Given the initial reception of the new Indian Chief motorcycle, it appears that the Indian brand is going to be around for a very long time. So, as expected, Indian is inspiring manufacturers and after-market vendors. Roadsmith Trikes unveiled the industry’s first new Indian trike conversion at this year’s V-Twin Dealer Expo in Cincinnati this past weekend. As a matter of fact, this is Roadsmith’s third version of an Indian trike, having created trike conversions for 2 previous iterations of the Indian brand.
Roadsmith has a 42-year history of building high-quality, independent rear suspension trike conversions. The Indian Chieftain in a trike version may become an instant success (and a good competitor of the Harley Tri Glide Ultra Classic) with those wishing a 3-wheeler offering the Indian’s new 111” incredibly powerful and smooth engine and ABS braking system with the iconic styling of Indian’s curvaceous fenders. Roadsmith added its proven, silent, electric reverse for a complete control of the trike, no matter which direction the rider is headed.
Based in White Bear Lake, MN, Roadsmith manufactures and distributes 19 different trike conversion kits for Honda, Harley-Davidson, Victory and Indian motorcycles. They are represented by over a 100 Roadsmith dealers in the U.S. and Canada as well as their own retail location, The Trike Shop, on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Looking good.
Will sell.
not bad!
I saw a Polaris Indian trike at the Lone Star Rally back in November and I’m 99% sure it wasn’t a Roadsmith.
I’d like to take a ride on this one!
Why do manufacturers have such a hard time with the proportions and wheel opening alignments.
Does that require a CDL endorsement?
Not a trike guy so this is no big deal to me, but does it look like the rear end is wider and heavier than need be?
Way to long looks like a pick up truck
The long rear box must be for the extra fuel tank. These things only get mid 30’s for fuel mileage when they’re stock….Where did I get that? Motorcycle Consumer News….
It needs much smaller rear fenders that mirror the fronts design to look good and in proportion.The fenders do not need to sit so high from the ground and the top of the tire.The trunk design is O.K. and does not look like a Servi Car copy or a Hot Rod refugee.The curve of the chrome strip on the fender should have the same curve as the front one.
It is long at the back end to me it looks like it will have a top box or at least as an option.
I’m not a trike guy either, but we are all aging and if that helps someone stay out there in the wind all power to it.
Yep, too long, too wide, too boxy. The shape of the rear fenders takes no inspiration from the front, except for color, chrome trim, and a valance thrown on as an afterthought. Trike conversions will have to be more thoughtful and delicate with this series of bikes, to prevent overwhelming the already-undersize-looking tank.
So if its a Trike would have options for a real 2 person seat system? That way a couple to take to the road together in comfort and use all the amenities of IPod/satellite radio and safe comfortable seating. Agree with others make the rear fenders look like an Indian in the ass. That’s what we like along with white walls.
…as if it cound’t get any uglier, they go and place another wheel on it and make it a trike?! agh… WAY too big of fenders, way too small wheels tires, WAY too big trunk. Might as well own an old C10 Chevy truck. smh!
NEXT!
I saw it at the Roadsmith booth at the V-Twin Expo
i thought it was well thought out, looked good & looked like it had more storage than the bags
I’d ride it, if there was a backrest for the “significant other”
all it needs is a 36″ front wheel , booo ya !