Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Test Ride and Detailed Review

[@MOTOBLADE]

What do you guys think of the new 2022 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse? Let me know in the comments!

[@bjluna78]

I have a 2020 Indian Chieftain Darkhorse, it’s the first bike I’ve owned. Love everything about it.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Heck yeah brother 🤘🏻 welcome to the tribe 🇺🇸

[@vmarsfiles]

I like how the older chieftain version looks with the triple lights on the fairing

[@MOTOBLADE]

Take a peek around my channel - because that’s the one I own! I replaced all 3 with halo leds and it looks AWESOME!

[@motorcycleden]

Looks nice but I agree with you, I like the older style fairings. Indian does offer a lot of extras with their bikes, compared to Harley. Thanks for the review

[@MOTOBLADE]

Glad you liked it! It's an amazing bike and an amazing company. Indian does good work.

[@touchthebacon5447]

That'd one slick lookin bike. Gonna have to add it to the list of possible next bikes to own.

[@MOTOBLADE]

For me it's this or the new Indian Challenger

[@johnnydangerously7186]

I went from a 2017 Indian Springfield to a 2019 Indian roadmaster. I much prefer the classic rounded full fairing upfront and the valanced front fender as on my roadmaster. It is for this look alone why I ride an Indian. The styling sets it apart from a sea of HD’s in the parking lot. I view my Roadmaster like a resto-mod in that it gives you classic yesteryears styling with modern chassis, power train and reliability!

[@MOTOBLADE]

My thoughts EXACTLY. I wasn't alive in the yesteryears, but darn it if they didn't have the best style. I refuse to upgrade my Chieftain to a newer model because I won't give up this look! Sets it apart from everyone else on the road. I get more compliments at bike night than anyone else on their Harleys 😎

[@johnnydangerously7186]

@@MOTOBLADE exactly, people a specially women love to complement my Indian! Can’t park anywhere coffee shop, Walmart you name it, where someone doesn’t stop and admire the Roadmaster.

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@johnnydangerously7186 We have classy lookin' bikes 😎🎩

[@bombaya85]

I have rode 2500miles on my -19 Chieftain DH since I got it in May. I can do two hour rides before I have to take a break from the stock seat. I am looking at a couple of options for next season. Going to watch your Saddlemen video again later.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Saddlemens on both my bikes. The @Saddlemen RoadSofa LS is the best your butt can ever have. I love mine. Stock seat on my Chieftain sucked as well.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

The ultimate seat would be my choice. Check those out

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@JohnnyRebKy will do!

[@paulfreespirit]

I have the 2020 model with the same batwing fairing, which I like, but I do like the previous fairing to, I did replace the windshield with a taller freedom windshield. It's a fantastic bike and agree with your great review of the Chieftain, best bike I've owned!

[@MOTOBLADE]

My Chieftain is the best bike I've ever owned as well. And like you, I also upgraded the windshield. Put a roadmaster shield on mine, works great. Ride safe, have fun! ✌🏻

[@straycat1674]

The only thing I don’t care about the new Indian chieftain is now if you want more than just a center headlight it’s the little lights on the side instead of the built-in lights. I like the look of the previous design.

[@MOTOBLADE]

You and me both. That's why I'm still hanging onto my 2018 Chieftain with that original fairing design with the built in LED's

[@straycat1674]

@@MOTOBLADE I mean, there’s got to be an option to have the original style installed instead. I guess when I’m ready for mine and I go to the dealership I’ll find out.

[@fanboy5769]

Great review. I just picked up a 2022 road master. I’ve considered getting a road sofa. How high does it sit you above the fairing?

[@MOTOBLADE]

Didn't add really any height for me. Got a full review of the road sofa on my channel if you want all the details, but the short answer is its well worth the investment.

[@straycat1674]

Built in front and rear mounted cameras would be nice.

[@beerrunner8153]

I like the way the bike looks. Looks like a street glide.

[@jaredcate5778]

I love the new look personally

[@MOTOBLADE]

Good! I’m glad people like the new design - because I want Indian to do well. They’ve still preserved the older look that I like in their Roadmaster classic line, so they got everybody covered 👍🏻

[@AhcDarak]

Yeah I completely agree with You Sir. Indian should’ve stayed with they older look for sure.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Be different. Don't make it look like a street glide!

[@Consciousrider]

Great review champ. 21 Indian Challenger rider myself 🏁

[@MOTOBLADE]

Awesome! I'm considering the Challenger heavily. It's the only bike I went back to test ride twice!

[@Consciousrider]

@@MOTOBLADE I know I just seen your video on it too😂🏁 get it bro! I love it! I just installed the lloydz tune , yikes!

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@Consciousrider if I keep the Chieftain I'm considering the lloydz setup next year, I've heard it's insane 🤯

[@jrloPanigale]

Nice review! I want one in the ruby smoke color. The infotainment is Apple CarPlay compatible, correct? Maybe this is new for the 2023 models. Also, how is the reach to the rear brake and gear selector? I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam and just wondering how much of a stretch i'll have to the controls? I guess I need to go to a dealer and check them out in person.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam as well - fits me just fine. I would like a heel shifter added for comfort but no issue reaching. Yes it is carplay compatible. Go ride one, I think you'll love it!

[@stuwhyte479]

Best looking bike of the whole Indian range. In my humble opinion is chieftain darkhorse is way better looking than a street glide. Don't tell anyone but I got a 2020 chieftain darkhorse in titanium smoke (dark grey 😁) so I may be a wee bit biased. Good review mate enjoyed it. Cheers 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🇳🇿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@MOTOBLADE]

I think all the Indians look better than Harleys 😁 (I'm biased too, but I also own a Harley and an Indian so I can say it and get away with it). I just don't like that they tried to get closer to a "Harley" look rather than staying different. Just my humble opinion. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching ✌🏻😎

[@stuwhyte479]

@@MOTOBLADE thanks for replying, I too own a harley (1988 fxlr that I've had since 1989) so I'm definitely not a harley hater. But I genuinely believe indian is a better product..cheers 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🍺 🇳🇿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@Yamahog]

I think the fairing looks ok, but the front end would look better with a 3 head light configuration.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Yeah, I like the 3-light/driving light configuration on mine. More visibility too, for you and other traffic.

[@djking44151]

Great in depth review. Do you know if the luggage is waterproof?

[@MOTOBLADE]

Yes sir! Good rubber seal all the way around the inside rim. Just rode my Chieftain to Sturgis this year. 2 weeks on the road, including a lot of rain. I was soaked by my stuff in the bags was dry!

[@brianmoore1163]

New look is growing on me but love my 18 classic it is no doubt an Indian.

[@marcusturner5291]

Nice review keep up the good work

[@DustyCowdog]

Where is this mecca of bike riding? I don't think I have seen so many people riding randomly like this. Cheers!

[@MOTOBLADE]

This is at Americade bike rally in Lake George, New York. Happens every spring. I just got back from Sturgis and filmed all of that. You want to talk about bikes EVERYWHERE, go check out most recent videos from the 2022 Sturgis rally. Unbelievable. Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@DustyCowdog]

@@MOTOBLADE - Right on... thanks!

[@macaulay9]

I may have missed it but how is the vibration on this bike??

[@MOTOBLADE]

Vibration on Indians is not like on a Harley or BMW. Indian is much smoother.

[@MotorcyclesandMopars]

Shorty windshield would be fine for me. I’m 5’3. So height matters there.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Fair point. Roadmaster windshield is perfect for me at 5'8". I have the touring windshield also, but I took it off because it is wayyyy too tall for me.

[@northrider8628]

I will probably never like the dashboard 🤐 but I could live with it because the rest of the bike is really awesome 👌

[@MOTOBLADE]

It is super awesome. Like me, I don't like the fairing, but I could live with the rest of it.

[@flyingunicycle]

Good video! Thanks for sharing!

[@flyingunicycle]

How is the maintenance for Indian? my first bike and current bike is 1998 road king. I would love an Indian but currently there is no Indian dealership in Montana for them.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't already, check out my Sturgis playlist, as I am currently there filming a lot of things from the rally ✌🏻

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@flyingunicycle I haven't done any of the scheduled maintenance on mine other than oil changes and filter changes. Runs like a champ. I'm sure she needs some tlc, but she's given no indication of any issues. Just hauls ass like the day I got it as long as I give her regular oil changes and fresh gas. Oil change is much easier than on a Harley (I own both so I can tell you that for sure).

[@davidvincent7123]

Hey man, love your videos. I have a 21 chieftain darkhorse with the stage 2 cams. my throttle is super twitchy in sport mode. Was this one twitchy to you at all?

[@MOTOBLADE]

It was not twitchy, but it did not have the stage 2 cams. Can't imagine it's the cams that are causing it, but worth mentioning to your dealer and having them investigate it.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I think that’s the point of sport mode. Quick response to small throttle changes. That’s all the modes do is change the throttle response. Sport is supposed to be sensitive

[@8000RPMS]

I like the Chieftain.....but I don't know if the fork mounted fairing really affects handling and wind fatigue.....you as Chieftain owner, what are your thoughts on that?

[@MOTOBLADE]

Handling is great, you don't even notice it being on the fork as far as fork weight when turning. As far as wind fatigue, when I put my windshield up (I have a taller windshield from a Roadmaster) it takes ALL the wind away from my helmet. Greatly reduces my fatigue on long rides. That said, if you want the ultimate reduction in wind affecting the ride, go for the Indian Challenger. The frame mounted fairing sends all that wind pressure directly down to the ground while leaving the fork alone so if a huge gust of wind comes along (thing big semi on the highway) it doesn't affect your bars at all. Once I got a bike with a big fairing, it changed everything. I won't go back.

[@jamesredar818]

I bought the 2022 Dark Horse and love everything about it but the Rattling windshield. It seems to be a common issue.

[@MOTOBLADE]

If the windshield is rattling, place a small rubber washer between the center metal bracket arm and the backside of the windshield pane. Sandwich it in there and tighten the bolt back down. Will never make a sound again. Trick I learned on my 2018 Chieftain Dark Horse :)

[@superbreaker7973]

Does it comes with Traction control standard?

[@bobberboss]

Is heat an issue for you? I test a 2022 Chieftain 2 weeks ago and weather was around 70-71 and i could feel the heat….i can’t imagine if weather was in the 90’s or 100’s

[@chrishunter5041]

The original faring dose look classy.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Yes sir, it sure does 🎩 keep it classy 😎

[@supraking9]

I like the older looks of the 2018

[@MOTOBLADE]

Me too! Main reason I won't trade in my Chieftain for a newer model!

[@waynegordon4018]

I like the new style faring better. The square kid saddlebags are an improvement as well. REALLY didn’t like the old rounder style.

[@mikehayes3014]

Why does everyone cry about seats?! Dude this seat is just fine 🙄

[@Bernies210]

How is it getting parts for these bikes I don’t know anything about Indians I’m looking for a bagger

[@MOTOBLADE]

I've never had problems getting any parts for my Indian. Internet is your friend.

[@CrismaFire]

I like the batwing nose a lot. Needs bigger fairing

[@MOTOBLADE]

Some lower fairings would be nice to for long rides to keep the wind from coming up underneath.

[@ThinkinMan]

I like both styles but the new is more my style. I have a 2021 Chieftain Dark Horse so I may be biased

[@MOTOBLADE]

I can see the appeal of the newer style, but I'm biased because I own an 18 :) As long as you're riding (and especially riding an Indian) that's all that matters 😎✌🏼

[@ROLLIN-DUB]

What do yall think is a good beginner bike for someone just learning how to ride?

[@MOTOBLADE]

I would go for this one right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4DYh2atm5eLl6M Easily controllable, low to the ground for solid foot contact at a stop, plenty of power when you're ready for it, but smooth and easily controllable throttle response. Good bike to start with and "grow into". You can ride anything. It's more about balance and comfort than engine or bike size.

[@ROLLIN-DUB]

@@MOTOBLADE ok thank you sir; so you wouldn’t say a HD trike? My wife wants one- do you think I can hand gel that

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@ROLLIN-DUB Well the trikes are nice, but you asked about a bike, which is why I mentioned the Scout. The trikes are nice, and comfy, but I don't think they're as much fun as a bike. However, if you want to do a lot of travel with 2 people, a trike can be nice because of the storage space.

[@ROLLIN-DUB]

@@MOTOBLADE my apologies on the classification; my wife is more concerned with safety and she’s still apprehensive about the whole bike thing. I figure I get the trike and she’ll see the enjoyment and safety and I’ll go back and get the bike I want lol:-). Just starting out I’m on WIFE PROBATION. Thank you for your insight and response

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

Nice 👍🙂

[@seeda3473]

Older fairing looks like a flying insect or a UFO. Just wasn’t crazy about it and why I never pulled the trigger. New one looks much “meaner”.

[@gregrankins991]

I prefer the classic look

[@MOTOBLADE]

You and me both!

[@tego73]

Same here. Have a 2019 Chieftain Classic. Love the valanced fenders.