2024 INDIAN CHALLENGER DARK HORSE

POWER TRAIN

16,328mi. Vehicle has been into two different dealerships with engine nosie concerns, 3 times total, at the top and bottom ends on right side; each said "normal." Rider opinion: when in comparison to other same model/year bikes DO NOT make the same rattling; i recently made an appointment again for september 16th to address this issue and others under warranty including a sticking throttle (second occurrence). Today, 1 September 2025, the engine hesitated twice pulling onto highway maintaining appx 75mph matched with traffic, I didnt notice any sound or signs of engine issues; continued for another 18mi. Pulled onto offramp and noticed oil all over the front crank cover area as well as a grinding noise from emanating from the cover as well as a notable vibration in the handlebars; oil was all over the exhaust and right side of the motorcycle including the tire and drive belt. Due to the location, shutting the bike down would be a hazard, continued down the road approximately a half mile, noting more hesitation, noise, and oil smoke/smell. I removed the "indian" trim piece covering the front crank bolt end area to find the crank bolt had backed out completely and was rolling around in the front cover after it broke a hole in the front cover. Oil was actively spraying out of that hole onto the exhaust and entire side and underbody of the motorcycle. Active dripping noted from entirety of exhaust on the right hand side of the motorcycle and visibly burned oil residue/carbon on exhaust pipe; unsure if there was any flame. Due to a federal holiday, insurance/roadside assistance was used to transport the vehicle back to my home address This could have caused a major acccident if engine seizure, timing component failure, fire, or major loss of traction had occurred. I did note tire slippage when pulling into the parking lot, ABS activated briefly. There ar public accounts of this in 2024 Indian Challengers, this needs addressed before it causes a serious issue.

ENGINE

16,328mi. Vehicle has been into two different dealerships with engine nosie concerns, 3 times total, at the top and bottom ends on right side; each said "normal." Rider opinion: when in comparison to other same model/year bikes DO NOT make the same rattling; i recently made an appointment again for september 16th to address this issue and others under warranty including a sticking throttle (second occurrence). Today, 1 September 2025, the engine hesitated twice pulling onto highway maintaining appx 75mph matched with traffic, I didnt notice any sound or signs of engine issues; continued for another 18mi. Pulled onto offramp and noticed oil all over the front crank cover area as well as a grinding noise from emanating from the cover as well as a notable vibration in the handlebars; oil was all over the exhaust and right side of the motorcycle including the tire and drive belt. Due to the location, shutting the bike down would be a hazard, continued down the road approximately a half mile, noting more hesitation, noise, and oil smoke/smell. I removed the "indian" trim piece covering the front crank bolt end area to find the crank bolt had backed out completely and was rolling around in the front cover after it broke a hole in the front cover. Oil was actively spraying out of that hole onto the exhaust and entire side and underbody of the motorcycle. Active dripping noted from entirety of exhaust on the right hand side of the motorcycle and visibly burned oil residue/carbon on exhaust pipe; unsure if there was any flame. Due to a federal holiday, insurance/roadside assistance was used to transport the vehicle back to my home address This could have caused a major acccident if engine seizure, timing component failure, fire, or major loss of traction had occurred. I did note tire slippage when pulling into the parking lot, ABS activated briefly. There ar public accounts of this in 2024 Indian Challengers, this needs addressed before it causes a serious issue.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Accessory and infotainment control wiring harness contain sub-par conductors prone to breakage and/or short circuit. My vehicle was purchased in August 2024. In September 2024 I had a wire break inside the insulation for one of the speakers at the bend point next to the saddlebag hinge; this was not a safety issue, but noted. In early November 2024, I began having issues with the infotainment control switch on the left handlebar switch pod. The audio volume would randomly increase volume, any attempting to trigger the volume switch in the opposite direction would serve no results to include mute/pause. Upon initial inspection, manipulation of that switch harness near the handlebar clamp on the triple-tree would result in similar affects or correct the difficiency. After researching, indian previously released a dealer communication that specified the proper mounting of the handlebar harnesses due to knowing well there was a conductor breakage issue. While I have not corrected the issue, it is extremely distracting to have the powerband audio increase to max volume while in motion. The only means to correct the problem is to pull over and manipulate the infotainment screen or mobile device. This not an isolated issue, other owners have reported similar issues to including other necessary functions such as turn signals and power switches, occasionally rendering the vehicle stranded and unable to start. The latter is a safety/distraction issue that need to be addressed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Despite the type, brands, or age of battery, the vehicle frequently fails to start; multiple attempts must be made to start the engine unless the charge gets depleted to an unrecoverable level. Disconnecting the battery to eliminate any parasitic draw issues, temperatures below 60°F present significant starting issues. The vehicle was purchased in August 2024, the original AGM battery frequently failed to start beginning December 2024. Two different lithium batteries were installed and another common off the shelf AGM, same problem. There is an apparent issue with the starting system as the starter frequently stalls on a compression stroke and pulling the voltage so low the ECU shuts down; the torque limiting gear does not slip. Occasionally, the engine will spin over just fine, but that's a rare case. This is NOT a WCM issue, the battery remains disconnected and on a maintainer.