bruceandt Thank you SO MUCH! I was really hoping to make this review the best one I had done yet. I appreciate your feedback a lot. Thanks for watching! :)
bruceandt I'm sure you would be fine. I'm 6'3 and about 265, and I test rode a Roadmaster the other day and the only difference between the chief and the Roadmaster is the fairing and rear passenger trunk. Same frame same engine. If you are looking for a stripped down ride then this bike should fit you fine.
I got 60mpg on this doing a 300 miles run, one tank through the mountains. I was just cruising not hot dogging but I was very surprised. Love this bike
You have really helped me. I am going to purchase a Indian this winter, and it was a toss up between the Chief Dark Horse, or the Springfeild. So thanks, you have the BEST review on this Horse, great details about the gauge. All the other videos that are out there clearly do not understand what "review" mean, once again, thanks.
@@chrischabra7417 I've heard a few comments about Indians having rust issues. Didnt know how much truth there was in that, or if it was just scuttlebutt.
So a wee bit of back story that landed me here to watch this video...Last week I was in an accident on my bike. It's a 2016 HD Sportster Superlow. I'm waiting to hear from the dealership on whether it can be repaired or if it's too badly damaged and considered totaled. But honestly, I think it's totaled...I was starting to look into other bikes that might be suitable for me in case I don't get my Sportie back. I started looking at a couple of Indians even though I've been strictly a Harley person. The two that stand out to me are this one, the 2018 Chief Dark Horse and the 2017 Chief Vintage. Your video was amazing and you make it look and sound so good it makes me want one! You'd be a great Indian salesman lol
Thanks! Now tell that to Indian so they hire me 🤣 Sorry to hear about your accident but I am so glad you walked away! Definitely take the Indians for a spin - you might find yourself a new love. Thanks for watching!
This is THE BEST motorcycle review I’ve seen on TH-cam. You went over everything! Great job! I am a fairly new rider. I bought my Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom in January and in the 4 months I’ve had the bike I’ve put about 1,600 miles on it. I love the bike but I am looking for something with a little more power. In 5th gear I feel like the bike is at top power and the rpms are high. It kinda sounds like the bikes in the wrong gear almost. So I want a bike that has all the bells and whistles on it but is also affordable. There’s an Indian Chief where I live for $11,000 and I’m contemplating trading my Vulcan. The only thing I heard in your review I didn’t like was that the bike was air cooled. Doesn’t air cooled bikes break down more if you’re stuck in traffic or something? I’d much rather have liquid cooled like my Vulcan so now I don’t know if I want to buy the bike. I don’t want to deal with a bike breaking down because it isn’t getting enough air. Please let me know if that’s a big problem with air cooled bikes. I’m fairly new so I’m no expert.
I can't believe this comment slipped through over a year ago without me seeing it. So sorry about that! I hope you are doing well and enjoying your Vulcan (or whatever you may ride now). The air cooling is no problem on more modern bikes. You can also get an oil cooler from Indian to add on to the bike which really takes care of any heating issue concerns. Ride safe, and thanks for watching!
Great vid man...thanks for all the detail....one of the best I have seen on Utube. I am about to buy a Indian Springfield- obviously very close to the Chief. Again, great vid!
Hi I am probably to buy dark horse by next month. Want to know about 2018 model that is there a lot of heat release if it get stuck in traffic or it will be better to go for 2019 model. Which has liquid cool engine
My chief was fine even in hot weather. You can also get the oil cooler accessory for it which will help it run cooler. I was in the heat of a tennessee summer and it never had any issues.
Man, I legitimately have the same Vulcan S, even the color, as you and have been looking into this bike too due to comfort. You aren't alone with only going 30 minutes on the Vulcan without pain.
I thought comfort didn't matter. Spoiler alert, it does. And at 23, I'm not an old man looking for a comfy seat, I just want to enjoy the riding I do. That's super cool we are in the same situation with bikes!
Great review. Everything you said also applies to the Roadmaster, which I got to test ride last weekend. It's great to see that even the lower end of the Indian lineup is just as comfortable and easy to ride as the big expensive ones.
MOTOBLADE Awesome enjoy the testing the "bigger" (more expensive) bikes that Indian has out there. I was super impressed with the Indians and though they blew Harley-Davidson out of the water, the way they were super smooth. Not to mention the radio sound/amps per channel is way better on Indian bikes
I plan on having this bike as my daily cruiser as I live in Texas and it's pretty dry here almost year round. Gas prices are getting to be too expensive to fill up a normal car so I think motorcycles will see an immense rise in popularity. This will also be my first bike, (yes I'm nuts, I know.) I don't know of many other people in my area who actually own or ride an Indian let alone a dark horse so I'd like to think I'll be unique in that way.
You're not nuts, you're smart. Bigger bike to start on but that's not a big deal. A good Indian that can haul groceries, comfy to ride, and gets good gas mileage. It's a smart move! Congrats on the bike!
@@MOTOBLADE thanks so much! I genuinely can't wait to get in the wind again. When I was young, I'd ride with my dad on his Harley and I loved it. I didn't know I could ride anything manual like that til I got on a dirt bike and had an absolute blast! Just lifting the bike up I was amazed at how well I fit and felt on it and how easy it was to lift up onto its wheels too.
Good review, but I will say you should have done a walk around so that people can actually see what you are talking about. Helps a lot. Thanks again. Keep it coming.
walk around, and I don't know why more people that do bike reviews don't throw in 30 seconds of silence ... so you can hear the bike as it's going through the gears and cruising.
Juwon Adejuwon Yep, needs: walk around before and after, occasional views from other rider showing what you look like riding it (with mentions of your height/weight; because that is important for the image)...
I currently have a 23 limited pursuit. Im toying with the idea of trading in for the dark horse Springfield or dark horse chieftain. The looks of the Springfield are hard to beat. Most of my riding is local miles with some shorter trips. But i put on about 25k miles a year. Since you have owned both basically the Springfield and the chieftain. Yes i would lose the infotainment. Which is pretty sweet. But not crucial. So What are your thoughts on making this trade in pros and cons . Thanks brother.
Your pursuit is certainly worth a lot more than the Springfield so make sure you get the value out of it on the trade! That would be my first caution for you. Secondly, I loved the Chief, it was a very enjoyable riding experience. My older ‘15 Chief is more similar to the new Springfield than the current chief lineup. I enjoyed it, but I liked the infotainment of the chieftain and the windshield and the locking bags (which the Springfield has the bags). I think the biggest difference for you will be coming from a liquid cooled bike back “down” to an air cooled bike. So if you’re riding in a hotter environment, you’re going to have more heat from the bike and hotter engine temps. If you’re mostly riding in an area that’s cooler than it shouldn’t be a concern. Best advice I can ever give is take a test ride on both and see what you like best. And if it helps, I have a video on the new chieftain and the new Springfield on my channel as well. I hope that helps in someway! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. New chieftain vid: th-cam.com/video/IGNCvN6LmCs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gXfG_vAglGCl66Qs New Springfield vid: th-cam.com/video/_JMx_rzy_DI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KLMcC4ihealzRfx7
@@MOTOBLADE its so hard. Yep I’ve tried both the chieftain and the Springfield. Problem is i love them all. The pursuit i currently have is performance beast. Incredible handling and power., it really just comes down to the looks of the chieftain and Springfield are damn good. Especially the Springfield. Im gonna try the Springfield again tomorrow.. most likely I’ll keep my pursuit for awhile then maybe switch up to the chieftain or Springfield.
I'm glad you are enjoying the new bike!! Great review! I'm not really into the dark style bikes, so I have the '18 Vintage in Sky Blue and Pearl White. Otherwise, I agree with all you say about the bike!! I came from Harleys, which I loved, and haven't regretted a moment!!
Well put together vlog. I have the 2016 Springfield and as you... I love it. There is a button on my handle bar that I believe you also have. It's located on the right side and looks exactly like the lever on the left side that toggles through the menu options. I do not know what it does. Any ideas??? Ride safe.
Yes, I had it on my Chief. Never did figure out what it was for! It has a purpose on my new Chieftain for cycling ride command screens, but I have no clue what it did for the Chief and Springfield - if you figure it out let me know!
VVoltz Yes! Plan on doing that as soon as possible. The passenger foot boards have easy mounting hardware and the passenger seat goes on with two small bolts I believe. Very easy setup. Will do a full install video for both when I install them.
Just my little thoughts here, but while I watched this video I kept thinking that I would have loved to be able to see more of the bike. Don't get me wrong, I love the POV riding shots, but I still want to see the whole bike from time to time. Other than that great review!
Would love to have this bike but man does it look like it'll suck for all the LA traffic here :( which is why I'm probably opting for a scout or ftr1200 instead next year.
I have to say I loved your review. Great job very informative. I have underestimated Indian in the past not anymore. I am struggling to lose weight but am around 400lbs. Can I ride it will air ride help with the weight? I have a trike but REALLY missing two wheels.
Glad you enjoyed the review! I do not know about the weight, but my guess is it would probably be fine. Best thing I can tell you is go to a dealership and test ride it for yourself. Then you'll know if you're comfortable on it or not.
The rake is different. So in theory you could put the Chieftain fairing on it later if you wanted to. It also has the front highway bars on the Springfield I believe. You also have the hard locking bags (and a slightly different exhaust to support the bags from below) on the Springfield. That's pretty much it.
@@MOTOBLADE thanks for the quick reply. I need to take em both for a good ride, I'd prefer the wider base personally, the hard bags are nice but I like the classic look of some leather bags so I'm leaning more towards the cheif than the Springfield
DEFINITELY take them both for a ride. Test riding is the best thing you can do when buying a bike. Usually one ride is all it takes to know exactly what you want.
We have three 2018 indian chief motorcycles, here in Missouri, Kansas shop, and I'm hoping to be able to get one soon. One is a dark horse, that looks much like the one in this video.
Which model is this? I know they have the Indian chieftain dark horse which is more like a street glide (Harley)? But I’m unclear on the difference between the chief dark horse and the dark horse.... seems a bit confusing having multiple of the same name. Can anyone clarify for me please? I ride a victory touring cruiser and looking to make a move to a new cruiser that is current considering victory has officially ended manufacturing as of the last week. And I’d prefer an Indian because their relationship with victory
zack carson There is a Chief, Springfield, and Chieftain for Indian models. Dark Horse is a trim package or variation of those models. So my bike is the Indian Chief, with the Dark Horse paint/trim. Hope that helps!
Hello. Im In India and currently ride Street 750. I now plan to upgrade and Indian Chief Darkhorse is on my list. Just want to know how do you compare the vibrations when compared to lets say HD Fatboy or a Fatbob. Thanks and Happy New Year.
Vibrations were less on the Indian compared to every harley I've ridden (and I've rode them all). Comfort on the Indian far exceeds the Harleys. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Absolutely! I'm 5'8. Not much difference there :) I can still flat-foot it at stops and handle the bike weight very easily. You'd be absolutely fine on this bike.
MOTOBLADE awesome! Thank you, i’ve always been intimidated by how big these bikes are you know? So I bought a scout and absolutely love it. Now I’m looking to add one of Indians bigger motorcycles to my lineup specifically for long-distance traveling and cruise control. Ever take any rode trips on her?
MOTOBLADE of course you took trips on it, that was mentioned in the video,I’m an idiot. I guess a better question would be how did it handle, how was gas mileage and how was comfortability .
Fantastic review, great work I'm fairly short (5'6"), and I'm worried about the reach to the handlebars. What's your opinion on this bike for shorter riders like me?
Great review, do you still own this motorcycle? I'm looking at a 2017 Chief Dark Horse with 45k miles for $11k not sure if that's a deal or not as I don't know much about this model.
I traded this in for my dream bike, also featured on my channel, the Chieftain Dark Horse. 11k sounds like a steal to me. If I had the money I’d get it again as a second bike. I enjoyed it a lot.
Cutoff switch kills the fuel pump and engine. Power switch turns off the lights and electronics. If you don't turn off the power switch after hitting the kill switch, it will automatically turn off on its own after 10-15 seconds.
@@MOTOBLADE I've had my Springfield for a couple of weeks now and noticed that my battery was flashing along with my ABS light on. So, I put it on the charger today before heading to work. I figured I was doing something wrong.
Great bike ,great video. I know I love my dark horse. From the bike I had to this one , is like going from a pinto to a Cadillac. Hope you have many safe miles. Now I have to wait for another video.
Joseph Arnold Same here, going from the Vulcan to this I always tell my wife is like going from a civic to a Cadillac. Thanks for watching, ride safe! ✌
Incredibly good review of this bike. As someone who was looking to buy this exact bike it really helps my decision when seeing a video as descriptive and in depth as this one
You're good! It was my first Indian. Bought it back in 2018. Kinda want to get the new Springfield now just to have my "old bike back." I am editing the new sport chief video right now and it should be up this weekend if you're looking for a review on that!
I test rode the chief dark horse and a harley street glide and thought both were lacking throttle response compare to my yamaha stryker. They kinda felt like they had no power.
Hello. thank you for the great review, I have a chance to buy one of these bikes same year and model...I was delighted to see ABS us standard and cruise control. but is there a USB port to charge my camera or phone??
Hello Moto, loved the video. I also watched your other video regarding the 2019 fat bob, pumpkin spiced latte. I'm torn between the two, as I'm considering which bike to be my first ever purchase. Out of the two, which would you go with? I do like the fact that for the price you're paying, you're getting more features from the Indian, but always loved Harley's growing up. Thanks, subbed!
I would say it's a great bike! Easy to control, but it may be a bit heavy depending on the amount of experience you have. Wonderful bike and exactly like this one, except with the locking hard saddlebags.
This is the best review on the indian dark horse I have seen on TH-cam. I also watched your tail of the dragon ride and... the other one. I'm really jonesing for this bike. How is the center of gravity on this bike compared to the other US manufacturer. Also did you feel a lot of heat coming from the engine while doing those highway rides? Did I say I just subscribed. Great quality content. Keep up the great work. Last but not least... Hello from Alberta Canada.
Center of gravity is low and feels great. Feels more balanced than a Harley and I am in total control of the bike. Just my opinion though. Felt hardly any heat while riding on the highway, compared to a good amount of heat on the Harleys I've ridden (road king for example). You should definitely go try this bike out, you won't regret it. Never been to Alberta, but I've made it out to B.C. a couple of times. Ride safe brother ✌
MOTOBLADE to maybe promote your channel and the bike. Any possible way to amalgamate the three videos. For highlights on balance lean, performance, and comfort. Could be great content.
116 kit is no longer available at this time from Indian they have stopped selling the kits and selling the bikes that have the kits already on them because of a few issues. I don't know all of them but I know something with pushrods and valves. They haven't issued a no ride for the people that's already got them on their bikes and there's supposed to have a solution at the end of this month beginning of next month. I haven't heard or read anything else or any other details about it.
No, but the engine never overheated for me even in 100 degree temps in the summer. The next step up - the Chieftain- has an oil cooler to help it stay even cooler, but I never had a problem with heat on the Chief.
Jean Romero I think it's ok for beginners. I would just caution that it's a bit heavy for some smaller riders, but overall, you can ride any bike you want if you are careful and take your time. It's a wonderful bike that you won't get tired of like a smaller "beginner" bike. Hope that helps :)
Jeromy Harris I got 50+ mpg doing city. Never really did highway. But I've heard some go to 58 (probably running synthetic and staying in the eco sweet spot on the dash).
I believe that was with the 2016's and prior. My 2017 had it - but perhaps it was added as an option by the previous owner (he put some good accessories on).
@@MOTOBLADE Na, I have a 2019 it has never been on any year chief dark horse. It has the same speedometer though so a lot of people think it's on there. The dealer can do some magic to add it as an option I've heard though. Now if you want something funny, they all came with an alarm. They just didn't give you the key fob that can activate it.... But the buttons are there just hidden beneath the plastic fob. Buy a new fob housing for $10 with buttons and it'll work :p . Some people just push the back really hard and activate it that way.
I’m torn!!! I want American made for my first bike. Always considered Road Kings my favorite, but after looking at these Dark Horses I love the matte black and engine on these. RK has the 107 Milwaukee 8 and ABS isn’t standard for $20k, I can get this bike with ABS and larger engine used with only 1k miles for 15k, seriously considering it over HD
Do it! I was considering the Road King too, but the Chief is so much better for the money. I definitely recommend it, but I'm probably a little biased 😎
You are wrong. That’s a Chief Dark Horse. 2015-2018 model like the title says. Chief was redesigned 2 years ago. I have reviews of the new Chief models on my channel. Current Springfield model looks very similar to the old Chief in this video.
Indian dark horse should at least come with two seats or a 2 in one seat solution. If you want a pillon on your bike it will cost you more money. I like the looks on the Indian Springfield Dark Horse. The Indian Chief has a weird fender in the back.
Cruiser John I like the full rear fender, but I would prefer some big hardshell saddlebags to match it. And you are absolutely right, for the price of this monster, they really should include a freaking passenger setup. Cheapo sport bikes have passenger solutions built in, and yet we can't get that standard here? Agree 1000%
Fenders itself is just a fender..That can easily be changed. But the design of the fenders on that bike is a turn off for me...But as I said..Those can easily be changed. But the blacked out look of the bike is great :-)
Great vid . I'm torn between dark horse and springfield dark horse . Springfield has a 25° rake opposed to dark horse 29° so wondering if springfield turns/maneuvers better? Did you consider springfield ? Thanks
Chopbreaka I didn't consider the Springfield due to the price and deal I got on the Dark Horse. However, the Springfield has the ability to have the front fairing if you want it and has a few more options available. Both are excellent bikes and at the base the features and engine are the same.
Turns way better. Plus it has the buckhorn style bars. The low profile front tire will definitely cause you to feel the road more. I was in the same boat: The Springfield was just a touch out of my price range. So I bought a CDH and slapped the Stage 2 kit with Freedom exhaust on it.
Great video. I myself have a 2018 Harley Softail Slim which I love. Would have loved to try an Indian but there are no dealers close enough. Got the Blockhead relates👍
Dan Bailey I actually have a review of the 2018 Softail Slim coming up on my channel this next week. I enjoyed that bike very much. Was not my favorite, mainly due to the uncomfortable stock seat, but I liked the riding position and handling of the Softail Slim. How have you been enjoying it?
Regular Scout was cool, very fast and comfortable. Bobber looked great, but was uncomfortable as hell (feels like you're sitting on a rock from the second you swing a leg over it. The dark horse is the ultimate in power, comfort, and looks. So happy I went with it and now with my new Chieftain Dark Horse! Check out my bike reveal for that if you haven't already. Full review soon!
Because I wanted to make sure they didn't leave any residue when I removed them, so I was waiting to figure out the best way to do it. I had only had the bike for a little while so I wasn't in a huge rush.
Congrats! Great bike! like the Chief however comparing it to the Roadking or other Harley models the quality is higher on the Harleys. Not to say that the Indian is not good but is a lower quality which is easy to see even just by looking at it. I love the Chief, just may be my next bike. Ride what you like but just ride and ride safe.
In my opinion I think Indians are much higher quality than Harley. Fit and finish, overall build quality, etc. But that's my opinion. I like Harley as well, but I think Indian is a cut above, that's why I went with them (particularly in the sportster area). Harley also has a low reliability rating from some research done a few years back (video on that on my channel). I do really like the new 2018 Harley Fat Bob though, quality bike and insanely fun. I think I need a Harley in my garage next 😁
Harley's quality is higher....lol. Don't thunk they ever made anything of higher quality. The Indians of yesterday were better than the Harley's then, they are still better than the Harley's now. Harley has great marketing though thanks to the Hell's Angeles. Other than that, it is where it ends.
It is not. I owned it. That’s an Indian Chief Dark Horse. They changed the chief design 2 years ago and no longer make the model like my old 2018. The only thing that looks similar to it is the current Springfield Dark Horse. For an updated view of what the current chief models look like, I have current reviews of the chief and sport chief on my channel, but this video is most definitely a 2018 Chief.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 91 | คู่เอก "คมอาวุธ vs อเล็กเซย์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V0RkEfYFsgM/mqdefault.jpg)
This has been the BEST while riding review I have watched by FAR. Great info getting into console and impressions while riding. Well done good sir
bruceandt Thank you SO MUCH! I was really hoping to make this review the best one I had done yet. I appreciate your feedback a lot. Thanks for watching! :)
I am 6.2" 270 lb. would I fit this bike? Sorry to bug ya .
bruceandt I'm sure you would be fine. I'm 6'3 and about 265, and I test rode a Roadmaster the other day and the only difference between the chief and the Roadmaster is the fairing and rear passenger trunk. Same frame same engine. If you are looking for a stripped down ride then this bike should fit you fine.
Love my 2018 Indian Chief Dark Horse!
Hey, does the Chief DarkHorse 2018 model has Ride Modes in it.. isn't specified in the video
love my 2018 CDH. the 2018 models doesn’t have the drive modes. the 2019s does.
I got 60mpg on this doing a 300 miles run, one tank through the mountains. I was just cruising not hot dogging but I was very surprised. Love this bike
It's an incredible machine!
Great, detailed, even-tempered, realistic review from a motorcyclist who is not obnoxious.
Thank you! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching!
You have really helped me. I am going to purchase a Indian this winter, and it was a toss up between the Chief Dark Horse, or the Springfeild. So thanks, you have the BEST review on this Horse, great details about the gauge. All the other videos that are out there clearly do not understand what "review" mean, once again, thanks.
So glad I could help! Thanks for watching! 😁
Awesome review mate. :)
This deserves a lot more attention for those looking to get a cruiser.
UncleRedDevil Thanks mate! My thoughts exactly :) lol
Great review! I love how the "current gear" is displayed on the LCD - that makes it so easy. I'm saving money to buy this motorcycle!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!
Indian motorcycles are getting better, and that pushes Harley to make better bikes. We all win!
Harleys got some catch up to do, but I agree, I think I will be adding a Harley to my garage as my next bike. I like the new Fat Bob a lot
ChaohsiangChen agreed. The consumers always win when there's competition.
Have you seen the rust issues ?
@Jon Campo
Really?
@@chrischabra7417 I've heard a few comments about Indians having rust issues. Didnt know how much truth there was in that, or if it was just scuttlebutt.
So a wee bit of back story that landed me here to watch this video...Last week I was in an accident on my bike. It's a 2016 HD Sportster Superlow. I'm waiting to hear from the dealership on whether it can be repaired or if it's too badly damaged and considered totaled. But honestly, I think it's totaled...I was starting to look into other bikes that might be suitable for me in case I don't get my Sportie back. I started looking at a couple of Indians even though I've been strictly a Harley person. The two that stand out to me are this one, the 2018 Chief Dark Horse and the 2017 Chief Vintage. Your video was amazing and you make it look and sound so good it makes me want one! You'd be a great Indian salesman lol
Thanks! Now tell that to Indian so they hire me 🤣 Sorry to hear about your accident but I am so glad you walked away! Definitely take the Indians for a spin - you might find yourself a new love. Thanks for watching!
This is THE BEST motorcycle review I’ve seen on TH-cam. You went over everything! Great job! I am a fairly new rider. I bought my Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom in January and in the 4 months I’ve had the bike I’ve put about 1,600 miles on it. I love the bike but I am looking for something with a little more power. In 5th gear I feel like the bike is at top power and the rpms are high. It kinda sounds like the bikes in the wrong gear almost. So I want a bike that has all the bells and whistles on it but is also affordable. There’s an Indian Chief where I live for $11,000 and I’m contemplating trading my Vulcan. The only thing I heard in your review I didn’t like was that the bike was air cooled. Doesn’t air cooled bikes break down more if you’re stuck in traffic or something? I’d much rather have liquid cooled like my Vulcan so now I don’t know if I want to buy the bike. I don’t want to deal with a bike breaking down because it isn’t getting enough air. Please let me know if that’s a big problem with air cooled bikes. I’m fairly new so I’m no expert.
I can't believe this comment slipped through over a year ago without me seeing it. So sorry about that! I hope you are doing well and enjoying your Vulcan (or whatever you may ride now). The air cooling is no problem on more modern bikes. You can also get an oil cooler from Indian to add on to the bike which really takes care of any heating issue concerns. Ride safe, and thanks for watching!
Great vid man...thanks for all the detail....one of the best I have seen on Utube. I am about to buy a Indian Springfield- obviously very close to the Chief. Again, great vid!
Wow fabulous working review. I’m on to it! Thanks . It sure looks and sounds like a beast. Trading in a 1996 Yamaha Vstar 1100 🇦🇺👍
Hi I am probably to buy dark horse by next month. Want to know about 2018 model that is there a lot of heat release if it get stuck in traffic or it will be better to go for 2019 model. Which has liquid cool engine
My chief was fine even in hot weather. You can also get the oil cooler accessory for it which will help it run cooler. I was in the heat of a tennessee summer and it never had any issues.
I have the 2018. It's great! No issues.
what windshield did you use. i was thinking a light gray. great review you answered allot of my questions
It was just the standard tinted windshield from Indian. Indians quick-release version. Hope that helps!
Man, I legitimately have the same Vulcan S, even the color, as you and have been looking into this bike too due to comfort. You aren't alone with only going 30 minutes on the Vulcan without pain.
I thought comfort didn't matter. Spoiler alert, it does. And at 23, I'm not an old man looking for a comfy seat, I just want to enjoy the riding I do. That's super cool we are in the same situation with bikes!
Great review. Everything you said also applies to the Roadmaster, which I got to test ride last weekend. It's great to see that even the lower end of the Indian lineup is just as comfortable and easy to ride as the big expensive ones.
Ken Kopas Yes, super comfy lineup. Actually going to try out some of the bigger bikes tomorrow. Expecting great things there!
MOTOBLADE Awesome enjoy the testing the "bigger" (more expensive) bikes that Indian has out there. I was super impressed with the Indians and though they blew Harley-Davidson out of the water, the way they were super smooth. Not to mention the radio sound/amps per channel is way better on Indian bikes
what size windshield? does the tint bother you at night?
Great question. I'm waiting for his response too
I plan on having this bike as my daily cruiser as I live in Texas and it's pretty dry here almost year round. Gas prices are getting to be too expensive to fill up a normal car so I think motorcycles will see an immense rise in popularity. This will also be my first bike, (yes I'm nuts, I know.) I don't know of many other people in my area who actually own or ride an Indian let alone a dark horse so I'd like to think I'll be unique in that way.
You're not nuts, you're smart. Bigger bike to start on but that's not a big deal. A good Indian that can haul groceries, comfy to ride, and gets good gas mileage. It's a smart move! Congrats on the bike!
@@MOTOBLADE thanks so much! I genuinely can't wait to get in the wind again. When I was young, I'd ride with my dad on his Harley and I loved it. I didn't know I could ride anything manual like that til I got on a dirt bike and had an absolute blast! Just lifting the bike up I was amazed at how well I fit and felt on it and how easy it was to lift up onto its wheels too.
Does it have ride modes?
Good review, but I will say you should have done a walk around so that people can actually see what you are talking about. Helps a lot.
Thanks again. Keep it coming.
Juwon Adejuwon agree a walk-around would have been nice. If nothing else than to see the chrome touches that were mentioned, and see the windshield.
walk around, and I don't know why more people that do bike reviews don't throw in 30 seconds of silence ... so you can hear the bike as it's going through the gears and cruising.
Juwon Adejuwon
Yep, needs: walk around before and after, occasional views from other rider showing what you look like riding it (with mentions of your height/weight; because that is important for the image)...
I currently have a 23 limited pursuit. Im toying with the idea of trading in for the dark horse Springfield or dark horse chieftain. The looks of the Springfield are hard to beat. Most of my riding is local miles with some shorter trips. But i put on about 25k miles a year. Since you have owned both basically the Springfield and the chieftain. Yes i would lose the infotainment. Which is pretty sweet. But not crucial. So What are your thoughts on making this trade in pros and cons . Thanks brother.
Your pursuit is certainly worth a lot more than the Springfield so make sure you get the value out of it on the trade! That would be my first caution for you. Secondly, I loved the Chief, it was a very enjoyable riding experience. My older ‘15 Chief is more similar to the new Springfield than the current chief lineup. I enjoyed it, but I liked the infotainment of the chieftain and the windshield and the locking bags (which the Springfield has the bags).
I think the biggest difference for you will be coming from a liquid cooled bike back “down” to an air cooled bike. So if you’re riding in a hotter environment, you’re going to have more heat from the bike and hotter engine temps. If you’re mostly riding in an area that’s cooler than it shouldn’t be a concern.
Best advice I can ever give is take a test ride on both and see what you like best.
And if it helps, I have a video on the new chieftain and the new Springfield on my channel as well. I hope that helps in someway! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
New chieftain vid: th-cam.com/video/IGNCvN6LmCs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gXfG_vAglGCl66Qs
New Springfield vid: th-cam.com/video/_JMx_rzy_DI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KLMcC4ihealzRfx7
@@MOTOBLADE its so hard. Yep I’ve tried both the chieftain and the Springfield. Problem is i love them all. The pursuit i currently have is performance beast. Incredible handling and power., it really just comes down to the looks of the chieftain and Springfield are damn good. Especially the Springfield. Im gonna try the Springfield again tomorrow.. most likely I’ll keep my pursuit for awhile then maybe switch up to the chieftain or Springfield.
I'm glad you are enjoying the new bike!! Great review! I'm not really into the dark style bikes, so I have the '18 Vintage in Sky Blue and Pearl White. Otherwise, I agree with all you say about the bike!! I came from Harleys, which I loved, and haven't regretted a moment!!
BuckWheat55 I was almost a Harley owner, then I found the Dark Horse. So glad I did. No regrets here either!
Well put together vlog. I have the 2016 Springfield and as you... I love it. There is a button on my handle bar that I believe you also have. It's located on the right side and looks exactly like the lever on the left side that toggles through the menu options. I do not know what it does. Any ideas??? Ride safe.
Yes, I had it on my Chief. Never did figure out what it was for! It has a purpose on my new Chieftain for cycling ride command screens, but I have no clue what it did for the Chief and Springfield - if you figure it out let me know!
@@MOTOBLADE LOL... I definitely will.
Any plans on adding passenger pegs or seat? How would that work and how much would that cost?
VVoltz Yes! Plan on doing that as soon as possible. The passenger foot boards have easy mounting hardware and the passenger seat goes on with two small bolts I believe. Very easy setup. Will do a full install video for both when I install them.
Just my little thoughts here, but while I watched this video I kept thinking that I would have loved to be able to see more of the bike. Don't get me wrong, I love the POV riding shots, but I still want to see the whole bike from time to time. Other than that great review!
Would love to have this bike but man does it look like it'll suck for all the LA traffic here :( which is why I'm probably opting for a scout or ftr1200 instead next year.
The FTR 1200 is a hot bike! I would love to get some seat time on one!
I have to say I loved your review. Great job very informative. I have underestimated Indian in the past not anymore. I am struggling to lose weight but am around 400lbs. Can I ride it will air ride help with the weight? I have a trike but REALLY missing two wheels.
Glad you enjoyed the review! I do not know about the weight, but my guess is it would probably be fine. Best thing I can tell you is go to a dealership and test ride it for yourself. Then you'll know if you're comfortable on it or not.
@@MOTOBLADE wanted to know if needed air ride or such so not to bottom out.
what are the main differences between the chief dark horse and the Springfield dark horse? other than that 1 inch of wheel base and the hard bags?
The rake is different. So in theory you could put the Chieftain fairing on it later if you wanted to. It also has the front highway bars on the Springfield I believe. You also have the hard locking bags (and a slightly different exhaust to support the bags from below) on the Springfield. That's pretty much it.
@@MOTOBLADE thanks for the quick reply. I need to take em both for a good ride, I'd prefer the wider base personally, the hard bags are nice but I like the classic look of some leather bags so I'm leaning more towards the cheif than the Springfield
DEFINITELY take them both for a ride. Test riding is the best thing you can do when buying a bike. Usually one ride is all it takes to know exactly what you want.
I love the Dark Horse but I want it in the White Smoke color. I saw it last weekend and I love the look.
Yes the new white smoke looks amazing!
What size windshield is that?
11.3 Inch tinted. I did a full review on just the quick release windshield here: th-cam.com/video/_nFjxZ10F7I/w-d-xo.html
We have three 2018 indian chief motorcycles, here in Missouri, Kansas shop, and I'm hoping to be able to get one soon. One is a dark horse, that looks much like the one in this video.
Which model is this? I know they have the Indian chieftain dark horse which is more like a street glide (Harley)? But I’m unclear on the difference between the chief dark horse and the dark horse.... seems a bit confusing having multiple of the same name. Can anyone clarify for me please? I ride a victory touring cruiser and looking to make a move to a new cruiser that is current considering victory has officially ended manufacturing as of the last week. And I’d prefer an Indian because their relationship with victory
zack carson There is a Chief, Springfield, and Chieftain for Indian models. Dark Horse is a trim package or variation of those models. So my bike is the Indian Chief, with the Dark Horse paint/trim. Hope that helps!
Hey, does the Chief DarkHorse 2018 has ride mode feature. Isn't specified in the video. Thanks
No
Hello. Im In India and currently ride Street 750. I now plan to upgrade and Indian Chief Darkhorse is on my list. Just want to know how do you compare the vibrations when compared to lets say HD Fatboy or a Fatbob.
Thanks and Happy New Year.
Vibrations were less on the Indian compared to every harley I've ridden (and I've rode them all). Comfort on the Indian far exceeds the Harleys. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Nice video, thank you. What windshield is on the bike? Make and size?
That's the Indian Motorcycle 11 inch tinted. It is the Quick release version. Very nice to take on and off in a matter of seconds if you want to.
@@MOTOBLADE Thank you sir, safe riding...
Maybe a stupid question but, I am 5’9 do you think I would be able to ride this bike?
Absolutely! I'm 5'8. Not much difference there :) I can still flat-foot it at stops and handle the bike weight very easily. You'd be absolutely fine on this bike.
MOTOBLADE awesome! Thank you, i’ve always been intimidated by how big these bikes are you know? So I bought a scout and absolutely love it. Now I’m looking to add one of Indians bigger motorcycles to my lineup specifically for long-distance traveling and cruise control. Ever take any rode trips on her?
MOTOBLADE of course you took trips on it, that was mentioned in the video,I’m an idiot. I guess a better question would be how did it handle, how was gas mileage and how was comfortability .
@@MOTOBLADE what about 6,3"? Would it be short for me? Going tomorrow to get one! Guess it can be adjusted....?
Fantastic review, great work
I'm fairly short (5'6"), and I'm worried about the reach to the handlebars. What's your opinion on this bike for shorter riders like me?
I'm only 5'7" and I reach them with room to spare. You'll be just fine! Thanks for watching! Ride safe brother! 😎✌🏻
@@MOTOBLADE I'm only 5'5" and I will wear high heels to ride this bike if it's necessary.
@@ThanhLai5 I won't judge. Kinda want to see you do that 🤣
Great review, do you still own this motorcycle? I'm looking at a 2017 Chief Dark Horse with 45k miles for $11k not sure if that's a deal or not as I don't know much about this model.
I traded this in for my dream bike, also featured on my channel, the Chieftain Dark Horse. 11k sounds like a steal to me. If I had the money I’d get it again as a second bike. I enjoyed it a lot.
@@MOTOBLADE The Chieftain is a beautiful machine, unfortunately working on a budget. I will check out your other videos as well.
Great vid. I’m hoping to purchase an Indian chief in a few weeks. I just subscribed.
Nathan McIvor Awesome! Thank you so much for subscribing! It is a really, really great bike. I am enjoying it immensely.
I'm new to the whole push button feature. When I power the motorcycle off, do I just use the cut off switch? Or both cut off and power button?
Cutoff switch kills the fuel pump and engine. Power switch turns off the lights and electronics. If you don't turn off the power switch after hitting the kill switch, it will automatically turn off on its own after 10-15 seconds.
@@MOTOBLADE I've had my Springfield for a couple of weeks now and noticed that my battery was flashing along with my ABS light on. So, I put it on the charger today before heading to work. I figured I was doing something wrong.
Great bike ,great video. I know I love my dark horse. From the bike I had to this one , is like going from a pinto to a Cadillac. Hope you have many safe miles. Now I have to wait for another video.
Joseph Arnold Same here, going from the Vulcan to this I always tell my wife is like going from a civic to a Cadillac. Thanks for watching, ride safe! ✌
GREAT review while riding!
Thank you!
Incredibly good review of this bike. As someone who was looking to buy this exact bike it really helps my decision when seeing a video as descriptive and in depth as this one
Awesome! Glad you liked it and glad I could help. Thanks for watching!
My apologies i did not notice the age of the bike. It was before the Chief was updated.
You're good! It was my first Indian. Bought it back in 2018. Kinda want to get the new Springfield now just to have my "old bike back." I am editing the new sport chief video right now and it should be up this weekend if you're looking for a review on that!
Damn beautiful bike bro thanks for the in depth review i plan on getting one of these in about a year or two
Antonio Ramirez Thanks for watching bro! You won't regret it. It's a great bike!
Antonio Ramirez A
I test rode the chief dark horse and a harley street glide and thought both were lacking throttle response compare to my yamaha stryker. They kinda felt like they had no power.
Hello. thank you for the great review, I have a chance to buy one of these bikes same year and model...I was delighted to see ABS us standard and cruise control. but is there a USB port to charge my camera or phone??
Not on the Chief. The Chieftain does however. Check out my review of the Chieftain Dark Horse.
Can you purchase the auto raising windshield for the Dark horse? I thought that was kinda cool.
John McCallie On the Chieftain Dark Horse with full fairing and Ride Command I believe you can.
Hello Moto, loved the video. I also watched your other video regarding the 2019 fat bob, pumpkin spiced latte. I'm torn between the two, as I'm considering which bike to be my first ever purchase. Out of the two, which would you go with? I do like the fact that for the price you're paying, you're getting more features from the Indian, but always loved Harley's growing up. Thanks, subbed!
I would go with the indian. You'll be spoiled with all the extra features :)
Hello, great video. I’m a new rider and I am considering the 2019 dark horse Springfield. What are your thoughts on that one for a beginner.
I would say it's a great bike! Easy to control, but it may be a bit heavy depending on the amount of experience you have. Wonderful bike and exactly like this one, except with the locking hard saddlebags.
MOTOBLADE ok. I’m brand new 0 experience just got permit yesterday. I appreciate the feedback and fast response
This is the best review on the indian dark horse I have seen on TH-cam. I also watched your tail of the dragon ride and... the other one. I'm really jonesing for this bike. How is the center of gravity on this bike compared to the other US manufacturer. Also did you feel a lot of heat coming from the engine while doing those highway rides?
Did I say I just subscribed. Great quality content. Keep up the great work. Last but not least... Hello from Alberta Canada.
Center of gravity is low and feels great. Feels more balanced than a Harley and I am in total control of the bike. Just my opinion though. Felt hardly any heat while riding on the highway, compared to a good amount of heat on the Harleys I've ridden (road king for example). You should definitely go try this bike out, you won't regret it. Never been to Alberta, but I've made it out to B.C. a couple of times. Ride safe brother ✌
MOTOBLADE to maybe promote your channel and the bike. Any possible way to amalgamate the three videos. For highlights on balance lean, performance, and comfort. Could be great content.
R. sAvAgE Sounds like a great idea, I can do those highlights in an upcoming video.
Best bike I've ever ridden. Hands down.
Matthew Barr Abosolutely! Such a great bike. Thanks for watching!
116 kit is no longer available at this time from Indian they have stopped selling the kits and selling the bikes that have the kits already on them because of a few issues. I don't know all of them but I know something with pushrods and valves. They haven't issued a no ride for the people that's already got them on their bikes and there's supposed to have a solution at the end of this month beginning of next month. I haven't heard or read anything else or any other details about it.
Yes, they are improving the system and it's due to release this month or next month.
No liquid cooling ?
No, but the engine never overheated for me even in 100 degree temps in the summer. The next step up - the Chieftain- has an oil cooler to help it stay even cooler, but I never had a problem with heat on the Chief.
MOTOBLADE thank you for your response . So only line up which has liquid cooling is on Scout sixty and Bobber - am I right ?
Is this bike good for beginners?
Jean Romero I think it's ok for beginners. I would just caution that it's a bit heavy for some smaller riders, but overall, you can ride any bike you want if you are careful and take your time. It's a wonderful bike that you won't get tired of like a smaller "beginner" bike. Hope that helps :)
Have you ever ridden a bike before?
Jeromy Harris Yes, I had another motorcycle before this one, the Kawasaki Vulcan S.
MOTOBLADE I’ve been looking at the Vulcan S. Sweet looking bike. How was the mpg?
Jeromy Harris I got 50+ mpg doing city. Never really did highway. But I've heard some go to 58 (probably running synthetic and staying in the eco sweet spot on the dash).
Sweet video bro.
Ryan Roberts Thanks!
Springfield DH has TPMS, the CHIEF DH does not. They use the same speedometer so it has the spot for the light, it just doesn't work.
I believe that was with the 2016's and prior. My 2017 had it - but perhaps it was added as an option by the previous owner (he put some good accessories on).
@@MOTOBLADE Na, I have a 2019 it has never been on any year chief dark horse. It has the same speedometer though so a lot of people think it's on there. The dealer can do some magic to add it as an option I've heard though. Now if you want something funny, they all came with an alarm. They just didn't give you the key fob that can activate it.... But the buttons are there just hidden beneath the plastic fob. Buy a new fob housing for $10 with buttons and it'll work :p . Some people just push the back really hard and activate it that way.
I’m torn!!! I want American made for my first bike. Always considered Road Kings my favorite, but after looking at these Dark Horses I love the matte black and engine on these. RK has the 107 Milwaukee 8 and ABS isn’t standard for $20k, I can get this bike with ABS and larger engine used with only 1k miles for 15k, seriously considering it over HD
Do it! I was considering the Road King too, but the Chief is so much better for the money. I definitely recommend it, but I'm probably a little biased 😎
MOTOBLADE did it today. Bought a 2018 Chief Dark Horse with matte black Rinehart pipes, love at first sight
Really nice bike. Sounds great. Definitely a win
Very informative
Glad I could help! Thank you for watching!
Correct me if im wrong but thats a Springfield Dark Horse. The Chief does not have the dial on the tank.
You are wrong. That’s a Chief Dark Horse. 2015-2018 model like the title says.
Chief was redesigned 2 years ago. I have reviews of the new Chief models on my channel. Current Springfield model looks very similar to the old Chief in this video.
Wish Victory motorcycles were back, but this gives hope for the brand transition
Warren Brett Yes! I wanted to get a victory originally, but Indian quality is the same high standard since the transition.
My wish one day is to have a Indian bike that is similar to the victory kingpin
Warren Brett I always wanted to try a Victory octane. Still plenty around, can probably get a nice used deal on one in a year or two.
Indian dark horse should at least come with two seats or a 2 in one seat solution.
If you want a pillon on your bike it will cost you more money.
I like the looks on the Indian Springfield Dark Horse. The Indian Chief has a weird fender in the back.
Cruiser John I like the full rear fender, but I would prefer some big hardshell saddlebags to match it. And you are absolutely right, for the price of this monster, they really should include a freaking passenger setup. Cheapo sport bikes have passenger solutions built in, and yet we can't get that standard here? Agree 1000%
Fenders itself is just a fender..That can easily be changed.
But the design of the fenders on that bike is a turn off for me...But as I said..Those can easily be changed.
But the blacked out look of the bike is great :-)
18K. That is cheap..Dark Horse in Norway cost over 37K
Great vid . I'm torn between dark horse and springfield dark horse . Springfield has a 25° rake opposed to dark horse 29° so wondering if springfield turns/maneuvers better? Did you consider springfield ? Thanks
Chopbreaka I didn't consider the Springfield due to the price and deal I got on the Dark Horse. However, the Springfield has the ability to have the front fairing if you want it and has a few more options available. Both are excellent bikes and at the base the features and engine are the same.
Turns way better. Plus it has the buckhorn style bars. The low profile front tire will definitely cause you to feel the road more. I was in the same boat: The Springfield was just a touch out of my price range. So I bought a CDH and slapped the Stage 2 kit with Freedom exhaust on it.
YOUR ARE CORRECT I OWN 2017 DARK HORSE. SAN DIEGO CA TAKE CARE BROTHER
Alex Garcia hey are these simple to work on like oil changes etc or are they complicated ?
Great video. I myself have a 2018 Harley Softail Slim which I love. Would have loved to try an Indian but there are no dealers close enough. Got the Blockhead relates👍
Dan Bailey I actually have a review of the 2018 Softail Slim coming up on my channel this next week. I enjoyed that bike very much. Was not my favorite, mainly due to the uncomfortable stock seat, but I liked the riding position and handling of the Softail Slim. How have you been enjoying it?
MOTOBLADE I agree about the seat. First thing bought a brawler seat from HD way more comfortable.
Same. I wanted an Indian but no dealers around my area. So ended up with a Breakout. Installed Rinehart slips ons and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
2018????
A walk around visual of the bike would be appreciated before 16 minutes of the same view and commentary.
Was seriously considering the Scout Bobber, but I keep getting drawn to the Dark Horse...
Regular Scout was cool, very fast and comfortable. Bobber looked great, but was uncomfortable as hell (feels like you're sitting on a rock from the second you swing a leg over it. The dark horse is the ultimate in power, comfort, and looks. So happy I went with it and now with my new Chieftain Dark Horse! Check out my bike reveal for that if you haven't already. Full review soon!
Dark horse be my next bike and I have 2 Harleys lol
Awesome video. Sounds like that bike has everything i want a bike to have. Peace
tccoup355 It definitely has everything you could want on a cruiser. Thanks for watching!
Why would someone buy this beautiful bike and not remove the stickers?????????? 🤔
Because I wanted to make sure they didn't leave any residue when I removed them, so I was waiting to figure out the best way to do it. I had only had the bike for a little while so I wasn't in a huge rush.
The new Indian is basically a Yamaha in a different body It's almost the same bike
Congrats! Great bike! like the Chief however comparing it to the Roadking or other Harley models the quality is higher on the Harleys. Not to say that the Indian is not good but is a lower quality which is easy to see even just by looking at it. I love the Chief, just may be my next bike. Ride what you like but just ride and ride safe.
In my opinion I think Indians are much higher quality than Harley. Fit and finish, overall build quality, etc. But that's my opinion. I like Harley as well, but I think Indian is a cut above, that's why I went with them (particularly in the sportster area). Harley also has a low reliability rating from some research done a few years back (video on that on my channel). I do really like the new 2018 Harley Fat Bob though, quality bike and insanely fun. I think I need a Harley in my garage next 😁
Harley's quality is higher....lol. Don't thunk they ever made anything of higher quality. The Indians of yesterday were better than the Harley's then, they are still better than the Harley's now. Harley has great marketing though thanks to the Hell's Angeles. Other than that, it is where it ends.
Ive been to Indians website and that is definatly a Springfield Dark Horse
It is not. I owned it. That’s an Indian Chief Dark Horse. They changed the chief design 2 years ago and no longer make the model like my old 2018. The only thing that looks similar to it is the current Springfield Dark Horse.
For an updated view of what the current chief models look like, I have current reviews of the chief and sport chief on my channel, but this video is most definitely a 2018 Chief.
I would like it to be louder if it was mine. One day...
Stage 2 cams will sort that out.
What size windshield is that?
That's the 11 quick release from indian.