2024 Indian Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Dark Horse Buyer’s Guide

Classic, stripped-down air-cooled V-twin cruisers with some modern touches.

Indian’s flagship Chief series received a full redesign back in 2022, and returns unchanged for 2024. It’s available in base form or in the more premium Dark Horse trim.Indian

Overview

Indian totally reinvented its key Chief platform for the 2022 model year, ditching the full fenders and aluminum frame of the flagship series and giving us a group of leaner and more purposeful models that signal a better representation of current trends. The new-gen Chief and Chief Bobber soldier on into 2024 with that same new exposed steel-tube frame; the models differ in their wheel sizes and some key touch points, for slightly different looks and riding positions. The standard Chief opts for the tried-and-true 19-inch front wheel paired with a 16-inch rear (both cast), and adds a drag-style handlebar and mid-mount controls for a sporty feel, while the pricier Chief Bobber swaps in 16-inch wire hoops at both ends, adds forward controls, and tops it off with a set of mini-ape handlebars. Both are available in two engine options; the base trim, which packs an air-cooled 49-degree Thunderstroke 111 V-twin, or the more premium Chief Dark Horse and Bobber Dark Horse, which feature a beefier Thunderstroke 116 mill, standard ABS, and the 4-inch digital touchscreen powered by Ride Command.

The standard Indian Chief rolls with the air-cooled Thunderstroke 111 V-twin, a 19/16 cast wheel combo, and analog gauges. ABS is optional.Indian
According to Indian, the 1,811cc Thunderstroke 111 engine pumps out a peak of 108 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,200 rpm. Three ride modes—Sport, Standard, or Tour—tailor the power output.Indian
The up-spec Chief Dark Horse trim is equipped with the more powerful Thunderstroke 116 engine, and includes ABS and a 4-inch TFT touchscreen with Ride Command as standard features.Indian

Pricing and Variants

The standard Chief carries an MSRP of $14,999 in Black Metallic, while the Bobber starts at $16,499; ABS is $950 extra for either bike in base form.

Upgrading the Chief or the Chief Bobber to the Dark Horse trim means you get the bigger and more powerful Thunderstroke 116 V-twin and ABS is included. The Dark Horse trim also adds Indian’s 4-inch touchscreen display with Ride Command (with GPS and Bluetooth) as standard equipment, as opposed to the base model’s analog gauge. The Chief Dark Horse runs you $18,499 and up, while the Chief Bobber Dark Horse starts at $19,999 and gets pricier from there, depending on your choice of colors.

The higher-priced Chief Bobber features 16-inch spoke wheels, forward controls, and mini-apes to distinguish it from the Chief. As with the Chief, you can upgrade the Bobber to the Bobber Dark Horse trim, which adds ABS and a modern 4-inch touchscreen with Ride Command as standard equipment.Indian

Competition

News and Reviews

2024 Indian Chief  / Chief Bobber / Dark Horse Limited Specs

MSRP: $14,999–$19,999
Engine: Air-cooled, 49° V-twin
Displacement: 111ci (1,811cc) / 116ci (1,890cc) (Dark Horse)
Bore x Stroke: 101.0 x 113.0mm / 103.2 x 113.0mm (Dark Horse)
Compression ratio: 9.5:1 / 11.0:1 (Dark Horse)
Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed/belt
Fuel Delivery: Closed-loop fuel injection w/ 54mm throttle body; ride-by-wire
Clutch: Wet, multiplate
Frame: Steel tube w/ cast aluminum subframe
Front Suspension: 46mm telescopic fork; 5.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Dual shocks, preload adjustable; 3.0 in. travel
Front Brake: 4-piston caliper, 300mm semi-floating disc ; w/ ABS (Dark Horse)
Rear Brake: 2-piston caliper, 300mm floating disc ; w/ ABS (Dark Horse)
Wheels, Front/Rear: Cast; 19 x 3.5 in. / 16 x 5.0 in. / wire spoke; 16 x 3.0 in. / 16 x 5.0 in. (Bobber)
Tires, Front/Rear: Pirelli Night Dragon; 130/60B-19 / 180/65B-16 ; 130/90B-16 / 180/65B-16 (Bobber)
Rake/Trail: 29.0°/5.2 in.
Wheelbase: 64.0 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.9 in.
Seat Height: 26.0 in.
Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal.
Claimed Curb Weight: 670 lb. / 694 lb. (Bobber)
Contact: indianmotorcycle.com