Indian Motorcycles has launched the Chief Dark Horse in India at Rs 21.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Recently unveiled at the Dark Horse Challenge in the US and MCN Show in the UK, the Chief Dark Horse is the lightest and the most affordable Chief motorcycle on sale in India.
The Chief Dark Horse is based on the popular Chief platform, though it is quite unlike any of its other stable mates. Unlike the other members of the Chief family which don acres of chrome, the Chief Dark Horse gets dark undertones thanks to a matt black paint scheme. It sports an understated look thanks to the healthy dose of matte black paint with a dash of chrome, which lends it one of the most sinister silhouettes among cruisers.
Like the other Chief models, the Chief Dark Horse is powered by the 111 cubic inch or 1811cc ‘Thunder-Stroke’ engine. The air-cooled 49-degree V-twin engine is rated at 139Nm of torque and comes mated to a six-speed transmission. Indian offers this bike with an optional Big Sucker air intake for better performance and a slip-on dual exhaust system which cancels out high-pitched sounds to croon a 'thundering rumble'.
The Chief Dark Horse is the sixth new motorcycle to be unveiled by the iconic American manufacturer, since it was acquired by Polaris in 2011. It competes with the Harley-Davidson V Rod, Moto Guzzi California 1400 and the Triumph Rocket III Roadster.