2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Test Ride

[@traveller4790]

I had a chance to take a test ride on both Harleys and Indians in one day at Thunder Beach Bike Week in Panama City, Florida in October 2017. I rode the new Softail Heritage Classic and the Indian Roadmaster. I had a 2003 Heritage and absolutely love it, and I absolutely HATED the 2019 Heritage for all of the reasons I loved my '03. The windshield was too low, it was at the wrong rake, the seat was hard as a rock, the floorboards were too small, and the head bobble caused by the wind blast was murder at 7- MPH. The ONLY thing I liked about it was the 114 cubic inch motor; it was quick and agile, and acceleration was smooth and FAST! Then I rode the Indian Roadmaster, and was impressed with it for all of the reasons stated in this video. It was smooth, comfortable, nimble and agile as hell, had great acceleration, there was NO head bobble from wind blast because with the windshield all the way up there was NO wind hitting you in the face. And I absolutely LOVE that automatic adjustable windshield! I also loved the remote-lock saddlebags, something that I always wished my '03 Heritage had. When all was said and done I came to the conclusion that if Harley ever pisses me off or if they continue down the "hipster" road they're currently traveling, I would have ZERO problem buying an Indian.

[@wooddawg4868]

Been ring Harley-Davidson since 2001 but lately Indian has been doing everything right, sweet and smooth. Indians use of a gear drive primary, upfront central located oil cooler that’s big, and single oil fill with wet sump lubrication has my attention big time. And now with the new Challenger just put them over the top with a liquid cooled engine so your not on top of a furnace. A maintenance free design with just oil changes wow. Harley-Davidson hails extended warranties like they don’t trust their bikes to hold up.

[@brad_Ca]

I ride a HD and would have no problem buying an Indian, they’re good bikes.

[@m9one]

All three are good bikes HD, INDIAN, YAMAHA each one has there own feel and good and bad. Just depends on what your looking for.

[@anthonyhuntley4498]

Miller 9 Design don’t mention a Japanese brand when this is a American brand battle

[@m9one]

@@anthonyhuntley4498 Wow really. I thought we were talking about bikes and sharing experience of what we discovered when testing riding bikes. I switched from Harley and have test road both HD and Indian. This is my option, and I am sharing thus for people that want best bang for there buck.

[@kyles280]

Anthony Huntley I think he meant Victory lol

[@Anonymous594]

Miller 9 Design NO UUUUUU

[@adamsandoval]

Great review hommie! 🇺🇸👊🏽

[@amphibdriver1]

The size of the floor boards are not only long for the length of your feet you feet , but long to allow you to stretch your legs out and not need extended highway pegs.

[@mikelanham2901]

Pros and cons either way, I will keep my SGS but in the future I have no problem going Indian if some of the changes I would like would be done. Good review. Ride Safe everyone!!

[@davidknows3320]

Thanks for being fair about the power and torque. Lol. I have been looking at the cheiftan limited, but have not ridden it yet.

[@rocketman3776]

God is NOT Damned, Jesus walked on water Brother.

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

Good review. I would add that the power windshield is a game changer for those that really travel. No, you don't have to have one but it is so helpful when you are on the road doing a 6,000 mile, 2 week trip and encounter every form of weather mother nature throws at you. I can't understand why HD hasn't offered this yet. Many other touring bikes are, Yamaha, BMW, Indian, Victory,etc When I was shopping in 2017, Harley was more expensive , also, on extensive test rides , 2-up, the Harley Ultra Limited was very harsh over bumps . THe 2017 Indian counter part soaked them up to the point that we could hardly tell there was a bump. I did like the power of the M8 powered HD.

[@Amir-ie2yz]

Man I still regret not buying a Indian dark horse. They are beautiful and super comfortable bikes.

[@steveprice436]

Traded my 2018 Street glide in for the 19 Chieftain limited, 1 main reason was the hydraulic clutch on the street glide, too much for my hand, have onset of arthritis. Stuck in slow moving traffic was rough on the hand. Owned - 2013 ultra classic and 2018 street Glide.

[@m9one]

My eluder has hydraulic clutch I like it but did have to a just to it.

[@steveprice436]

Miller 9 Design, oh tried to make it work for 4300 miles. Including a week trip from Ohio to WV, VA, NC TN. Tail of the dragon. really enjoyed my street glide. I hope yours works out well.

[@347mav3]

I think your a little off on your take of power delivery. I own a 15 Chieftain and have ridden lots of HD bikes and have ridden with guys riding those. The HD makes power like a traditional Harley around 5-6k rpm. the Indian is all torque down low and absolutely flat from 4500rpm up. It really takes a little different riding style to get the most out of a 111. Just my opinion. When I ride with Harley guys in the hills and mountains the shift a lot more than I do.

[@jayleav]

Spot on.

[@CactusJack252]

He is a lot off on the power delivery. I had an Indian Roadmaster and it was a torque monster. The harleys you have to spin about another 1000rpms out of to get the peak torque that the TS111 hits around 2500 rpms or so.

[@nickferraro2920]

@@CactusJack252 yeah I agree. The Indian has tons of torque down low. I own a 19 Chieftain. In fact the way that bike in the video was responding I'm not sure he really had it in Sport mode. he might have screwed up when he chose the mode.

[@2bad1]

I love My indian the smoothest bike I have ever rode.

[@logangilliam6835]

I wear a size 12 foot! 😂 made my night!

[@alexanders7730]

Very surprising to hear the difference in wind noise when using the powered windshield!

[@darcher5888]

Well done review! I love the new Chieftain and keep being tempted to buy one. However, the fun factor is missing in the 111 and 116 verses my Vic Magnum with Lloyd’s Cams. I will say the Indian is light years better in every way except the horsepower. I’m holding out for the Water cooled 108 in a Chieftain! I haven’t heard that Indian will make one but I am betting they do. Indian should have put the 108 in the Chieftain. They would have absolutely taken huge market share from the Street Glide. Harley sells 5 Street Glides vs 1 Road Glide. To me it’s a head scratcher why they chose the Challenger for this 108 motor first. Also, these Indians and the Vics are very maintenance free vs other bikes!

[@airtexaco]

Thanks for this. I have had a couple of HD’s and now have an Indian Scout. Love the scout but it’s too small for 2 people. I wanted a bobber but my wife likes to ride with me so I’m looking to go larger. Would love the Challenger, but it’s so new there aren’t a lot of used ones worth the price. Chieftain is also a great option. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to Harley. They are not very customer focused. Also hate the new 107. Only rode 1 but that was enough.

[@chieftainghostrider6475]

I got that exact bike from Indian of Knoxville

[@terahz1]

You should try a Roadmaster out. I took one a good while back and really liked it.

[@donsvideos1985]

I think Harley should drop the vent. I cant really feel much difference with it anyway. They should install a electric windshield. I rode my brothers Indian a while back and that was a great feature!

[@loneridertv4244]

Thanks for review, You missed a vital feature, the sport, touring and standard modes offer, increased or changed throttle response modes, other reviewers have said each one offers a completely different experience in the Ride, hoarse power and torque in each mode, it would have made a difference in your review and comparison, 👍😎

[@BikeNBird]

It was in sport mode so it was giving it everything it had. I personally dont care how the other modes operate.

[@loneridertv4244]

@@BikeNBird I thought your ride review was awsome and honest, love the comparison to street glide, so your saying you dont think the roll on power would have more torque in other modes ? Was roll on power compromised at hwy speed ? You rolled on the throttle and it seemed to kinda sit there ? Your reply appreciated.

[@BikeNBird]

@@loneridertv4244 I was in sport mode which gives it all it's got (hence why I rode in that mode). All the other modes just water down the power delivery. Even in sport, I personally felt like it lacked the torque compared to the street glide at all speeds and situations. Higher in the RPMs you could feel the HP advantage, but it wasn't mind blowing by any means

[@loneridertv4244]

@@BikeNBird thanks for explaining more clearly your thoughts on other modes and hp to torque, that answered all my questions about the Indian, love the channel. 🙏👍😎

[@jay7066]

Did you even switch ride modes?

[@BikeNBird]

Did you even watch the video? I put it in sport mode

[@miguelbrown65]

You didn’t try out the different ride modes.. Sport would have had that bit more that you were looking for...Awesome work🤙🏽

[@candlstudios]

In the beginning of the video he says he put it in sport mode. Look at the 0:44 mark.

[@BikeNBird]

Yeah what that guy said...

[@hube45679]

Remote saddle bags is the only thing that bike has that I wish my street glide had. Can only get that on cvo”s

[@jordanasel3745]

Robert Huber streetglide Knock off

[@sivvinod3187]

@@jordanasel3745 can you really blame them? Sure, they did "knock off" the street glide, but they DID improve upon it too.

[@jordanasel3745]

@@sivvinod3187 true I’m just faithful to Harley is well

[@m9one]

After test riding the Harley Road glide and The new Indian. I dare you to test ride the Yamaha Eluder then tell me what is the best bagger. The fit and finish is better on Harley but the ride, breaking and handling The Yamaha elude wins. Prove me wrong...

[@dmyers042]

Excellent review, maybe a stage one upgrade would give it more ass , with a 75 mph roll on.

[@Lewismotorsports]

Sorry didnt read all the comments, did you put in sport mode?

[@BikeNBird]

Yes

[@GESolis]

Awesome video bird brain!

[@jon71290]

How was the suspension compared to street glide? I have heard many that think the suspension is better on the Indian.

[@MrKeneal0330]

It was glorious on all the models.

[@BikeNBird]

The win for suspension goes to Indian on all the models I rode

[@kimk8674]

the bike sounds smooth!

[@ironroad5549]

You didn't old the throttle open long enough and in sport mode it will take off like a rocket and the ride is far superior and handling how do i know I own one and traded my road glide in on it.

[@scottcarroll5545]

Don't care what nobody says they still should have stayed making featuring and dumped the Indian the victories are way better looking I own a 2019 road King in a 09 jackpot and I find myself riding my jackpot more than my road king but just me

[@jcmaya1]

what mode did you have it in

[@joshuawhite5662]

Only thing for me that seperates it from a Harley is it's the same weight but feels lighter. I would be happy with either Harley or an Indian, depends on who gave me the best deal.

[@m9one]

For the price I paid, no other bike was in the ball park.

[@texastanker19kilo78]

Guess it's time to make an Indian Bro video ;)

[@jfkdemocrat8465]

This review didn’t even mention the different riding modes that other reviewers raved about. Without riding this bike in different modes, this review is incomplete at best.

[@johnpotter4210]

Jfk Democrat Buddy it changes the throttle mapping. That’s it. Sport mode gives more gas per twist and rain mode gives less.

[@LatinoRider]

Great review 😎

[@Mandalorian_Goblinslayer]

That is a sweet chopper

[@chipgroff9664]

Actually, if I had not gotten a 2018 Ultra road glide I would have bought a Indian or a Goldwing.

[@m9one]

The new Goldwing are bad ass I ride with a few.

[@busterbrown1686]

I prefer low maintenance and dependability of hydraulic clutch.

[@user-wq8bh4ct3u]

That video game screen is a complete deal breaker for me. I rented a Chieftain without it several years ago, put over 500 miles, and have since test rode the videotron 2000 version several times... the original dash is 10000x better. Clean, sharp looking simple layout. Cell phones will always be light years ahead of these hideous junks. It looks like something from the 80s. Who doesn't use their phones for everything? Nav., tunes etc... give me bluetooth for the phone and that's it. It protrudes so far back over the bars, it was actually rattling. The bike is phenomenal. The screen, although much more advanced than Harley's, takes away from the ride experience considerably. At least offer a base Chieftain without it. Motorcycles to me are for getting away from this kind of thing, not having it in your face.

[@forrestculver7301]

Ugh, that noise. I think I just grew a third leg

[@CrazyGreek80]

This is a $20k bike not $27k no way.

[@cristiano69y]

Y como le hechas combustible a eso???,

[@paulsweet7441]

I hate demo days