With the introduction of Sport Chief, Indian Motorcycle launched its most aggressive version of the venerable Indian Chief. The 2023 Indian Sport Chief Cruiser elevates the standard for American V-Twin performance cruisers with premium performance-oriented componentry and classic American Style, building on one of the most important and historically significant motorcycle namesakes ever.
According to Mike Dougherty, president of Indian Motorcycle, “Since launching in 2021, the re-imagined Indian Chief has garnered awesome feedback from riders worldwide.” The 2023 Indian Chief portfolio is now more varied than ever, thanks to the addition of Sport Chief, delivering various performance and design choices to suit every rider’s personality and riding preferences.
2023 Indian Sport Chief Cruiser – Features and Specs
Performance is Given. Respect is Earned.
Sport Chief was designed from the factory with performance in mind. Sport Chief demonstrates that high standards always stay in Style with its renowned premium performance components used across the two-wheeled industry. Sport Chief raises the bar for American V-Twin performance cruisers regarding performance capacity and aggressive styling.
Sport Chief is the most outstanding performance cruiser in the Indian Motorcycle collection. It has premium components, including twin Brembo 4-piston calipers with semi-floating 320mm rotors, extended Fox piggyback rear shocks, and 46mm KYB inverted front forks. It’s simple to be confident, and it’s even simpler to have a recognizable flair that turns heads.
Ride Harder with Confidence
Premium suspension and brake parts are only the beginning of creating the greatest. It’s also essential to position the rider to maximum performance. Riders may ride harder and longer with more comfort and confidence because of a gunfighter-style solo seat with a higher bolster, enhanced 29.5-degree lean angle, and mid controls.
Personalized Style Order
The Respect Sport Chief’s performance aesthetic matches all its ride-improving features. A 6.5″ windshield is included on the redesigned quarter fairing for wind protection and an aggressive appearance. Both Style and control are provided by the contrast-cut lightweight cast alloy 19-inch front wheel and the sturdy 16-inch rear wheel, mounted on sticky Pirelli Night Dragon tires.
Credit Where Credit is Due
Raising the standard for performance style ensures that every detail is noticed. Business-minded 6-inch risers in a stylish gloss black moto design with machine details are included. It all fits together thanks to machined triples and handlebars in the Moto style, in terms of unique aesthetics and calibrated ergonomics that match its aggressive character.
Modern Tech Hidden in Plain Sight
The 4-inch Touchscreen maintains its traditional appearance by imitating an analog gauge. You can manage your music from any Bluetooth®-connected device, adjust ride modes, answer and reject calls, and get turn-by-turn navigation with connected features like weather and traffic overlays.
Big Displacement. Big Power
The perfect cruiser has to be powered by proven American muscle. Everybody and everything can be left in your exhaust and a cloud of tire smoke thanks to the famous air-cooled Thunder stroke 116 V-twin’s 120 of sheer torque that rules in all six ratios.
A Canvas for Customization
We made the difficult decisions so that riders could customize it. Sport Chief invites customization thanks to its timeless technical design, which includes a straightforward steel tube frame, air-cooled V-twin engine, and traditional cruiser look. Numerous factory Indian Motorcycle accessories that are simple to add for a more fashionable appearance and improved performance eliminate the need for chopping and bobbing.
All the Features. You’d Want Come Standard
The game-changing riding comforts that come with every Sport Chief are anything but standard. They include three ride modes (Sport, Standard, and Tour), cruise control, keyless ignition, Bosch® ABS, LED Lighting, and a USB charging outlet.
2023 Sport Chief maintains the mechanical Style of the 2023 Indian Chief with a straightforward steel-tube frame. The Sport Chief stands out from the rest of the Indian Chief series thanks to its blacked-out Thunder stroke 116 engine, 120 ft-lbs of torque, new Quarter Fairing, and moto-style bars with machined triple clamps and six-inch risers. Riders are in a dominating, but at the same time comfortable, riding posture thanks to mid-mount foot controls and a solitary gunfighter seat. The Sport Chief has a four-gallon fuel tank, a bobbed rear fender, dual Exhaust, LED lighting, keyless ignition, and three selectable riding modes, including Sport, Standard, and Tour. It also has sport cast wheels covered in Pirelli Night Dragon rubber.
The class-leading four-inch Touchscreen driven by Ride Command on Indian Motorcycles includes ride-improving technologies as standard. Riders may cycle between various interfaces, including two distinct gauge configurations, bike and ride information, and turn-by-turn navigation with integrated features like weather and traffic overlays, using handlebar controls or the digital touchscreen display. Once their phone is attached through Bluetooth or USB when utilizing a wireless helmet communicator, users may control their music using the Ride Command system. Additionally, riders can access their phone’s recent calls, contacts, number pad, and text message history. When linked, incoming calls will be visible and handled directly via the Ride Command system by accepting or rejecting them.
Indian Motorcycle provides a variety of accessories that improve performance and comfort or add personal flair for riders wishing to customize their vehicles.
Performance Accessories
Riders of the Indian Chief may install Adjustable Piggyback Rear FOX Shocks for a supplier, more pleasant ride. Riders may customize the compression and rebound damping using the 24 clicks on the simple-to-use twist knobs.
Riders of the Indian Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief can upgrade to the Sport Chief’s standard dual exposed FOX Piggyback Rear Shocks, which have a four-inch travel range, a greater lean angle, and an aftermarket, fashionable appearance that increases stability, improves comfort, and enhances the capability for aggressive riding.
The new Chief Pathfinder 5 34-inch Adaptive LED Headlight, available in chrome or black, has unique, cutting-edge technology that optimizes lighting of the road ahead by monitoring the bike’s lean angle. Lighting performance is better than a regular headlight with an industry-first adaptive high-beam, projecting light a longer distance and spreading in front of the bike.
Riders may choose the High Flow Air Intake or thunderstroke Forward Air Intake to increase airflow and add high-performance aesthetics.
Style Accessories
Indian Motorcycle accessories are available for Indian Chief Riders who want to add some flair. New 10-inch Moto Handlebar Risers provide a more comfortable reach while adding flair. The Sport Chief’s Quarter Fairing comes with Low and Tall windshield choices, and several bags, including a Solo Rack and Rack Bag, Tail Bag, and Bobber Saddlebag, complete the bike’s look.
Current Indian Chief, Chief Bobber, and Super Chief riders can access the Sport Chief’s Quarter Fairing and six-inch Moto Handlebar Risers.
Comfort Accessories
Riders may install an Extended Reach or Reduced Reach Seat for more comfort and enhanced ergonomics dependent on height. The Chief Syndicate Seat and Syndicate Low Profile, Passenger Backrest from Indian Motorcycle are available for two-up riding and complement the sporty styling of the Sport Chief.
2023 Indian Sport Chief Cruiser – Price
The new 2023 Indian Sport Chief Cruiser is available at $18,999 to $19,999 only.
2023 Indian Sport Chief Cruiser – Technical Specifications
Engine & Drivetrain
Bore x Stroke Measurement | 4.063-inches x 4.449-inches (103.2mm x 113mm) |
Compression Ratio | 11:1 |
Displacement | 116 cubic inches (1,890cc) |
Drive/Driven Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
Electronic Fuel Injection System | Closed loop fuel injection, 54 mm bore |
Engine Type | Air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 |
Exhaust | Dual Exhaust with Crossover |
Peak Torque | 120ft-lbs |
Peak Torque RPM | 2,900rpm |
Transmission/Final Drive | 2.2: 1 |
Transmission/Primary Drive | Gear Drive Wet Clutch |
Dimensions
Fuel Capacity | 4gal (15.1 Liters) |
Ground Clearance | 5.9 inches (149mm) |
GVWR | 1,160lbs (526kg) |
Lean Angle | 29.5-degree |
Overall Height | 50 inches (1270mm) |
Overall Length | 90.6 inches (2,301mm) |
Overall Width | 33.1 inches (842mm) |
Rake/Trail | 28-degree / 4.4 inches (111mm) |
Seat Height | 27 inches (686mm) |
Weight (As Shipped / Running Order) | 665lbs (302kg) / 685lbs (311kg) |
Wheelbase | 64.6 inches (1640mm) |
Brakes
Front Brakes | Dual Brembo, 320 mm Semi-Floating Rotor, 4 Piston Caliper |
Rear Brakes | Single, 300 mm Semi-Floating Rotor, 2 Piston Caliper |
Tires / Wheels
Front Tires | Pirelli® Night Dragon 130/60B19 61H |
Front Wheel | Sport Cast Black 19 inches x 3.5 inches |
Rear Tires | Pirelli® Night Dragon 180/65 B16 81H |
Rear Wheel | Sport Cast Black 16 inches x 5 inches |
Suspension
Front Fork Tube Diameter | 43 mm |
Front Suspension | KYB® Inverted Telescopic Fork |
Front Travel | 5.1 inches (130mm) |
Rear Suspension | Dual Fox® Piggyback Shocks |
Rear Travel | 4.0 in (100 mm) |
Features
Color / Graphics | Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, Stealth Gray Icon: Spirit Blue Smoke |
Factory Warranty | 2 Years, Unlimited Miles |
Gauges | Speedometer, Odometer, Tachometer, compass, fuel gauge, ambient temperature, Gear indicator |
Infotainment | 4 inches of Touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND. The model year 2023 motorcycle include a complimentary 1-year trial of RIDE COMMAND+ (after which fees apply), which includes features like live weather/traffic and intuitive destination search; Touchscreen display includes real-time clock; ambient air temperature; heading, audio information display; map/navigation; Bluetooth status for phone and headset; vehicle status (voltage, engine hours, oil change); vehicle info (speed, fuel range, RPM, gear position); current ride data (distance, moving time, stop time, altitude, altitude change); trip meters; ride mode selection; screen brightness; and vehicle trouble code readout. |
Lights | LED Headlight, LED Tail/Brake/Turn Signals |
Standard Equipment | ABS, Ride Modes, Keyless Ignition, USB charge port, 12V Charge Port, Rear Cylinder Deactivation |