An Icon, Remastered
Words by Ben Giese | Photography by Jordan Pay
America was founded on the pursuit of freedom; with virtues like rebellion and fearless individualism empowering weirdoes and outcasts, thrill seekers and outlaws, blue collars and the working class to navigate this life on their own terms and to find enjoyment in their own strange way. We call it the American Dream, and I don’t think there is anything more symbolic of that American spirit than cruising the open road on a motorcycle. It’s why movies like Easy Rider have become so iconic, and it’s why hundreds of thousands of riders gather at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally each year. Freedom is extremely valuable and it’s a feeling that connects people from all walks of life, but we must not take it for granted. Hunter S. Thompson said it best: “Freedom is something that dies unless it's used.”
Thankfully, America’s first motorcycle company, Indian Motorcycle, introduced us to these beautiful two-wheeled machines way back in 1901 and we have been using them as a tool for freedom for over 120 years. By 1921 the company released the Indian Chief, a new platform that would become a staple for the brand and help fuel its early success and growth. The story of Indian Motorcycle has been checkered with ups and downs, but fast-forward 100 years from that original Chief and the brand is now thriving with an all-new version of that classic icon.
I’ve never really been a cruiser guy, but I have to admit love the design philosophy behind this bike. It’s stripped-down and raw, the way a motorcycle should be. It’s minimal and balanced with tension and soul in every line. I can see some obvious design cues from my favorite eras in American history, like the curvature of the frame inspired by the boardtrackers of the early 1900s. Or the bold shape of the tank reminiscent of motorcycles from the late ‘40s. It looks like something out of Hollister, California in the ‘50s with a blend of influence combining the timeless style of the ‘60s with the outlaw mentality of the ‘70s.
The low center of gravity and insane 120 ft-lbs of torque made scraping pegs up the canyons of Arizona an absolute joy. I had a lot of fun riding this bike. And while I haven’t spent much time on cruisers, it gives me a better understanding of why people love them so much. It’s about freedom, plain and simple. The American Dream.
