Indian Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle Chief Dark Horse specifications and features
Every figure from the manufacturer's sheet, plus what each feature actually does for you.
The numbers in context
Each figure read against the 64 cruisers we have reviewed.
A spec sheet on its own says little. Here every Chief Dark Horse figure is set against the average for the 64 cruisers on this site, so you can see which numbers are ordinary for the class and which ones set it apart.
The 1890 cc engine is 967 cc above the class average of 923 cc, 6th of 64. Torque of 162 Nm is 80.8 Nm above the class average of 81.2 Nm, 5th of 64. High torque for the class means fewer downshifts in traffic.
Kerb weight is 304 kg, 73 kg above the class average of 231 kg, 53rd of 62. Expect that mass to show in traffic and when paddling it backwards, though it also helps stability at speed. Seat height is 662 mm, 78 mm below the class average of 740 mm, 60th of 64. Most riders from about 5'2" will get both feet flat. Ground clearance is 125 mm, 18 mm below the class average of 143 mm, 39th of 57. Take tall speed breakers at an angle with a pillion, and slow right down for the unpainted ones.
Fuel tank is 15.1 litres, 0.7 litres above the class average of 14.4 litres, 16th of 64. At a realistic 12 kmpl that is roughly 180 km between fills. Wheelbase is 1626 mm, 119 mm above the class average of 1507 mm, 6th of 62. A longer wheelbase trades some agility for stability at speed and with a pillion.
Full specification sheet
Electric
- Top speed
- 185 km/h
Dimensions
- Kerb weight
- 304 kg
- Fuel tank
- 15.1 L
- Seat height
- 662 mm
- Ground clearance
- 125 mm
- Wheelbase
- 1626 mm
- Length
- 2286 mm
- Width
- 922 mm
- Height
- 1253 mm
Tyres
- Front tyre
- 130/60-B19
- Rear tyre
- 180/65-B16
Engine
- Engine
- 1890 cc
- Engine type
- 2 Cylinder, Air Cooled, 2 Valves
- Torque
- 162 Nm
- Claimed mileage
- 14 kmpl
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Transmission
- 6 Speed
Brakes & suspension
- Front brake
- Disc, 300 mm, 4 piston caliper
- Rear brake
- Disc, 300 mm, 2 piston caliper
- ABS / CBS
- Dual Channel ABS
- Front suspension
- Telescopic Fork / 132 mm
- Rear suspension
- Dual Shocks w/ adjustable preload / 75 mm
Source: Indian Motorcycle official specifications. Figures can differ between variants; the table shows the range offered.
Dimensions in practice
The Chief Dark Horse weighs 304 kg with fluids, has an 662 mm seat, 125 mm of ground clearance, and rides on a 1626 mm wheelbase. Clearance is on the low side; take tall speed breakers at an angle with a pillion.
The fuel tank holds 15.1 litres.
Tyres are 130/60-B19 front and 180/65-B16 rear, tubeless.
Features, and why each matters
Grouped by what they do for you. Underlined items link to a plain-English explainer.
Safety and braking
Stops both wheels from locking under panic braking. The single biggest safety upgrade on a two-wheeler.
Front disc brake
Sheds heat and works when wet. Worth the small premium over a drum on any commuter.
Rear disc brake
Adds feel and fade resistance at the back; matters more on heavier or faster bikes.
Tubeless tyres
A puncture deflates slowly instead of instantly, and roadside repair takes ten minutes.
Side-stand engine cut-off
Engine will not run with the stand down, which prevents a common low-speed crash.
Hazard lamps
All four indicators flash; useful in fog and when stopped on a highway shoulder.
Chassis
Alloy wheels
Lighter than spoked wheels and they allow tubeless tyres.
Convenience
USB charging port
Charges the phone on a long commute. Check whether it is Type-A or Type-C.
Engine kill switch
Switch the engine off from the right bar without reaching for the key.
Lighting
LED headlamp
Brighter, whiter and lasts the life of the bike. Halogens on rivals look yellow by comparison.
LED daytime running lamp
Makes you visible to cars in daylight, when most two-wheeler collisions happen.
LED tail lamp
Lights up instantly, which gives the vehicle behind a fraction more warning.
Console and connectivity
Colour TFT console
Readable in direct sun and can show turn-by-turn navigation.
Digital console
Trip meters, real-time mileage and a gear indicator. The analogue dial is disappearing.
Bluetooth connectivity
Call and message alerts on the console so the phone stays in your pocket.
Turn-by-turn navigation
Directions on the console via the phone app. Saves mounting a phone on the bars.
Ride modes
An Eco map for mileage and a Power map for overtakes, switched from the bars.
Equipment against Chief Bobber Dark Horse, Super Chief Limited and Fat Bob
Equipment present on at least one variant of each; check the variant table for trim-specific items.
Only the Chief Dark Horse has
- Alloy wheels
Rivals have, it lacks
- Nothing significant
Colours
Chief Dark Horse specs: questions people ask
- Is the Chief Dark Horse suitable for short riders?
- Yes. Seat height is 662 mm, low for the class, so riders around 5'2" and above can reach the ground comfortably.
- Does the Chief Dark Horse have ABS?
- Yes, dual-channel ABS.
- What features does the Chief Dark Horse have?
- 17 items across 5 groups, including dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres and alloy wheels. Some are variant-specific.
Chief Dark Horse from
₹21.59 Lakh