The Indian Pursuit is already an exceptional touring motorcycle right out of the crate. The ride quality, the power, the tech — it's hard to argue with any of it. But spending time on the bike reveals a handful of places where the stock setup leaves room for improvement, and a few targeted upgrades can genuinely transform the riding experience without spending a fortune.
Here are the five upgrades I'd recommend doing first, ranked by real-world impact on comfort and enjoyment.
The stock handlebars on the Pursuit are fine for most riders, but "fine" isn't the goal when you're covering 400+ km days. The reach and height on stock bars put a lot of riders in a slightly forward, slightly strained position that compounds over hours in the saddle.
Indian's own Mid Riser handlebars bring the bars closer and higher, which opens up your chest, reduces shoulder strain and makes long days genuinely more comfortable. Installation is straightforward — it's a morning in the garage — and the difference on a long ride is immediately noticeable. This is the first thing I'd do on any new Pursuit.
The stock exhaust on the Pursuit is quiet. Very quiet. For some riders that's fine; for most Indian owners, it's not what they signed up for. A Stage 1 exhaust setup transforms the sound character of the bike completely — you get the deep, throaty note that a motorcycle this size should have.
Beyond sound, there's a real performance benefit too. Stage 1 typically involves a slip-on or full exhaust replacement paired with a tune — you'll feel the improved throttle response especially in the mid-range. It's not a cheap upgrade, but it's one of the most satisfying ones on this list.
🔊 Before you buy: Check your local noise regulations if you ride in areas with strict bylaw enforcement. Some Stage 1 setups are significantly louder than stock — great on the highway, potentially annoying in campgrounds or residential areas.
The stock windshield on the Pursuit does a reasonable job, but wind fatigue on long days is still a real thing — especially at highway speeds. Flare wings (either the genuine Klock Werks version or the aftermarket alternatives I've tested) add turbulence-reducing deflectors that make a noticeable difference in how tired your shoulders and neck feel at the end of a long run.
I've now done extended testing with both the genuine Klock Werks Flare Wings and the AliExpress knockoffs. The honest verdict: the knockoffs work and fit well enough that the $100+ price difference is hard to justify unless you want OEM quality finish. Either way, some kind of wind management upgrade is worth it if you're doing serious touring kilometres.
The Pursuit's stock seat is better than average but still not a long-haul seat for most body types. After 3-4 hours, you'll start to notice it. Indian's own comfort seat is a genuine improvement, or you can go third-party with options from Saddlemen or Mustang. A gel seat pad is the budget option — not as elegant, but it works and costs $30-50.
This is one of those upgrades that's personal to your body type and riding style. If possible, try to sit on upgraded seats at a dealer before committing.
The Pursuit has excellent integrated storage, but once you start touring you quickly realize the value of a good luggage organization system. Inner bag liners for the hard panniers, a quality tank bag, and a dry bag for the tour pack if you're riding in Canadian weather are all things you'll wish you had from the start.
None of these are glamorous, but they're the difference between a stressful stop in the rain and a smooth one. Spend $100-150 here early and you'll thank yourself on your first multi-day trip.
Watch the Handlebar Upgrade Video on YouTube →