Previous Story
Indian Challenger RR Racer Is Available to the Public, for $93,000
Posted On 07 Feb 2023
Comment: 0
Indian Challenger RR Racer Is Available to the Public, for $93,000
Just 29 units of the track-only bagger will be produced.By Andrew Cherney
A cruiser-centric brand that embraces the old racing adage of “win on Sunday, sell on Monday”? That would be a fair description for Indian Motorcycle these days, the company that lit the 2016 AFT circuit on fire with its series-dominating FTR750 flat-tracker, then followed it up by offering that same track-only racebike (in a limited run) to the public in 2017.
Seems that move worked out so well that Indian is looking to sell you yet another race-inspired model, and again, it’s not even remotely close to being street legal. We’re talking about a hand-built, race-spec version of the brand’s trophy-snagging Challenger bagger, which has been tearing up road courses since its debut in the inaugural King of the Baggers race back in 2020. But you better have some seriously deep pockets.
Related: Indian Motorcycle Teams With S&S For King Of The Baggers
The bike in question, dubbed the Challenger RR, is built to 2022 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series race standards by the same S&S hands who wrenched Tyler O’Hara’s No. 29 championship-winning bike. Per MotoAmerica rules that means it has to carry the same originally equipped PowerPlus V-twin engine as the stock Challenger, though those same rules allow for all kinds of modifications, such as to the cylinders, cams, throttle bodies, and airbox, to name just a few. The main frame has to be the originally manufactured part, and the fairing and saddlebags are also required to be fitted—though they can be replicas of the original part.
In the case of the Challenger RR you’ll find a host of one-off parts, and although they are a mix of custom-built and S&S-sourced, some are likely different from other components on the actual racer which can vary from race to race (and season to season). The bike that’s available for sale runs a similar hot-rodded V-twin with a 112 CID big-bore cylinder/piston kit along with CNC-ported cylinder heads, S&S camshafts, and an S&S air intake system with 78mm throttle body. The S&S billet rocker arms are adjustable, and out back perches an S&S 2-1 race exhaust. It’s all managed by a Maxx fully adjustable ECM.
Related: King of the Baggers Race Grows for 2021
As with the current racebike, Indian placed special attention on the race-spec Challenger RR’s chassis, giving it S&S billet adjustable triple clamps and Öhlins FGR 250 fork up front, matched to an S&S race-modded swingarm and a TTX Öhlins rear shock. The 17-inch race rims are fitted with Dunlop race tires, with race-spec Brembo M4 front calipers acting on dual 330mm rotors. At the back is a Hayes rear caliper with an EBC rear rotor to enhance the braking capabilities so crucial to the big race machine.
Other bits distinguishing the racer include an S&S chain drive conversion with automatic chain tensioner along with a quickshifter kit, an S&S adjustable handlebar and rearsets, a taller Saddlemen race seat, Aero windshield and fiberglass rear fender. Carbon Fiber saddlebags are added to adhere to race rules and the bellypan also comes from S&S.
Related: First Track Test Of Indian Motorcycle’s Race Bagger
As with the Scout FTR750 racer, the Indian Challenger RR marks the first time fans can purchase a purpose-built Indian racebike meant for a racing series, though this time it’s a bagger. In Indian’s words, it’s a unique opportunity for “fans and collectors…to own a piece of history.”
Gary Gray, vice president of racing, technology, and service for Indian Motorcycle, explains further: “Originally, the thought of roadracing baggers was perplexing to many.… But in just three short years, King of the Baggers has emerged as the hottest thing in motorcycle racing as these bikes have rapidly evolved in their sophistication, and we thought it would be awesome to give people the opportunity to own the bike that holds the crown.”
Related: Why King of the Baggers Racing Is So Popular
The Indian Challenger RR is likely to see most of its interest from collectors, unless you’re a die-hard track monkey with a very fat checkbook. “We’re excited to embrace the fandom of bagger racing and celebrate our second title with this highly exclusive, special run of Indian Challenger RR motorcycles,” Gray says. “This bike is the real deal, much like when we released the venerable FTR750; the Challenger RR is a true racebike and is not street legal.”
Pricing for the purpose-built Challenger RR is a whopping $92,229, and as far as we know, the graphics and color choices are what you see here. You can get more info at indianmotorcycle.com.
If you want to find out what it’s like to ride one of these race-prepped baggers, check out Bradley Adams’ test ride of the 2022 King of the Baggers championship-winning Challenger here.
