The Indian Sport Chief RT excels on Grand Road Tours.

The Indian Sport Chief RT, a Cruiser designed for Road Tours, stands out with its unique selling points such as its powerful engine and luxurious design, making it an ideal choice for motorcycle enthusiasts.

The 2025 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief RT has undergone significant updates and improvements, making it a superior Cruiser compared to its previous version. Road Tests and Reviews takes a road tour through the South West of England, showcasing the enhanced features of this magnificent machine.

Indian has introduced some noteworthy enhancements to its Sport Chief cruiser for the 2025 model year, now rebranded as the Sport Chief RT—where the 'RT' stands for 'Road' and 'Tour.' This revamped model prioritises rider comfort and practicality while remaining firmly anchored in the performance cruiser category. One of the standout features is the addition of colour-coded saddlebags, which enhance the bike's practical appeal. Although the 37-litre capacity may be considered modest and the interiors lack any lining, there's still ample space for a weekend adventure. These saddlebags are also lockable, a practical touch, especially given the oversight of a non-lockable fuel cap on a motorcycle priced over £21,000.

The Indian Sport Chief RT, an impressive machine, measures 2301mm in length and weighs a substantial 322kg. Despite its weight at low speeds, the bike's agility in motion is remarkable, making it a compelling choice for riders.

The ergonomics of the RT align closely with Indian's branding of the model as a 'luxury cruiser'. However, the 'Sport' label may be somewhat misleading. While the bike is equipped with inverted forks and remote-reservoir shocks that suggest a sporty character—particularly appealing to American riders—taking the Chief down a typical B-road will quickly lead to the hero blobs kissing the asphalt, indicating its limitations.

The non-adjustable 43mm KYB forks, paired with Fox shocks that are adjustable for preload and rebound, contribute to a firm ride. This setup can jolt the ride quite significantly on uneven surfaces.

The braking system utilises twin 320mm front discs gripped by Brembo calipers, promising rapid, one-finger braking performance, even with the bike's considerable weight. Yet, the braking feel may not entirely meet expectations, as it's governed by a standard Indian master cylinder rather than a Brembo-specific component, providing adequate rather than exceptional stopping power.

Overall, the careful upgrades to the Indian Sport Chief RT create a broader range of capabilities, enhancing its versatility.

At the heart of the Sport Chief RT is the air-cooled 1890cc Thunderstroke motor, a perfect fit for the bike's larger-than-life personality. Dubbed the '116' because of its cubic inch capacity, this robust 49° pushrod V-twin engine delivers an impressive 115 lb-ft of torque at a relaxed 3300 RPM. The roll-on acceleration from 40 to 70 mph is exhilarating. The engine revs smoothly up to the 5000 RPM redline, complementing its formidable torque with an output of 89 bhp; however, there’s little need to push the motor hard due to its considerable power at lower RPMs. Riders can choose from three riding modes—Standard, Tour, and Sport—to tailor the power delivery to their preferences.

The six-speed gearbox shifts with precision as it channels power to the rear wheel through a maintenance-free belt drive. While some vibrations from the V-twin are felt through the handlebars and footpegs—typical of such engines—they are an integral part of the cruiser experience rather than a distraction.

Indian Motorcycle has built a strong reputation for exceptional build quality and reliability, a key factor in the brand's growing popularity. The current Chief range has only been on the market for a couple of years, and the Sport Chief MCN reviewed in 2023 has garnered no negative feedback from owners, with no significant issues reported. This reliability provides peace of mind for prospective buyers of the new RT version.

With this update, the Indian Sport Chief RT directly competes with Harley’s Low Rider ST, as both models offer similar levels of performance, handling, and aesthetic appeal at comparable prices—the Indian is just £200 more. Both motorcycles exude an authentic heritage, yet the Sport Chief's design, finish, and quality components elevate its overall appeal just beyond that of the Harley-Davidson.

The RT radiates an undeniable sense of style, offering an exhilarating riding experience that goes far beyond being a simple boulevard cruiser. Packed with an impressive array of features and high-quality equipment, it truly earns its reputation. When it comes to pricing, you'll find two distinct options depending on your colour choice. The sleek Black Smoke variant, highlighted here, is the more economical option at £21,495.

If you're not considering a bagger from the American market, you might be curious about other competitive models. The Honda CMX1100 Rebel presents a more budget-friendly alternative, priced at £8,999, but it offers a different riding experience than what you'd find with the Indians and Harleys. A more comparable contender is the BMW R18B, available for £21,500, which stands shoulder to shoulder with the R18 Classic, priced at £20,980.

Ultimately, if your heart is set on an American option, the decision will likely come down to evaluating the offerings from Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson.

The RT model features an exciting additional upgrade, yet, regrettably, this enhancement is not included as standard on bikes sold in the UK. In contrast, the US-spec RTs are equipped with an impressive Bluetooth speaker system, which comprises a robust 4.5-inch subwoofer, two 2.5-inch midrange speakers, and a pair of 1.5-inch tweeters. These components are elegantly integrated into the fairing, providing a seamless and polished look. Without this audio setup, the interior of the fairing appears stark and somewhat incomplete. For those in the UK wishing to enjoy this feature, it can be installed for an additional cost of £836.18.

The circular 4-inch TFT display boasts a vibrant touch screen interface, offering riders an intuitive control experience. It presents a wealth of information in a well-organised layout, including essential metrics like speedometer and tachometer readings, fuel gauge, remaining range, clock, gear selection, and more. Additionally, it seamlessly connects with GPS navigation systems, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Standard features on this model include keyless ignition for convenience, cruise control for relaxed long-distance riding, and full LED lighting that enhances visibility and safety.

The RT’s saddlebags are designed with practicality in mind—they're rigid, meticulously colour-matched to the bike, and equipped with secure locks. However, despite their locking mechanism, the overall build quality feels a bit subpar for a motorcycle in the $20,000-plus range. Capacity-wise, the bags offer a modest 37 litres of storage—sufficient for a weekend getaway but perhaps lacking for more ambitious, long-haul adventures.

One of the standout features is the new dual split-level seat, which is exceptionally well-padded and designed for ultimate comfort. It showcases thoughtful detailing, highlighted by light-colored stitching against the sleek black material, adding a touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic.

Summing up.

When it comes to value, the Indian Sport Chief RT stands out, offering an impressive blend of features for its price point. For many enthusiasts, owning an Indian motorcycle is more than just a purchase; it's a commitment to a distinct lifestyle that embodies freedom and adventure. I believe that most buyers of the Sport Chief RT are already fans of the brand, often having experienced the thrill of riding previous models.

This bike is particularly appealing to those returning to the world of motorcycling, as it combines striking aesthetics with robust power and exceptional cruising capabilities. The growl of the engine is exhilarating, drawing attention wherever you go, whether you're cruising down the highway or parked at a scenic overlook.

With the enhancements introduced in the 2025 Indian Sport Chief RT, it has evolved into an even more enticing option for riders. Each upgrade makes this motorcycle not just a machine, but a coveted possession that promises both performance and pleasure on every journey.

£21495