Indian Chief Dark Horse

The Indian Chief Dark Horse’s appearance is defined by a combination of modern features and iconic design cues reminiscent of the legendary Indian Chief of the 1920s. Its classic-looking front end is illuminated by a round LED headlamp assembly and a pair of LED turn signals. Upfront, the rider has access to a 4-inch touchscreen display powered by Indian’s RIDE COMMAND. This display is already installed with Bluetooth connectivity, ride stats, and GPS navigation. It also shows the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, compass, gear indicator, and ambient temperature.

This cruiser comes with drag-style handlebars, a low solo seat, and mid-mounted foot pegs, all of which help the average Filipino rider maintain a comfortable and stable riding position on the highway. You also won’t have to worry about intense heat ruining your experience, thanks to its rear cylinder deactivation feature. And for enhanced convenience, it also comes with a keyless ignition system.

Going back to design, it flaunts a sporty, rugged silhouette, accentuated by its bobbed fenders, exposed rear shocks, blacked-out dual exhaust pipes, and muscular Thunderstroke motor. Its stripped-down side profile is complemented by white Indian branding stickers. This cruiser runs on machine-highlighted cast black wheels (front: 19-inch, rear: 16-inch) wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tyres. Meanwhile, its rear also has that neo-classic vibe, with its LED tail lamp and another pair of round turn signals. 

In terms of dimensions, the Indian Chief Dark Horse measures 2,286 mm in length, 922 mm in width, 1,253 mm in overall height, and 662 mm in seat height. This neo-retro cruiser also comes with a 1,626-mm wheelbase and a 125-mm ground clearance. Overall, its design is a strong representation of the evolution of its Indian heritage.

In terms of suspension, the Indian Chief Dark Horse comes with a 132-mm Telescopic Fork at the front and 75-mm Dual Shock Absorbers with adjustable preload at the rear. This cruiser is enjoyable to ride on the twisties despite its weight. Even at high speeds, it delivers good grip and control on the highway. However, its 125-mm ground clearance limits its practicality for city riding conditions, especially on roads with large bumps and deep potholes. That said, this cruiser thrives more on smooth, long roads.

The Indian Chief Dark Horse is powered by a 1,890-cc, air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine that delivers 156 Nm of torque at 3,300 RPM. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, paired with three selectable riding modes: Tour, Standard, or Sport.

The Chief Dark Horse is quick off the line. Overtaking on free-flowing expressways is not a challenge for this cruiser. Its manual transmission is also smooth and responsive, enhancing the rider’s performance out on the road. In Sport mode, it launches with immense emotion and excitement. However, like its other cruiser cousins, it is more suited for short-distance trips than full-on touring considering its 15.1-L fuel capacity. 

The Indian Chief Dark Horse utilizes a single 300-mm semi-floating rotor with a 4-piston caliper for front braking and a single 300-mm floating rotor with a 2-piston caliper for the rear. Its braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system. 

For discerning buyers in the market for a neo-retro cruiser that offers a mix of style, performance, and comfort on the road, the Indian Chief Dark Horse is certainly worth considering.