This Ambitious Motorcycle Reboot Proves That Sometimes You Should Mess with Success

First impressions: With its clear position as the lead dog, the 101 carries high expectations. That’s probably why Indian went out of its way to maximize this ride. As with the Super Scout, the Limited +Tech package is standard on the 101, while the paint schemes are so dialed, they almost feel custom. 

Plus, right out of the gate, it packs 6 more horsepower than any other bike here. (Pro tip, you can get a calibration update at the dealer to move the others up to 111 hp, for a few hundred bucks.)

From the moment I straddled this bike and fired up the engine, I could feel the difference. It’s like a roaring beast that must be tamed. As we ripped through the redwoods, the bike itself enabled me to blast straightaways and dig into corners in ways I rarely have before. 

In retrospect, the configuration of its shocks, responsiveness of its brakes, force of its acceleration and precision of its Sport mode — plus the aggressive position encouraged by the gunfighter-style seat and handlebar risers — does something special. Ultimately, the 101 invites you to push it to the limit — and responds in kind. 

In other words, it’s not here to make you comfortable: It’s here to make you faster, sharper, more daring and, yeah, maybe a little bit scared. But when you pull up to the cantina at the end of the day, heart still pounding in your chest, you’ll have good stories to tell.

As pretty much every seasoned rider knows, that’s something you just can’t put a price on.