The Indian Chief Dark Horse comes equipped with the Thunderstroke 116 engine — a 1890cc, 116 cubic inch air-cooled, 49-degree V-twin. It was originally made to be an upgrade for stock Thunderstroke 111 motors. The 116 offers 20% more horsepower than its predecessor, however, and its popularity led Indian to begin using it as a stock motor for new bikes in 2019.
On the Dark Horse, it produces around 120 pound-feet of torque and a peak torque of 5,400 rpm. It has a 4.063″ x 4.449″ bore and stroke, and an 11:1 compression ratio. All of this gives it a fair amount of power even at low rpm, making it an ideal engine for a cruiser.
In terms of its other specs, the bike’s seat height sits at 26″ and the standard edition weighs 670 lbs., while the bobber weighs 694 lbs. It has six gears controlled by mid-mount foot controls with drag bars, and the standard tank has a 4-gallon fuel capacity. Every Dark Horse also comes with a USB charging port, keyless ignition, cruise control, ABS, LED lighting, and Pitelli Night Dragon tires.
The 4″ touchscreen is another interesting feature. It’s chrome-plated and set into the center of the handlebars to offer modern utility while maintaining the bike’s classic aesthetic. This device gives riders navigation control, as well as weather and traffic overlays. It allows them to control the bike’s different ride modes, and even allows them to manage calls and music from Bluetooth-connected devices.
