Indian Motorcycle has today revealed its new Sport Chief cruiser which will hit Australian showrooms in May, priced from $32,995 in all three colour schemes: black, red and grey.
The Sport Chief takes the form of a sporty, stripped-back and well-suspended cruiser with a small windscreen and solo seat, positioning it to rival the likes of the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S ($32,495) and its half-faired Low Rider ST sibling ($36,995).
Motivating the Indian Sport Chief is the American bikemaker’s Thunderstroke 116, a 1890cc V-twin engine that in this case produces 162Nm of torque. Indian has not disclosed the bike’s power output, however, this motor generates 58kW (79hp) in other applications.
For comparison, Harley-Davidson’s similarly specified Low Rider S outputs 77kW and 168Nm from its 1923cc motor. Both bikes are roughly the same weight, with the Sport Chief tipping the scales at 311kg with its 15.1L tank filled.
With a keen focus on handling, Indian engineers have treated the Sport Chief to KYB upside-down forks and Fox piggyback rear shocks which add four-inches of travel and increases lean-angle to 19.5 degrees compared to the brand’s Challenger models. Customers will also have the option of upgrading to a compression- and rebound-adjustable rear suspension setup.
Also unique to the Sport Chief is a Brembo braking system with dual four-piston callipers squeezing 320mm discs at the front end. A two-piston, 300mm disc arrangement is utilised at the rear.
Other key features include a dual-exhaust system, LED lighting, a keyless ignition, a round TFT dash, a USB port and three rider modes: Sport, Standard and Tour.
The 19-inch front, and 16-inch rear cast wheels are shod in Pirelli Night Dragon tyres.
The 2023 Indian Chief range also includes the Dark Horse ($28,995), Bobber ($30,495) and Super Chief Limited ($32,995).
Entry to the Indian Motorcycle brand starts at $23,995 for the FTR or Scout Bobber, while the range is topped by the $51,995 Challenger Elite.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
