Touring motorcycles have come a long way, and today you can find them in every flavor imaginable. From high-speed sports tourers to adventure-ready heavyweights, each brings unique strengths but also compromises. The ones built for speed often sacrifice comfort, while the ones ready for beaten paths don’t always deliver all-day power.
That said, if chasing the horizon on an open freeway is your jam, then comfort, reliability, and sheer power should top your list of ingredients. With those very needs in mind, grand tourers are built to cover long distances with minimal effort, all while keeping you cocooned in comfort. And among them, there’s an American grand tourer that stands out as a compelling choice.
How Grand Tourers Are Perfectly Built For Endless Miles
Beyond the mental grit and physical habits required to survive long days in the saddle, the machine itself plays a massive role. You need a touring rig that provides every comfort and capability you could ever need on two wheels. Yes, of course, we are talking about full-dress behemoths that are purpose-built for effortless multi-day rides and beyond. So, what do we mean by purpose-built?
Power, Luxury, And Touring Capabilities
First and foremost, grand tourers usually come with a large-displacement V-twin engine. Its abundant low-end torque helps you cruise at highway speeds for hundreds of miles. Comfort comes next, thanks to plush seats, relaxed ergonomics, and extensive wind protection, which keeps you out of fatigue for hours straight. Moreover, these tourers usually come with serious weight, but that heft also gives you stability at speeds.
They also come with powerful brakes, a premium suspension setup, and comprehensive ride control electronics to help manage the heft without sacrificing comfort. Naturally, modern safety tech is also baked in to keep you secure. Plus, a multi-day tour demands generous luggage capacity with lockable saddlebags and a roomy rear trunk for all you and your passenger’s belongings. In addition, a dedicated infotainment system goes a long way for entertainment, music, navigation, and communication.
Plenty Of Good Options In The Market
You have plenty of choices, including Kawasaki’s Vulcan 1700 Voyager, which still holds its place, while Honda’s Gold Wing Tour continues to be a powerhouse from Japan. BMW offers the R 18 Transcontinental and K 1600 GTL, bringing German sophistication. But it is the American brands that dominate this space. Harley‑Davidson’s Street Glide and Road Glide Limited have carved out a loyal following, and Indian’s touring lineup stands equally toe to toe with thoughtful luxury, including the one we are about to dive deeper into.
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Indian Pursuit Is Built For Effortless Long-Distance Riding
Since its resurgence under Polaris, Indian Motorcycles has been on an upward trajectory with some impressive models. Take its biggest full-dress tourer, the Pursuit. You get a traditional American touring build that goes head-to-head with the best in the world. It sits alongside the Roadmaster series, which inclines more towards old-school charm.
The Pursuit, however, is entirely a different beast. It uses the liquid-cooled PowerPlus platform with more modern aesthetics, along with extra touring hardware. Meanwhile, the brand offers it in two trims, two engine choices, and multiple color options. The chrome-clad Limited is the starting model, while the Pursuit Elite sits at the top-tier luxury flagship with unmatched finesse.
Luxury Tourer For A Bagger Price
The Pursuit Limited starts at $32,499 and comes with a PowerPlus 108 engine. You need to add $3,000 for the PowerPlus 112 engine upgrade. Compared to its main rival, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited at $32,999, Indian delivers more power, more tech, and more refinement. Even against cheaper competitors like the legendary Honda Gold Wing Tour at $29,500 or the BMW R 18 Transcontinental at $24,395, the Pursuit shines with its V-twin muscle and modern tech for a better long-haul experience.
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Robust PowerPlus V-twin Muscle For The Open Road
As mentioned, the standard Pursuit Limited gets the smaller PowerPlus 108 engine. This reliable liquid-cooled long-stroke V-twin mill features a 4.25-inch bore and 3.79-inch stroke, giving you 1,768cc (108 cubic inches) displacement. And its higher 11:1 compression ratio ensures better power efficiency and plenty of low-end grunt for effortless American freeway stints.
While the PowerPlus 112 also features liquid-cooling and the same stroke figures. Its higher bore of 4.33 inches and higher 11.4:1 compression ratio give it a larger displacement of 1,834cc (112 cubic inches) and stronger oomph. Both engines feature a modern closed-loop fuel injection system and a 52mm dual-bore throttle body, which sharpens throttle response and keeps power delivery consistent mile after mile.
Tuned For Effortless Power Delivery
In terms of output, the 108 produces 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. These numbers are more than enough to pull like a freight train from a standstill, while passing at 80 mph feels easy. However, the 112 engine bumps output to 126 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque at lower 3,600 rpm, thus helping you cover extra miles with even less effort. You get a six-speed manual gearbox with clutch assist for both, and the final belt drive keeps things simple.
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Platform Designed For All-Day Comfort And Endurance
Sometimes, long rides demand comfort more than outright power, and that is where the Pursuit delivers. It uses a traditional dual-cradle cast aluminum frame with a 65.7 wheelbase. Being a grand tourer, it tips the scales at 937 pounds, which helps in stability. Even more so, with a 25-degree rake and 5.9-inch trail, it promises to be agile and confident. On top of that, the low 26.5‑inch seat height keeps the bike approachable for most riders.
Underpinning Setup Built For Stability
The Pursuit also comes with premium hardware to keep you cozy for miles straight. Up front, it has a 43mm inverted telescopic fork with 5.1 inches of travel and an electronically preload-adjustable monoshock with 4.5 inches of travel at the rear. This plush setup smooths out rough pavement and helps reduce fatigue over long hours.
You also get strong braking power from dual 320mm semi-floating front discs with Brembo four-piston calipers. And, a single 298mm rear disc with a floating hydraulic caliper. All backed by standard dual-channel ABS on the 108 engine trim, but the 112 engine trim gets the lean-sensitive traction control and ABS. Meanwhile, the Pursuit rolls on 19-inch front and 16-inch rear contrast cut wheels wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tires.
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Premium Touring Features Wrapped In Classic Indian Style
Visually, the Pursuit carries Indian’s heritage aesthetics, while the Limited trim is all about chrome accents, giving it a commanding presence. Supported by comfort features for both you and your passenger, like an electronically-adjustable windscreen, wide pulled-back handlebars, full-size floorboard, heated grips and seats, and 36 gallons of all-weather storage with a rear supportive topcase backrest. For entertainment, you have a seven-inch display powered by Indian’s Ride Command system, complete with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth.
The highlight, however, is the optional 600-watt PowerBand audio system, which can be upgraded from the standard 200-watt setup available with the 112 engine. On the electronics front, you get three ride modes, rear cylinder deactivation, cruise control, TPMS, and ABS as standard. But the 112-equipped model adds SmartLean Technology with a six-axis IMU providing cornering ABS, cornering traction control, drag-torque control, blind spot warning, rear collision warning lights, bike hold control, and electronically linked brakes.
Sources: Indian Motorcycles