Indian Motorcycle has announced details of the 2023 Indian Sport Chief, a bike the company says is its most aggressive iteration of the legendary Chief.
Indian’s full-on reimagining of its flagship Chief series a couple of years ago represented what felt like a 180-degree turn for the nameplate in its second century of existence, but there were some who felt designers could have gone further to embrace shifting trends in the cruiser world. The increasing emphasis on better-handling bikes, for example, has changed the meaning of “performance cruiser” in 2023; triple-digit power ratings and truckloads of torque are no longer key elements in an equation that now favors better cornering clearance and quicker steering.
Indian’s answer to that is the new 2023 Indian Sport Chief, a bike the brand is calling the “most aggressive iteration of the iconic Indian Chief, a bike that raises the bar for American V-twin performance cruisers through premium performance-oriented componentry.” The new Sport Chief will join the Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief in the brand’s cruiser lineup for 2023.
From a visual standpoint, a new quarter-fairing sets the Sport Chief apart, combined with a new moto-style bar with a machined triple clamp and 6-inch riser. Indian says this new bar, mid-mount foot controls, and a solo gunfighter seat put riders in a “commanding yet comfortable” riding position.
The suspension and brakes of the Sport Chief get a major upgrade over previous Chief iterations. Indian bolted on the same front end as used on the Challenger bagger, including its 43mm KYB inverted fork and pair of Brembo 4-piston calipers biting 320mm rotors, which replace the Chief’s underwhelming single-disc setup.
When designing Sport Chief, Indian Motorcycle set its sights on performance by way of premium components from proven brands. By utilizing 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 four inches and increases lean angle to 29.5-degrees.
“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,” Indian says in a press release.
Other additions include a new quarter fairing, “moto-style” handlebars, machined triple clamps, 152mm risers, and Night Dragon tires from Pirelli. There is also LED lighting, keyless start, and three selectable riding modes: “Sport”, “Standard” and “Tour”.
Riders can also add “Extended Reach” or “Reduced Reach” seats from the ‘comfort’ accessories selection to suit their individual requirements, and the “Chief Syndicate Seat” and “Syndicate Low Profile Passenger Backrest” are available to support two-up riding.
“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.”
“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 Stenegärd, 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.”
One of the biggest additions to the bike is the class-leading ride-enhancing technology that comes standard with Indian Motorcycle’s 4-Inch touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND. The 4-Inch Touchscreen maintains a classic aesthetic by disguising itself as an analog gauge. It’s conveniently 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 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 will appear and can be accepted or declined directly through the RIDE COMMAND system.
The 2023 Sport Chief will be priced starting at $18,999 USD and come in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Stealth Gray, and Spirit Blue Smoke as color options. By March 2023, the Sport Chief will start shipping to Indian dealers in the US and Canada. However, keep in mind that depending on where you are from, the price of the new cruiser may vary. We suggest you inquire with your local Indian Motorcycles dealer for additional details on price and trim options in your area, since the bike is also expected to appear in Europe this year. For information, visit Indian Motorcycles‘ official website
