The new-for-2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite takes the already-expensive touring bike, and adds a flashy paint, high-end audio equipment and an array of other luxury touring equipment.
Starting with the stereo system, Indian’s built in a 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus system with fairing, trunk and saddlebag speakers that are 50 percent louder than the stock Roadmaster stereo. It’s got AM/FM capability, and Bluetooth and USB input. You control it via the Ride Command infotainment system (with glove-touch-compatible 7-inch screen). The Ride Command system has a customizable split-screen display (eight screen options), with GPS navigation and route building software that lets you add up to 100 waypoints. You can also transfer routes via Bluetooth, through Indian’s mobile app. That app also allows for remote vehicle data access.
Indian’s put its ThunderStroke 116 V-twin into the bike, with 126 lb-ft of torque. It’s Indian’s most powerful air-cooled engine, and no doubt will provide enough muscle for the task at hand.
The rest of the bike is a collection of parts that are useful for life on the road: tank-mounted fuel gauge and voltmeter. Full LED lighting, with driving lights. Two-up leather touring seat with individual heating for rider and passenger. Passenger armrests. Heated handgrips. Power-adjustable windscreen. ABS. Keyless ignition. Weatherproof, remote-lock saddlebags. Spacious hard luggage. All the comforts of the open road!
The paint scheme is the other big feature played up in the press release. Indian always goes all-out with the paint on its factory customs, and this machine has “a meticulous paint process that takes
more than 30 hours to complete and is finished by hand.” The colour scheme is called Thunder Black
Vivid Crystal over Gunmetal Flake. Indian also included a 19-inch front wheel to add to the custom look.
The rear suspension is air-adjustable, but Indian doesn’t let you play with the front forks’ settings.
Dry weight for the bike is 417 kg.
Canadian MSRP for the new bike is $46,999, and there will only be 225 models produced.
Awesome looking motorcycle. Nothing like a luxury ride all that long distance comfort and tunes to ease the miles by. Each segment of motorcycling has it’s merits and unfortunately also highly opinionated supporters. I have owned motorcycles in every common grouping and enjoyed them all.
Need 600 watts to hear tunes over the loud pipes.
600 watt stereo? That must be to replace the ” loud pipes save lives ” as a safety feature right?
This is to make it extra-safe, because I’m sure lots of owners will go for the loud pipes too.
Maybe they could start using dry clutches too ?