This Beautiful, Powerful New Bagger Motorcycle Boasts Rare Features That Could Save Your Life

The 2025 Indian Chieftain PowerPlus is stronger, safer and, yes, better looking than what has come before.

Published January 24, 2025

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Topping the huge success of its ambitious Scout reboot last year was always going to be a challenge for Indian Motorcycle.

But the brand’s latest news is a pretty impressive follow-up: expansion of its souped-up PowerPlus family beyond the Challenger and Pursuit to the Chieftain and Roadmaster. (Indian also just announced the new Sport Chief RT, stay tuned on that front.)

indian chieftain power plus hero — The new Chieftain PowerPlus Dark Horse in Black Smoke is just gorgeous from tip to tail.

Even more exciting? Indian has introduced a 112 cubic inch PowerPlus engine, fine-tuned through the Indian Motorcycle Racing program that captured last year’s King of the Baggers Championship.

The new fork-mounted fairing models are not only stronger and torque-ier than ever, but they also boast high-tech rider-assist and safety features that have never appeared in an American V-Twin before.

I continue to believe no brand’s bikes look better right out of the factory than Indian’s. (Heck, even the turn signals — the first thing I replaced on my Triumph Bonneville T-100 — are tolerable.)

One new bike, the Chieftain PowerPlus Dark Horse, simply stuns with its smoky good looks, too. That’s the one I’ll spotlight as we look at three standout qualities.

Torque for days

Considering the fact that the original PowerPlus engine is 108 cubic inches, the simple headline is, this one’s (4 cubic inches) bigger! While that is true, there’s more to the story.

Thanks to a high-revving, liquid-cooled power plant with overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, the PowerPlus 112 puts out 126 horsepower and 133 ft-lbs of torque.

indian chieftain power plus full gas — The ability to accelerate quickly while already going really fast is a big selling point of the new PowerPlus 112.

The major benefits include better acceleration at all engine speeds and a flatter torque curve for smooth, predictable throttling.

That means when you are accelerating rapidly, you don’t have to constantly shift to keep up, as you do with traditional push rod V-twins. The power is waiting for you, accessible at a twist of the throttle.

(I am looking forward to experiencing this effect first-hand, at which point I’ll have more to say.)

Safety through technology

As impressive as the power and torque appears to be, I am, weirdly, more excited about a number of new, tech-based features that make the bikes both easier to ride and safer.

indian chieftain power plus action — If that Challenger in the background were to come up right behind you, you’d get an alert on your display and *that bike*‘s *rider* would get a wakeup call via your rear lights.

Five come standard on all bikes with the PowerPlus 112 engine, a move I salute because everyone should have access to these potentially life-saving tools.

Bike Hold Control: This braking system, known colloquially as “hill hold,” automatically maintains brake pressure to prevent the bike from rolling while resting at an incline for up to three minutes. (It also tends to make getting in gear and moving once the light changes a bit easier and less stressful.)
Electronic Combined Brake System: This new feature optimizes brake pressure across both front and rear circuits based on the rider’s brake input, delivering balanced and efficient braking performance. (Presumably if you panic and grab the front brake, the rear brake will also engage and prevent you from potentially soaring over the bars.)
Blind Spot Warning: The system alerts riders when a vehicle is detected in their rear blind spot with warnings across their in-dash seven-inch display and light indicators on the side mirrors. (Another feature I am curious to try, as it may just prevent me from constantly turning my head and looking back while riding.)
Tailgate Warning: This warning system alerts riders when a vehicle is traveling too close for comfort behind the rider. Riders will be notified via their in-dash seven-inch display. (This related feature may help you accelerate out of trouble if a driver or another bike comes in too hot.)
Rear Collision Warning: This feature alerts rearward approaching vehicles via rear lighting when a potential rear collision is detected. (This might be the coolest feature, as we could see it preventing you from getting rear-ended at a traffic light by some ~~idiot~~ motorist who is ~~texting while driving~~ simply not paying attention.)

Black beauty

Performance and protection are great and all, but I’d be remiss not to mention the fact that the new PowerPlus bikes look damn good, too.

That’s no surprise, as I continue to believe no brand’s bikes look better right out of the factory than Indian’s. (Heck, even the turn signals — the first thing I replaced on my Triumph Bonneville T-100 — are tolerable.)

indian chieftain powerplus 112 fairing — Just compare those turn signals to these buggy things and you’ll see what I mean.

With the new Chieftain and Roadmaster, you get sharp lines, a compact stance and an aerodynamic fairing (reminiscent of the “batwing” on Harley’s Street Glide) that functionally boosts handling, stability and control at high speeds.

The bikes also get a new LED headlight that seamlessly integrates DRL (daytime running lights) around the center, looking majestic while boldly illuminating the road ahead.

Here’s hoping that road is long and open, because I am guessing you are with me in dreaming of taking this bike as far and as fast as it will go.

Availability and pricing

The 2025 Chieftain PowerPlus is available now at a starting price of $26,499. The fully loaded Dark Horse edition pictured on this page starts at $28,499.