This was an excellent review as you presented more realistic road challenges with potholes, poor surface quality, etc. I also like that you took it on the interstate, where we saw what wind buffeting is like. I'm looking at your bike, the Chieftain, and Challenger, but there's something about the classic, no-frills look I'm a sucker for. I like the Road King Special, but the suspension on the Indian edges is out for me.
RH, I really appreciate your videos man! You have reviewed BOTH of the motorcycles I owned. My VERY first motorcycle was a 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M90 (too big for a beginner right?) and now I have a 2022 SDH and I absolutely love it. I've had it for a year and a half now and couldn't be happier (unless they switched out the gauge and placed in more in my field of view). I was considering the RKS. I even rented a RKS for a weekend from a guy on Riders Share and liked it. Buuuuut, once I went for a test ride on the SDH, it was game over for the RKS. Such a difference in the way it rides, handles, and shifts. Once I rode it, I knew I was getting it! Thanks again for your reviews!
I have a similar story to many others it sounds like. I was struggling between getting the SDH or the RKS. Love the look of the RKS but the SDH was just way more of a comfortable ride and that’s what sold me. I absolutely love my 23 SDH and have no regrets about the choice I made!
Put over 18k on my 2017 Springfield before trading up to my 2019 Roadmaster. Bike took me from Oklahoma to sturgis and many more trouble free miles! Smooth and powerful bike.
Thank you for this review! Currently iam owning a Indian scout bobber twenty 2020 and thinking about a upgrade to this or the rk this review helped me a lot! Greetings from Germany!
My Last Bike was a Victory Cross country tour, Of course with Polaris abandoning the brand I no longer felt secure running it on long trips, They almost have me convinced to trust them again and if I buy an Indian it will be the Dark Horse Springfield.
The issue I have with Indian and particularly this one in the denim black is at 20 paces it looks cool but close up everything looks plastic and cheap, HD Road King etc have a far more expensive looking fit and finish for the same money.
I would say go take a look at the Springfield itself. To be real the Dark Horse does not look near as good to me, but it is what it is, the entry level bagger for people that want no fairing and no frills. The Springfield, though cheaper, is chromed out and looks every bit better than a Road King with its distinct design language of the old school flowing fenders and massive front end and rounded bags, and of course two toned paint. Thought the color choices are a bit meh this year. Last year's Spirit Blue over Silver Quartz was absolutely to die for. The thing is I have worked both sides of the market, Indian and Harley. The perception of HD's fit and finish being of absolute quality is actually non-sense. Both manufacturers have weak freaking clear coat that gets scratched when a feather blows into it, both make compromises for styling over function. One claims to be a "premium" manufacturer by using off the shelf components used on bikes less than half the cost and cranks out massive volumes that does not equate to premium, the other actually uses them, like the Fox suspension systems and locking bags and such, but yet really does not claim to be premium. There's give and take to both American players right now, and to be real I would like Harley to be better, so that Indian can be better. I would love to see more risks and different ideas. Motorcycles are selling like hot cakes, but just not big burly American bikes, because in the end, the people care just as much about the $1525 Honda CB750 when new as the people who spent $8000 on the Harley back then as much as the $3200 buck Grom and the $50,000 CVO, it's a motorcycle and it is something to cherish and enjoy if not trash and have fun. There can be more Groms than CVOs and the culture around them can be bigger because more can enter. I wish that for American Companies, I wish they would both understand the importance of culture and starting something great and keeping it going, from 125s to 1000s, instead of just harvesting what is left of the very over worked fields. It's time for a true change, but hey what do I know?
Any owners have issues with the air rear suspension on these? Saw a few gripes/repair issues on other forums with the air suspension on these bikes with a few years on them.
@@buckjohnson they exist, but not really all too common. Could be they're not filling their air up as well on them so they don't know there is an issue. But from what we have witnessed on Springfields/Chieftains/Roadmaster they hold up pretty well. Mostly the remote line is all we have an issue with letting air out and that's a simple fix.
I think Indian is making fantastic bikes. Remote locking bags I for sure wish my Harley had. The Springfield has a couple more HP and TQ than my RKS…ohhh big deal. Call that a tie. Not going to be noticed on the road. That said, especially with Harley’s new redesigned models, I think to say Indian is just a slam dunk winner and so far ahead is just not true. Either by choice or being forced by EPA Harley will make an all liquid cooled big cruiser soon and then the challenger isn’t the slam dunk there either. I would by one of the new scouts before a sportster. Indian is kicking ass in that mid-small cruiser range. Looks are subjective and for the most part IMO Harley’s look better. Gap is closed, prices are about the same. Indian is no longer the slam dunk and it’s on them to come up with something for this next model rollout in August or whenever.
I'll admit the fake left hand cap is weird, but it's like traditional when tanks were separate and required both fillers, and technically a third where the oil was. But it is not necessary.
This was an excellent review as you presented more realistic road challenges with potholes, poor surface quality, etc. I also like that you took it on the interstate, where we saw what wind buffeting is like. I'm looking at your bike, the Chieftain, and Challenger, but there's something about the classic, no-frills look I'm a sucker for. I like the Road King Special, but the suspension on the Indian edges is out for me.
As a 2023 Chieftain darkhorse owner I can tell you that rear Fox shock is fantastic. The bike handles better than my Goldwing.
RH, I really appreciate your videos man! You have reviewed BOTH of the motorcycles I owned. My VERY first motorcycle was a 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M90 (too big for a beginner right?) and now I have a 2022 SDH and I absolutely love it. I've had it for a year and a half now and couldn't be happier (unless they switched out the gauge and placed in more in my field of view). I was considering the RKS. I even rented a RKS for a weekend from a guy on Riders Share and liked it. Buuuuut, once I went for a test ride on the SDH, it was game over for the RKS. Such a difference in the way it rides, handles, and shifts. Once I rode it, I knew I was getting it! Thanks again for your reviews!
I have a similar story to many others it sounds like. I was struggling between getting the SDH or the RKS. Love the look of the RKS but the SDH was just way more of a comfortable ride and that’s what sold me. I absolutely love my 23 SDH and have no regrets about the choice I made!
Put over 18k on my 2017 Springfield before trading up to my 2019 Roadmaster. Bike took me from Oklahoma to sturgis and many more trouble free miles! Smooth and powerful bike.
I love this bike!
When this comes with ride command Im done for.
Thank you for this review! Currently iam owning a Indian scout bobber twenty 2020 and thinking about a upgrade to this or the rk this review helped me a lot! Greetings from Germany!
I just bought a 2023 springfield dark horse, and I absolutely love it.rides like a dream
My Last Bike was a Victory Cross country tour, Of course with Polaris abandoning the brand I no longer felt secure running it on long trips, They almost have me convinced to trust them again and if I buy an Indian it will be the Dark Horse Springfield.
The issue I have with Indian and particularly this one in the denim black is at 20 paces it looks cool but close up everything looks plastic and cheap, HD Road King etc have a far more expensive looking fit and finish for the same money.
I would say go take a look at the Springfield itself. To be real the Dark Horse does not look near as good to me, but it is what it is, the entry level bagger for people that want no fairing and no frills. The Springfield, though cheaper, is chromed out and looks every bit better than a Road King with its distinct design language of the old school flowing fenders and massive front end and rounded bags, and of course two toned paint. Thought the color choices are a bit meh this year. Last year's Spirit Blue over Silver Quartz was absolutely to die for. The thing is I have worked both sides of the market, Indian and Harley. The perception of HD's fit and finish being of absolute quality is actually non-sense. Both manufacturers have weak freaking clear coat that gets scratched when a feather blows into it, both make compromises for styling over function. One claims to be a "premium" manufacturer by using off the shelf components used on bikes less than half the cost and cranks out massive volumes that does not equate to premium, the other actually uses them, like the Fox suspension systems and locking bags and such, but yet really does not claim to be premium. There's give and take to both American players right now, and to be real I would like Harley to be better, so that Indian can be better. I would love to see more risks and different ideas. Motorcycles are selling like hot cakes, but just not big burly American bikes, because in the end, the people care just as much about the $1525 Honda CB750 when new as the people who spent $8000 on the Harley back then as much as the $3200 buck Grom and the $50,000 CVO, it's a motorcycle and it is something to cherish and enjoy if not trash and have fun. There can be more Groms than CVOs and the culture around them can be bigger because more can enter. I wish that for American Companies, I wish they would both understand the importance of culture and starting something great and keeping it going, from 125s to 1000s, instead of just harvesting what is left of the very over worked fields. It's time for a true change, but hey what do I know?
Great Info and very detailed video.
❤ Favorite HONEST bike review dude[well maybe a bias 😊}
Eh, not as biased as one may think, unless it is something vs Harley then that something will usually win, unless that something is a Bolt... lol
Nice video keep up the good work
Any owners have issues with the air rear suspension on these? Saw a few gripes/repair issues on other forums with the air suspension on these bikes with a few years on them.
@@buckjohnson they exist, but not really all too common. Could be they're not filling their air up as well on them so they don't know there is an issue. But from what we have witnessed on Springfields/Chieftains/Roadmaster they hold up pretty well. Mostly the remote line is all we have an issue with letting air out and that's a simple fix.
I think Indian is making fantastic bikes. Remote locking bags I for sure wish my Harley had. The Springfield has a couple more HP and TQ than my RKS…ohhh big deal. Call that a tie. Not going to be noticed on the road. That said, especially with Harley’s new redesigned models, I think to say Indian is just a slam dunk winner and so far ahead is just not true. Either by choice or being forced by EPA Harley will make an all liquid cooled big cruiser soon and then the challenger isn’t the slam dunk there either. I would by one of the new scouts before a sportster. Indian is kicking ass in that mid-small cruiser range. Looks are subjective and for the most part IMO Harley’s look better. Gap is closed, prices are about the same. Indian is no longer the slam dunk and it’s on them to come up with something for this next model rollout in August or whenever.
the only reason i didnt get a Springfield. no stock windshield and that fake gas cap.... eww... ..... i got a the super chief limited....
I'll admit the fake left hand cap is weird, but it's like traditional when tanks were separate and required both fillers, and technically a third where the oil was. But it is not necessary.
That ugly sticker ruins the look of the fuel tank