LongTerm Indian Pursuit Review

2022 Indian Pursuit at Bishop's Castle near Rye, Colorado

After almost eight years on the Honda VFR and 72,452 miles it was time to change motorcycles.  I remarried in October 2018 and Jennifer enjoys riding, but the passenger comfort was not great for her so we wanted to get something we both could ride for longer rides, day trips and multi-day trips.

I researched numerous touring motorcycles.  I wanted the following:

1. Comfort for both of us
2. Performance i.e. good torque, good speed, smooth power delivery
3. Smooth handling, agile
   
4. Adjustable windsheild
5. Good reputation/reviews and customer service
6. Appropriate seat height - I am 5'6"
7. Not found in every neighborhood
   

I realize some of the criteria is subjective and open to personal likes and preferences so I needed to research and test ride some bikes.   I will spare you the boring details of how the decision was made, but I test rode to bagger motorcycles and landed on the Indian Challenger.  I was going to add the tour pack, passenger floorboards and a few other items.  

February and March, 2022 I was looking at the Challenger I discovered Indian had just released the Pursuit - a full tourer with the foundation being the Challenger.  This piqued my interest so I started asking questions and looking at the Pursuit.

There were no Pursuits in any NE Texas dealership in March of 2022 so I visited the Republic of Texas Indian in McKinney, TX to test ride a Challenger since the Pursuit is a Challenger with the Pursuit touring package.  The Challenger test ride was great.  I really loved the power of the 108 PowerPlus engine, the comfort and the smooth handling, especially for a cruiser-based touring bike.  After 12 years on sport touring motorcycles the handling needed to be top notched.

After communicating with three different Indian dealerships I placed my order and in a little over 2 weeks I picked up the Pursuit!     

March 25, 2022 Picked up the bike and headed to Tyler, TX

Now after 22 months I have over 22,000 miles on the Pursuit. I have ridden it in 13 states (a lot in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado), in rain, 100+ degrees, cold weather, nice weather, big cities, rural areas and various conditions in between.  Famous named roads (Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Talimena Drive, Million Dollar Highway, The Silver Thread, Natchez Trace...), interstates and rural roads have all been part of the journey.  Now it's time to give a honest long-term review of the 2022 Indian Challenger Pursuit.

Running up Rocky Mountian passes was no problem and was a lot of fun!

Here are a few basic specification of the Pursuit- furnished on Indian Website:

108 cu in PowerPlus engine - liquid cooled

122 HP

128 ft-lbs torque

6.0 gallon tank

Seat Height 26.5in

Wet Weight 917

Brembo brakes

Heated grips (a first for me)

7 inch Infotainment screen

I have modified, changed or added the following during this time - not all at once.

Added:

Mesh grill covers for vents and windshield vent (not really sure what to call the cutout on the bottom)

Pathfinders driving lights

Pathfinders Saddlebag running lights

FormTech phone holder

Wind Rider Seat Cover (used late spring to late fall)

Lower Fairing Storage

Changed:

Stock Headlight to Pathfinder Adaptive Headlight

Stock Seat to Indian Heated Touring Seat

First I must say the Pursuit is not the same type of motorcycle as my previous two sport touring bikes (Yamaha FJR 1300 and Honda VFR 1200).  It is longer and heavier so my thoughts and comparison is based on the cruisers I have ridden (Yamaha, Kawasaki, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Honda and Ducati).

Just a few months of ownership and loving it.

The Pursuit is heavy and I can feel it until it it gets rolling.  The handling and responsiveness of the motor negates the weight.  I know I have to be mindful when stopping and/or parking.  I check for slope, angle, gravel... so that I can safely stop.

The handling stood out most to me.  Curves and switchbacks are fun and exciting.  According to TheAutopain.com the Pursuit lean angle is 31 degrees and the Harley Davidson Road Glide's is 29 degree.  My personal experience is the Pursuit will lean into curves and power through with ease.

 

July 2024 on US 129 aka The Tail of The Dragon

 

The 108 cu in PowerPlus has great torque and pulls up hills and mountains without having to slow down.  Passing others is simple with signal, a look over the shoulder and a twist of the wrist.  The power and speed comes on smoothly and with a grin.  

 

The Indian heated seat allows me to ride comfortably for miles, day after day.  I am very comfortable with the seating and handlebar positions.  The controls for the signals, horn, cruise control and the infotainment system are easily accessible.  The infotainment system is customizable which allows owners to personalize the screens to his/her liking.  

Comfort, performance and styling all in one great package

 

Motorcycles preferences are personal to each rider, but I believe the Indian Pursuit is top of the line in the cruiser based touring category.  I have had miles and miles of great riding and smiles.  If you are looking for a two up touring machine I would highly recommend the Indian Pursuit.

Here is a short video I made about my Pursuit, check it out - Pursuit Review Video. 

 

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Heading to Europe!

I have been busy preparing for my first ever trip out of the USA and riding as much as possible.   Here are three of my latest video projects.

I fly out of Dallas on Friday June 2, 2017 and fly to Milan to start my trip.  (Post with trip details)  There are a few changes to the plan since my first posting with the biggest change being I will be riding in the Alps alone, although I suspect I will meet some riders and make new friends.

Updated details in the video.

Along with preparing for the trip I have been riding and enjoying the spring time in Texas.  Recently while riding the Honda VFR 1200 the odometer rolled over 35,000 miles and I thought it would be an appropriate time to do a "review" of the bike and give my impressions.

Review of VFR 1200 after 35,000 miles

This past weekend I had the honor of leading 20 bikes on a Memorial Day ride to a local small town veterans memorial and after some time of reflection and thankful prayer we rode to lunch.  Pilot Point, TX has a nice small memorial in the downtown area.  Just happens that my dad is from Pilot Point and his older brother was killed in WWII by friendly fire and his name is on the memorial.  It was after his death my dad decided to enlist (he had an agricultural exemption).  It is always humbling to take time to pay respects to those who gave all for our country.

Memorial Day ride, 2017

I have had a busy and fun spring and now looking forward to 26 days of traveling adventures.  I will be trying (no guarantees) to upload a video each day I am in Europe.  The videos may be "raw" and unedited, but hopefully they will show some of the great things I will see.  You can see the videos on my YouTube channel or search YouTube for Ordinary Biker Oz.

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THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

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* I have personally ordered from and/or visited this business and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!

# Based on reviews, word of mouth and discussion with others I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

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I have been Flashed!!

Everybody Wants Better Performance

In the winter and spring of this year (2016) I debated about changing from the Honda VFR 1200 back to the Yamaha FJR 1300.  I ended up deciding to stay with the VFR 1200 and make some changes to fit what I wanted.

The latest customization has proven to be the biggest grin inducing change!  After a lot of reading and talking to a fellow VFR rider I decided to have the ECU re-flashed by Don Guhl Motors. 

It was almost time for a valve adjustment and other maintenance so I took the VFR to my mechanic.  I removed the fairings and the ECU.  While the ECU was being sent to Don the bike got a valve adjustment, new plugs and new air filter.

Removing seat, fairings and gas tank to get to ECU

VFR sure looks

Time for a new filter!

The VFR's 1237cc V4 engine comes stock with 150hp at the wheel and weights 589 wet, but Honda has several restrictions on the motor.  The Don Guhl re- flash eliminates limits and raises the rev limiter by 500 rpm (if desired).

Little box control the big engine

I mailed the ECU to Don with the appropriate information including what exhaust was on the VFR.  The day after he received it the re-flash was performed and the ECU ship Next Day back to me all for $375.

Once back installation was easy, but the fairings where more difficult.  Thank goodness for friends.  I got the bike home, but too late to ride that night.  The inaugural ride would come the next day.  While the bike was out of commission I also added the mounting plate for the Givi case I ordered.

Givi case mount installed and ready for the first ride after the re-flash

The throttle response was immediately noticeable.  I was careful not to over do it and perform my first ever wheelie, several riders had experienced an unattended wheelie after the re-flash so I was wanting to avoid that.

The transition from gear to gear is now so smooth with no lag in power.  It is like I am constantly in the optimum power band.  Acceleration is immediate and produces a big smile.

The VFR and my sons ZX6R - he noticed the difference when following.

This is the first performance modification I have made on a bike and I am very happy with it.  I would without hesitation recommend Don Guhl Motors for your motorcycle's ECU reflash.  You will be smiling when you feel the power.

 

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Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

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Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited this business and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!

# Based on reviews, word of mouth and discussion with others I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

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Memorial Day Ride 2016

Member  Of The Greatest Generation

May 30, 2016 marked the 2nd Memorial Day since my dad, WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, passed away.  During the previous 10 years or so I had spend some of each Memorial Day weekend with him.  It was my honor to take him to several Memorial Day services and accompany him in 2010 on Honor Flight. 

Wendell Osburn PFC 1st Army, 2nd Division, 9th Regiment, Company K, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad

I decided to take a ride and have a Memorial Day service and lunch with some fellow riders.  We gathered at a local gas station for fuel, food, drink and the pre-ride meeting.

Fueled up and waiting on others for the ride.

Bikes at the memorial

The ride was nice and cool in the morning thanks to some late night/early morning rain.  We were careful as some of the roads were still wet, but still managed to enjoy some "spirited" moments as we twisted through the country side towards the Audie Murphy Memorial at the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville, TX.

Audie Murphy statute

Audie was a Texas boy!

 Several friends on cruisers welcomed us as we rode into the parking lot at the memorial.  After looking at bikes and the normal comments/jokes about each others bikes we took time to read quotes, names (from Hunt county) and information that were part of the memorial.

A nice gathering of bikers to remember the sacrifices made for our country

One veteran reading names of soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Reading the names is very sobering and humbling

The veterans in attendance were gathered for a photo.  We were all very honored to have them with us for the day.  A few words of appreciation for all our military, past, present and future, were said and a prayer for our country and armed forces was given.

Six veterans were with us and one join us at lunch.  It was an honor to have them with us.

After the time at the memorial we enjoyed lunch at a local hamburger establishment before a spirited ride home on dry roads.  Several riders chipped in and bought all the veterans lunch.

Thank you to all veterans and their families for the service and sacrifice made so we can go ride motorcycles with the freedoms and security we so often take for granted.  May God bless our armed forces and the USA.

I want to thank all my friends for sharing the ride and the time of remembrance with me.

 

Connect and follow on social media

              

 

Please visit the following great companies:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR MODERATE SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Awesome gear for every rider!

Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited this business and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!

# Based on reviews, word of mouth and discussion with others I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 

Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

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