The Indian FORGED custom build series invites renowned builders to create unique bikes based on a production Indian motorcycle. The series’ fourth season focused on the new-for-2025 Indian Chieftain PowerPlus, with three builders and their bikes presented in a six-part video series. The first set of videos highlighted each builder’s personal vision for their creation. In the three final reveal episodes, the builders gifted their bikes to their new owners.
The series began in 2021, when three builders were invited to customize the updated Indian Chief. The second season invited builders to customize the Sport Chief, and the third season was focused on the Scout. Builders who have participated in previous seasons include Paul Cox, Keino Sasaki, Go Takamine, Carey Hart, Yaniv Evan, Jake Cutler, Roland Sands, Brittney Olsen, and Ronna Norén.
The motorcycle used for this season, the Chieftain PowerPlus, received extensive upgrades for 2025, including the liquid-cooled 108ci PowerPlus engine found in the Challenger, an aluminum frame, and premium Brembo brakes. The 108ci engine cranks out 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm, and a new 112ci option produces 126 hp and 133 lb-ft. It was the top-of-the-line 112 version that the three Indian FORGED builders were tasked with customizing.
“After testing the new Chieftain and its Roadmaster stablemate in Nevada, we believe Indian has built one of the best baggers in America,” wrote Kevin Duke in his review. With a range of backgrounds and unique styles, each builder takes a different approach to his build, highlighting the customizing possibilities of the new Chieftain PowerPlus 112.
Builder 1: Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg
The first video in the 2025 series aired May 20 and featured Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, who also serves as the host of the series, travels to the sites of the other two builders, and checks out their progress and final builds. Twitch has a new role this season, having been the recipient of a Sport Chief built by Carey Hart for the 2023 season.
Like other FORGED participants, Twitch’s build is influenced by his personal history. In this case, that’s an extensive background in freestyle motocross. Twitch steps out of his dirtbike comfort zone for the series, turning to the world of custom baggers to try something new. In the video, Twitch gives viewers a tour of his new shop, where he has his personal Indian and the FORGED bike taken apart to begin work.
Since this project is Twitch’s first attempt at building a performance bagger, he employs the help of stunt rider Seth Brisson. In the video, Twitch and Brisson bounce ideas off each other. Twitch explains that he wants to bring some dirtbike flavor to the bike, including a high and tight profile and a more centered riding position.
In the fourth episode of the series, Twitch reveals his custom Chieftain PowerPlus to its new owner, pro skateboarder Ryan Sheckler. Twitch and Sheckler have been friends since Sheckler was a pre-teen, making Twitch uniquely equipped to build a bike that’d be the perfect match for him.
The finished bike has a black-on-black paint scheme with elaborate details, a moto-style gold chain, and rose lace graphics. Twitch included a Baja Designs LP6 headlight and flood lights, blacked-out Hart Luck wheels, a blacked-out Two Brothers Racing 2-into-1 exhaust, and premium carbon-fiber components, including saddlebags and rear fender. As intended, the bike features moto-inspired ergonomics. Thinking of what’s important to Sheckler, Twitch also added Sheckler’s daughters’ names to the dash.
Builder 2: Kyle Bertsch of Forever Rad
Kyle Bertsch of Forever Rad was the second builder to be featured in the 2025 FORGED series. Beginning from a passion for skateboarding, Bertsch customized cars before trying his hand at building custom motorcycles.
In Missouri, the Forever Rad team creates parts and accessories for baggers, including Indian models. In the second episode of the series, Twitch visits the Forever Rad shop and takes a tour of the facility. Bertsch shows Twitch the engine and frame that he’s painting in the shop, pointing out the small details of his work that set it apart. Bertsch explains that his vision for the bike is to use Forever Rad parts as he normally would but take things a step further, including creating parts specifically for this build.
In Forever Rad’s reveal episode, Bertsch presents the finished product to its new owner, country musician Tyler Hubbard. Previously a member of the duo Florida Georgia Line, Hubbard has been riding since he was a kid and is now teaching his kids to ride. Hubbard encouraged Bertsch to follow his instincts and gave the builder complete creative freedom.
The Forever Rad bike features smoothed out and coated textures all over the frame and PowerPlus motor, as well as a slimmer fuel tank. It includes a one-off custom pipe developed by HPI, carbon-fiber components throughout, upgraded suspension from Big Bear, and a mix of parts by Forever Rad, Kraus, and other companies. Everything except the pipe is available for sale, allowing other enthusiasts to take inspiration from this build to customize their own Chieftain PowerPlus.
Builder 3: Satya Kraus of Kraus Moto
Starting in the chopper scene in the late ’90s, Satya Kraus built his career on custom bikes, and his aftermarket company, Kraus Motor Co., continues to make high-quality parts and accessories. In the third episode of the series, Twitch tours the Kraus facility and gets a peek of what Kraus is working on.
Kraus shows Twitch how his parts are designed and manufactured, explaining all the machines and equipment that are used in-house. Kraus explains how the invitation to work on the Indian FORGED series took him back to his early days of bike building. His vision for this build was to tighten everything up and chop things down while keeping it cohesive.
The final episode of the 2025 series featured Kraus’ finished build. Kraus presents his bike to UFC fighter Cody Garbrandt. The Kraus bike reflects Garbrandt’s aggressive, all-or-nothing fighting style.
“This bike is a straight street ripper,” said Kraus. “There’s no bullshit. No glossy paint. There’s no fancy ‘this or that.’ It’s classy, but it’s mean and it’s all about business.”
Kraus’ bike features a long list of his company’s exclusive parts, including new parts prototyped for this build that will be available from Kraus Motor Co. The build also features BST forged carbon-fiber wheels, Öhlins suspension, Speigler brake lines, a one-off stainless steel exhaust pipe from FAB28 Industries, a custom Saddlemen seat, a Klock Werks shorty windscreen, a DTF carbon-fiber front fender and dash cover, Rizoma mirrors, Hart Luck ODI grips, Denali lights, custom tank emblems, chopped saddlebags, and a custom derby cover with Gardrandt’s “No Love” nickname.
That’s a Wrap
The fourth season of the Indian FORGED series showcased three unique interpretations of the Chieftain PowerPlus, demonstrating what is possible within the world of custom performance baggers. All six videos, as well as the three previous FORGED series, are available on Indian’s YouTube channel.
