Want some classic style to go with sporty performance? The Indian Sport Chief might be the bike for you as the American company equips the new model with high-end performance components.
The Sport Chief is designed to handle better and go harder than any other big twin around.
Coming to an Indian dealer near you soon, nabbing one will cost $32,995, ride away.
If we start at the front there’s a cast 19-inch wheel running a 130/60 Pirelli Night Dragon tyre while at the rear is a 180-wide Night Dragon. Brakes are from Brembo – a pair of 320mm semi-floating front discs with four piston calipers and a 300mm rear stopper.
KYB upside down forks control the front end, while Fox Piggyback twin rear shocks are on prominent display at the back. Indian is quick to point out the four inches of rear suspension travel, given how compromised some other performance twins have been in this regard lately.
This combination gives a lean angle potential of 29.5 degrees… which might be good for the class, but doesn’t make it a sportsbike. Indian claims the bike is “an Indian Chief that begs for more aggressive riding and provides the confidence and capability to take the riding experience to another level”.
Mid-set controls, a solo seat, motocross-style ’bars… yeah, if you think it’s targeted at the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, we would agree.
The blacked-out Thunderstroke 116 engine displaces 1890cc and offers 162Nm of torque… the press information doesn’t quote a power figure, but the machine certainly has plenty of grunt.
It’s not all about performance though, the Sport Chief is built to impress. There’s a bobbed rear guard, quarter fairing, dual exhausts, LED lighting, keyless ignition, riding modes, USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
The 2023 Sport Chief is expected to start arriving to Australia and New Zealand shores from May 2023 and is available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke and Stealth Grey.
