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Indian Motorcycle’s All-New 2020 Challenger Redefines the Classic American Bagger

Mike Richard
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We’ve come a long way, baby.” That might be the most fitting tagline for Indian Motorcycle. As the oldest American motorcycle company, it’s the brand that broadly defined the country’s two-wheeler history. A lot has changed since its founding more than 100 years ago. Now, it’s bringing a century of design, development, and technological expertise to bear on one of the most advanced two-wheel baggers on the road.

Introducing the Indian Challenger - Indian Motorcycle

On the spectrum of motorcycle types, baggers are typically streamlined, light-duty touring bikes with a handful of creature comforts. The all-new 2020 Indian Challenger is billed as “the ultimate American bagger,” boldly pushing the traditional limits of the category with a long list of amenities. The PowerPlus engine — a liquid-cooled large-displacement motor — is a first for Indian. The 108-cubic-inch, 60-degree V-twin features overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder to deliver a class-leading 122 horsepower with 128 ft-lbs of torque. The powertrain also boasts a six-speed transmission with true overdrive, plus an assist clutch to minimize clutch effort for a buttery smooth ride

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Three distinct ride modes — Standard, Sport, and Rain — enhance ride dynamics based on the terrain and desired performance. Each mode delivers unique ride characteristics through tractional control and mode-specific throttle mapping. Race-spec Brembo brakes and performance touring tires are standard, working in tandem to provide on-a-dime stopping power. To blur the lines further between “bagger” and “tourer,” Indian added a chassis-mounted fairing with a power-adjustable windscreen that features almost three inches of travel.

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Additional high-tech amenities are standard on the upgraded Challenger Dark Horse and Challenger Limited models. Both are equipped with innovative Smart Lean Technology to provide riders with added confidence when cornering through ABS, torque control, and dynamic traction control. Indian’s Ride Command infotainment system is also standard. The seven-inch screen is the largest available on any two-wheeler, delivering essential vehicle information, traffic & weather overlays, and USB and Bluetooth mobile pairing.

Indian Motorcycle is best-known for the iconic Indian Scout — a bobber that remains a symbol of two-wheel purity. The company celebrated its 100-year history this year with the release of the Scout 100th Anniversary Model.

two-wheeler touring setup, check out our roundup of the best motorcycle tents for camping the open road.

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This isn’t the first we’re hearing that the video is staged, but this is the first time an existing Tesla employee has gone on the record to definitively state that the video is fake. In 2021, The New York Times carried out an investigation that involved speaking with several of Tesla’s former employees who stated the video was fake.
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Get up to speed with our comprehensive dictionary of motorcycle slang
How much motorcycle slang do you know?
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Welcome to The Manual's dictionary of motorcycle slang. This unofficial glossary was created by those who prefer travel on "twos" to teach people the lingo of the road. Learning this language might not only bring you a new level of enjoyment, but it also could ensure your safety. Robert M. Pirsig captures this idea deftly in his book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when he writes, "It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top." Winter is the perfect time to prepare for lots of riding in spring, and what better way to do that then learn the ins and outs of motorcycle lingo?

Motorcycling, just like any other special activity, has its own vocabulary. This slang might make you sound like a veteran rider and give you helpful tips, like what to know when you need to tune your motorcycle and what to look for when purchasing your first motorcycle. Whether you own a motorcycle or are thinking of purchasing a new bike, now's the right time to get a better understanding of motorcycling. You might know the difference between a trike and a bobber, but do you know what a panny or a tiddler is? That's what this cheat sheet is for.
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