Indian Motorcycle 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 utilizing the finest components from proven brands. With KYB inverted front forks, also featured on Indian Challenger models, Sport Chief offers superior handling and ride performance. The Sport Chief’s dual-disc, four-piston, semi-floating caliper, radial-mounted Brembo brakes deliver confidence-inspiring stopping power, while piggyback rear FOX shocks increase travel to 4 inches and increases lean angle to 29.5 degrees, compared to other Indian Chief models. 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.
“In 2021, we celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Indian Chief with a lineup that pays homage to the glory days of American motorcycling,” said Ola Stenegard, director, industrial design for Indian Motorcycle. “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 120 foot-pounds of torque, while a stylish new Quarter Fairing, along with new moto-style bars with machined triple clamps and 6-inch risers, set the Sport Chief apart from the rest of the Indian Chief lineup. With mid-mount foot controls and a solo gunfighter seat, riders are in a commanding yet comfortable riding position. Sport Chief features sport cast wheels wrapped in Pirelli Night Dragon tires, a 4-gallon fuel tank, bobbed rear fender, dual exhaust, LED lighting, keyless ignition and three selectable ride modes: Sport, Standard and Tour.
Ride-enhancing technology comes standard with Indian Motorcycle’s class-leading, 4-inch 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 with connected features like weather and traffic overlays. If using a wireless helmet communicator, riders can control their music within the RIDE COMMAND system once their phones are 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 will appear and can be accepted or declined directly through the RIDE COMMAND system.
For riders looking to personalize their bikes, 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 preferences.
Current Indian Chief, Chief Bobber and Super Chief riders can upgrade to the Sport Chief’s stock dual exposed FOX Pre-Loaded Chief Performance Shocks, which provide 4 inches 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 5.75-inch Adaptive LED Headlight, available in chrome or black, features patented, innovative technology that monitors the bike’s lean angle and delivers optimized 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.
To improve air flow and add high-performance styling, riders can purchase either the Thunderstroke High Flow Air Intake or Thunderstroke Forward Air Intake.
Style Accessories
Indian Chief riders looking to add personal style can select from a variety of Indian Motorcycle accessories. New 10-inch Moto Handlebar Risers not only add style, but 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 6-inch Moto Handlebar Risers are available for current Indian Chief, Chief Bobber and Super Chief riders.
Comfort Accessories
For added comfort and improved ergonomics based off 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.
Pricing for the 2023 Sport Chief starts at $18,999 and is available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Stealth Gray and Spirit Blue Smoke. Sport Chief will begin shipping to Indian Motorcycle.com dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada in March 2023.
