Indian Celebrates Sturgis Motorcycle Rally With New Chief Vintage Bike

An estimated half-million riders have descended on the small town of Sturgis, South Dakota, for the 86th edition of the namesake motorcycle rally—the world’s largest. And Indian Motorcycle is celebrating with a striking edition of the retro mainstay in its lineup, the Chief Vintage.

While this is certainly a capitalization on the annual bagger pilgrimage to the Black Hills, Indian is keen to point out that one of its dealers and a band of enthusiasts that first gathered in the tiny town in 1938—the official Sturgis website confirms as much.

Remarkably, those OG biker bros would likely recognize the Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition as a close descendant of the staple Indian Motorcycle model. Several thoughtful touches were applied to channel historic style, including a two-tone red and cream paint scheme featuring the timeless headdress logo painted on the tank, wire wheels, valanced fenders, and the retro-style seat, which floats above the tank on a shock-absorbing post. Heritage-inspired engine finishes with painted cylinder heads pushrod tubes, and black cylinders—reminiscent of 1940s models—round out the key nostalgia-inspiring details.

Naturally, Indian implemented the largest member of its air-cooled family, the Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin engine producing 120 pound-feet of torque. Serialized badging up to 125 commemorates the brand’s 125th anniversary, while a painted number 56 on the side plate pays tribute to the hand-painted numbers that original racers ran on their bikes in Sturgis, during the rally’s earliest beginnings. 

“When you look at how far it’s come and how much it’s grown over almost 90 years, it’s amazing to think that it was an Indian Motorcycle dealer and a group of Indian Motorcycle riders that literally started it all,” said Mike Kennedy, the brand’s new CEO. “What’s even cooler is the fact that back then, it was all based on a simple desire to come together in celebration of a lifestyle and a spirit of freedom that can only be found through motorcycle riding, and it remains the same to this day. This bike is special in that it pays homage to those origins and to that spirit that all riders share.”  

Priced from $23,999, the Indian Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition is in route to dealerships.