Side-by-Side Comparison

Indian Chieftain Classic vs BMW R 12 NineT

Specs, mileage, performance & price compared in Isle of Man.

Indian

Key Specifications

Indian Chieftain ClassicSpecBMW R 12 NineT

£46,000Price£14,500

1811Engine (cc)1170

97Power (hp)109

139Torque (Nm)115

20.0Mileage (km/l)20.0

414Weight (kg)220

216Fuel Tank (L)16

8.5Rating9.2

Our Pick for Isle of Man

BMW R 12 NineT

Based on overall rating & value

Full Specifications

Basic Information

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

V-twinEngine TypeAir/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

ManualTransmission Type6-speed manual

Wet multi-plateClutch TypeSingle-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated

BeltDrive Type—

Indian MotorcycleBrandBMW

Chieftain ClassicModelR 12 nineT

Indian Chieftain ClassicBike NameBMW R 12 nineT

2023Model Year2024

TouringCategory/TypeHeritage / Roadster

USACountry of OriginGermany

Spirit Lake, Iowa, USAAssembly LocationGermany

Fuel-basedStatusAvailable

Thunder Black, Indian Motorcycle Red, Bronze SmokeColors AvailableBlackstorm metallic, San Remo Green metallic, Option 719 Aluminum

12V, 19 AhBattery Type12 V / 14 Ah, maintenance-free

USB Charging PortCharger Type—

Two-up touring seatSeat TypeSingle seat (Two-seater saddle optional)

Pullback handlebarsHandle Type—

Steel frameFrame TypeTubular steel space frame

Twin-sided swingarmSwingarm TypeCast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Engine & Performance

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

1811Displacement (cc)1170

72.00Maximum Power109 hp (80 kW) at 7,000 rpm

138.90Maximum Torque115 Nm at 6,500 rpm

72 HPPeak Power—

2Number of Cylinders2

OHVValve ConfigurationDOHC

2Valves Per Cylinder4

101.6Bore101 mm

113Stroke73 mm

101.6 x 113Bore x Stroke101 mm x 73 mm

10.7:1Compression Ratio12.0:1

Liquid-cooledCooling SystemAir/oil-cooled

Fuel injectionFuel Supply SystemElectronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management: BMS-O with throttle-by-wire

ElectronicIgnition System—

Longitudinal V-twinEngine LayoutBoxer

Electric StartStarting SystemElectric

YesEngine Kill SwitchYes

Approx. 0.20 HP/kgPower-to-Weight Ratio—

Compliant with US standardsEmission StandardEU 5+

YesPower Mode Indicator—

Fuel & Mileage

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

22.7 LFuel Tank Capacity16 litres

20.0Average Mileage—

20Mileage City20

20Mileage Highway—

180Load Capacity—

12.0Battery Capacity—

Approx. 400 kmRange—

YesRange Indicator—

YesLow Fuel WarningYes

—Fuel Economy5.1 l/100km

Performance & Speed

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

NoQuick ShifterOptional (Shift Assistant Pro)

NoLaunch Control—

—Top Speed215 km/h

—Acceleration (0-100)3.6 s

—Traction ControlBMW Motorrad DTC

Transmission & Drive

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

6Number of Gears6

6-speedGear Pattern1-N-2-3-4-5-6

Gear-drivenPrimary Drive—

BeltFinal DriveShaft drive

Belt DriveDrive Chain/Belt Type—

Dimensions & Weight

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

2460 mmOverall Length2130 mm

965 mmOverall Width870 mm

1470 mmOverall Height1070 mm

1610 mmWheelbase1511 mm

125 mmGround Clearance—

665 mmSeat Height795 mm

414 kgKerb Weight220 kg

357Gross Weight430 kg

Brakes & Safety

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

Dual discFront Brake TypeTwin disc brake, floating brake discs, 4-piston Monobloc radial brake caliper

Single discRear Brake TypeSingle disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper

310 mmFront Brake Size310 mm

298 mmRear Brake Size265 mm

Dual-channel ABSABS TypeBMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro (partial integral)

NoRegenerative Braking—

NoAnti-Theft System—

YesCentral Lock—

NoRemote Lock—

YesHandle Lock—

YesSteering Lock—

Suspension & Handling

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

Telescopic forkFront Suspension TypeUpside-down telescopic fork, 45 mm diameter

Mono-shockRear Suspension TypeCentral progressive spring strut

130 mmFront Suspension Travel120 mm

102 mmRear Suspension Travel120 mm

NoAdjustable ControlsFully adjustable front fork (preload, rebound, compression); adjustable rear preload and rebound

GoodClimbing Ability—

Wheels & Tires

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

130/60B19Front Tyre Size120/70 ZR17

180/55B18Rear Tyre Size180/55 ZR17

19 inFront Wheel Size—

18 inRear Wheel Size—

TubelessTyre TypeTubeless

CastWheel TypeAluminium cast wheels (Spoked wheels optional)

AluminumWheel Material—

Electrical & Battery

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

12.0Battery Voltage—

YesBattery Removable—

NoBattery Life Indicator—

NoBattery Management System—

YesCharging Port—

USBCharging Input—

YesUSB ChargingYes (USB-C port)

Lighting & Display

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

YesError Code Display—

LEDHeadlight TypeLED

LEDTail Light TypeLED

LEDTurn Signal TypeLED

YesDRLYes

YesHazard LightYes

Digital + AnalogDisplay TypeAnalogue dual round instruments with LCD (Optional 3.5-inch Micro TFT)

AnalogSpeedometer TypeAnalogue

DigitalOdometer TypeDigital

AnalogTachometer TypeAnalogue

DigitalFuel Gauge TypeDigital

DigitalClockYes

YesPass Light SwitchYes

YesSide Stand IndicatorYes

Technology & Features

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

YesTrip MeterDigital

Yes (Bluetooth via RIDE COMMAND)Mobile ConnectivityOptional (ConnectedRide Control)

Yes (via RIDE COMMAND system)Bluetooth FeaturesOptional ConnectedRide Control

Yes (via RIDE COMMAND)Navigation—

Tour, Standard, SportRiding ModesRock & Roll (2 modes)

NoParking Mode—

NoReverse Mode—

Comfort & Ergonomics

Indian Chieftain ClassicAttributeBMW R 12 NineT

Full Fairing and WindshieldWind Protection—

YesPillion Seat—

YesPillion FootrestYes

YesPillion Grab Rails—

Forward ControlsFootpeg Position—

Locking Saddlebags (18+ gallons)Storage Compartments—

NoUnder Seat Storage—

Indian Chieftain Classic vs BMW R 12 NineT: Which one should you buy in Isle of Man?

The Indian Chieftain Classic and BMW R 12 NineT are two popular motorcycles in Isle of Man. This side-by-side comparison covers engine, power, torque, mileage, top speed and weight so you can decide which one fits your riding style and budget. Better values are highlighted in the spec table above. Use the full specifications section to compare every technical detail before making your purchase decision.

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