. It provides meaningful protection in bad weather, and thanks to its quick-release design, it can be removed in minutes when you want a cleaner profile.
Weather-resistant saddlebags add just enough storage for light touring, commuting, or everyday errands. A stock pillion pad and folding passenger pegs make two-up riding a viable option, not an afterthought. Indian also manages to package its full RIDE COMMAND infotainment system into a single four-inch gauge, delivering navigation, weather, and traffic info without cluttering the cockpit. It’s another example of how the Super Chief Limited does more than its vintage appearance lets on.
Key Dimensions
|
Seat Height |
26.2 in. |
|
Wheelbase |
64 in. |
|
Ground Clearance |
4.9 in. |
|
Fuel Capacity |
4 gals |
|
Curb Weight |
739 lbs |
The Indian Super Chief Limited Is More Than Nostalgia on Two Wheels
At a glance, the Indian Super Chief Limited looks like a deliberate throwback with valanced fenders, wire wheels, and a silhouette that wouldn’t look out of place decades ago. That visual honesty is exactly what makes its real-world capability so compelling. This is a cruiser that doesn’t advertise what it can do, and that’s part of the appeal. Beneath the heritage styling is a motorcycle that accelerates harder, handles more confidently, and adapts to a wider range of riding scenarios than its appearance suggests.
The Thunderstroke 116 delivers effortless torque and relaxed authority, while modern ride modes, cylinder deactivation, and a refined chassis make it comfortable in daily use and surprisingly composed on longer rides. Add the removable touring gear, usable storage, and integrated RIDE COMMAND system, and the Super Chief Limited edges firmly into do-it-all territory without losing the character that draws riders to classic cruisers in the first place.
In an era where many bikes chase aggressive styling or spec-sheet dominance, the Super Chief Limited succeeds by doing the opposite. It looks traditional, rides modern, and rewards riders who value substance over flash. For those who want a cruiser that feels authentic yet delivers capability where it actually matters, this is proof that judging a motorcycle by its looks can still lead you astray in the best possible way.