FEATURE - 2021 Indian Roadmaster Jack Daniels special edition
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Indian Motorcycle
America’s first motorcycle company and America’s first registered distillery seems like a natural union, but it took until 2016 for Indian Motorcycle, founded in 1902, and Jack Daniel’s, registered in 1866, to first collaborate.
The initial partnership, ostensibly to celebrate two great American brands, but to officially mark the 150th Anniversary of Jack Daniel’s, saw Indian release specially branded and finished Chief Vintage and Springfield models as limited editions. That first collaboration was such a success (all units sold out within eight hours) that it’s been continued every year since. Limited-edition Chieftains followed in 2017, then Scout Bobbers in 2018 and Springfield Dark Horses last year, all with unique styling and branding inspired by the famous Tennessee whiskey brand.
For 2020, the scheduling has been impacted by COVID-19, so while the next Jack Daniel’s limited-edition will be released this year, it’ll officially be a 2021 model.
The MY21 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition is based on the Roadmaster Dark Horse and has been created in collaboration with Klock Werks Kustom Cycles.
“We are honoured to continue our relationship with Jack Daniel’s and Klock Werks and are excited to again celebrate American craftsmanship and ingenuity through this collaboration of three iconic American brands,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle.
Klock Werks Style
Founded in 1997, Klock Werks is a lot younger than both Indian and Jack Daniel’s, but has made a major impact in its two decades on the scene. Based out of South Dakota, Klock Werks’ major contribution to the motorcycle aftermarket industry has been ‘The Flare’ windshield that was born from wind-cheating technology perfected by Klock Werks on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
While their custom bike builds get all the attention, it’s aftermarket parts like The Flare that keep Klock Werks going. From an initial focus on parts for Harley-Davidsons, the business now produces windshields, handlebars, device mounts, side covers, pannier extensions, mudguards, ignition relocation kits and other bolt-on parts to suit Indian, Japanese cruisers and even Side by Side buggies from the likes of Honda, Polaris, Kawasaki and Can Am.
When formulating the styling for each year’s Jack Daniel’s limited-edition, Klock Werks choose a theme related to the famous Tennessee distillery. This year, that theme is Gentleman Jack, the company’s premier whiskey that’s double-charcoal mellowed and aged in handcrafted oak barrels.
“The Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse is our most premium touring motorcycle and, much like Gentleman Jack, represents the ultimate commitment to quality and craftsmanship, while offering the widest range of premium features and riding technology,” Wilson added.
Out of consideration for the finely-honed crafting process involved in the creation of Gentleman Jack, Klock Werks applied similar attributes to the design and finish of the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse.
Standout features include a custom two-tone Whiskey Pearl paint scheme, said to be inspired by the Jack Daniel's mellowing process, and Oakwood ceramic engine accents. Both elements are exclusive to the limited edition.
On the horn cover, there’s Gentleman Jack branding and each bike’s individual build number. Gentleman Jack branding and the logo for the double charcoal mellowed distilling process can also be found on the fork lowers, footboards and fuel tank. The model’s limited-edition status is repeated on the fuel tank in the form of a numbered ‘Montana Silversmith’ badge.
A matching belt buckle, also carrying the individual build number, is included with each bike.
Premium Spec, New Tech
Paint and styling features aside, the Jack Daniel’s limited-edition is the same as the MY21 Roadmaster Dark Horse in specification.
That means the big Thunder Stroke 116 (1890cc) air-cooled v-twin that features rear cylinder deactivation and produces a best-in-class 168Nm at 2800rpm. All that torque is delivered to the 16x5 rear wheel through a six-speed gearbox and belt final drive.
Built around a cast aluminium frame to reduce weight and rolling on a 1668mm wheelbase with tele fork front end and air-adjustable monoshock rear, the Roadmaster Dark Horse is made to make long-distance cruising effortless.
Standard features include Indian’s Ride Command 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an upgraded 600-watt PowerBand premium sound system with speakers mounted in the fairing and saddlebags, keyless ignition, heated grips, cruise control, three selectable ride modes, tyre pressure monitoring, a flared Klock Werks windshield with power-adjustable height, and remote locking for the saddlebags and top box.
The top box can hold two helmets and, combined with the “glovebox” storage on the fork lowers, there’s 140 litres of cargo space.
Debuting on the Roadmaster Dark Horse for 2021 and fitted to the Jack Daniel’s limited-edition as standard is Indian’s ClimaCommand Rogue heated and cooled seat. Proprietary thermoelectric technology cools - or heats - both the rider and passenger seat, while a flexible graphene material optimises the distribution of heating or cooling (no hot spots or cold spots), with settings adjustable via Ride Command.
Normally trimmed in vinyl, the ClimaCommand Rogue seat on the limited edition uses genuine leather and carries embroidered Jack Daniel’s branding.
Apple CarPlay compatibility will be standard on this model, too, along with controls for Bluetooth and USB audio source, navigation and “extensive customisation capabilities”.
Limited to 107
Only 107 units of the 2021 Jack Daniel’s Roadmaster Dark Horse will be offered globally. Australia’s allocation was only a fraction of that total, all of which had already been pre-ordered by keen Indian customers at time of writing, despite a price tag of $56,995 ride away; $15,000 more than the standard model.
