I'd rather have an old fashioned analogue dial, just a speedo and fuel gauge. Its the technology that would put me off. For maps etc I'd rather use my phone and a quadlock. Its a fantastic looking bike and I would consider buying one. Thanks for starting Sunday off the right way Freddie 👍🏻
Yes analogue speedo please , rear mud guard is ugly..pipes are ugly..but in saying that , it's the best looking bike that Indian have produced so far. Go more old school, that's what people want.!..😎
I completely agree with the analogue dials but on the flip side, this one allows for you to not have your phone cluttering up the bars and keeps the look of cleaner lines. Bit of a trade off.
Freddie, been watching you for a few years now and this review is in my opinion the best you have ever done. You really nailed the way bikes should be viewed and the feeling any bike should give you regardless of horse power and technology etc, it's all about how you feel. Well done Freddie
Your commentary in the cafe was what I would say is the best you have done to date. Absolutely brilliant with the correct amount out humour added into the mix. Love these videos Freddie. 👊😎👍
The closure of a number of high profile Harley dealers tells you that they sell to a limited market and in common with this Indian styling is great but at 19 k is far to expensive for what is a Sunday cruiser
Hey Freddie, yet another quality video. Enough 'technical' info, but I love how you speak of any bike you ride, as to how it makes you feel. That can't be easy to get across, but you do it superbly. Having ridden bikes for 50 years, this has always been the most important aspect for me. Thank you Freddie and Monika. Your videos are like a breath of fresh air!
Altho I can't agree with Freddie about this Indian tugging my heartstrings (1st gen Vmax rider for life), its great to see he hasn't lost his enthusiasm and that Monika is still killing it with the video and music editing!
Bought my Indian Scout Bobber 2025 Limited plus Tech a few weeks ago (Sunset Smoke Red) and I absolutely love it. Not only is it a work of art but it goes like hell, is super comfortable and just looks amazing. Worth every penny and if Freddie ever hops across the pond to the US and finds himself in ATL, I would love to ride the tail of the dragon together!
You look good on that bike. I was hoping to hear from you, just what it felt like opening up the throttle and going through the gears in a spirited moment of burning some dinosaur juice. Nothing replaces that feeling of man and a raw machine pounding down on pistons and vibrating your bones...There's a bond there and the motorcycle has a heart too. All of the motorcycles I have ever had, became part of me. They were like a best friend and a ring on my finger.
So I'm going to throw another bike into the mix, the Triumph Bobber at a bargain £13,395.00. Yes, it may be a mere 1200cc, and yes, it may have a mere 106Nm of torque, but does that really matter? These are, after all, cruisers not sports bikes. And that £6300 saving will pay for a lot of custom parts.
@@yahoodlums it may be closer to the Triumph, but I think when we're thinking of the more niche styles of bikes, like bobbers or scramblers, things like out and out performance are less important than what the heart says, and that's why I'd say the Triumph Bobber is another bike to consider.
I’m getting the sense from of a lot of these comments that many of your viewers have never sat on an American cruiser. People comparing this bike to a triumph bobber, or a RE? They are clueless. Yes, the bike costs $19,000 because it’s built to $19,000… sit on one. If you don’t understand then, well, something’s not firing properly.
The Indian Chief Dark Horse Bobber is an absolutely stunning motorcycle, but i'll choose the Harley Davidson Street Bob everyday of the week above all of those four bikes you just mentioned.
The Chief Bobber Dark Horse is great looking cruiser although I personally prefer the look of the Sport Chief. As for the digital dial while I would rather have an analogue gauge on a cruiser you just can't get away from digital displays on bikes nowadays and while the one on the Chief Bobber is slow to fire up it is light years in front of something like the H-D Breakout digital display. Interesting you chose the Indian over BMW, H-D & Triumph, buying a cruiser is nearly always down to your heart and not your head, if the Indian "rocks your boat" and puts a smile on your face when you ride it then it's the bike you should buy.
This bikes big selling point is it's nostalgia value & how it instills passion in a few people who yearn for it. Freddie you seem to be one of these people, you touched on a few drawbacks but in reality it's a lot worse than you describe. It's overweight, underpowered, overpriced and the slight bit of technological advancement it does have doesn't work properly. If you really loved it as much as you say you'd actually own one, but you don't, your triumph is a much more rounded prospect. There's a reason why Harley Davidson dealerships are closing down over here.
I've been riding Harleys for over 20 years, I'm on my second Fat Boy Lo, a 2012 model. It's not a sports bike but there's nothing like getting on it, feeling the rumble and the vibrations, the sound of the exhaust and cruising. It's quick enough and handles well enough. Prices though of both new Harleys and Indians are ridiculous. You could buy a V4 Diavel that has everything you could wish for, for no more than one of the new Harley bikes. Love your videos.
It's sad and if Indian weren't putting that price tag on it, they wouldn't be in competition with HD and people would look at it as a lower bike and go HD anyway.
I own an 2016 Indian Chieftain with the 111 cu. yesterday I rode my friends Chief Sport with the 116 in it. The difference between the motors is the top end torque is more noticeable in the 116 engine. But to be honest the chief is a lot lighter bike compared to a full dressed Chieftain. Yep the cost is an issue for both Harley and Indian, but you buy these bikes for long term ownership. I’m fortunate to own a Triumph Trophy SE and a Bonnie T120 an Aprilia Mana and an Indian Chieftain. But I find riding the Indian is an event, people walk up to chat with you about the Bonnie, but when I leave my Indian in the parking lot it always has someone looking around it when I get back. But I live in Canada and couldn’t imagine having to muscle it around on UK roads.
What a beast...1900cc, 900lbs, 19,000 bucks... can't stand the exhaust on the Indian bikes but saw one of these on the road the other day with some V&H pipes and it was awesome 👍
Ohh Freddie, its been a while. Poetry has always been your style for mechanical words. Louvers for cam covers & pipes for pushrod tubes. I just love it! The engineering force is strong within you. Monika's filming & creativity is an art form. You are the artist. ⭐
I have the Indian Scout Bobber which has a more basic speedo, but it's all you need on a bike like that... and the exhaust note is glorious!! Most people will use their phones for navigation anyway, so it's kind of pointless to integrate it in the dash. I've ridden Harleys, but to me the Indian looks better, sounds better, is smoother and feels better built. They are amazing bikes. Go and try one!
I couldn't put up with the speedo, surely that isn't right, give me an old fashioned analog one. I want to turn the key and go. A bobber came from a cut down bike not the bars, the mudguards were cut down, all bits that could be removed were, to lighten it so it goes faster. The Triumph bobber is more true to the name bobber, with the single seat and cut down frame.
Nice review Freddie, I definitely agree you need to choose this type of bike with your heart. The problem I have with Indian as a brand, and to a lesser degree Triumph, is that there are totally unrelated to the original companies apart from the branding and the perceived image of what they would have become if they had been in continuous business. Harley and BMW are the real thing in that respect. Clearly the new Indian company has styled their range of bikes on the back of the Harley's development over the 50 years that Indian didn't exist, with design cues from the original Indian company.
Another great video thanks Freddie… I own the Super Chief Ltd and love it…. You didn’t mention the different riding modes, sport mode changes this gentle cruiser into being a whole different beast don’t you think?
Good day big Freddie! Perfect video as always! The new 2025 Bobber line-up, "sport bobber" and the higher spec, "101 Scout" has a quicker electronic gauge display start-up(pretty much instantaneous). I believe you may need to take the bike back to an Indian dealership, to perform a download and "flash" a new software version to the gauge display of the Bobber Dark Horse.
@@FreddieDobbs As an Aussie, I can say that I shudder every time I see a Pommy rego plate. They just need to change the law on aesthetic grounds. Now I have got wound up, I also look askance whenever I see the amount of paint on your roads over there. Great video though.
I have my bike plates made smaller but using legal size digits. They aren't a fashion accessory and are there to be seen. I've been riding for 50 years and the last of my worries has been a number plate.😂🤪😅
No doubt its a great looking bike with some great features. However the price is a bit excessive. I dont see that and think 20k motorcycle. I see it and say 13k at most motorcycle.
Really interesting bike, and I've started to fall in love with the V's. But that start up time, and at 350kg! You couldn't easily push it out of a burning building. Reminds me of a time 40 years ago, on Chelsea Bridge in London, a heavy presence of a nameless Bike gang turned up late one Friday night, as they often did (if you know you know, the previous week they tried to pick a fight with the Paras that sometimes dropped in from Chelsea Barracks) and we decided to depart rapidly. Only my cranky X7 was having none of it, I kicked and kicked it over to no avail until one of the gang approached me. My mates had departed. I was a very nervous and spotty teenager wanting to get out of there pronto. The gentleman asked for a light for his smoke, and kept my lighter. Finally the X7 fired up in a cloud of blue smoke facilitating my exit, on the back wheel, out of there and minus a lighter lol but it still started quicker than that £20,000 Indian! lol Thanks Suzuki, you owe me for the trauma...:-)
Two interesting points for me, firstly it is air cooled, I imagine this is possible due to the modest power output. Secondly, it costs much less in the USA!
The price of these bikes are just crazy. Especially considering the current financial climate being able to justify buying one is very difficult. I’ve recently brought a Kawasaki VN 2000 with just 18000 miles on the clock I’ve bobbed it out had a custom spray job replaced the front forks with firmer springs replaced the exhaust had it tuned and its cost me less than half of what Indian costs. For me it makes no sense in buying a new bike unless of course money is no object then yes I can certainly see the appeal. Great video though and very informative for the would be buyers and yes there are quite a few out there but for me personally I’ll stick with the mid two thousands Japanese cruisers. Ohhhhh I can hear the hissing and booing from here😂. Nice part of the world around the Orwell bridge did you pop down to Pin Mill lock while you were there.
Yeah no wonder they went under Who in their right mind would buy this Vs all the competition when you look at prices. I'm sure some richer older people are happy to but majority of people will be struggling to buy it
Your channel seems to be doing really well so maybe it’s time to buy your dream bike and this is obviously it. Bite the bullet and buy one and keep the triumph too. Never heard you so passionate about a bike. I am pretty sure you could swap out the crap screen when it does for a nice chrome analogue so wouldn’t worry about that. We all have our dream bikes. I had a few for different purposes , one being the vfr800 5th gen for those fast hair raising moments around Scotland and wales and the others the Triumph Bonneville T120, for those same bends in Wales and Scotland but when I want to take in the scenery. It is great when you can buy your favourite bike of all time for £2000 , as I have done with the vfr. The Bonneville will have to wait so I make do with the Harley Street 750 , which is a similar ride and profile. One day though will have both. And you can do too by keeping your loyal friend and buying the Chief . Bet you could get a deal on the one you have been riding for this review. Loved hearing that passionate review , best one yet. Probably because you loved the bike so much.
Hi Freddie, Dark Horse not only has the engine blackout but also it is bigger. The non dark horse is 111cu vs 116cu. The bobber also have a thicker front wheel than regular chief
It is a beautiful bike, but that screen feels out of place. I think I prefer analog gauges with small LCD screen for basic info (like the new Hayabusa) with something like the Beeline moto II nav system. Also, I believe Bobber refers to the shortened fender.
Had mine for a few months and the biggest con for me is actually the lack of easily accessible aftermarket parts. The stock seat is only good for about half an hour ride, but the choice of aftermarket seats is very limited. I want to add a sissy bar, the choices are even more limited. I'm really beginning to understand why people go for HD because their aftermarket is huge. I love my Chief but I feel like I'm going to have to learn how to weld and make my own parts.
It ticks almost every box but it needs an analogue speedo. Such a classic purists machine with a TFT screen just doesn't do it and you are right Freddie about this technology aging or worse, failing. It only needs a centre clock needle fuel display, which you won't rely on to be totally accurate. If I want satnav I'll use a separate device on a Quadlock.
My neighbour from Germany used to have one when i lived in High Wycombe years ago and even back then the thieves Got it , they used Liquid Nitrogen to break the lock and then put it in the back of a Van at 2am and that was over 10 years ago so yeah i would be scared to own a bike like that in the UK
I considered a Harley or an Indian, but they both only had around 90 hp, so I bought a Triumph Rocket III Roadster which was considerably less and has 146 hp. I've since modified it and managed to get 170 rwhp out of it.
I get the issue with the slow speedo start up, but it’s easy to work around. Turn the bike on when you walk up to it. By the time you have put on your helmet and gloves it’s ready to go. It’s not ideal but it’s not a problem. As for the sat nav just use your phone and quad lock as normal.
Btw - excellent review. Very professional and so much better than many others from the U.K. on RUclips - most of whom are annoying. However, you nailed it. Excellent point about the boot up and the electronic display - think I’d like analogue and simple on such a bike. Will date quickly as you point out. And that engine? Beautiful.
An excellent episode - 100% agree. Saw the Indian bikes at the ABR festival and immediately loved the look of the Chief and had a bit of a ride. Awesome - what motorcycling is all about. Will have to get one - 🤔 where to store?
Its not just the cost of the bike , its the cost of insurance , at 59 and recovering from a heart attack in May , my insurance on my 2018 LOWRIDER WAS unaffordable at £2400 fully comp, with 17 years of accident free riding .
You're absolutely right, for me that would be a deal breaker. Or one must guarantee that this system will last a bike lifetime. We also see slow start-up on old PCs and see that in many middle class cars and cheaper bikes. The hardware is too light for the application and the amount of data that needs to be processed. It's a shame because it shouldn't have cost that much extra. And updating and adding new features will of course be a challenge if the software is already too heavy.
14:00 onwards - bang on mate. As you say tech that is so very poor performing today in a few years will be deemed even slower. Working in tech I am guessing here, that the processor contained within the clock needs to be cool. Within the confines of the instrument panel within the clock is appalling for any chip to be kept cool. An excellent review. Reach out if you fancy having a ride on a real classic Freddie.
Speaking from experience with this bike. in the time the screen is loading up, do your jacket up, do your helmet up, your gloves on, voila screen useable. Wont notice the time
I must be made for an Indian as I don't own any kind of linen blazer whatsoever. However, as I'm more interested in "go" than "show" I was chastened by your remark that this lump can't even out-handle the Sport Glide. So far you've bought a giant Jeep which struggles to handle a wet roundabout and by the sound of this eulogy you'd love to add a bobber limited to "spirited cruising". I think you might as well make Ed China an offer for his motorised sofa. Good film and nice looking bike but the idea of HD & Indian duking it out reminds me of T-Rex & Triceratops scrapping while the meteorite approaches. Cheers!
And look at the muck on the motor due to the fashionably short but stupid front guard! 🙄. Nice bike despite it though. How about a review of the Challenger or Pursuit now? 👍🇦🇺
The thing that worries me with the scouts models is mainly, I'm 5'11/180cm almost 100kg, and many of these look small when I see them, or I cannot imagine myself and a passenger on them.
As someone who went Harley/Victory/Indian(now on my third) I'd say Indian are a viable alternative to Harley. However lets be fair, Harley are the market leaders in this segment for a reason and I'd advise anyone starting their "cruiser" journey to start by looking at the HD dealership. If Harley doesn't work for you then look to Indian/Triumph/Other metric cruisers. For me I just wanted something a little different, I didn't suit the Harley riding groups/dealerships but they clearly suit lots of folk. Re the long start up, The bike will start right away the screen just plays catch up I just hit the button and go and by the time I', 100m down the road the speedo is working. Appreciate thats inconvenient but not sure it's a deal breaker
Lovely video Freddie and nice edit Monika 😊 I think the tech on the bike is a tragedy, my office printer from 2010 has a better tech than this 20k bike. Either put the best of the best in it or just make it analog or put android auto in it. The navigation from Google is better anyways. On the other hand i can get 3 royal enfield super meteors for that price... think about it. The price politics of Indian is as crazy as harley Davidson, they honestly deserve to go bancrupt. 20k for a bike is a heist.
The display is the reason I would rather have Scout Bobber Limited than a +Tech option. It is a shame the TFT display is related to keyless ignition feature, so probably wiring harness is different, and swapping these parts will not be possible.
Excellent video I'm thinking about indian at the moment I had a harley davidson low rider s 2020 model but the speedo would just mist up all the time brakes were terrible and same for the suspension now I have a bmw r1250r but I still miss a cruiser bike
Great video! Yep, beautiful cruiser, but 100% that dial + tech would have to go. I love Indian motorcycles, adore the chief, the bobber and the sixty! ..but for 5k I could get a used Triumph Thunderbird 1600 .. if im wanting bass notes, power and bags of heritgage without poor tech and a high price.. that would be my bet ✌️🤍
I don't think I know anyone who owns a linen blazer 🤣🤣🤣 Freddie you live in a very different world to me. Nice bike, but I wouldn"t swap it for my Triumph Thunderbird 1600 that only cost £6.5k and has none of that nonsense tech.
The big Thunderbird was my dream bike for a few years, after seeing one in a Triumph showroom in Australia about ten years ago. Incredible looking bikes!
@FreddieDobbs I'll be honest Freddie I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing trading my T120 for it but having put a few thousand miles on it in the last few months it just feels like home to me now.
I own one of these Chiefs and it’s fantastic. But there is one negative not mentioned here: That damn onboard computer drains the battery even when the bike is parked and switched off. So after 2-3 weeks of not being moved, the battery always ends up dead. Since I don’t have power supply in the garage, I fix it by taking off the seat and unhooking the battery. Every time. It’s annoying and I would prefer an analogue gauge, but they are not available in Europe. Other than that, it’s a fantastic bike, but you should know this before buying one.
I'd like you to ask that very question about the exhaust. Why is it able to sound like that? Also the problem with tech now, is that it is junk immediately . I hate it other than in disposable crap, although it is increasingly hard to fight against
I genuinely would like to know why this sounds so incredible, when even the BMW R18 with exhaust upgrade option has no sound, and even Harleys now don’t have a good exhaust not from factory
8 часов назад
I have to agree with your choice. The Harley is too small, The BMW looks the best, but it's atrocious to ride with no ground clearance at all. I'd Choose the Indian as well, but the Rocket 3 GT would be a very strong contender, but I prefer the classic look of the Indian.
hi Freddie , 52 seconds tells you one thing and that is this tech has no place on a motorcycle , what happened to motorcycles , a good basic form of transport and fun , and when it goes wrong its so costly to fix ,
£20,300 that's beyond belief, is it any wonder bike sales are going down. By the way I've finally done a deal to p/ex my GoldStar for a Kawasaki Eliminator SE 500.from a local dealer Keith Dixon, who unlike many other local dealers seem to make an effort to sell bikes and not just sit on their hands thinking the punters are going to flock in.
Scout classic, middle model, analog dial + abs. But this gauges thing, I would have let the customer choose, or all analog and the digital as a +option.
Can you start bike emediately and than wait all gatgets come life or you have to wait till display is on? So do you actualy need to wait 50 seconds to start??
Just so you know, the handle bars do not make a bobber. If I put mini apes on a Panigle would it be a bobber? Of course not. Look at the profile. It’s based on a bike that had fully skirted fenders. The fenders on this bike were “bobbed”. On the original old bike, parts were “chopped” (chopper), but the fenders were retained and “bobbed”. That’s where bobber comes from.
I'd rather have an old fashioned analogue dial, just a speedo and fuel gauge. Its the technology that would put me off. For maps etc I'd rather use my phone and a quadlock. Its a fantastic looking bike and I would consider buying one. Thanks for starting Sunday off the right way Freddie 👍🏻
Absolutely, it is unnecessary, but I suspect we hold the minority view.
💯 agree...
I completely agree👌🏻 Glad you enjoyed it and have a great day😀
Yes analogue speedo please , rear mud guard is ugly..pipes are ugly..but in saying that , it's the best looking bike that Indian have produced so far. Go more old school, that's what people want.!..😎
I completely agree with the analogue dials but on the flip side, this one allows for you to not have your phone cluttering up the bars and keeps the look of cleaner lines. Bit of a trade off.
Freddie, been watching you for a few years now and this review is in my opinion the best you have ever done. You really nailed the way bikes should be viewed and the feeling any bike should give you regardless of horse power and technology etc, it's all about how you feel. Well done Freddie
I agree.
I couldn't agree more!
I concur my goodman! 👏
Your commentary in the cafe was what I would say is the best you have done to date. Absolutely brilliant with the correct amount out humour added into the mix. Love these videos Freddie. 👊😎👍
That’s very kind of you to say so, thank you🙌🏻
The closure of a number of high profile Harley dealers tells you that they sell to a limited market and in common with this Indian styling is great but at 19 k is far to expensive for what is a Sunday cruiser
If I can't wear my finest linen blazer, I'm out.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That got me 😂😂😂
😂 nice little Cub for you then! 😂
Hey Freddie, yet another quality video. Enough 'technical' info, but I love how you speak of any bike you ride, as to how it makes you feel. That can't be easy to get across, but you do it superbly. Having ridden bikes for 50 years, this has always been the most important aspect for me. Thank you Freddie and Monika. Your videos are like a breath of fresh air!
Bars are mini ape . Bobbed is the mudguards . Nice video Freddie thanks
Altho I can't agree with Freddie about this Indian tugging my heartstrings (1st gen Vmax rider for life), its great to see he hasn't lost his enthusiasm and that Monika is still killing it with the video and music editing!
A Gen 1 V-Max is seriously cool!⚡️
Bought my Indian Scout Bobber 2025 Limited plus Tech a few weeks ago (Sunset Smoke Red) and I absolutely love it. Not only is it a work of art but it goes like hell, is super comfortable and just looks amazing. Worth every penny and if Freddie ever hops across the pond to the US and finds himself in ATL, I would love to ride the tail of the dragon together!
That sounds like a riding dream, thank you Mark!😀🇺🇸🏍️🏍️
You look good on that bike. I was hoping to hear from you, just what it felt like opening up the throttle and going through the gears in a spirited moment of burning some dinosaur juice. Nothing replaces that feeling of man and a raw machine pounding down on pistons and vibrating your bones...There's a bond there and the motorcycle has a heart too. All of the motorcycles I have ever had, became part of me. They were like a best friend and a ring on my finger.
So I'm going to throw another bike into the mix, the Triumph Bobber at a bargain £13,395.00. Yes, it may be a mere 1200cc, and yes, it may have a mere 106Nm of torque, but does that really matter? These are, after all, cruisers not sports bikes.
And that £6300 saving will pay for a lot of custom parts.
And a winter in Tenerife.
@@86scottjm very true, or a trip to Morocco with full breakdown coverage.
Indian have the Scout Bobber to compete with that bike
@@yahoodlums it may be closer to the Triumph, but I think when we're thinking of the more niche styles of bikes, like bobbers or scramblers, things like out and out performance are less important than what the heart says, and that's why I'd say the Triumph Bobber is another bike to consider.
Or better yet, the lovely Speedmaster.
I’m getting the sense from of a lot of these comments that many of your viewers have never sat on an American cruiser. People comparing this bike to a triumph bobber, or a RE? They are clueless. Yes, the bike costs $19,000 because it’s built to $19,000… sit on one. If you don’t understand then, well, something’s not firing properly.
I absolutely agree Freddie,
I picked up a new sport chief in December and it makes me feel like no other bike I've owned.
I'll also add that Ive just been out to the bike because I had no effing clue it had a usb port 😂.
The Indian Chief Dark Horse Bobber is an absolutely stunning motorcycle, but i'll choose the Harley Davidson Street Bob everyday of the week above all of those four bikes you just mentioned.
I think I would too..
I test rode the Rocket 3, the R18 and an Indian Springfield classic. I bought the Indian because it felt so special.
This isn't just any motorcycle review..........this, is a Freddie Dobbs motorcycle review😆
The Chief Bobber Dark Horse is great looking cruiser although I personally prefer the look of the Sport Chief. As for the digital dial while I would rather have an analogue gauge on a cruiser you just can't get away from digital displays on bikes nowadays and while the one on the Chief Bobber is slow to fire up it is light years in front of something like the H-D Breakout digital display. Interesting you chose the Indian over BMW, H-D & Triumph, buying a cruiser is nearly always down to your heart and not your head, if the Indian "rocks your boat" and puts a smile on your face when you ride it then it's the bike you should buy.
This bikes big selling point is it's nostalgia value & how it instills passion in a few people who yearn for it. Freddie you seem to be one of these people, you touched on a few drawbacks but in reality it's a lot worse than you describe. It's overweight, underpowered, overpriced and the slight bit of technological advancement it does have doesn't work properly. If you really loved it as much as you say you'd actually own one, but you don't, your triumph is a much more rounded prospect. There's a reason why Harley Davidson dealerships are closing down over here.
These are all level headed points- I can’t argue with them
Really enjoyed this video, love yr enthusiasm Freddie 👍 but when ARE you going to return my finest linen Blazer?! 🤣
man that shot at 11:00 is just badass with the sun bloom. great review. i've loved watching this series.
I've been riding Harleys for over 20 years, I'm on my second Fat Boy Lo, a 2012 model. It's not a sports bike but there's nothing like getting on it, feeling the rumble and the vibrations, the sound of the exhaust and cruising. It's quick enough and handles well enough. Prices though of both new Harleys and Indians are ridiculous. You could buy a V4 Diavel that has everything you could wish for, for no more than one of the new Harley bikes. Love your videos.
19k and they wonder why dealerships are closing down 🤣
It's sad and if Indian weren't putting that price tag on it, they wouldn't be in competition with HD and people would look at it as a lower bike and go HD anyway.
I own an 2016 Indian Chieftain with the 111 cu. yesterday I rode my friends Chief Sport with the 116 in it. The difference between the motors is the top end torque is more noticeable in the 116 engine. But to be honest the chief is a lot lighter bike compared to a full dressed Chieftain. Yep the cost is an issue for both Harley and Indian, but you buy these bikes for long term ownership. I’m fortunate to own a Triumph Trophy SE and a Bonnie T120 an Aprilia Mana and an Indian Chieftain. But I find riding the Indian is an event, people walk up to chat with you about the Bonnie, but when I leave my Indian in the parking lot it always has someone looking around it when I get back. But I live in Canada and couldn’t imagine having to muscle it around on UK roads.
What a beast...1900cc, 900lbs, 19,000 bucks... can't stand the exhaust on the Indian bikes but saw one of these on the road the other day with some V&H pipes and it was awesome 👍
Ohh Freddie, its been a while.
Poetry has always been your style for mechanical words. Louvers for cam covers & pipes for pushrod tubes.
I just love it!
The engineering force is strong within you.
Monika's filming & creativity is an art form. You are the artist. ⭐
My mechanical knowledge gets shown up very quickly😆 Glad you enjoyed it, Steve!
You've done a great job in selling this bike to me, Freddie...if only I have £20k to throw at it!
I have the Indian Scout Bobber which has a more basic speedo, but it's all you need on a bike like that... and the exhaust note is glorious!! Most people will use their phones for navigation anyway, so it's kind of pointless to integrate it in the dash. I've ridden Harleys, but to me the Indian looks better, sounds better, is smoother and feels better built. They are amazing bikes. Go and try one!
I couldn't put up with the speedo, surely that isn't right, give me an old fashioned analog one. I want to turn the key and go. A bobber came from a cut down bike not the bars, the mudguards were cut down, all bits that could be removed were, to lighten it so it goes faster. The Triumph bobber is more true to the name bobber, with the single seat and cut down frame.
Nice review Freddie, I definitely agree you need to choose this type of bike with your heart. The problem I have with Indian as a brand, and to a lesser degree Triumph, is that there are totally unrelated to the original companies apart from the branding and the perceived image of what they would have become if they had been in continuous business. Harley and BMW are the real thing in that respect. Clearly the new Indian company has styled their range of bikes on the back of the Harley's development over the 50 years that Indian didn't exist, with design cues from the original Indian company.
That color is fantastic. I almost got a Chief DH last year in green, but went for a leftover '22 Chieftain Limited. I love the Thunderstroke.
Another great video thanks Freddie… I own the Super Chief Ltd and love it…. You didn’t mention the different riding modes, sport mode changes this gentle cruiser into being a whole different beast don’t you think?
Good day big Freddie! Perfect video as always! The new 2025 Bobber line-up, "sport bobber" and the higher spec, "101 Scout" has a quicker electronic gauge display start-up(pretty much instantaneous). I believe you may need to take the bike back to an Indian dealership, to perform a download and "flash" a new software version to the gauge display of the Bobber Dark Horse.
Nice video freddie. I wonder him many comments you’ll get from “Nigel’s” saying it’s illegal to make the reg plate smaller😂.
I thought exactly the same and expected a few comments! 😂
@@mickcresswell1031😂
I didn’t even think about this, but I shall prepare myself😆
@@FreddieDobbs As an Aussie, I can say that I shudder every time I see a Pommy rego plate. They just need to change the law on aesthetic grounds. Now I have got wound up, I also look askance whenever I see the amount of paint on your roads over there. Great video though.
I have my bike plates made smaller but using legal size digits. They aren't a fashion accessory and are there to be seen. I've been riding for 50 years and the last of my worries has been a number plate.😂🤪😅
No doubt its a great looking bike with some great features. However the price is a bit excessive. I dont see that and think 20k motorcycle. I see it and say 13k at most motorcycle.
Great review Freddie, we really are spoilt for choice in this category!
Really interesting bike, and I've started to fall in love with the V's. But that start up time, and at 350kg! You couldn't easily push it out of a burning building. Reminds me of a time 40 years ago, on Chelsea Bridge in London, a heavy presence of a nameless Bike gang turned up late one Friday night, as they often did (if you know you know, the previous week they tried to pick a fight with the Paras that sometimes dropped in from Chelsea Barracks) and we decided to depart rapidly. Only my cranky X7 was having none of it, I kicked and kicked it over to no avail until one of the gang approached me. My mates had departed. I was a very nervous and spotty teenager wanting to get out of there pronto. The gentleman asked for a light for his smoke, and kept my lighter. Finally the X7 fired up in a cloud of blue smoke facilitating my exit, on the back wheel, out of there and minus a lighter lol but it still started quicker than that £20,000 Indian! lol Thanks Suzuki, you owe me for the trauma...:-)
Two interesting points for me, firstly it is air cooled, I imagine this is possible due to the modest power output. Secondly, it costs much less in the USA!
I would like to see a chrome or blacked out badge on the tank not a sticker.
Usually I’d pick a proper badge, but this big Indian logo’s my favourite😍
I ride a Honda Rebel 1100 and I love it but this ... this is another level. Beauty.
The price of these bikes are just crazy.
Especially considering the current financial climate being able to justify buying one is very difficult. I’ve recently brought a Kawasaki VN 2000 with just 18000 miles on the clock I’ve bobbed it out had a custom spray job replaced the front forks with firmer springs replaced the exhaust had it tuned and its cost me less than half of what Indian costs.
For me it makes no sense in buying a new bike unless of course money is no object then yes I can certainly see the appeal.
Great video though and very informative for the would be buyers and yes there are quite a few out there but for me personally I’ll stick with the mid two thousands Japanese cruisers. Ohhhhh I can hear the hissing and booing from here😂.
Nice part of the world around the Orwell bridge did you pop down to Pin Mill lock while you were there.
Yeah no wonder they went under
Who in their right mind would buy this Vs all the competition when you look at prices.
I'm sure some richer older people are happy to but majority of people will be struggling to buy it
I thought the bobber reference was the rear mudguard/ fender ?
It basically means stripped. But yeah, he's got the definition wrong. Nothing really to do with the handlebars.
Apologies- you’re absolutely right!
"Top of the tree." I love your expressions.
Your channel seems to be doing really well so maybe it’s time to buy your dream bike and this is obviously it. Bite the bullet and buy one and keep the triumph too.
Never heard you so passionate about a bike. I am pretty sure you could swap out the crap screen when it does for a nice chrome analogue so wouldn’t worry about that.
We all have our dream bikes. I had a few for different purposes , one being the vfr800 5th gen for those fast hair raising moments around Scotland and wales and the others the Triumph Bonneville T120, for those same bends in Wales and Scotland but when I want to take in the scenery.
It is great when you can buy your favourite bike of all time for £2000 , as I have done with the vfr. The Bonneville will have to wait so I make do with the Harley Street 750 , which is a similar ride and profile. One day though will have both.
And you can do too by keeping your loyal friend and buying the Chief . Bet you could get a deal on the one you have been riding for this review.
Loved hearing that passionate review , best one yet. Probably because you loved the bike so much.
Hi Freddie, Dark Horse not only has the engine blackout but also it is bigger. The non dark horse is 111cu vs 116cu. The bobber also have a thicker front wheel than regular chief
What jacket are you wearing? Looks absolutely fabulous
It is a beautiful bike, but that screen feels out of place.
I think I prefer analog gauges with small LCD screen for basic info (like the new Hayabusa) with something like the Beeline moto II nav system.
Also, I believe Bobber refers to the shortened fender.
Agreed👌🏻 And regarding the bobber element- I’m not sure why I referred to the ape bars as the bobber element😳
All class these machines and pack a punch in sport mode. Looks great ✌️
Indian motorcycles truly have a history of ups & downs that could make a great documentary one day! ❤
Don’t they! The amount of twists, turns, highs and lows is insane
Had mine for a few months and the biggest con for me is actually the lack of easily accessible aftermarket parts. The stock seat is only good for about half an hour ride, but the choice of aftermarket seats is very limited. I want to add a sissy bar, the choices are even more limited. I'm really beginning to understand why people go for HD because their aftermarket is huge. I love my Chief but I feel like I'm going to have to learn how to weld and make my own parts.
It ticks almost every box but it needs an analogue speedo. Such a classic purists machine with a TFT screen just doesn't do it and you are right Freddie about this technology aging or worse, failing. It only needs a centre clock needle fuel display, which you won't rely on to be totally accurate. If I want satnav I'll use a separate device on a Quadlock.
My neighbour from Germany used to have one when i lived in High Wycombe years ago and even back then the thieves Got it , they used Liquid Nitrogen to break the lock and then put it in the back of a Van at 2am and that was over 10 years ago so yeah i would be scared to own a bike like that in the UK
I considered a Harley or an Indian, but they both only had around 90 hp, so I bought a Triumph Rocket III Roadster which was considerably less and has 146 hp. I've since modified it and managed to get 170 rwhp out of it.
I get the issue with the slow speedo start up, but it’s easy to work around. Turn the bike on when you walk up to it. By the time you have put on your helmet and gloves it’s ready to go. It’s not ideal but it’s not a problem. As for the sat nav just use your phone and quad lock as normal.
Btw - excellent review. Very professional and so much better than many others from the U.K. on RUclips - most of whom are annoying. However, you nailed it. Excellent point about the boot up and the electronic display - think I’d like analogue and simple on such a bike. Will date quickly as you point out. And that engine? Beautiful.
An excellent episode - 100% agree. Saw the Indian bikes at the ABR festival and immediately loved the look of the Chief and had a bit of a ride. Awesome - what motorcycling is all about.
Will have to get one - 🤔 where to store?
Its not just the cost of the bike , its the cost of insurance , at 59 and recovering from a heart attack in May , my insurance on my 2018 LOWRIDER WAS unaffordable at £2400 fully comp, with 17 years of accident free riding .
That was a very good honest review! You seem to really like that bike, think you should buy one 😁
Mr Dobbs ,I do believe you could sell ice to an Eskimo 😊
Great video again. You should watch the min series Harley & The Davidsons
Big enough lottery win and this would be on my shortlist. Fantastic bike!
You're absolutely right, for me that would be a deal breaker. Or one must guarantee that this system will last a bike lifetime. We also see slow start-up on old PCs and see that in many middle class cars and cheaper bikes. The hardware is too light for the application and the amount of data that needs to be processed. It's a shame because it shouldn't have cost that much extra. And updating and adding new features will of course be a challenge if the software is already too heavy.
The technology updates itself when the ignition is switched on
14:00 onwards - bang on mate. As you say tech that is so very poor performing today in a few years will be deemed even slower. Working in tech I am guessing here, that the processor contained within the clock needs to be cool. Within the confines of the instrument panel within the clock is appalling for any chip to be kept cool. An excellent review. Reach out if you fancy having a ride on a real classic Freddie.
Great informative eloquent test revue. Excellent.
Freddie I think after seeing a number of your reviews I think a Kawa W800 would suit your fancy mate.
Speaking from experience with this bike. in the time the screen is loading up, do your jacket up, do your helmet up, your gloves on, voila screen useable. Wont notice the time
I must be made for an Indian as I don't own any kind of linen blazer whatsoever. However, as I'm more interested in "go" than "show" I was chastened by your remark that this lump can't even out-handle the Sport Glide. So far you've bought a giant Jeep which struggles to handle a wet roundabout and by the sound of this eulogy you'd love to add a bobber limited to "spirited cruising". I think you might as well make Ed China an offer for his motorised sofa. Good film and nice looking bike but the idea of HD & Indian duking it out reminds me of T-Rex & Triceratops scrapping while the meteorite approaches. Cheers!
would love to have a Scout in my garage with my Bonneville....
To be fair regarding the boot up time, you can always switch to the analog gauge.
And look at the muck on the motor due to the fashionably short but stupid front guard! 🙄. Nice bike despite it though. How about a review of the Challenger or Pursuit now? 👍🇦🇺
The thing that worries me with the scouts models is mainly, I'm 5'11/180cm almost 100kg, and many of these look small when I see them, or I cannot imagine myself and a passenger on them.
Top tip there on not wearing my best linen blazer Freddie. Now where did I put that jacket 😏
How many large, heavy & expensive bikes are selling in the UK, USA and Europe?
The technology is updatable , on my chieftain it checks for an update whenever the bike is switched on and updates as necessary
As someone who went Harley/Victory/Indian(now on my third) I'd say Indian are a viable alternative to Harley. However lets be fair, Harley are the market leaders in this segment for a reason and I'd advise anyone starting their "cruiser" journey to start by looking at the HD dealership. If Harley doesn't work for you then look to Indian/Triumph/Other metric cruisers. For me I just wanted something a little different, I didn't suit the Harley riding groups/dealerships but they clearly suit lots of folk. Re the long start up, The bike will start right away the screen just plays catch up I just hit the button and go and by the time I', 100m down the road the speedo is working. Appreciate thats inconvenient but not sure it's a deal breaker
Lovely video Freddie and nice edit Monika 😊
I think the tech on the bike is a tragedy, my office printer from 2010 has a better tech than this 20k bike.
Either put the best of the best in it or just make it analog or put android auto in it. The navigation from Google is better anyways.
On the other hand i can get 3 royal enfield super meteors for that price... think about it.
The price politics of Indian is as crazy as harley Davidson, they honestly deserve to go bancrupt.
20k for a bike is a heist.
The display is the reason I would rather have Scout Bobber Limited than a +Tech option.
It is a shame the TFT display is related to keyless ignition feature, so probably wiring harness is different, and swapping these parts will not be possible.
Excellent video I'm thinking about indian at the moment I had a harley davidson low rider s 2020 model but the speedo would just mist up all the time brakes were terrible and same for the suspension now I have a bmw r1250r but I still miss a cruiser bike
Oz here .... those number plates are a joke & then to have them plonked out to the side, seriously? Nice review.
17.30 timestamp: You could always become a Mormon. Utah's a decent state to ride in as well 😅.
Freddie, if you can get your hands on one. Take the Harley Lowrider ST for a spin.
Great video! Yep, beautiful cruiser, but 100% that dial + tech would have to go. I love Indian motorcycles, adore the chief, the bobber and the sixty! ..but for 5k I could get a used Triumph Thunderbird 1600 .. if im wanting bass notes, power and bags of heritgage without poor tech and a high price.. that would be my bet ✌️🤍
I don't think I know anyone who owns a linen blazer 🤣🤣🤣 Freddie you live in a very different world to me. Nice bike, but I wouldn"t swap it for my Triumph Thunderbird 1600 that only cost £6.5k and has none of that nonsense tech.
I traded up from a Tbird to a Rocket 3GT but could not bear to let it go so now have both which is crazy I know!
@@seigliere1 Not crazy at all the Thunderbird is an amazing bike and Triumph should never have discontinued it in my view.
The big Thunderbird was my dream bike for a few years, after seeing one in a Triumph showroom in Australia about ten years ago. Incredible looking bikes!
@FreddieDobbs I'll be honest Freddie I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing trading my T120 for it but having put a few thousand miles on it in the last few months it just feels like home to me now.
Thank you ! ... What a beautiful motorcycle .
I own one of these Chiefs and it’s fantastic. But there is one negative not mentioned here: That damn onboard computer drains the battery even when the bike is parked and switched off. So after 2-3 weeks of not being moved, the battery always ends up dead. Since I don’t have power supply in the garage, I fix it by taking off the seat and unhooking the battery. Every time. It’s annoying and I would prefer an analogue gauge, but they are not available in Europe. Other than that, it’s a fantastic bike, but you should know this before buying one.
I am sure some mechanical guru will be able to provide a way to bin that dial and put a proper one on. Other than classics, that is my dream bike now.
I'd like you to ask that very question about the exhaust. Why is it able to sound like that?
Also the problem with tech now, is that it is junk immediately . I hate it other than in disposable crap, although it is increasingly hard to fight against
I genuinely would like to know why this sounds so incredible, when even the BMW R18 with exhaust upgrade option has no sound, and even Harleys now don’t have a good exhaust not from factory
I have to agree with your choice. The Harley is too small, The BMW looks the best, but it's atrocious to ride with no ground clearance at all. I'd Choose the Indian as well, but the Rocket 3 GT would be a very strong contender, but I prefer the classic look of the Indian.
hi Freddie , 52 seconds tells you one thing and that is this tech has no place on a motorcycle , what happened to motorcycles , a good basic form of transport and fun , and when it goes wrong its so costly to fix ,
I preferred the Scout or FTR myself
If I was to spend that amount of money on a big bike as in your four examples then for me without hesitation the Triumph would be my choice.
Money no obstacle, I think this would be the one for me. However probably will end up with a HD sport glide or street bob
The cool looking pipes are pushrod covers.
Nice review. It just doesn't sound very much technically inclined referring pushrod tubes as "pipes".
£20,300 that's beyond belief, is it any wonder bike sales are going down. By the way I've finally done a deal to p/ex my GoldStar for a Kawasaki Eliminator SE 500.from a local dealer Keith Dixon, who unlike many other local dealers seem to make an effort to sell bikes and not just sit on their hands thinking the punters are going to flock in.
Scout classic, middle model, analog dial + abs.
But this gauges thing, I would have let the customer choose, or all analog and the digital as a +option.
I've got yo ask.. how do they do that shot from the front with the bike in motion?
Harley Davidson all the way Freddie!
What's the jacket Freddie? Very sharp
Can you start bike emediately and than wait all gatgets come life or you have to wait till display is on? So do you actualy need to wait 50 seconds to start??
Just so you know, the handle bars do not make a bobber. If I put mini apes on a Panigle would it be a bobber? Of course not. Look at the profile. It’s based on a bike that had fully skirted fenders. The fenders on this bike were “bobbed”. On the original old bike, parts were “chopped” (chopper), but the fenders were retained and “bobbed”. That’s where bobber comes from.