The 2023 Sport Chief from Indian Motorcycle raises the bar for American V Twin performance Cruisers.
It combines the timeless style of American classics with modern-day components and fantastic performance. We throw a leg over the sumptuous saddle for a ride out west.
Heading down to Dorset riding the Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief, I feel like I am the king of the road. The bike has a presence, and this transfers to the rider. You sit in this machine rather than on it, as the riding position is like sitting in an armchair. You are low down with handlebars at the perfect height enabling you to sit upright and look directly ahead.
When designing the Sport Chief, Indian Motorcycle set its sights on performance by utilizing the finest components from premium brands. The Sport Chief’s dual-disc, Brembo® brakes deliver confident stopping power, rear FOX®shocks increase travel to 100 mm, and the lean angle to 29.5 degrees. KYB® inverted front forks offer superior handling and ride performance. The result is an Indian Chief that allows aggressive riding and gives you confidence and capability to take your riding experience to another level.
At the heart of the Sport Chief is a blacked-out Thunderstroke 116 motor delivering 162 Nm of torque, a stylish new Quarter Fairing, and new moto-style bars with machined triple clamps and 152 mm risers, set the Sport Chief apart from the rest of the Indian Chief lineup. Cast wheels are wrapped in Pirelli® Night Dragon tyres, providing excellent grip.
Other features on the 2023 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief are a 15.1-litre fuel tank, bobbed rear fender, dual exhaust, LED lighting, keyless ignition, and three selectable ride modes, including Sport, Standard and Tour. You get mid-mount foot controls and a solo gunfighter seat; riders are in a commanding yet comfortable riding position.
Ride-enhancing technology comes with Indian Motorcycle’s class-leading 101 mm touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND. Accessible via handlebar controls or the digital touchscreen display, you can cycle through multiple interfaces, including two different gauge configurations—access bike and ride information and turn-by-turn navigation.
You can control music within the RIDE COMMAND system using a wireless helmet communicator once your phone is paired via Bluetooth® or USB. You can access phone information, including recent calls, contacts, number pad and text message history. When connected, incoming calls appear and can be accepted or declined directly through the RIDE COMMAND system.
If you want to customize your bike, Indian Motorcycle has an array of accessories that enhance the bike’s performance and comfort or adds personal style. Select from various Indian Motorcycle accessories, such as New 254 mm Moto Handlebar Risers add style and deliver a more comfortable reach. Low and Tall windscreen options are available for the Sport Chief’s Quarter Fairing, while a variety of bags, including a Solo Rack and Rack Bag, Tail Bag, and Bobber Saddlebag, complement the bike’s design.
If you want to add more comfort and improved ergonomics based on height, riders can add an Extended Reach or Reduced Reach Seat. For two-up riding, Indian Motorcycle offers the Chief Syndicate Seat and a Syndicate Low Profile Passenger Backrest, which complements the Sport Chief’s aggressive design.
The new Chief Pathfinder 146 mm Adaptive L.E.D, Headlight, available in chrome or black, features patented, innovative technology that monitors the bike’s lean angle and delivers optimised illumination of the road ahead. An industry-first adaptive high-beam lighting performance is superior to a standard headlight, projecting light a greater distance and spread in front of the bike.
The 2023 Sport Chief is available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, and Stealth Gray.
Rivals to the 2023 Sport Chief are:
Harley-Davidson Softail Standard, Triumph has their Bobber, BMW R18 b.
It was a pleasure to ride the Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief. The riding position is spot on, enabling long journeys in comfort. The good-sized fuel tank gives you around 2 1/2 hrs riding between stops, so you crunch the miles on trips. Performance is ample to power you along all day at motorway speeds and higher, whether two up and fully loaded or simply solo. The Sport Chief looks fantastic and will appeal to many bikers. If you are looking for a Cruiser, you must have a ride on the Sport Chief.
$23000 2023 Sport Chief
Jeremy @Fueler
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