Indian Motorcycle Chief Dark Horse mileage and running cost

The Chief Dark Horse is rated at 14 kmpl (claimed mileage). Treat that as a ceiling: real-world figures are usually 15–25% lower.

Among the 51 cruisers we have reviewed it ranks 49th for mileage, 11 kmpl below the group average of 25 kmpl.

At Delhi's petrol price of ₹94.80 a litre and a claimed 14 kmpl, the Chief Dark Horse costs about ₹6.77 per km in fuel. Ride 30 km a day and that is roughly ₹5,282 a month, or ₹63,381 a year, before servicing.

Spread over five years and 46,800 km, the Chief Dark Horse works out to about ₹61.9 per km all-in, of which 11% is fuel and 84% is the purchase price itself. Resale value is not counted; expect roughly 50–60% of ex-showroom after five years for a well-kept example.

Cruisers reward relaxed riding. Keep the Chief Dark Horse in its torque band rather than revving it, and the highway figure will beat the city one by a wide margin because 304 kg costs fuel every time it stops and starts.

Short trips hurt most. A cold engine on a 2 km run can return half its normal mileage; if that is your use, expect the low end of the real-world band and consider combining errands.

At 304 kg the Chief Dark Horse feels a pillion more than a lighter bike does. Two-up in the city, budget for 4–6 kmpl less than the solo figure.