Indian has just introduced a new model in its flagship Chief series, geared toward handling and performance. The new 2023 Indian Sport Chief, a motorcycle the company calls the "most aggressive iteration of the iconic Indian Chief... that raises the bar for American V-twin performance cruisers through premium, performance-oriented components." The new Sport Chief will join the Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief in the brand's cruiser lineup for 2023.
The minimalist fairing is what we notice first, as it completely changes the Chief's aesthetic, giving the model more aggressive lines and a purposeful stance, further enhanced by the raised superbike-style handlebars with 6-inch risers. However, there's more to it than just new aesthetics; designers also equipped the Sport Chief with a combination of premium components to ensure it could live up to its looks. KYB 43mm inverted forks are set at a steeper 28-degree angle and have shorter, 4.4-inch travel.
At the rear, we see a pair of preload-adjustable Fox shocks, which increase travel by an inch on the new model. Brakes are Brembo with dual discs and four-piston semi-floating calipers up front and a single 300mm disc at the rear, both mounted on sporty cast wheels with Pirelli Night Dragon tires. Wheel sizes remain unchanged from the Dark Horse version, 19" up front and 16" at the rear.
On the Sport Chief, the foot controls are also intermediate, but the higher handlebars, longer shocks, and low, wraparound seat mean improved ergonomics, placing the rider in a more commanding position with improved control, while suspension tweaks also help increase the bike's lean angle. Mechanically, however, the Indian Sport Chief uses the same 1,890cc Thunderstroke 116 engine in a black finish. The 4-gallon tank is also unchanged, with short fenders and staggered dual exhausts also reminiscent of familiar pieces seen on the other Chief models, with LED lighting and keyless ignition rounding out the standard features list.
Like the Dark Horse (and other 116-powered models), the Sport Chief also includes electronic throttle, cruise control, ABS, and rear cylinder deactivation on its standard features list. Indian's Ride Command system also appears here, with a 4-inch touchscreen displaying vehicle information and turn-by-turn navigation. Three selectable riding modes are available: Sport, Normal, and Tour.
The design essence for the new model was a more aggressive-looking, better-handling Chief. Ola Stenegärd, Indian's director of industrial design, added: “With the Sport Chief, we wanted to maintain the same carefree attitude and engine, but elevate it even further with components that not only deliver style and performance-driven attitude, but also raise the bar for high-performance cruisers.”
Additionally, Indian has a wide variety of accessories ready for riders looking to further enhance the new model's performance and style, including adjustable shock absorbers, an adaptive LED headlight, raised handlebars, and high-flow air filters, among other options. Some Sport Chief components, such as the fairing and handlebars, can also be retrofitted to current Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief models.
The new model will be available in Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Stealth Grey, and Spirit Blue Smoke. The Sport Chief will begin shipping to Indian dealers globally in spring 2023.
Frank Burguera
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