Indian Motorcycle Introduces 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse
Today, Indian Motorcycle unwrapped the company’s first 2016 model, the Indian Chief Dark Horse.
Based on the Indian Chief platform that relaunched the company two model years ago, the Dark Horse blacks out the bulk of the bike while only tossing in a few splashes of chrome. Note how the headlight nacelle and fork covers wear a semi-gloss black finish while the exhaust system and fender rails wear the most noticeable chrome on the motorcycle. Machining on the engine’s cooling fins help it to stand out on the dark, hulking form. The Dark Horse differs from its progenitors in the use of cast aluminum wheels which serve to accentuate the aggressive stance of the bike’s silhouette.
2014 Indian Chief Classic Review
Indian did, however, chose to lighten one aspect of the Dark Horse. Shipping the bike with a solo saddle allowed the passenger pegs to be eliminated for less weight. The bike’s mass was lessened further by skipping the oil cooler, analogue fuel gauge and driving lights of Chief Classic, making the Dark Horse the lightest Chief ever. This lower rolling weight means that the Thunder Stroke 111 engine accelerates the Dark Horse quicker than any other Chief.
Still, with Indian being a premium brand, the Dark Horse retains features such as ABS, a remote key fob for keyless ignition, electronic cruise control, and a two-year unlimited mileage factory warranty. The starting price for the Dark Horse is $16,999. Those who want to add their own touches to the bike can choose from the 40 available accessories (such as the passenger seat and pegs/floorboards, ape hanger handlebars, accessory air cleaners, fender struts, slip-on exhaust with black heat shields and exhaust tips, and black fender trim help create the fully blacked-out look) that will roll out over the spring and early summer.
“The Indian Chief Dark Horse is unlike anything else currently available from Indian Motorcycle,” said Indian Motorcycle Sr. Product Manager, Ben Lindaman. “While it shares the best traits with other models in the Chief platform, its signature matte black paint and minimalist profile give it an attitude unlike any other Indian motorcycle. We’re excited to unveil this new bike at an aggressive price point for a full-size cruiser.”
The 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse rolls into dealers mid-February. Daytona Bike Week attendees will be able to demo the Dark Horse from March 7th–14th. To learn more, visit www.IndianMotorcycle.com.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
More by Evans Brasfield
Comments
Join the conversation