Motorcycle specifications Indian1890 Super Chief Limited / Dark Horse 2026 Field Trip with Pat Hibulaire

What’s new under the hood of the Chief since 2023? Its large engine has had its clutch replaced with a model that offers smoother operation and requires less effort.All Indians equipped with a Thunderstroke or Powerplus engine benefit from this update. However, the figures under the windshield don’t seem to reflect this much.
It’s less impressive in 2025, where torque drops from 16.5 to 15.9 mkg.

In this Super Chief version, the Indian becomes an alternative to big baggers like the Springfield or Chieftain. Light touring, easily convertible, almost a bit playful. A wild card for setting off on the spur of the moment further than planned. Based on the recent, modernized version of the Chief, the bike stands out as the most comfortable and relaxed of the available models. You turn the key, shift into first, and ride until you’re ready to stop?

Not at all. I mean, you don’t turn the key. There isn’t one. The Super Chief is equipped with a keyless ignition system (and many other electronic systems). But what interests us right now are its capabilities tied to its unique features. Heading out on a long-haul ride? That’s when the benefits of the footrests, the large windshield, the wide cruiser-style handlebars, and the leather saddlebags really shine. They don’t have a huge capacity (36.7 liters), but that should be enough for a short weekend trip. Riding with a passenger is possible, as this Chief is equipped with a passenger seat.

Other differences set this Super Chief Limited apart from the original custom model. The fork is fairing-covered, the rims are spoked, the front wheel is down to 16 inches, the tops of the shock absorbers are covered with a cap, the weight increases by about 30 kilos, and the price goes up by 25%.

Both the chassis and the electronic equipment are carried over from the Chief Dark Horse: a new tubular steel frame, a shorter wheelbase, and a front end set further back than on the previous Chief 1811 for greater agility, a single 300-mm brake disc per wheel, a medium-capacity fuel tank (15.1 liters), FTR-style LED headlight, cruise control, ABS, 4-inch TFT touchscreen with GPS and smartphone integration, three riding modes, and a USB charger.

The Super Chief Limited is also the 1890 Chief that best showcases its engine. Very subdued on the Dark Horse and the Bobber, the Thunderstroke 116 here sparkles with chrome. Every part, every casing, every control, every piece of metal right down to the tips of the Crossover exhausts seems coated in shimmering chrome. The American nobility of the air-cooled twin is fully on display here. The heart loves to show off, to glorify itself, to express itself. It can do so generously thanks to its large displacement, delivering nearly 16 lb-ft of torque at 3,300 rpm.

This little tourer is a first for the Indian lineup. The idea is good but not groundbreaking; one can’t help but compare it a bit to the Softail Sport Glide, and even more so to the old Dyna Switchback.
The name Super Chief will strike a chord of nostalgia with American railroad enthusiasts, recalling long journeys on the "Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway." Its niche was the route between Chicago and Los Angeles during the mid-20th century, with a level of comfort and luxury that attracted a high-society clientele of artists and celebrities. The Indian Super Chief Limited isn’t exactly cut from the same cloth; that role falls more to the Roadmaster—the manufacturer’s flagship. Meanwhile, this custom tourer is designed for those who want a Chief for the week and a long weekend getaway.

The Super Chief now comes in a Dark Horse version, featuring black exhausts, a black engine, a black fuel cap, and black mirrors.... As you can see, dark tones have replaced the chrome.

M.B. - Manufacturer photos