Indian Challenger Limited / Dark Horse (PowerPlus 108) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
1,768cc Liquid-Cooled 60° V-Twin SOHC 8-Valve PowerPlus 108 Frame-Fairing Bagger · Source: Indian Motorcycle Challenger Limited / Dark Horse (PowerPlus 108) Official Owner’s Manual
According to the Indian Motorcycle Challenger Limited / Dark Horse (PowerPlus 108) Official Owner’s Manual, the 2020–Present Indian Challenger Limited / Dark Horse (PowerPlus 108) (chassis PowerPlus 108/Challenger FL) requires 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) of SAE 15W-60 (JASO MA2, Indian Motorcycle Full Synthetic 15W-60 JASO MA2) engine oil for a drain-only change and 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) with filter service (Indian 2521421 (Kit 2884171 / HF198)). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI front (130/60B19 66H) and 283 kPa / 2.83 bar / 41 PSI rear (180/60R16 80H), paired with 2× NGK LZMAR8AI-10 spark plug(s) and a YTX20HL-BS / Indian 12V 18Ah AGM battery.
Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt)
R 283 kPa (2.83 bar)
Est. Range: ~375 km (233 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 15W-60 · JASO MA2 · Indian Motorcycle Full Synthetic 15W-60 JASO MA2 |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 5.2 L (5.49 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | Indian 2521421 (Kit 2884171 / HF198) |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | Upright on level ground; screw dipstick ALL THE WAY IN, then remove to read level |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 20 N·m (14.8 lb-ft / 2.04 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 130/60B19 66H · Rear: 180/60R16 80H (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 283 kPa / 2.83 bar / 41 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 283 kPa / 2.83 bar / 41 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | NGK LZMAR8AI-10 × 2 (Gap: 1.0 mm (0.039 in)) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | YTX20HL-BS / Indian 12V 18Ah AGM (12V 18.0Ah Heavy-Duty AGM (310 CCA)) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | Indian Touring Heavy-Duty Carbon Belt — Clean, zero-lube operation |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · Indian Extended Life 50/50 Premix Antifreeze (Full liquid-cooled V-twin) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 1768 cc · 122 hp @ 5,500 rpm · 173.5 N·m (128.0 lb-ft) @ 3,800 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 672 mm (26.5 in) · 381 kg (840 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 22.7 L (6.0 US gal) · ~16.5 km/L → ~375 km (233 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 800 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 8,000 km / 8,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 24,000 km / 48,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 48,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
Powered by the race-winning fully liquid-cooled 1,768cc PowerPlus 108 in a cast-aluminum chassis with frame-mounted fairing, the Challenger (and trunk-equipped Indian Pursuit) is completely distinct from the air-cooled Chieftain (20W-40, 5.7 L), taking 4.7 L of SAE 15W-60.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Combining SOHC 4-valve heads, hydraulic valve lash adjusters, and an assist/slipper wet clutch in one shared sump, the PowerPlus 108 strictly requires 4.7 L (5.0 US qt) of Full Synthetic SAE 15W-60 JASO MA2 (Kit 2884171)—never substitute air-cooled 20W-40 oil.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- Because the semi-dry-sump scavenging circuit drains back if left sitting, bring the PowerPlus 108 to operating temperature, shut off, hold the 381 kg bagger dead upright, and thread the dipstick fully in within 1–2 minutes for an accurate reading.
- Supporting 381 kg (839 lbs) wet plus cargo requires load-index
80Hreinforced touring tires (130/60B19 66H&180/60R16 80H) inflated strictly to 36 PSI front / 41 PSI rear cold.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the Indian Challenger take 15W-60 while the Indian Chief takes 20W-40?
While both share oil filter 2521421, the Chief’s low-rpm air-cooled pushrod twin takes 5.7 L of 20W-40, whereas the Challenger’s high-output liquid-cooled SOHC PowerPlus 108 requires 4.7 L (5.0 qt) of full-synthetic SAE 15W-60 JASO MA2.
Does the Indian Challenger PowerPlus 108 require frequent valve shim adjustments?
No—Indian engineered the SOHC 4-valve PowerPlus heads with hydraulic valve lash adjusters, eliminating costly shim-under-bucket valve services.
What is the factory cold tire pressure for the Indian Challenger Limited?
Set 36 PSI (248 kPa) front and 41 PSI (283 kPa) rear cold, and configure the electronically controlled Fox rear preload directly through the 7-inch RIDE COMMAND touchscreen.