Why The Indian Challenger Is The 5-Year-Old Touring Bike Worth Buying Today

Touring bikes tend to have a lot of gee-haws and whimmie-diddles on board, and this drives the sticker shock up significantly. To compound the problem, rapidly-evolving technology and the ever-present arms race between the major manufacturers mean that the top-end bikes keep pushing the top of the envelope, with sticker prices that continue to expand to explore new vistas. There’s some good news, though. Used tour-capable bikes are fairly plentiful, and you can find five-year-old baggers in generally good condition. We find the 2020 Indian Challenger at a confluence of tech, capability, and price, which makes it a good candidate as a used long-distance machine.

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The 2020 Indian Challenger Is A Bargain Bagger with Power

Used Price Range: $12,000 to $20,000

The Indian Challenger was a new addition to the lineup in 2020, and it came with a lot of features that made it desirable for riders who were looking for a bagger with solid performance and sporty handling characteristics. It had a starting price of $21,999 for the base model, but the Challenger Dark Horse would boost that up to $27,499, and the Challenger Limited topped the list at $27,999. At this point, these models can be had with a significant discount providing they’re in at least good condition.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the base model plus ABS goes for around $17,000 from a private seller with a trade-in value of $12,900, while the Dark ABS fetches $20,135 with a $15,750 trade-in. At the top is the Challenger Limited, which commanded a premium and now resells for $20,515 with a $16,100 trade-in. Naturally, if the condition is something less than “good,” then all bets are off. In looking around the used market, the $16,000 to $18,000 range is well represented for the base model.

Why The Powerplus 108 Makes The 2020 Indian Challenger A Smart Buy In 2025

With liquid cooling, advanced ride tech, and big V-twin power

Indian resurrected its PowerPlus engine family with the PowerPlus 108, a modern version that pushed well into the performance V-twin category with gobs of power and torque on tap, and a top speed that gobbled up the miles if you dare. It was liquid-cooled, so you had the peace of mind of knowing that you were unlikely to overheat under just about any conditions, however harsh.

As for engine electronics, this model came with cruise control and a Bosch inertial measurement unit that informed the corner-sensitive traction control and Drag-Torque Control features for top-notch engine-management systems. Indian sent the power through a slipper clutch with its light pull weight and easy-to-control nature, then through a six-speed transmission and belt-type final drive.

Indian Challenger Engine And Performance Specifications

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The Challenger’s Ride And Handling Still Impress In 2025

From its plush suspension and sports bike-style brakes

The Challenger came built around an all-new cast-aluminum frame, new suspension goodies, and new bodywork for a completely net-new machine. Non-adjustable inverted front forks delivered 5.1 inches of travel with 4.5 inches of travel from the preload-adjustable rear suspension for a fairly plush ride that was in line with comparable contemporary tour-capable bikes.

Dual front brakes gave you the extra brakeage needed for the Challenger’s 831 pound curb weight, and ABS came stock so you could safely get the most out of your anchors. Yeah, it was a big bike, but was surprisingly nimble and able to have matched the other big performance baggers even to this day, so you wouldn’t necessarily have taken a performance hit by going with the five-year-old motorcycle.

Indian Challenger Chassis And Suspension Specifications

The Challenger’s Timeless Appeal Blends Old-School Cool With Modern Muscle

This 2020 Indian still turns heads and earns miles in 2025

Indian’s Challenger rode with a foot in each of two worlds, the old school bagger basics, and the modern motorcycle scene. The front fender, for instance, was full length and rocked the iconic war bonnet ornament, but the sides were pared down for a sporty modern mien. Fixed fairings were nothing new, but this one was, and it was built specifically for the Challenger line with decent pilot protection, though the glass could be taller, not gonna’ lie.

Seat height was dead low at only 26.5 inches off the deck, which put you in a comfy upright windsock riding posture once the tiller-style handlebar and forward footboards were factored in. Stock, lockable, and color-matched bags gave it plenty of utility as an around-town bike, commuter, and touring platform that could serve two, but was best left to solo adventures due to the lack of standard-equipped long-distance passenger amenities. The bags had a bit of stretch to them that went with the swoop of the teardrop fuel tank for a touch of the custom.

Indian Challenger Design Specifications And Dimensions

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Indian Challenger Alternatives: Challenger Dark Horse And Limited

With bold styling, tech-rich features, and solid resale value

The Challenger was just the base model. There were a couple of contemporary up-tier stablemates in the Challenger Dark Horse and Challenger Limited. In the middle was the Dark Horse with its black-on-black paint job and subtle trim elements, while at the top, the Limited rocked the first non-monochromatic paint jobs, three in total, with some chrome to boot. Infotainment yummygoodness was a constant across the board with the full navigation/weather/smartphone support package. The 2020 Indian Challenger Dark Horse typically goes for $20,135 in today’s used market, while the Challenger Limited fetches a bit more for a total of $20,515. Those are averages; individual results may vary.

Indian Challenger Vs. Harley Road Glide: The Battle of the 2020 Bagger Icons

Similar style, shared strengths in performance, tech, and value

Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide from the 2020 lineup made a natural challenger for the Challenger. It shared a similar sharknose-type fairing that bolted to the frame rather than the forks, complete with some glass up top that deflected some of the wind over the pilot’s head. The MoCo balanced the old with the new, much like Indian did with the Challenger, for a look that could appeal to both young and old riders alike. It came ready for two-up riding, but with the same restrictions as the Indian, so it was kinda’ better for solo trips.

A powerful Milwaukee-Eight 107 delivered the goods with 111 pound-feet of torque on tap, with a slipper clutch, six-speed transmixxer, and belt to complete the drive. H-D used Showa Dual Bending Valve forks for a better ride as they sorta’ self-adjusted as you went along, and the rear shock came adjustable for preload as well. A 2020 Road Glide will set you back an average of $17,815 in good condition in today’s market.

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