[ChiefHelm]

I currently ride a '21 Chieftain limited. I rode a Challenger and Pursuit and I'm seriously considering making the leap. It was in the 70s when I test rode the bikes and I didn't sit in traffic very long.
I know the Challenger is liquid cooled and less likely to overheat at idle. I know it should generally run cooler than the Thunderstroke. I also know that you are still sitting on top of a large engine and the rider will feel the heat when sitting still on both bikes. What are your opinions on the heat difference felt by the rider in stop and go traffic in hot weather?

 

[reinie]

Having had both I can say the heat is less noticeable on the Challenger, especially sitting stopped with the engine running.

 

[Ta-Tonka '20]

Another thing to think about, IMO, the driver on the Challenger has very little if any wind to body, the chieftain I thought had more wind movement on the driver. I have a Challenger and GF has a Cheiftain and after driving both in warmer conditions this played a bigger roll than actual engine heat. While moving.. I've got the patience of a 2 year old... not big on sitting in warmer temps longer periods of time... it happens though.

 

[TigerGA]

Even with a tune and the cat removed on my RM, the heat was much more noticeable than on my Challenger. I live on the Georgia Coast, it doesn’t matter if it’s winter or summer, the Challenger runs at 182 degrees. I don’t notice any Challenger engine or exhaust heat.

 

[Baron58]

Notice no heat on the Challenger.

 

[mxaaron0392]

I wonder if it has something to do with the heat radiating off of the engine cooling fins on a Chieftain, as opposed to heat being dissapated through the radiator on the Chally? 🙄

 

[Papanorm]

I have a Roadmaster and a Challenger. The RM is definitely hotter on my right leg; it is de-catted and has a Captain Itch Crotch Cooler and a Craig B tune. It def is better however, still hot in the summer. I find moving my foot all the way back on the floorboard helps. My Challenger is definitely cooler but still gets heat from the catalytic converter which seems to radiate upwards at times. As long as I am moving both bikes are just fine.

 

[chieftain17]

Agree with all comments, my Chieftain had the CraigB tune, stage 2 and decatted header. The idle in traffic was notable but moving was fine.The Pursuit has similar heat when the radiator fan kicks on but little to none when moving. Putting a large chamber for the cat in front of the rear wheel helps considerably for felt heat. The Capt Itch cooler helped on the Cheiftain for sure.

 

[Baron58]

I wonder if it has something to do with the heat radiating off of the engine cooling fins on a Chieftain, as opposed to heat being dissapated through the radiator on the Chally? 🙄

Or that water-cooled engines run almost 1/2 the temp that air cooled engines run.

 

[Lutch]

I owned a 19 Chieftain and now the 2020 Challenger. I call BS on the theory of less heat with a water cooled Challenger. The Chieftain and Challenger are both hot as hell in traffic. Some goes with removing the cat, still hot as hell.

If you’re trying to justify the Challenger. It’s faster (#1 with me), super stable at any speed, handles way better, stops better, manages the wind better and rides like a LazyBoy down the highway. Just superior to all others in my opinion.

All due respect fellas, just my 2 cents!

 

[Dave H]

My 20 Challenger is comfortable under most circumstances. It still has the cats and RCD is still active.
The only time I notice the heat is stopped or going slow when hot. This is from the fan blowing on my right foot.

 

[Joegopher]

The only time I feel heat from my Challenger is when it's hot out and sitting in traffic, or at a light for a while and the radiator fans kick in. It basically blows he air back at your legs. Other than that, I never notice any heat at all from that bike. Vastly different from the RM heat.

 

[Baron58]

The only time I feel heat from my Challenger is when it's hot out and sitting in traffic, or at a light for a while and the radiator fans kick in. It basically blows he air back at your legs. Other than that, I never notice any heat at all from that bike. Vastly different from the RM heat.

Exactly.

Wehn I would ride my Chieftain on the highway at 80 mph+ plus speeds, you could feel the heat radiating off the engine in hot weather. The Challenger is non existent.

 

[Peacepipes]

I agree with what some are saying about the heat issue on the Challenger. On my Pursuit I do have to keep the right vent slightly open even in colder temps because the heat radiating from the exhaust.

 

[Baron58]

I agree with what some are saying about the heat issue on the Challenger. On my Pursuit I do have to keep the right vent slightly open even in colder temps because the heat radiating from the exhaust.

As with the other Indians, one thing to consider is inseam. Taller riders (longer legs) don't feel the heat as much because your legs are away from the engine and air can pass between them. I am 6'3" and never felt heat from the CAT on my Chieftain, even in hot weather, because my legs were nowhere near it.

Shorter riders, legs are tucked right up against the engine, so they will bear the brunt of the heat.

 

[reinie]

The cat on my 2022 Super Chief Limited must be where the two header pipes merge then feed into the two mufflers on the right side. I have a 30 inch inseam but have to be careful even with jeans not to touch the collector heat shield. It gets very-very hot there.

 

[Towny]

I went from a 2018 chieftain to 2020 challenger. In summer weather, heat from the chieftain was a constant factor. I occasionally notice it at a light on the challenger. It was a noticeable difference for my two bikes.

 

[BigBadAllis]

I had a 2022 Chieftain with the 116 and a 2022 Pursuit. The pursuit has the lowers so that may make some difference but not much while sitting still. On a hot day they both produced considerable heat. Enough to notice but not unbearable either. I've never had a V-Twin H-D or Indian that didn't have noticeable heat when sitting still on a reasonably hot day. I wouldn't have that be a deciding factor for either bike.

 

[HyeHog]

The liquid cooled Challenger is definitely a "cooler" running bike compared with my Chieftain......not even a close comparison. Heat feel is like wind chill; the difference is in WHAT you/rider/passenger feel. The engine is still running "hot" to keep emissions in check, but the rider doesn't feel it due to the design efficiency of the engines cooling system. With increased performance and in some instances, higher compression ratios, this is why most and soon to be ALL motorcycle manufacturers will be going to LIQUID cooling. Your radiator, coupled with the cooling fins do a much better job in dissipating heat from your engine and away from your body and external senses.

 

[bkasper1976]

I currently ride a '21 Chieftain limited. I rode a Challenger and Pursuit and I'm seriously considering making the leap. It was in the 70s when I test rode the bikes and I didn't sit in traffic very long. I know the Challenger is liquid cooled and less likely to overheat at idle. I know it should generally run cooler than the Thunderstroke. I also know that you are still sitting on top of a large engine and the rider will feel the heat when sitting still on both bikes. What are your opinions on the heat difference felt by the rider in stop and go traffic in hot weather?

I’ve owned a 15 Chief Classic, 18 RM Elite, and 20 Roadmaster Elite. All three felt hot on my right thigh, especially the 15 and 18 (which had the upgraded air intake which did help a little). The 20 was tuned and with the rear cylinder deactivation, the heat was less noticeable, but definitely there, especially in the summer when stopped. Now I have a 2023 Pursuit Limited, what a huge difference. When stopped in the heat of Florida after the engine is hot, I do notice heat on my right ankle when fan kicks on. I just move my foot to the outside of the floorboard and slightly back. So far, very happy. And as others said, the Pursuit (and Challenger) handles amazingly well in windy weather, has so much pep, and I haven’t felt this comfortable in slow tight turn maneuvers in a long time.