Size matters | American-V Magazine

Having banged on for at least five years about the gap in the Indian range, between the Scout models and the Touring platform, it has been very interesting to see the differences between the new Chief and it’s now-established siblings.

Having gone to Brooklands on the Vintage Dark Horse to shoot the three new models together – roadtest and first impressions both in American-V 106 – and remembering that this year’s Vintage Dark Horse with last year’s Chief Vintage’s panniers, there’s no clearer evidence of the massive change in scale allowed by the new steel frame. It almost makes it look like a Scout, whether it’s the Super Chief bagger or the Dark Horse Bagger

: The Vintage still looks bigger when it’s in the background!

: You know how the bike in the background is supposed to look smaller … ? This breaks that rule.

: If the Heritage Classic doesn’t get a black sheep sibling after seeing this, someone in Milwaukee isn’t paying attention

: The wheelbase is inches shorter: the overall length difference is measured in feet!

: A bobber bagger versus the traditional heavyweight

: Can’t see the engine for the tank … or the tank is dwarfed by the engine. And that’s a big tank!

: These two bikes are about a foot apart

: Common heart and finish but worlds apart

: Side-panel or shock? Although the bigger bike will be better for serious two-up touring

And what would it look like next to a Scout? That was something we found out yesterday at MidWest Moto – aka Indian Motorcycle Birmingham – when the Roadmaster was getting its first service.

Andy (another one) was picking up his new Chief Bobber Dark Horse and Jordan wheeled a Scout Bobber out for me to get some shots of the two together. And yes, it is bigger but not by much. And as much as I like the Scout, I really love the Thunder Stroke engine – especially in its 116 form, and especially in Sport mode – and the idea of the torque and power of the Roadmaster that took no prisoners on its way back North in a smaller, lighter street package has got me positively salivating!