Indian Motorcycle Unleashes New Sport Chief, Raises The Bar For American V-Twin Performance Cruisers

The new Sport Chief from Indian Motorcycle.

New Sport Chief Combines Timeless American Style with Quality Performance-Oriented Componentry, Including FOX® Piggyback Shocks, KYB® Inverted Front Forks,

Dual-Disc Brembo® Brakes and More

Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, has unleashed its most aggressive iteration of the iconic Indian Chief with the launch of Sport Chief. Building upon one of the most historic and influential motorcycle namesakes of all time, the 2023 Sport Chief raises the bar for American V-Twin performance cruisers through premium performance-oriented componentry and timeless American styling.

“Since launching in 2021, the reimagined Indian Chief has garnered incredible feedback from riders all around the world,” said Mike Dougherty, President of Indian Motorcycle. “With the introduction of Sport Chief, the 2023 Indian Chief lineup is more diverse than ever – offering a wide range of performance and styling options to meet each rider’s unique personality and riding preferences.”

When designing Sport Chief, Indian Motorcycle set its sights on performance by utilising the finest components from proven brands. The Sport Chief’s dual-disc, four-piston, semi-floating calliper, radial-mounted Brembo® brakes deliver confidence-inspiring stopping power, while piggyback rear FOX®shocks increase travel to 100 mm and increase lean angle to 29.5 degrees, compared to other Indian Chief models. With KYB® inverted front forks, also featured on Indian Challenger models, Sport Chief offers superior handling and ride performance. The result is an Indian Chief that begs for more aggressive riding and provides the confidence and capability to take the riding experience to another level.

Ola Stenegärd, Director, Industrial Design for Indian Motorcycle,

“In 2021, we celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Indian Chief with a lineup that pays homage to the glory days of American motorcycling. With Sport Chief, we wanted to maintain the same care-free attitude and American muscle but elevate it even further with componentry that not only delivers a style and attitude that exudes performance but raises the bar entirely for performance cruisers.”

Featuring a simplistic steel-tube frame, Sport Chief preserves the Indian Chief’s mechanical styling. At the heart of it all, a blacked-out Thunderstroke 116 motor delivers 162 Nm of torque, while a stylish new Quarter Fairing, along with 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. Sport Chief features sport cast wheels wrapped in Pirelli® Night Dragon tyres, 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. With mid-mount foot controls and a solo gunfighter seat, riders are in a commanding yet comfortable riding position.

Ride-enhancing technology comes standard with Indian Motorcycle’s class-leading 101 mm touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND. Accessible via handlebar controls or the digital touchscreen display, riders can cycle through multiple interfaces, including two different gauge configurations, bike and ride information, and turn-by-turn navigation*. If using a wireless helmet communicator, riders can control their music within the RIDE COMMAND system once their phone is paired via Bluetooth® or USB. Riders can also 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.

For riders looking to personalise their bike, Indian Motorcycle offers an array of accessories that enhance the bike’s performance and comfort or adds personal style.

Performance Accessories

For a smoother, more comfortable ride, Indian Chief riders can add Adjustable Piggyback Rear FOX®Shocks. Featuring 24 clicks via easy-to-operate twist knobs, riders can adjust compression and rebound damping to suit their riding preference.

Current Indian Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief riders can upgrade to the Sport Chief’s stock dual exposed FOX® Piggyback Chief Performance Shocks, which provide 100 mm of travel with increased lean angle and an aftermarket, stylish look that increases stability and improves comfort and capability for aggressive riding.

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. With an industry-first adaptive high-beam, lighting performance is superior to that of a standard headlight, projecting light a greater distance and spread in front of the bike.

Style Accessories

Indian Chief riders looking to add personal style can select from various Indian Motorcycle accessories. 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.

The Sport Chief’s Quarter Fairing and 152 mm Moto Handlebar Risers are available for current Indian Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief riders.

Comfort Accessories

For added 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 2023 Sport Chief is available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, and Stealth Gray.