The 2020 Indian Motorcycle Challenger Is Here

Indian Motorcycle reveals an all-new liquid-cooled V-twin for its new fixed-fairing bagger, the Challenger, set to debut as a rival for Harley-Davidson's Road Glide. According to Indian, its new PowerPlus is "the highest-performing American V-twin ever developed," pumping out a claimed 122 hp.

While Indian may have overlooked the liquid-cooled engines from Erik Buell Racing(claimed with as much as 185 hp), Indian's new 60-degree V-twin appears to be quite formidable. Displacing 108ci (1,769cc), the four-valve-per-cylinder motor is purported to twist out a class-leading 128 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. Peak horsepower is delivered at 5,500 rpm, 1,000 revs prior to reaching the engine's maximum speed of 6,500 rpm.

American motorcycle companies seldom release horsepower claims, but they always state a figure for peak torque. Here's how the latest big-inch American V-twins compare in their factory-provided claims, from highest to lowest.

Other notable features of the PowerPlus (the name an homage to the Indian PowerPlus motorcycle produced from 1916 to 1924) include a ride-by-wire throttle, three ride modes, and an assist clutch to reduce lever effort. Easing maintenance are hydraulic valve-lash adjusters and camshaft-chain tensioners.

"You simply cannot deliver the ultimate bagger without an engine that stands head and shoulders above anything else in its class, and that was the motivation behind the PowerPlus," said John Callahan, Indian Motorcycle vice president, engineering. "The end result is something truly special."

The engine info presented here is just a tease for the rest of the Challenger story. Code named Raptor, the new Indian Challenger is a fixed-fairing bagger that will go head to head with Harley's Road Glide.

The pictures supplied with the PowerPlus engine announcement reveal an aluminum frame, subframe, and swingarm, an inverted fork, and Brembo brakes. We also expect to see the latest Ride Command infotainment system as seen in other 2020 Indians, along with keyless ignition and cruise control.

The PowerPlus will be built in Osceola, Wisconsin, with final motorcycle assembly taking place in Indian Motorcycle’s production facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa.