Indian Chieftain Dark Horse - One Year Owner Review

[@fromthebottomup3106]

My wife just got the Chieftain Limited and she is happy with it so far. I can say, after I rode it, the suspension it like riding on a pillow of air. It holds the road very well and the sound system is good n loud at 80mph. With that said, I don't if I would trade it for my Street Glide Special, I feel that the SGS is a mans bike. It takes a confident rider to handle this big heavy machine. The Chieftain feels lighter and more nimble to maneuver on the road. The throttle return spring is lighter which helps with wrist fatigue on long rides up the pig trail. So, I got nothing bad to say about the Chieftain. I'm just glad to have the best of both Indian motorcycles and Harley Davidson motorcycles in my garage. Safe riding to all.

[@206-HoneyBadger]

I rode this same bike as a test ride. Felt cheap and looked like a plastic E.T. fairing staring back at me. While it rode way easier than a Street Glide as it has a better engineered design to it, but nonetheless... it felt like a lil' scooter. I bought a Street Glide Special and feel like a bad a*s on it because it feels, looks and sound legitimately like a brawler vs a fisher price toy. Sorry if anyone feels offended or angered by that, but that's how silly I felt on this bike. 5'2" female and I chose the Street Glide Special with a Stage 2 out the gate! Indian might have a better stock cookie cutter, but it ain't no American muscle when compared to Harley. 💃If you want it easy to ride, simple look and a confidence booster... buy an Indian!

[@mortondavisproductions7578]

Thank you for providing insight into what you love about your bike. I ride a 2016 Indian Roadmaster with the 111 engine and am glad to hear your thoughts about the engine and other aspects. I love Indian bikes! Be well, be safe.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Right on! Good to hear from another owner! Thanks for watching! (This video is a couple years old, I have a newer updated review on my channel also. Spoiler alert, I still love the bike. Maybe even more now.)

[@jag1963]

I'm Picking up my 2023 Cheiftain Darkhorse Tomorrow. Traded my 2022 Goldwing DCT tour in for it. Nothing wrong with the Goldwing I've racked up 8500 wonderful miles on her in the past 11 months but it's time to have a different experiance. So excited.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Awesome! Welcome to the tribe ✌🏻

[@evelkoloski]

12 Victory Highball here, rode a 21 chieftain elite, epic.... going back to slamm down a deposit..

[@MOTOBLADE]

Welcome to the tribe brother! Glad to have you here. Have fun on the new ride!

[@crashgorilla]

Only 6,000... I be got the same model love her by the way! She’s got in a year and a half now 18000 + and counting. Be safe and ride more cheers!

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

Good to hear from you brother. I love my Roadmaster too. My only complaint is the excessive heat the engine produces in summer time riding. Lowers on the RM are great in rain and cold but in summer , they keep that heat swirling around the riders . Easy enough to take them off. It will be my 2 year anniversary on Chief Red Cloud next week and I will hit 70,000 miles, I don't own a car so I ride year round for work and recreation.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I wish I could ride mine year round. Seems like a sin to keep Chief Slapahoe locked in the garage all winter...

[@jimtomstimpson1477]

LOL!

[@slim56]

Great review, i love my 17 chieftain. I added the trunk to mine it’s so useful. I’ve got 18,000 miles so far I’m very happy with it.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Can't wait to get that trunk on mine. I need that extra storage. Thanks for watching brother!

[@scoutinthearea8710]

Agree on all accounts man! Love my 111 engine too. These Indian Motorcycles are awesome!!

[@MOTOBLADE]

They really are incredible American Machines!

[@aidenquinn8610]

Brilliant review , i hope to get one , some day , here in Ireland we have only had a dealership for 3 year , so not many here at all . Also here the cost is so much more . But some day , thanks for the review , its class

[@MOTOBLADE]

Don't give up the dream! You'll ride that Indian one day brother! Thanks for watching!

[@raymondcurrin]

I totally agree with your opinion of the front faring. It’s as though there going backwards in style. I wouldn’t mind the ride command though. I bought mine in 2017. With the light war bonnet.

[@worldtravelstar1148]

Such a gorgeous bike. One day maybe I can afford one...

[@VAPORZ-Z81]

I have over 13k miles on my 19 Limited and haven't had any issues. I ride at every chance and opportunity! So smooth and comfortable. They are some solid bikes for sure! If you love the stock sound system, you will be absolutely blown away with the PB audio. I didn't replace the fairing speakers, because I agree, that's a waste. I just added saddlebag speakers, and my system was instantly upgraded to PB audio! I can still put my half helmet in my bag with no problem. Stay safe and ride on! 👍

[@MOTOBLADE]

I definitely need to add some saddlebag speakers. Thanks for watching!

[@VAPORZ-Z81]

@@MOTOBLADE ✌

[@daveross5314]

I enjoy your vlogs very much I have about 2 hours north or west in Tennessee to get to an Indian dealership but my people talk hillbillies not French Lol your making it alot easier for me too cross over to and Indian thank you

[@MOTOBLADE]

You're welcome. Come to the dark side, our bikes are way better 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@BlahBlahYaga]

You had me at the Michael Scott clip!

[@MOTOBLADE]

Glad you liked it:)

[@furtcloud1418]

I recently rode the brand new 2020 chieftain and challengers. My favorite was the Challenger but my only complaint was that the windshield doesn't go high enough to clear my helmet. Otherwise they were amazing bikes and a lot of fun.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Easily fixed with a taller windshield, but good to know! I'm only 5'8 so it might be fine for me. I can't wait to test ride the Challenger. Been waiting for the dealerships to reopen near me. Thanks for watching!

[@mjmjphillips]

Great review! I’m a Vulcan S rider looking to upgrade to something like the Indian.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Best decision I ever made. Vulcan S is a great bike, but if you want to cruise long distances and be comfy and really, really enjoy riding - doesn't get any better than Indian. Thanks for watching!

[@chieftainghostrider6475]

The wife and I love our 2019 white smoke chieftain darkhhorse.

[@marcusstrand7040]

I have one white 2019 chiftain. And i lovat🙂🙂🙂

[@youcanthide004]

Great Update. KILLER color leaves on the trees🤘🏻🍁

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thanks! Glad you liked it 😁

[@HDR20]

It's funny you said the power is there instantly because the 3 Indians I rode the power and throttle response wasn't there seem the first 1/4 part of throttle was lagging. I had to twist it farther before the power started. I like chieftains a lot they are beautiful bikes since the remodel

[@BlueJ502]

Same here. That's why I would go with a stage 2 kit and tune

[@notsofastahole]

i have to agree, i really like the fairing on the older Indain and not a fan of what they switched to.

[@JP-ec9rl]

Good video, great taste in motorcycles, I've got a 2018 limited. Runs and handles great. I've got a couple videos of nothing but riding and music here in West Virginia. Still working on the audio to get the wind noise out. Yes I get flagged for the music but don't care. I'm not interested in monetizing my videos. I just like sharing the ride.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I love riding with music. Something about the wind and some good tunes that stirs the soul. Thanks for watching!

[@richardburnett2749]

Very nice bike I have a Suzuki Boulevard C50 right now I want 1 similar to yours with a radio for my next bike I like how they are nice and light feeling the weight is low to the ground

[@RichardBarry-p8z]

I'm getting one instead of a Harley this time I dig Harley but Indians a different beast

[@SilverIndian]

Which windshield you ve installed ?

[@MOTOBLADE]

It's an OEM Indian windshield but it's from a Roadmaster - ordered it as a "service part" off of Indians website.

[@ohn1234567]

That bike looks so nice. Too bad it starts at around $76k in Denmark :(.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Damn. That's insane. Only $26k here. Should come over here and ride it back 😏

[@ohn1234567]

Yeah, vehicle tax in Denmark is a b*tch. Free healthcare though ✌

[@leviaustin5990]

@@ohn1234567 over paying 50k for a motorcycle doesn't seem to trump free healthcare... At all

[@SIRMMA]

I swear it feels like an alien is watching me, when I am looking at this POV shot of you riding. Check it out: the top of the windscreen is the aliens huge scalp, the speedometer/rev-meter is the eyes and the two saddelbag buttons at the base is the mouth. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it. Disclaimer: I am high.

[@Luminosity94]

If only indian has the same number of dealerships as Harley, it would be one of the best motorcycles to own too.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I'm waiting on the day when there's more Indian dealers. Will be amazing to see just as many Indians on the road as Harley's. Thanks for watching!

[@twinphill900]

Dirty bird....oh that cracked me up, good work. 👍

[@krismerchant4982]

are you in Vermont? I'm thinking of purchasing a springfield in 2023... but these chieftains keep showing up on my radar. Like you... these bikes are hard to see in person. do you ever make your way into Burlington?

[@MOTOBLADE]

Yes I'm in Vermont! I don't come to Burlington often on the bike, but I'm there about 5 days a week shooting approaches at the airport as a flight instructor. Nearest place to see in person is Indian at Saratoga Springs NY.

[@krismerchant4982]

@@MOTOBLADE Thanks so much. So confused at this point. I never thought I'd even go bagger... now I'm even looking at the challenger. My decision will be made in March 2023. I've been going to Manchester NH. They've been great.

[@DrDiff952]

Love the round topped Indian Bags. And the Indian Faring. The new bikes don't have the looks or chrome and are just hd lookalikes not like the Original Ametican V Twin

[@MOTOBLADE]

Agreed. That's why I haven't upgraded to a new one. I do like the challenger, because it is unique, but as far as the chieftains are concerned, if I wanted to look like a harley, I'd just buy a Harley. I like the rounded Indians. They were made to resemble the 50's streamliner locomotives in the original designs.

[@DrDiff952]

@@MOTOBLADE I wish I could put the round top bags on a Challenger.

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@DrDiff952 check out dirty bird customs. The do custom saddlebags with rounded lids for Indians and custom fairings. They could probably hook you up with that look. If you do it, let me know, I wanna see that bike!

[@Ndiver81]

Are there any issues with the heat the engine puts out especially during the summer?

[@tomkin8506]

I thought I was the only one who had a 3 hour ride to the nearest Indian dealership.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Just gives us an excuse to ride more!

[@bryancastle8888]

Ok ,I love my Darkhorse .upgraded from a 2003 flhtpi lost in a fire.about the 116 ci upgrade..don’t do it don’t do it don’t do it,Speaking from experience,wait till your bike is blowing smoke rings out of the pipes .wear the thing out ..enjoy the fuck out of it and when you wear it out ..then you upgrade..otherwise you just threw away thousands of dollars and maybe a couple hundred thousand miles..And just think when it’s time you got a fresh bike without waste..Rembrandt ...if it ain’t broke leave it the fuck alone..be safe and Gods peace my friends!

[@jeremygoff9868]

What you think about a chieftain for a first bike? I’m a bigger guy that grew up in the country with ATV’s and stuff so I’m not a complete newbie but I like the look of the chieftains and challengers and don’t think I would like anything else

[@MOTOBLADE]

I think it's a fantastic first bike. Comfortable, plenty of power, creature comforts like the audio system, you couldn't go wrong with either of those bikes!

[@hadespaganism2405]

Three hour ride to the closet indian dealership that sucks ! My indian dealership is about a 30 min ride away ! I would flip out if I had to go to my dealership 3 hours away lmao 😆😆😆 also you have a great looking dark horse ! Mine is red and blacked out everything else 💀

[@MOTOBLADE]

When I bought the bike, my Indian dealer was 10 minutes away (20 if I obeyed the speed limit :) Wish there was one a lot closer to me now. Would make life a lot easier! Thanks for watching!

[@bbusigful]

Hi. Greetings from Sweden,Scandinavia. I have heard some complaints about heat from that rear cylinder. What is your opinion about that?

[@aminrafiq132]

Thanks for a great video! Would you mind sharing the link to the after-market windshield you have installed?

[@MOTOBLADE]

That windshield isn't aftermarket. It's the Indian brand 21 inch touring windshield. Thanks for watching!

[@aminrafiq132]

@@MOTOBLADE Thanks!

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@aminrafiq132 you're welcome!

[@Danthelittleguy]

Thanks for providing the review on the Chieftain. I have been debating on getting one or perhaps the new Challenger. Where did you have your camera mounted for this video? I would assume somewhere on your helmet? Was it on the chin guard if you were wearing a full face?

[@MOTOBLADE]

I mount my camera to the chin guard- it's secure but able to break away in the event I would ever come off the bike. It is then wired internally with a microphone. Glad you enjoyed the review. I will be test riding/reviewing the challenger when it gets a bit warmer this spring. Still lots of snow up here. Thanks for watching!

[@mindspinn311]

Have you ridden the 116 Chieftain or the new Challenger?

[@MOTOBLADE]

Not yet! Hoping to get to the dealer later this month or next month!

[@NewJerzeyNinja]

I love my Challenger and I have 4 speaker Powerband audio but I have to admit my 2013 Goldwing had better, louder sound

[@lenspicasso107]

Great video. Which country is this?

[@joelwilliams9362]

Love that bike

[@martyshepherd5887]

I've got an 18 Roadmaster Icon and pretty much feel the same way absolutely nothing I dislike and the likes I have go on and on.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Indians are just amazing bikes. Glad you love yours just as much! Thanks for watching!

[@karlneumeister2802]

Is there a way to upgrade your ride command so it has the weather overlay?

[@MOTOBLADE]

As of right now - unfortunately not. But I've heard some rumors they will make the cellular module backwards compatible and release it as an accessory later on. If they did, I would buy it immediately. Would be a great money maker for Indian I think.

[@Grandmasterjord]

Do you still have your Chief Dark Horse and if not...why? Been looking at the Chief and an FXDR. Coming from the Vulcan S. Any opinions? Haha Loving the videos.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Traded the Chief in after a couple of months for the Chieftain. I wanted to have the hard saddlebags, the music and gps system. I liked the chief, but I wanted ultimate touring comfort with the same style and power of the chief -chieftain was the way to go. Don't regret it for a second.

[@jremeee2011]

I want this bike so damn bad. I’m coming from a cross country.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Go get it! My only regret is I didn't buy it sooner.

[@BlueJ502]

Same here. I also have a xc and I love that bike I ride hard and fast and take turns while scrapping the floor boards. Victory are among the best bikes ever.

[@jdpower5552]

Do u experience any wind buffeting on your helmet? I have a Vulcan 1500 now and am looking for something with a better protection. Did u get or can u get heated grips?

[@MOTOBLADE]

I can get heated grips for the Chieftain. I don't have any buffeting with the helmet when I raise the windshield or when the windshield is down and I am riding under 50mph.

[@airtexaco]

You’re doing this much seat time on a stock seat?

[@MOTOBLADE]

I was. I did. However, I have since upgraded to a saddlemen road sofa (video review of that on my channel). Definitely worth the upgrade. All day, no back pain or butt pain.

[@airtexaco]

@@MOTOBLADE awesome, I will check it out. Right now I have a Corbin and am very happy with it, but it won’t go on a Chieftain. Thanks again!

[@05ALT]

Hey Is the Chieftain a good starter bike?

[@MOTOBLADE]

It depends. Some people like to start smaller and then get a bigger bike when they have more riding experience. Some just go for the big bike first. For some it's about what they can afford to ride. I would say it's all about your comfort. If you are comfortable starting on a bigger bike and you have proper training, the. The Chieftain can be a fantastic starter bike. Your ability to operate it safely and comfortably determine that.

[@lowman0914]

is this the 2019 or the 2018?

[@lowman0914]

Disregard. I just heard you say 2018. lol I just got my 2019 yesterday, and I love it!

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@lowman0914 enjoy the new ride brother!

[@martind349]

Tsui Yeung savait que les Français venaient du Canada, car il avait étudié à l'école américaine. Je le savais pas.

[@russcoaus2043]

Hi bro nice bike😎👍

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thanks bro

[@SC8terRiderMotoVlogger]

🤗👍☝️😎🇵🇭 Niceone and thanks 👍🤗

[@dleebox2268]

Bro! Bird poop is good luck, of all the people in the world, why you? Grab some lottery tickets, win, send your old Indian😅

[@MOTOBLADE]

LOL. Crap! I probably set off the chain events of 2020 by wiping it off! If only I had known :)

[@dleebox2268]

@@MOTOBLADE not too late, try your luck my freind, hit me in comments

[@BlueJ502]

I've ridin both harley and Indian and I'll have to say Indian all the way. Harleys are crap its more of a nostalgia thing.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I own both. Just did a 3 year review on the Chieftain not too long ago. I agree 110% Indian all the way. My Harley is kinda fun with the engine conversion as a Torque toy, but it's a crap design and a pain in the ass to work on. Indian rules!