2022 Indian Motorcycle Pursuit First Look

[Admin]

Indian has introduced the new Pursuit tourer, which joins the brand’s 2022 model year portfolio. Shown is the Pursuit Limited with Premium Package. (Indian Motorcycle/)

The unveiling came much sooner than expected, but as we surmised a couple of weeks ago, Indian has introduced its newest model for 2022, the Pursuit tourer. And no, despite the police-like name, it’s not a cop bike, but an evolution of the firm’s existing Challenger bagger tricked out with a full complement of luxury touring features, including a cargo trunk with an integrated passenger backrest, heated grips, and a new touring seat. At its core though, the Pursuit still runs with the Challenger’s aluminum frame and liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine, as well as the same chassis-mounted fairing.

The Pursuit lineup will have two models with two trims each, with the Pursuit Limited and the Pursuit Dark Horse as the two main entries; both are also available with an optional bundle of ride-enhancing tech and comfort amenities that Indian cleverly calls “Premium Package,” and counts as a trim level. In the marketing literature, the company adds all that up to a total of four total offerings.

Related: 2021 Indian Roadmaster Buyer’s Guide

You can choose from Dark Horse or Limited options, both of which have the same engine, chassis, and fairing as the Challenger, but add a cargo trunk and other touring-friendly features. Here’s the Pursuit Dark Horse version. (Indian Motorcycle/)

For our purposes though, we’ll focus on the two main iterations of the Pursuit since the other stuff is essentially just added options. But it’s not like there are major differences between the Pursuit Limited and the Pursuit Dark Horse anyway, other than colors, graphic treatments, and finishes. Both get identically sized wheels and tires (130/60-19 at the front, 180/60-16 rear) and the same 1,768cc (108ci) PowerPlus V-twin as the Challenger with unchanged intake and exhaust, which, for the record, spun up 103.1 hp at 5,560 rpm on our dyno, with a peak torque reading of 113 pound-feet at 3,330 rpm. That said, the Pursuit is longer, taller, and heavier than the Challenger, and Indian does say that the new model’s engine has “a refined PowerPlus calibration…(to) improve low-speed drivability.” It remains to be seen how all that plays out in the real world.

The liquid-cooled 1,768cc PowerPlus V-twin is virtually identical to the Challenger’s, and even though performance numbers appear to be unchanged, Indian says it has “refined calibration.” (Indian Motorcycle/)

Given the shared platform and other inherent similarities, the Pursuit also continues with the Challenger’s design language, right down to fitting the same snout-nosed fixed fairing with signature solo headlight, squared-off locking saddlebags, and lighted Indian headdress up front. Also in keeping with Indian’s established styling segments, the Dark Horse is blacked out, with minimal chrome and a subtle look, while the Limited adds a bit more brightness and chromed touches. There doesn’t look to be a straight-up base model either, as with some of Indian’s other series.

Up front, the fixed fairing and adjustable shield combo offer wind protection for longer trips. (Indian Motorcycle/)

As for the touring bits, they’re what you’d expect on a full-dress touring bike, with that blocky fairing packing a full 7-inch touchscreen to display Indian’s Ride Command system on the inside, and an electrically adjustable windshield sitting a bit taller than the Challenger’s unit to block gusts coming from the other side. The massive top fairing is complemented by vented lower fairings that can offer pilots additional protection from the elements, and though it’s not entirely clear, the lowers either come with a standard glove box or an empty space that can be fitted with storage options from Indian’s accessory catalog.

The Pursuit’s other touring-biased highlight is what Indian calls a “premium cargo trunk” which appears to accept two full-face touring helmets and presumably much more. Add in the power-locking, top-loading saddlebags and riders stand to benefit from more than 35 gallons of storage on the new model. Other standard features on both Pursuits include heated grips, a new Touring Comfort seat, and rider and passenger floorboards.

Vented lower fairings serve up additional protection from the elements and can be accessorized with added storage options. (Indian Motorcycle/)

You also get the assortment of now-usual onboard tech features seen on Indian’s touring bikes, which includes Ride Command with Apple CarPlay capability, GPS, and now, an all-new vehicle locator feature letting riders track their bike’s last location. But if you’re looking for even more touring comforts, you’ll have to spring for the Premium Package offered as an option for each Pursuit model. This is where you’ll find the all-new electronically adjustable preload for the rear suspension, which allows riders to conveniently adjust their preload to fit specific conditions—whether riding solo, two-up or loaded with cargo—all from the bike’s in-dash infotainment system. The electronic preload, developed by Fox, is standard on Premium Package models and is also available as an accessory upgrade for the standard Indian Pursuit Dark Horse, Indian Pursuit Limited, as well as all Indian Challenger models.

Related: Riding The Completely New 2020 Indian Motorcycle Challenger

No surprise; the 7-inch touchscreen displays Indian’s Ride Command infotainment suite complete with navigation and Apple CarPlay integration. (Indian Motorcycle/)

Each of the Premium models also includes integrated driving lights within the hard lower fairings; they’re also available as upgrades for the Indian Pursuit Limited and Indian Pursuit Dark Horse.

The Premium Package bikes also get Smart Lean technology, which is Indian’s name for its Bosch IMU enabled features, like cornering control. Traction control and ABS are already standard on all the Pursuit trims. Lastly, you’ll find the all-new Heated Touring Comfort Seat also included in the Premium Package; the seat offers three heat settings, which are adjustable via the touchscreen display. The heated seat can also be had as an upgrade option for the Indian Pursuit Limited, Indian Pursuit Dark Horse, and all Challenger models. The Premium Package adds $3,000 to the price of each Pursuit model.

Cargo trunk has an integrated passenger backrest to go along with the new two-up touring seat. (Indian Motorcycle/)

The design, specs, and pricing put the Indian Pursuit in the same arena as Harley’s Ultra Limited, with the Pursuit Limited starting at $29,999, and the Pursuit Limited with Premium Package slapped with a sticker price that starts at $32,999. Paint options for both include Black Metallic, Deepwater Metallic, and Maroon Metallic over Crimson Metallic.

For the moodier Pursuit Dark Horse, expect to place your starting bid at $30,999 and then go up to $33,999 for the Pursuit Dark Horse with the Premium Package. Paint options include Black Smoke, Spirit Blue, Silver Quartz Smoke, and Ruby Metallic over Black Metallic.

Indian says the 2022 Pursuit lineup will begin shipping to dealers in the US and Canada in early 2022.

Indian provided scant details for the top trunk, but if you add in the saddlebags, total cargo capacity on the bike is more than 35 gallons. (Indian Motorcycle/)
The 2022 Indian Pursuit Limited in Black Metallic. (Indian Motorcycle/)
The electronic rear shock adjustment feature on the Premium Package can be accessed via the touchscreen. (Indian Motorcycle/)

2022 Indian Motorcycle Pursuit Limited/Pursuit Dark Horse

MSRP:	Starting at $29,999/$30,999
Engine:	Liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	1,768cc (108ci)
Bore x Stroke:	108 x 96.5mm
Compression Ratio:	11.0:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/belt
Claimed Horsepower:	122 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Claimed Torque:	128 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm
Fuel System:	Electronic fuel injection w/ 52mm throttle bodies
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate w/ assist
Frame:	Cast aluminum
Front Suspension:	43mm inverted telescopic fork; 5.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Fox monoshock, preload adjustable; 4.5 in. travel
Front Brake:	4-piston calipers, dual 320mm semi-floating discs
Rear Brake:	2-piston caliper, 298mm floating disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	19 x 3.5 in./16 x 5.0 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Metzeler Cruisetec; 130/60B-19 / 180/60R-16
Rake/Trail:	25.0°/5.9 in.
Wheelbase:	65.7 in.
Ground Clearance:	5.4 in.
Seat Height:	26.5 in.
Fuel Capacity:	6.0 gal.
Claimed Dry Weight:	877 lb.
Availability:	Spring 2022
Contact:	indianmotorcycle.com

View the full article