By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Indian Chief (MY2014) vs Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring (MY2013-SE)
You'll feel the Indian Chief's big twin shove from idle, and there's no shake in it. The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring's engine doesn't wake quite that early: it's silky past idle, then pulls strongly from low revs. Its elastic mounts keep highway speeds nearly buzz-free.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Chief if…
Keeping running costs low
By a mile: Chief
On running costs, the Chief pulls clearly ahead. It's the easier one to own on a tight budget.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The Chief and the California 1400 Touring sit in different classes, so neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Chief
Through a long bend the Chief's stiff aluminum frame keeps it planted, and the front doesn't hesitate when you ask it to turn. Its gearbox clicks through the ratios cleanly on a light clutch pull. At the brake lever, you're hauling 831 lb (377 kg) of cruiser to a halt. The belt out back barely whispers.
California 1400 Touring
Behind a windshield that keeps buffeting down, the California 1400 Touring puts you upright on a low seat, floorboards underneath and the bar pulled back. Once it's moving on Iron Mountain Road, a bump meets well-damped suspension and a rigid frame that holds its shape. The wide bar steers light.
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 Touring has the lower wet weight: 743 lb (337 kg) vs 831 lb (377 kg).
- The California 1400 Touring makes more peak power: 96 hp (71 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Not their thing
Commuting isn't the strong suit of either bike. If it's your main use, that matters more than which of these wins.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not its job: Chief
There's no comfort verdict for the Chief here. Its job is somewhere else.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
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 Touring
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth and torquey engine
- Comfortable long-distance ergonomics
- Excellent brakes and standard ABS
- Surprising handling for its size
- High-tech for a cruiser
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 Touring
- Exhaust crossover pipe cracking The crossover pipe connecting the exhaust headers can crack or break at the welds under engine vibration and thermal stress, causing exhaust gas leaks and increased exhaust noise.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old Chief with a 9-year-old California 1400 Touring.
- Chief
- about $11,500
- California 1400 Touring
- about $9,400
At nine years old, the Indian Chief sits around $11,500 while the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring lands near $9,400. That's a $2,100 gap in the Guzzi's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Peak torque at
- 3,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| Chief | California 1400 Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) | 29.1 in (740 mm) |
| Wet weight | 831 lb (377 kg) | 743 lb (337 kg) |
| Chief | California 1400 Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Chief | California 1400 Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.8 L) | 5.4 US gal (20.5 L) |
| Chief | California 1400 Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Chief | California 1400 Touring | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Keyless System | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
