When it’s time to buy a big-burly American cruiser, most of the buyers inevitably head to the nearest Harley-Davidson showroom. But not many know that there’s an alternative to Harleys: Indian Motorcycle. They’ve been around for more than a hundred years; they make kickass motorcycles, and they’re as American as they come.
Although Indian Motorcycle’s range is full of many popular models, the company’s Chief range of V-Twins is one of the most loved. The year 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the original Indian Chief, and to commemorate the occasion, the company decided to revamp the Chief range – there are now as many as six new Indian Chiefs out on the loose.
In this piece, we’re concentrating on the most aggressive and badass version of the lot – the blacked-out 2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse. Launched early in 2021, the new version (model year 2022) takes the fight to the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S. A lot of new bits and bobs are on offer, but the biggest highlight is its bigger displacement Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin motor.
2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse: Thunderstroke V-Twin Power
At the heart of the 2022 Chief Dark Horse beats an air-cooled two-valve 1,890cc (116 cubic inches) V-Twin engine. As you’d expect, this motor is all about torque – there’s 120 lb-ft of twisting force available right from 3,200 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission and belt drive.
Staying true to its modern retro philosophy, the Chief Dark Horse gets modern tech such as ride-by-wire throttle, three selectable riding modes – Touring, Standard, and Race – and ABS. Surprisingly, there’s no traction control. So, you better think twice before unleashing the fury of that torquey twin-motor on public roads!
There’s a 4-inch Ride Command touchscreen dial from where you control all the functions. The dial doubles up as an analog instrument cluster. Turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, cruise control, full LED headlamps, rear-cylinder deactivation system, keyless ignition, and a 12V charging port are some of the other standard features.
2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse: Design, Frame, And Suspension
The Chief Dark Horse is the bad boy of the bunch, thanks to its stripped-down design, mid-mounted pegs, solo seat, mag wheels, and drag-style bars. With its 64-inch wheelbase and a low seat height of 26-inches, it’s got a timeless design. That said, there’s nothing old about it when it comes to its innards. Featuring an all-new steel frame, the Chief has a newfound appeal. Not to mention, the modern mechanical components will make it more balanced and fun-to-ride on the road.
On duty on the Chief Dark Horse, there’s a 46mm telescopic front fork and dual-shocks at the rear with pre-load adjustability. The front and rear wheel travel stand at 5.2-inch and 3.0-inch, respectively. A ground clearance of 4.9-inch and a maximum lean angle of 28.5-degree will see you scrape the pegs and exhaust quite easily around the canyons. At 670 pounds of curb weight, the Chief Dark Horse won’t be easy to throw around corners either. In fact, with fat 130/60-19 front and 180/65-16 rear tires, expect the steering to be slow – which is how it should be since the Chief Dark Horse isn’t meant for corner carving. For braking duties, you have 300mm discs at the front and rear wheels (the front runs a four-piston caliper setup while the rear wheel gets two-piston hardware).
2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse Price
The 2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse costs $16,999 in the standard Black Smoke shade. Opting for the optional two shades – Stealth Gray and Alumina Jade Smoke – will mean spending another $500 on top.
Buyers of a hot-rod like the Chief Dark Horse won’t stick to the standard model, though, which is why there are tons of customization options on offer. From Stage 1 & 2 performance mods to a pillion seat, you’re given the liberty to personalize your Chief Dark Horse whichever way you like. Just know that it’ll cost you a heck of a lot of money – the performance mod alone ranges between $525 and $2,420!
But then, all said, that’s the way to go about these wild old-school V-twins. They’re all about style, performance, and persona. You ride these kinds of cruiser motorcycles to stand out, and not to run with the pack…