2025 Indian PowerPlus 112 Lineup: Performance Baggers for Everyday Champions

Indian Motorcycle is taking what it has developed for the track and bringing it to the street with the new PowerPlus 112 lineup. This is the platform that powered the 2024 King of the Baggers champion, and delivers not only high horsepower and torque, but an all around performance-oriented bagger experience.

Don’t worry, the Thunderstroke isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The base level lineup is still available with the Springfield, Chieftain, and Roadmaster. The Thunderstroke bikes feature an air-cooled V-twin with pushrod-operated valves and an overall more “classic” styling. They remain in the catalog to please those looking for low-end torque and a shorter shift range.

However, with the growing popularity of the King of the Baggers racing series, combined with Indian’s desire to compete with the Harley-Davidson CVO range, it’s no wonder the company has decided to bring upgraded performance to its bagger lineup. If you want a high-performance bagger that’s sportier and more responsive than the Thunderstroke, the PowerPlus models are the way to go.

As someone who never showed much interest in bagger-style motorcycles until recently (thanks to King of the Baggers) I can certainly see how this move could pull newer and younger consumers toward the now flagship lineup.

Modern Engineering

At the heart of the 2025 PowerPlus range lies the newly developed PowerPlus 112 engine. This 112-cubic-inch (1834cc) powerplant delivers an impressive 126 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque, setting a new standard for American V-Twin performance.

The engine’s contemporary design features a high-revving, liquid-cooled architecture with single overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. This combination provides you with immediate acceleration and the ability to maintain high speeds effortlessly across all gears—a big improvement over the Thunderstroke engine, which requires you to short shift for a smoother ride.

The 2025 PowerPlus models showcase a bold design characterized by aggressive and chiseled lines that reflect their high-performance capabilities. The compact stance and sleek, aerodynamic fairings not only enhance the visual appeal but also improve handling and stability at high speeds. A new LED headlight with integrated daytime running lights adds a sophisticated touch to the distinctive front end. When it comes down to the differences between each of the four models, it’s really quite simple. They all use the same chassis, engine, and electronics. The difference comes with the fairings and accessories.

The Chieftain and Roadmaster use a smaller fork-mounted fairing with a round headlight that looks very similar to the Harley-Davidson Street Glide. The Chieftain comes standard with only the saddlebags, while the Roadmaster model gets you the tour pack, as well as the lower front fairings. Meanwhile the Challenger and Pursuit use a frame-mounted fairing with a more modern wide headlight (which, in turn, resembles the Harley-Davidson Road Glide). Same deal as the other two—the Challenger comes only with the saddlebags and the Pursuit comes with the tour pack and lower fairings.

The PowerPlus models also include bike hold control (hill hold), an electronic combined brake system (linked brakes), blind spot warning lights, tailgate and rear collision warning, and smart lean technology. All the electronics provide the safest ride possible. Also included are the adaptive LED lights, which monitor the lean angle and illuminate in real time to fill dark spots. PowerBand Audio enhances the stereo system significantly compared to previous Indian bikes.

When it comes to customizing, the parts in the accessory catalog fit all the models. A variety of seats, windshields, and tour packs can easily make your bike fit your exact needs. The Thunderstroke models do not include any of the above-mentioned features—they are reserved only for the PowerPlus lineup.

How They Feel On The Road

I’ve ridden pretty much all of Indian’s motorcycles over the last 11 years, so I had reasonable expectations on how I would enjoy riding the new PowerPlus models through the Valley of Fire in Nevada. At 5 feet, 10 inches, I call myself an average-sized rider, yet the first thing I noticed in the saddle was how close everything felt. From the handlebar to the floorboards, I couldn’t help feeling a bit cramped on these bikes. Not to mention I don’t appreciate having to turn my head down to see the gauges and screen.

Once I hit the road, I cracked the throttle and let the PowerPlus 112 sing the song of its people. Oh, it’s a beautiful tune. The engine is as torquey as you might imagine, and pulls strongly throughout the rev range. There are no flat spots, and no need to short shift as you would on a traditional pushrod engine. The higher revs and strong pull almost make you forget you are on a bagger. Handling is tight and responsive, and the suspension is smooth and sporty. It seriously tricks your brain into thinking you’re on a different type of motorcycle.

One thing I noticed during my ride was that the topcase and saddlebags were a little finicky to close. Getting the bags to close right requires the right touch—you’ve got to find just the right pressure, the right angle, and the right spot. Too rough, and she resists. Too soft, and nothing clicks. But when you get it just right, everything locks into place perfectly.

The blind spot indicators on the mirrors? Perfect placement. But the rear tailgate warning? It’s tucked into a tiny banner on the screen, meaning you have to look down to check if it’s on. That’s not exactly helpful when you’re flying down the highway. A better solution would’ve been to flash both blind spot indicators at the same time—boom, problem solved.

Compared to Harley-Davidson

I recently rode the standard 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide across the country. While the similarities are obviously there, these are two very different motorcycles. In general, I liked the power and handling of the Indian better. The engine just feels stronger and more responsive than the Milwaukee-Eight, and the Indian rides more like a sport-tourer than a classic cruiser. Then again, H-D still has the edge when it comes to the ergonomics and fit-and-finish.

Neither is perfect, and there is yet more room for improvement across the board for performance baggers. However, these bikes leave me wondering how much better they can get. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Technical Specs

+fantastic looks, will make you friends, powerful and torquey engine, dynamically handling chassis, high-performance brakes
–cramped cockpit, wonky tailgate notifications

Distributor: Indian Motorcycle
MSRP: From $26,499
Engine: PowerPlus 112, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 60° V-twin
Displacement: 112ci (1834cc)
Power: 126hp; 133lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed, true overdrive, constant mesh, belt final drive
Rake/Trail: 25° / 5.9 in (150 mm)
Weight (wet): 844lbs (Chieftain/Challenger); 937lbs (Roadmaster/Pursuit)
Seat Height: 26.5in
Fuel Capacity: 6gal
Colors: Black Smoke, Sunset Red Smoke, Blue Dusk, Ghost White Metallic Smoke