By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Indian Chief (MY2014) vs Moto Guzzi California 1400 Audace (MY2015)
Tip the Indian Chief into a bend and it's the stiff frame you feel holding the line. The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Audace drops in low, pegs clear.
So which one do you buy?
The Chief has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
A touch ahead: Chief
Parked side by side, the Chief draws the eye a little more. Credit more retro style and more chopper style. Only a little, and taste can flip it.
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: Chief
Running costs lean slightly toward the Chief. A well-kept example of either matters more.
The California 1400 Audace has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: California 1400 Audace
On a twisty road, the California 1400 Audace edges ahead. Put it down to stronger brakes and better suspension. Not by enough to settle it alone.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The Chief costs more, but the California 1400 Audace doesn't win on value either.
What makes each one tick
Chief
Low-rpm torque runs the Chief's whole personality, with a big Thunder Stroke twin that pulls hard from idle and doesn't buzz through the bars. A small twist of the throttle is all it takes, because there's 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) shoving 831 lb (377 kg) up to highway speed. The six-speed box clicks home cleanly on a light clutch, and the belt out back doesn't add any whine. The chassis stays put mid-corner.
California 1400 Audace
There's a long, low crouch to the California 1400 Audace, with forward controls and a drag bar stretching the riding position out. There's real stopping in the brake lever, which hauls the bike down hard on its 320 mm front brake. On Iron Mountain Road, its weight sits low and there's ground to spare under it as it hustles through the turns. The twin's happy loping at cruise.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Chief has the lower seat: 26.0 in (660 mm) vs 29.1 in (740 mm).
- The California 1400 Audace has the lower wet weight: 659 lb (299 kg) vs 831 lb (377 kg).
- The California 1400 Audace makes more peak power: 96 hp (71 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
No verdict: Chief
Weekday traffic isn't the Chief's world, so it isn't rated here.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Chief
What owners say
Strengths
- Mighty Thunder Stroke 111 engine
- Surprisingly agile handling
- Outstanding fit and finish
- Smooth, positive transmission
California 1400 Audace
What owners say
Strengths
- Tractable, torquey V-twin
- Advanced electronics package
- Surprising agility for a heavyweight
Trade-offs
- Build quality niggles
- Muffled exhaust note
Known problems to check before you buy
Chief
- VCM connector failure causing loss of forward lighting Recall 22V635000 The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module may fail, which can cause loss of forward lighting. The high beam indicator will flash if this occurs. A recall (22V635) was issued for 2014-2020 models to inspect the VCM connector and update software.
California 1400 Audace
- Front brake master cylinder recall (19V561) Recall 19V561000 Insufficient ineffective lever stroke can cause the front brake to drag or apply spontaneously, leading to unexpected slowing or stopping. Dealers inspect and replace the master cylinder free of charge.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old Chief with a 9-year-old California 1400 Audace.
- Chief
- about $11,500
- California 1400 Audace
- about $7,500
At nine years old, the Indian Chief sits around $11,500 while the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Audace lands near $7,500. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| Chief | California 1400 Audace | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) | 29.1 in (740 mm) |
| Wet weight | 831 lb (377 kg) | 659 lb (299 kg) |
| Chief | California 1400 Audace | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1811 cc | 1380 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 96 hp (71 kW) |
| Torque | 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) | 89 lb-ft (121 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,000 rpm | 2,750 rpm |
| Chief | California 1400 Audace | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.8 L) | 5.4 US gal (20.5 L) |
| Chief | California 1400 Audace | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Belt | Shaft |
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 180/65-16 | 200/60-16 |
| Wheelbase | 68.1 in (1730 mm) | 66.3 in (1684 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
