Size Matters
When the 4th Gen Indian Motorcycles came out, they hit the streets with a Torquey 111 cubic inches. Indian had just one upped HD, and many of the new owners loved it and pointed it out. HD was using 103's in most everything, with CVO's getting a 110. But, the 111 had more torque than a $40k CVO and folks were quick to point that fact out.
Motor sizes are an interesting one. Usually, the manufacturers eventually produce a big bore kit that allows folks to get a bump and then sometimes, that motor size finds it's way into the lineup. HD not too long ago was delivering bikes with Twin Cams with 88ci, and a big bore kit took that up to 95ci. Then a 96" came out .. and .. a 103ci kit was available. Sure enough , 103ci was a new standard baseline with CVO's getting the 110" bump or .. you could do a big bore kit on the 103s to get them to 110". Last year, HD shelved the Twin Cam for the new M8 V Twin. Base size was 107", CVO got a 114" and they had a Stage 3 117" avail from day one. One fact that I learned yesterday that I had somehow overlooked was the '18 CVOs deliver with the 117" M8. So, HD has the bragging rights on most cubes, but the M8's torque of 125 is only 6 above the stock 111. The 117" does have a lot more HP than a stock 111, but the 116" looks like it'll blow past the 117 numbers for HP, and will have way more, in torque. And, it's a fair comparison because the 117" is considered a "Stage 3" as is the new 116" option. So, it's apples to apples. But to be fair, if one wants to really throw money at the situation, the numbers are all over the map. FuelMoto has been doing some crazy upgrades to the M8s getting some serious numbers. Indian is just now, finally getting in the game. But, the average person isn't throwing 5-10k at their motors. They slap on some slip-ons, new air breather.. possibly some cams. And in this arena, it's a tight race. And if done right, a 111" can beat the numbers of HD's Stage 3 117" in it's delivered form.
Since the 2014 model, the Thunder Stroke 111 from Indian has ... stayed the same. There were some teasers out there. Lloydz , over a year ago had a 121 big bore kit, but it never went mainstream and to me, was cost prohibitive (seemed like it was something like $7500 plus, installed). Then earlier this year, Charlotte Indian produced a custom Chieftain ( name Lighting Bolt ) that had a 119" kit in it, by Arsenal Racecraft. I found myself researching this, but the kit wasn't avail to the public yet .. and .. for some reason, when it would come out would be a 117" big bore kit. What happened to the other 2 inches??
I'd quit following the two mentioned above after awhile, figuring we'd never see a mass produced solution for our bikes. However a few days ago, the Daytona Indian dealership threw a teaser out there about a new product coming out Friday the 17th. By Thursday, the secret was out on the 'net; a 116" Big Bore kit, complete with heads, cams, springs, etc. But, it's caused some confusion.. and.. it's game on .. finally. First, Lloydz had just starting pushing their 121 kit again. Now, they are advertising their prices and they look to be competitive. The 117" kit by Arsenal Racing looks to be available next month and they are advertising dyno numbers that give it the upper hand over the Lloydz and Indian kits. Also, KMC is teasing about an upgrade they are working on that is pushing 150HP ( 130Torque ) at the rear wheel, naturally aspirated. They didn't mention how many cubes. So, finally, after more than 4 years... folks are cracking the code with the 111 for performance.
Still, Indian has the upper hand here, over the aftermarket. Their 116" kit is currently only avail for the '17 and '18 models. That doesn't make much sense to me. Not sure if' it's a marketing ploy (buy a new bike and get a 116" kit on it , and your warranty is 100% good!), or if they did an internal change in the motors that they didn't tell us about. Rumor on the street by a few dealers is a kit of the 14-16s will be available in the Spring. As I type this , we know the kit is $1999 list PLUS install. I've seen install prices all over the map as the dealers rush to figure this out. Still, one can assume they are going to be out several thousand dollars to do this. And, if they are starting from a clean sheet, one has to add the cost of pipes and air cleaner. Power doesn't come cheap.So, what does one do?
Lets be honest, one doesn't need a 116" . A stock 111" bike has plenty of torque out the gate and torque is what MOST riders need and crave. But, Horsepower gives one bragging rights. So my .02 on this...
Brand new bike: As a minimum, I would get the Stage 2 cams. Along with that, ones needs to upgrade the air and exhaust. I've always said one doesn't' get the most bang for the buck here, but.... if you've got the money, this gets you 'more' and ... still good under warranty. If someone wants to throw more money at it, ego is at stake, or ... just have to have it... the 116" Stage 3 kit is a no brainer. Again, you take delivery of your new bike, 100% under warranty.
But..... what if you like to live dangerously.. or .. don't buy into the whole "warranty voided" BS story
The Arsenal Racecraft kit has my attention as I type this. They are pushing 110HP and good torque
As HD has done, I believe there will be a new model that comes out with the 116" as the base motor. Indian has introduced bikes mid year before so it wouldn't surprise me if they sneak this out in March around Daytona time frame. For sure, by August time frame in Sturgis. Heck, maybe the 116" will become the new motor for all the Full Size Cruisers. From a marketing perspective, I'm guessing it'll go only on a high end model designation. They are focused on money revenue, and that's the game HD has played.
And, we have yet to see the introduction of the new rumored Indian motor (that was originally designed for the Victory line), that is 120" or larger. But that... is another story
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