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Reviews/ Indian/ Challenger Dark Horse
WATCH REVIEW
8.5/10 Touring

Indian Challenger Dark Horse Review

"The best performance bagger America currently makes, full stop."

Sport-minded riders wanting long-haul comfort too $16,000-$22,000 used 2020-2024
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Key Specs

speed
Top Speed
185 km/h (estimated, note: electronically influenced)
bolt
Power
122 hp
@ 5,500 rpm
rotate_right
Torque
178 Nm
@ 3,800 rpm
local_gas_station
Fuel Economy
14.3 km/L
34 mpg ยท 7.0 L/100km (approx. 14.3 km/L, typical real-world average)
build
Service Every
8000 km
scale
Weight
380 kg
(wet/curb weight)
settings
Engine
1768cc liquid-cooled PowerPlus V-twin
height
Seat Height
650 mm
cog
Transmission
6-speed
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Used Buyer Review

The Challenger Dark Horse is Indian's strongest argument that American cruisers don't have to be slow, wallowy dinosaurs. That 108ci PowerPlus engine is genuinely brilliant โ€” smooth, torquey, and pulls hard well past where most riders expect a V-twin to give up. The riding position is aggressive for a bagger, which divides opinion sharply. Some love it, some spend half their ownership hunting for different bars. Check that before you buy. Used examples from 2020-2022 had some early touchscreen gremlins and occasional Bluetooth pairing frustrations โ€” minor stuff, but annoying. Inspect the front fairing lowers for stress cracks if the bike's been dropped or loaded hard. The lean angle sensors and ride modes all work well on pre-owned examples I've seen. Dealer network is decent but not Harley-level ubiquitous, so factor that into your decision geographically. For the money used, nothing from Milwaukee touches it on outright performance. You're buying a genuinely modern motorcycle wearing bagger clothes, and that's a compliment.

Pros

+PowerPlus engine genuinely impressive
+Handles far better than expected
+Premium tech works reliably
+Strong resale value retention
+Wind protection actually excellent

Cons

-Touchscreen software can frustrate
-Riding position polarising
-Dealer coverage thinner than Harley
-Heavy at low-speed manoeuvring
warning
Avoid if

You need relaxed upright cruiser ergonomics

description View full specs, facts & rivals for Indian Challenger Dark Horse โ†’

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