The Dark Horse showcases the menacing character of the epoch Chieftain with the subtle yet dark cosmetic changes that give it a stealth outlook while blacking out just about everything.

For 2019, the Springfield manufacturer will equip the Chieftain Dark Horse with a fresh sleaze of aggressive styling and technology under its belt that enhances riding experience to an all new level. New restyled fairings and saddlebags and Ride-Enhancing Technology like ride modes, rear cylinder de-activation, and enhanced audio systems improve appeal, performance, comfort, and audio quality.

2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
  • Horsepower: 73
  • Torque: 119
  • Transmission: 6
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

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2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse


Last year this Indian bagger lost the valanced front fender and 16-inch wheel and got it replaced with a 19-inch wheel which will showcase a 10-spoke, contrast-cut wheel, and an open fender. This year, the model receives a fresh new look, thanks to the restyled fairing upfront that has gone from a ‘50s locomotive to a modern bit with sharper lines and harder edges that give the bike a commanding presence and more streamlined look.

Pair it with the new fork guards, the Chieftain and its compatriots get a streamlined front-end, deliberately so to indicate the bike’s impressive performance capabilities. The new slammed saddlebags too come with an edgy design with color-matched fender closeouts for that custom inspired appeal.

The Dark Horse will now come in an all-new White smoke color option that takes it from the evil thing to a sane. There will also be a new Bronze Smoke option apart from the already existing Thunder Black. More than just matte-finish body paint, the 2019 Chieftain Dark Horse now features premium black ceramic exhaust and gloss black finishes on the primary cover, valve covers, push-rod tubes, cam cover, and saddlebag hinges for a custom, blacked-out look.

A new Rogue gunfighter saddle matches the sleek profile the folks at Indian are attempting here, also providing superior comfort for both rider and the pillion. Both the tank and the saddlebags get new badging, and the iconic Indian headdress on the front fender completes the package. New front and rear turn signals carry LED elements along with the Pathfinder LED headlight that replaces the Hiawatha headlamp and nacelle that came with the huge fog lamps.

The 100-watt audio system gets optimized speaker positioning with integrated amps and a dynamic equalizer. Also new for 2019, Indian Motorcycle introduces its loudest audio system to date. With PowerBand Audio, riders can choose from audio configurations that are up to 50 percent louder than stock audio.

It holds true to its pedigree with its design and makes it its purpose to let you ride in style. It offers a wealth of features to roll as one of the most badass V-twin on the market. Features like the electronically adjustable tinted windshield that rises 9 to 12 inches to cover most riders from the buffeting wind. The machine will also receive remote-locking saddlebags, keyless ignition and tire pressure monitoring as standard.

Finally, there is nothing better than having a lit up War Bonnet for the 2019 edition leading the way for you. It can sure take your breath away. Representing phenomena since 1947.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

Length

98.7 in

95.4 in

Width

39.4 in

40.2 in

Height

57 in

52.3 in

Wheelbase

65.7 in

64 in

Seat height

25.6 in

25.9 in

Wet weight

1388 lb

853 lb

Fuel capacity

5.5 gal

6 gal


POWERTRAIN

Indian has kept the old-school charm for this engine layout with its valvetrain geometry, head construction, and valve-cover design. But don’t get fooled because the inside story is an out-and-out modern mill.

Designed from the ground up, the Thunder Stroke 111 engine does the job still with its 1811cc 490 V-Twin capable of belting out 73bhp of power and 102 lb.ft of torque. Enough torque to tear apart the tarmac and accelerate without breaking a sweat in every situation. It is both oil and air cooled and operates pretty smooth compared to the heavy throbbers around.

For 2019, Indian will equip this motor with Rear Cylinder Deactivation. This technology automatically deactivates the rear cylinder when the bike is at a standstill, resulting in less engine heat for improved comfort in slow-moving or stopped traffic. The rear cylinder instantly reactivates when the throttle is applied for a seamless transition to full power.

The engine breathes through a 54 mm throttle body and transmits power to a 6-speed gearbox through cable-actuated clutch having a relatively light pull. Power, like in all Indians, is always on tap and is delivered to the rear wheel via a belt-driven system. The forward foot controls are available on floorboard operations.

The transmission is set on the right-hand side of the right cam cover and multi-directional finned valve covers. You can even notice the downward firing exhaust outlets of the Six-Shooter that makes the Dark Horse roar like the God of Thunder.

Engine Specification

Make Model

2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

Capacity cc

1811

1745

Bore / Stroke mm

101 / 113

100 / 111.1

Output

73 bhp

154 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

119 lb.ft @ 3000 rpm

104.7 ft-lb @ 3250 rpm

Type

Thunder Stroke 111

Milwaukee-Eight 107 Engine, 45° V-twin, Air and oil cooled

Clutch type

Wet- Multiplate

Wet- Multiplate with slipper and assist

Transmission

6-speed

6-speed Cruise Drive


RIDE AND HANDLING

First thing’s first, the seats. One that could either make or break your day or your back. The solo steed of the previous Dark Horse is swapped with the brand-new Rogue gunfighter saddle providing superior comfort for both rider and the pillion. The seat is also positioned lower than many cruisers to accommodate shorter riders and make them feel like stars. Handlebar position is quite upright, and the floorboard will provide you with enough room to rest your feet the way you like to. The low slung stance can call for scraping the underbelly every time though.

The Dark Horse just falls into easy turns, but hairpins and u-turns can be quite tricky for those not used to the bike’s size or weight. 1388 lbs of meat this one. The steering geometry of 25 degree rake is engineered into a way to deliver responsive handling in any situation. The cast aluminum frame is lightweight yet exceptionally strong and provides the rider with excellent low-speed handling and confidence inspiring stability on the highways.

Suspension leverages are carried out by large 46 mm forks float the front end having 119 mm of travel, and the single rear pneumatic shock can be adjusted for load or preference with 114 mm of travel. To halt this 1388 lbs monster, you need heavy performers, and hence dual four-pot calipers bind the front 300mm brake discs, and a twin-pot caliper binds the rear 300mm disc. ABS will come as standard, knowing which you can brake under control in any situation.

19-inch cast wheels running on 130/60B19 61H at the front and 16” 180/60R16 80H at the rear will give you precise feedback or rather no feedback. You will glide on these. Cruise control comes as a standard feature too. New features for 2019 include three ride modes (Tour, Standard or Sport) – selectable on the fly.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

Frame

Cast Aluminum Frame

Double-downtube, Double-cradle steel

Suspension / Front

Telescopic Fork / 4.7″ (119 mm) – Cartridge Type Suspension

49 mm Showa dual bending valve fork technology

Suspension / Rear

Single Shock w/Air adjust / 4.5 in (114 mm)

Emulsion shocks with hand adjustable pre-load

Brakes / Front

Dual / 300mm Floating Rotor / 4 Piston Caliper

Reflex Linked Brembo Dual 320 mm disc. Caliper: 32 mm, 4-piston fixed

Brakes / Rear

Single / 300mm Floating Rotor / 2 Piston Caliper / 1 Piston Caliper

Reflex Linked Brembo Single 220 mm disc. Caliper: 32 mm, 4-piston fixed

Tires / Front

Dunlop Elite 3 130/90B16 73H

130/60B19 61H

Tires / Rear

Dunlop Elite 3 Multi-Compound 180/60R16 80H

180/65B16 81H


PRICE

The 2018 model’s new open front fender and 19-inch ten-spoke blacked out wheel will be carried over to the 2019 model and pricing will start at $25,999. It is a $1,500 dearer than the model it will be replacing.

Riders can customize their Chieftain range with a variety of accessories, including custom fit options like extended and reduced reach seats, mid-rise handlebars and reduced reach handlebars and PowerBand Audio options. Also available are color-matched accessories such as Hard Lower Fairings, Saddlebag Audio Lids, and a Quick Release Trunk.

Make Model

2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

MSRP

$ 25,999 - $ 26,749

$23,999 - $26,999


COMPETITION

Where else do we go for this other than the other American’s stable – Harley-Davidson. Heading the bagger scene there is the Road Glide Special.

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special

The American legend gave the world a brand new lineage of motorcycles that are sophisticated and technologically packed while keeping the core values of its predecessors intact. Running under the hood of each of them will be the all-new Milwaukee-Eight, the ninth generation of Harley-Davidson V-Twin engines that delivers power and reliability unlike no other before. The venerable Road Glide Special is one of them.

Harley has always been the bigs, but this Road Glide’s proportions will give it a whole new meaning; courtesy the gargantuan ‘Shark Nose’ fairing carrying the Dual Daymaker Reflector LED Headlamps slapped right up front. Harley-Davidson has managed to keep the old charm look with an analog instrument panel featuring the main speedo and rev counter and smaller fuel and battery gauges flanked on either side of the 6.5”full-color touch infotainment display called the Boom!

It’s difficult not to be enamored with the Twin-Cooled, 450 V-twin mill harvesting 1745cc which rumbles with a signature fell but with a gentler manner. The engine boasts of 154 bhp @ 5000 rpm of peak power and 104.7 ft-lb @ 3250 rpm of torque enough to get you to a 60 mph faster than ever before. The 107 gets re-tuned ride-by-wire system and more sensitive knock sensors for gaining all the torque on offer. A 6-Speed Cruise Drive Transmission and a slip and assist clutch provides the rider smooth shifting of gears that help in maintaining fatigue-free long rides.

With the launch of the new Milwaukee Eight, a totally new re-engineered dual bending valve with beefy 49mm Showa Dual Bending Valve front forks front and rear suspension with easily-adjustable emulsion shocks also donned the 2017 line-up. Harley-Davidson has given the Glide 32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear Reflex Linked Brembo Brakes with ABS that catch on to twin 320mm discs.

VERDICT

An ultra-premium bagger boasts worldly comfort, convenience, power, style, infotainment, craftsmanship and most important of all - confidence. It is everything the Chieftain stood for, and this time Indian Motorcycles have given it a ravishing new statement.

For 2019, however, Indian has given the Chieftain Dark Horse a whole new character that contradicts its otherwise antagonist outlook. And they did that by just having the bike painted in White Smoke. Then there is the newly designed fairing and saddle box that reflects the bike’s well-established performance capabilities.

Better sounding audio system, Rear Cylinder De-activation, Riding modes, and a whole new seat brings is new emotions to riding a bagger of this stature. Top notch quality and equipment and the Dark Horse can take you places both on the inside and the out.