Helmet: Shoei Neotec 3 Jacket: Cortech Rambler Gloves: Cortech Sport Lite Pants: Cortech AA Dyneema Riding Jeans Boots: Tourmaster Trailblazer
Top left: The Harley’ s 12.3-inch TFT display is impressive. The rider can’ t see through the dark, nonadjustable windscreen. Top right: The Milwaukee-Eight 117 makes less power than the PowerPlus 112, but it sounds and feels sweet.
We plotted a route that was a greatest- hits list of Southern California backroads: SR- 33 through Los Padres National Forest, SR- 58 across the Carrizo Plain, the short but diabolical SR- 229( aka Rossi’ s Driveway), and Carmel Valley Road, a rural two- lane that curves, dips, and climbs from the agricultural fields of the Salinas Valley to the Pacific Coast. We also threw in some
freeway miles on U. S. Route 101 for good measure.
The Indian PowerPlus 112’ s torque advantage, which ranges from 6 lb- ft at 2,100 rpm to more than 20 lb- ft above 4,800 rpm, is certainly felt from the saddle. Even though the Chieftain carries some extra weight, it launches off the line and accelerates with more gusto than the Street Glide. That’ s what
most riders love about big V- Twins, the ability to drop the hammer with a quick twist of the wrist regardless of gear, and the Indian delivers in spades. But once you hit the Chieftain’ s torque peak around 3,400 rpm, engine vibration becomes more pronounced, which can feel coarse depending on throttle position. What the Harley lacks in absolute grunt it makes up for in smoothness. Not a dull or boring smoothness, but a finely tuned thrum.
We’ ll admit, our pace was not what you’ d call relaxed cruising. Thad is a mellow dude, but he’ s also
AMERICANRIDER. COM | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2025 | 15