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WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 9 Issue 6 | 19 The 2018 Indian motorcycle lineup includes 16 models, up from 12 last year. Indian bumped up the features and added new color choices to several models for 2018, and while most prices stayed the same, some went up — and one went notably down. Across Indian's 2018 lineup you'll see changes in tech, convenience, and style. The new for 2018 top-of-the-line Roadmaster Elite has a $37,000 star ng price that might make you wonder if it's painted with gold — and in fact, it is. The 2018 Indian Scout Bobber, a stripped-down, blacked-out version of the famed Scout is new for this model year. The other new 2018 Indian motorcycles include the Springfield Dark Horse model and the new Chie ain Classic. IndIan MOTOrCYCLe engIneS All Indians are powered by what most consider large to huge V-twin engines. The smallest engine on what Indian refers to as its "mid-size" motorcycles is the Scout Sixty's 61-cubic inch (999cc) 78 horsepower motor. The Indian Scout and Scout Bobber share a 69-cubic inch (1,133cc) 100 hp engine. Maximum torque hits at 65 lb- @ 5,800 RPM on the Scout Sixty and 72 lb- at 6,000 RPM on the Scout and Bobber. The three Scout mid-size bikes have liquid cooling. The Scout Sixty engine has an 11.1:1 compression ra o and the Scout and Scout Bobber's larger motor has a 10.7:1 ra o. Therefore it's not surprising Indian recommends 91 octane fuel in the 3.3-gallon fuel tanks. The remaining 2018 models use Indian's Thunder Stroke 111-cubic inch (1,811cc) engine, air cooled for all Chie ain and Roadmaster models, which use a combina on of air and oil cooling. Indian doesn't release horsepower data for the big engine, but its maximum 119-pound-feet of torque is available at a low 3,000 RPM, which means full pulling power is available with a slight thro le twist. The big engine has a 9.5:1 compression ra o which might lead you to think 87-octane regular gas is fine, but the 2017 Indian owners' manual s ll recommends 91-octane premium unleaded gas for the 5.5-gallon fuel tank. TeChed-up and bLaCked-OuT Indian's blacked-out Dark Horse models are obviously gaining trac on: The lineup now includes Dark Horse Chief, Springfield, and Chie ain variants. There's no Dark Horse Roadmaster yet, but the blacked-out Scout Bobber fits the descrip on without the label. Six 2018 Indian motorcycle models come standard with the latest version of the company's Ride Command Infotainment System. This system is so far unparalleled on other motorcycles, although Harley-Davidson's Boom! Box Infotainment system comes the closest. The Ride Command system has a 7-inch, high resolu on, mul touch, 2018 IndIan ® MOTOrCYCLeS reLeaSe daTe, prICeS, SpeCS and feaTureS By Bruce Brown