Why Indian’s 125-Year Story Feels More Authentic Than Ever | 2026 Chief Vintage

Indian Motorcycle is celebrating 125 years, and instead of apologizing for gaps in its business history, it is leaning into what actually matters. The people, the culture, and the motorcycles that carried the brand forward when it counted.

In this video, I start by riding the 2026 Sport Chief RT and talk about why it is such a killer bike and why I respect how Indian is honoring its 125 year story without pretending it was perfect or uninterrupted. Motorcycle brands are not just timelines or corporate entities. They are shaped by riders, builders, racers, and the communities that keep them alive.

In the second half, I ride the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage, a bike that feels perfectly aligned with this moment in Indian’s history. It reminded me a lot of my own 2018 Heritage and why vintage inspired motorcycles can connect on a deeper level than specs alone. I also share honest thoughts on the Vintage seat, including how it affected my back, with the important context that I have historically dealt with lower back issues and a recent tailbone injury, so take that feedback with appropriate perspective.

Due to unforeseen schedule changes at the press event, some planned filming did not happen. I address that openly in my garage and explain what changed, because transparency with the audience matters more to me than pretending everything went exactly as planned.

Overall, this experience stood out not just because of the bikes, but because of the people, creators, and conversations surrounding the event. That is what makes motorcycles special, and it is why the Chief Vintage feels so right for Indian at 125.

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