Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse 2023 — Specifications

Four hundred kilos on the scales, a 1890 cc V-twin rumbling between your legs, and an all-black livery: the 2023 Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse doesn't do things by halves. It rolls onto the tarmac with the confidence of an ocean liner pulling into port—slow and massive, yet powered by an engine that commands respect. The air-cooled ThunderStroke 116 produces 90 hp and, more importantly, 170.9 Nm of torque from just 2900 rpm. Numbers that speak for themselves. Against Harley-Davidson's Milwaukee-Eight 114, the Indian hits harder and lower in the rev range. Even the 117 found in CVO models has to contend with this American powerplant, whose generous 103.2 mm bore and reworked cylinder heads deliver full breathing and a reach that few twins can claim.

For 2023, Indian has refined the details that matter in everyday riding. The clutch gains smoothness, the headlight switches to full LED lighting, and the seat climate controls offer crisper tactile feedback. These are subtle evolutions, nearly invisible on a spec sheet, yet they make a real difference when the miles pile up. Because that's exactly what this is about: the Roadmaster Dark Horse is a long-haul touring machine, built to devour highways and back roads with insatiable appetite. Its 20.8-liter tank provides decent range without being exceptional for a tourer of this size, and its 673 mm seat height keeps it accessible despite tipping the scales at 403 kg fully fueled.

On the styling front, this Dark Horse has broken with the past. Gone is the locomotive-style front fairing, replaced by a front end borrowed from the Chieftain—slimmer, more modern. The front fender slims down, letting the 19-inch wheel breathe where the old 16-inch once sat. The saddlebags adopt a more angular design but still hold a total of 140 liters with the top case. Everything is black: forks, exhausts, crash bars, turn signals, engine covers. The treatment is more radical than on the previous model year, giving the machine a striking visual presence. Also welcome is the return of the adjustable floorboards and the trunk rack, which had disappeared from the standard equipment for a time.

The equipment list would put some luxury sedans to shame. Adjustable windshield, heated grips, remotely lockable saddlebags, tire pressure sensors, ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, Ride Command system with Apple CarPlay and a faster processor than the previous generation. The ClimaCommand seat—heated and ventilated with three independent adjustment levels for rider and passenger—remains a feature no one else offers in this segment. It's hard to find a better-equipped tourer, even looking at the Gold Wing, which plays in a comparable price bracket.

At €34,890, the 2023 Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse positions itself as a credible alternative for demanding long-distance riders who want character without sacrificing comfort. It's heavy, turns wide, and clearly isn't aimed at beginners. But for anyone seeking a Grand Touring machine with a bold personality, a visceral-sounding engine, and a lavish equipment list, it deserves a spot on the shortlist. Those keeping an eye on the used Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse market will also find 2020 or earlier model years at softer prices, but the 2023 vintage brings enough refinements to justify the investment in a new one.