For 2025, Indian Motorcycle’s FORGED custom build series returns with even more horsepower, craftsmanship, and personal storytelling — and this year’s lineup is pure custom motorcycle gold. Hosting this year’s FORGED program is freestyle motocross icon Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, who steps away from the throttle and into the shop to lead his first-ever V-Twin custom build. He’s joined by two heavy hitters in the custom V-Twin world:  Satya Kraus of Kraus Motor Co. and Kyle Bertsch of Forever Rad. 

This year’s platform? The Chieftain PowerPlus, a liquid-cooled, 112ci performance bagger that delivers the high-revving punch riders crave, wrapped in modern American muscle. For the FORGED series, each builder has been challenged to push the Chieftain’s boundaries and transform it into a one-of-a-kind machine — tailored to their personal style, background, and philosophy.

FORGED: Twitch Heads Up Indian Motorcycle’s Custom Build Program in 2025

At the heart of this year’s FORGED series is Kyle Bertsch, owner of Forever Rad, a custom motorcycle shop known for its raw energy, performance focus, and skateboard-inspired aesthetic. Based in St. Louis, Forever Rad has carved out a unique niche in the custom Indian Motorcycle scene by blending precision fabrication with rider-first design — always staying true to the “rad” mindset.

“For me, Forever Rad is a lifestyle,” says Bertsch. “It’s not just about motorcycles. It started with skateboards, moved to cars, and landed here. Whatever I’m building, it’s got to be rad. That’s the rule.”

That mindset flows into every detail of Forever Rad’s builds. Bertsch and his team took the Chieftain PowerPlus all the way down to the frame, smoothing and coating every component of the chassis. “This is the first time we’ve taken a PowerPlus down this far,” Bertsch explains. “We smoothed out the entire frame — like, mirror-finish smooth — and recoated it. That level of detail is something that might not even get noticed for years, but it’s there. Even if the bike changes hands three owners later, someone’s going to pop a cover off and say, ‘Whoa, they smoothed the whole frame?’ That’s what we’re about.”

They didn’t stop there. The entire engine has been disassembled and re-coated, swapping the factory charcoal finish for something entirely new. “You can’t get the PowerPlus engine in any other color stock — but we made it happen. Every single part is redone.”

Forever Rad isn’t just a shop. It’s a family. The garage is packed with creative energy, rad dogs, bold artwork, and a strong sense of community — and that’s by design. “We’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and it finally feels like we’re just getting started,” says Bertsch. “We’ve built a team here that rides, works, and dreams together. This FORGED build is a reflection of all that.”

Their custom Chieftain PowerPlus will feature a mix of Forever Rad’s signature parts, new one-off components, and a riding stance that screams fast, aggressive, and track-capable. “We’re sticking with our formula — high-performance V-Twin parts, bold styling, and everything with purpose. The brakes are dialed. The geometry is right. The bike rips — and it looks killer doing it.”

As a long-time rider of the PowerPlus platform, Bertsch brings deep experience to the build. “I’ve logged over 60,000 miles on these bikes — long-distance stuff, day-in and day-out riding. The PowerPlus is a high-revving, cool-running, DOHC motor that never left me stranded. It’s the reason I fell in love with Indian motorcycles.”

While Indian’s Challenger has taken much of the spotlight in recent years, the Chieftain PowerPlus is a welcome shake-up. “It was a breath of fresh air,” says Bertsch. “We’ve done so many Challengers — this was the perfect time to shake things up and show what the Chieftain can really do.”

For Kyle and the Forever Rad team, this build isn’t just about showcasing skills — it’s about showing future generations what passion and dedication can create. “My kids see me working in the shop, taking long rides, and pouring everything into these builds. Now they want to hang out in the garage. They want to ride. That’s everything.”

“I’m not the richest guy on the planet,” Bertsch says. “But in terms of what really matters — building bikes with people I love, inspiring others, and living the life I dreamed of — I’m the richest guy in the world.”