2020 Indian Roadmaster/Dark Horse/Elite

The Roadmaster Elite is not only the flagship touring motorcycle from Indian, it is the most equipped and most comfortable. Layered with amenities, the Roadmaster has everything you need for long miles, and the Elite kicks it all up a notch with top-shelf paint and trim. Tour-friendly gadgets include: a 7-inch Ride Command infotainment, power windshield, driving lights, highway bars, vinyl seats (separated heating on both the standard and Elite), heated grips, adjustable passenger floorboards, 36.2 gallons of storage, tire pressure monitoring, remote-locking hard saddlebags and trunk, selectable ride modes, rear cylinder deactivation, ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, 200-watt audio system (Elite features up-spec 600-watt audio).

When testing the 2017 Roadmaster Classic, which while no longer available is another model on the Roadmaster’s unchanged chassis, test rider Don Canet noted, “Smooth riding and sure-footed, the chassis offers impressive stability on freeway and back roads alike. Steering feels natural and responsive whether flipping a tight U-turn or negotiating the twisty mountain pass along our route leading to Oatman.”

When it compares to the Harley Davidson Road Glide, the Indian Roadmaster “looks more modern behind its fairing, as its multifunction touchscreen dash features multiple windows and is customizable… The Indian scores bonus points for its heated seat and handgrips, keyless igni­tion, and remote trunk lock, but it also costs more.” Further, “we found the Harley to have greater cornering clearance before its floorboards touched down but the Indian to have more neutral steering, thanks in part to its lower, wider handlebar.”

Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited or even Road Glide would be the Indian’s primary adversaries.

Updates are primarily seen in the premium brother, the 2020 Roadmaster Elite. It will now be powered by the 116ci Thunder Stroke that features a new high-flow cylinder head, delivering 126 pound-feet of torque the manufacturer claims. It rolls on a new 19-inch precision-machined wheel too. The glove-compatible 7-inch Ride Command map display now has traffic and weather overlays, so you can optimize your ride.

As standard equipment, the 2020 Roadmaster Elite packs premium touring amenities such as tank-mounted analog fuel and volt meters, rear cylinder deactivation, 600W PowerBand Audio Plus system, and full LED lighting with driving lights. A leather two-up seat with individual heating and heated handgrips will keep you and your passenger comfortable while a power-adjustable windscreen deflects wind. Weatherproof remote-locking saddlebags and trunk offer a combined 37 gallons of storage. The Elite is limited to just 225 units. From what we can tell there is only one hand-painted colorway: Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Gunmetal Flake. The Elite is premiumly priced at $38,999 whereas the Roadmaster is available at $29,999.

The new Dark Horse model features matte paint and a blacked-out Thunder Stroke 116 engine and will cost $1,000 less than the base model Roadmaster bringing the price to $28,999. Features include Indian’s Ride Command, 37 gallons’ worth of saddlebag/touring trunk storage, gunfighter seat, heated grips, and a push-button adjustable windscreen.