I agree with ya on the options from the factory, Imagine being able to get your bike with the right bars/pegs and seat from the factory without the up charge.
Really cool build! I’ve never been able to fully form my opinion of the Chief. Thought very hard about it, ended up with a Scout. If I had a lot more money and the little more space… I’d have ‘em both.
Totally agree. I bought a 22 Indian Chief and picked it instead of the bobber because of the bigger front wheel and cheaper price. I wished it would’ve come the way I wanted. I still don’t have forward controls and risers to make it more comfortable.
2022 Chief base model here. I completely agree about the necessary customization. HD and Indian went thru this dumb bike-hipster phase where they thought it was phantasmaglorious to put drag bars on their middle-weight cruisers. It's cool to stretch your back, scapula, shoulders, and arms while stretching your feet forward, said some morons at the board meetings. I'm on my 3rd set of bars trying to find the perfect set for a (mostly) pain-free neck. I'm thinking the new Dean Speed picatinny pullback risers will finally solve the issue. The 2022+ Chief had shit bars, a shit seat, and a massively heavy exhaust/catalytic. It took me 1.5 years to fix most of the issues. I still use the Indian passenger seat for my tailbone brake - to keep me in my seat. Otherwise, I do love the bike. 23k miles and running great. Customizing your order is kinda of like buying a brand new 4 wheel vehicle. Actually, it's exactly like that. Imagine that Indian and HD!
Totally agree. I wanted a Chief but determined I would need another $3000 to make it ridable. The stock Chief is one of the most uncomfortable cruisers I have ever ridden. It seems like Indian did everything they could to make it difficult for aftermarket accessories forcing you to purchase overpriced Indian parts. Not to mention the outrageous labor costs for installation. I'm 5'7" with a 30 in in seam.
Great video! I have the 2022 Dark Horse, same height as you. I put on reduced reach bars and it’s been perfect for me with the mids. I wouldn’t do away with the Chief Dark Horse for the Bobber. I personally don’t love spoked wheels, ape hangers or forward controls for my comfort. I also did the fog lights, which are a great addition. Highway pegs and tractor seat is still on my list.
I recently bought a 2023 Indian Chief factory demo bike with 900 miles on it from my local dealership for over 5 k less than a identical 2024 model. I've already replaced the porky stock mufflers with a pair of Indian factory stage two mufflers bought off of ebay used for 400.00. they're in like new condition. vertical license plate holder ordered for 50.00 off Ebay, passenger pegs off Amazon for 75.00. a new passenger seat for around 225.00 coming soon. a small fly screen coming soon for around 100.00 coming soon. mine has a stock Thunderstroke 111 engine that has more than enough torque and horsepower. may upgrade to forward controls down the road. Indian is like HD,you have to spend a little bit to make it the way you want it. I have a 2021 Indian Scout Sixty that I did much of the same changes to,that I'll probably take a bath on. it's for sale btw. 9500.00 OBO. only 1950 miles no it.
Amen, amen, amen on the configuration at the factory. I ultimately decided not to buy an Indian because of the reasons you expressed. It is so damn frustrating to have to change the seat, bars, foot controls, and cables just to not be tortured on your new $18K bike!
I got the same bike and I agree the bike does need modifications and I also agree the stock seat was awful and getting the extra comfy seat made the bike feel a lot better. I don't like those black side panels that cover the battery, why were they not sprayed the same colour as the tank and fenders? just little things but living in the UK it is so hard to get parts to modify the bike I must send off to Germany and then pay import duty tax also many parts advertised for the Bobber Chief Dark Horse but when I go to fit the parts they are made for a Harley. Apart from that me being over 6 ft tall the bike feels so good it goes where I want it to go with the power I always use the sports mode apart from when it's wet weather. I don't ;ike that back brake lever, it's to small and it should have had a larger square brake pedal It's a big bike and I always used the front brake on other smaller bikes but I now have to use the back brake a lot more and with having big feet with boots on I can hardly feel that brake pedal under my foot. I call what you call crash bars I call engine protectors, I don't like the word "crash" when talking about my bike 😉
I fixed a small nose cone fairing to keep the shape of the bike looking lean, sissy bar, luggage rack on the rear fender, and saddle bags. Thats all the work I have done to the bike. Your Indian looks so sweet with the upgrades you have done. Happy trails and stay safe. Sorry I was not looking properly at your ride my bike is the Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse.
I agree with ya on the options from the factory, Imagine being able to get your bike with the right bars/pegs and seat from the factory without the up charge.
That would be a dream come true. But it would dry up a revenue stream for Indian, so I'm not holding my breath.
Really cool build! I’ve never been able to fully form my opinion of the Chief. Thought very hard about it, ended up with a Scout. If I had a lot more money and the little more space… I’d have ‘em both.
Totally agree. I bought a 22 Indian Chief and picked it instead of the bobber because of the bigger front wheel and cheaper price. I wished it would’ve come the way I wanted. I still don’t have forward controls and risers to make it more comfortable.
Looks absolutely sick, bro.
Good to see another video from you bud.
2022 Chief base model here. I completely agree about the necessary customization. HD and Indian went thru this dumb bike-hipster phase where they thought it was phantasmaglorious to put drag bars on their middle-weight cruisers. It's cool to stretch your back, scapula, shoulders, and arms while stretching your feet forward, said some morons at the board meetings. I'm on my 3rd set of bars trying to find the perfect set for a (mostly) pain-free neck. I'm thinking the new Dean Speed picatinny pullback risers will finally solve the issue. The 2022+ Chief had shit bars, a shit seat, and a massively heavy exhaust/catalytic. It took me 1.5 years to fix most of the issues. I still use the Indian passenger seat for my tailbone brake - to keep me in my seat. Otherwise, I do love the bike. 23k miles and running great.
Customizing your order is kinda of like buying a brand new 4 wheel vehicle. Actually, it's exactly like that. Imagine that Indian and HD!
Totally agree. I wanted a Chief but determined I would need another $3000 to make it ridable. The stock Chief is one of the most uncomfortable cruisers I have ever ridden. It seems like Indian did everything they could to make it difficult for aftermarket accessories forcing you to purchase overpriced Indian parts. Not to mention the outrageous labor costs for installation. I'm 5'7" with a 30 in in seam.
I love my bobber I actually switched out the forwards for mids and did a few upgrades
Great video! I have the 2022 Dark Horse, same height as you. I put on reduced reach bars and it’s been perfect for me with the mids. I wouldn’t do away with the Chief Dark Horse for the Bobber. I personally don’t love spoked wheels, ape hangers or forward controls for my comfort. I also did the fog lights, which are a great addition. Highway pegs and tractor seat is still on my list.
Totally agree. It would save everyone money and time.
Which dealership do you work at? Is it the one on 10th Street?
I recently bought a 2023 Indian Chief factory demo bike with 900 miles on it from my local dealership for over 5 k less than a identical 2024 model. I've already replaced the porky stock mufflers with a pair of Indian factory stage two mufflers bought off of ebay used for 400.00. they're in like new condition. vertical license plate holder ordered for 50.00 off Ebay, passenger pegs off Amazon for 75.00. a new passenger seat for around 225.00 coming soon. a small fly screen coming soon for around 100.00 coming soon. mine has a stock Thunderstroke 111 engine that has more than enough torque and horsepower. may upgrade to forward controls down the road. Indian is like HD,you have to spend a little bit to make it the way you want it. I have a 2021 Indian Scout Sixty that I did much of the same changes to,that I'll probably take a bath on. it's for sale btw. 9500.00 OBO. only 1950 miles no it.
Amen, amen, amen on the configuration at the factory. I ultimately decided not to buy an Indian because of the reasons you expressed. It is so damn frustrating to have to change the seat, bars, foot controls, and cables just to not be tortured on your new $18K bike!
I got the same bike and I agree the bike does need modifications and I also agree the stock seat was awful and getting the extra comfy seat made the bike feel a lot better. I don't like those black side panels that cover the battery, why were they not sprayed the same colour as the tank and fenders? just little things but living in the UK it is so hard to get parts to modify the bike I must send off to Germany and then pay import duty tax also many parts advertised for the Bobber Chief Dark Horse but when I go to fit the parts they are made for a Harley. Apart from that me being over 6 ft tall the bike feels so good it goes where I want it to go with the power I always use the sports mode apart from when it's wet weather. I don't ;ike that back brake lever, it's to small and it should have had a larger square brake pedal It's a big bike and I always used the front brake on other smaller bikes but I now have to use the back brake a lot more and with having big feet with boots on I can hardly feel that brake pedal under my foot.
I call what you call crash bars I call engine protectors, I don't like the word "crash" when talking about my bike 😉
What all have you done to your motorcycle besides the seat? And most people in the US call them "Highway Bars" for the same reason so I get it.
I fixed a small nose cone fairing to keep the shape of the bike looking lean, sissy bar, luggage rack on the rear fender, and saddle bags. Thats all the work I have done to the bike. Your Indian looks so sweet with the upgrades you have done. Happy trails and stay safe. Sorry I was not looking properly at your ride my bike is the Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse.
Yo. 2022 chief dark horse owner. 3k miles in. Absolutely love my bike. What’s your IG handle for a follow.