2023 Indian Sport Chief Review - First Ride
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Sport cruiser is an oxymoron in some ways, but Indian's new 2023 Sport Chief injects some athleticism into the popular Chief platform with some FOX shocks with four inches of suspension travel, an inverted KYB fork, sharper steering geometry, and Brembo brakes. Also, does the silhouette look vaguely familiar to you? Maybe a little bit like a Harley-Davidson Low Rider S? That's no coincidence. Indian's gunning for The Motor Company with this one.
Motorcycle.com's Road Test Editor Troy Siahaan got to sample the Sport Chief in Austin, Texas and this is what he had to say about it.
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Hey gang. Yes, we made a mistake. In case you didn't catch the graphic in the beginning, I meant to say Low Rider S, not the ST. I'll take my lashings now. BUT, hopefully, you stay 'tll the end to see a little bonus footage.
i am kind of hoping that indian makes an ST version.
@@thecheese302 yeah similar to the Road Glide copy cat lol. But really I would like to see a side by comparison to Harleys Low Rider. We do have the Buell /RSD bike coming out soon. You'd think these manufactures wouldn't be so laxed on keeping production the same as usual.
@@johnmacias01 the buell looks a little unfinished in the concept form, I’m excited for it though. I’m hoping for some hard painted saddle bag options to this bike, a touring version of this club bike styling with legit suspension and brakes is high on my list of possible new bikes.
Having demo'd both. I think ST was really what Indian meant. :D
I love seeing the inverted forks, radially mounted discs, upgraded suspension, and the slipper clutch. These are extremely cool upgrades... but a little bigger fairing, and hard case/bags THEN you can say it's a Low Rider ST competitor. I love the bike!! I'd love to have one if I got a big fat raise but it's not quite there for the sport/cruiser/semi-touring bike.
Saying st in the video was just a mistake, made mention in added text and in comments here. Would love to see Indian make a model as you suggest here… since a low rider st is high on my “next bike” list
@@thecheese302 Same here, and I really hope they continue to evolve the Chief to give us better and more stuff. The Chief really is a great cruiser, especially with Ride Command (infotainment) so I guess I'll keep my eye on it as a possibility.
Indian have put a lot of thought into this bike that's a deal maker for me starting with the 4" gauge with Bluetooth for pairing with your phone /maps-digital speedo read out. The fairing is good without being too much around town like the ST's and puny window bar screen. Twin disc front end and cylinder covers. Additions? Upgrade rear shocks,heated grips,seat,rider backrest,lockable fuel cap.
All available options.
I recently ordered a 2023 Sport Chief (Spirit Blue Smoke) with an expected delivery of +/-30 days. I haven't been this excited in a very long time.
U had it delivered to a dealership or your house? I've never ordered online before. And have u recieved it?
My wife rides and Scout and now she wants this. Thanks, Indian. :D I love my Springfield and will ride it into the ground. But, let's face it; seeing my 5'4" wife riding a 116 is kind of cool.
I recently traded in my Scout Rogue for a Lowrider ST and was pleasantly surprised when the Sport Chief was announced shortly after. I think I would’ve been super torn between the FXLRST and Chief. Indian continues to make huge progress with every major model release.
Do you think a scout rogue would be a good first bike ?
@@alexv5581 Yes, if you don't ride it hard, stay out of the throttle until you get some experience.
I took one for a ride at an Indian ride event. I was the first person to ride that particular bike. Neutral is real easy to find until it gets broke in a little bit.
It is low, very light in weight, center of gravity and good balance. Way better than any Harley i ever tried.
Just keep the RPM's down until you gain experience, preferably take a course.
The rear shocks would be the first upgrade for me, which will give you a slightly higher seat height, but the suspension travel you need. The rear shocks really do suck. There are some good aftermarket ones that don't cost nearly as much as the Indian upgrade shocks.
As a non cruiser guy I want this bike haha.
If ur a sporty rider u would be greatly disappointed very fast on these sport cruiser bs lol
@@gigi9467 Nah, the torque on the Chief will have you holding on for dear life as you start to slide off the seat.
No, it is not sport bike fast, but the energy/mindset when riding a cruiser is different.
I started with a cruiser, went to a sportbike and will be going back to a cruiser, either the Rogue or Sport Chief.
I loved, and wish i still had my 2005 Yamaha FZ6 since they hadn't detuned it yet. It was smooth all day riding at 100-120mph and capable of 165mph.
But at this point in my life, the cruiser suits my attitude and desires better. The Rogue with that liquid cooled engine is the sweet spot for me with the higher revs and HP.
@@BB-1990 am not denying it has torque or a decent engine but it doesnt have that Harley feel or feel in general, it feels like a japanes bike. I still like them but not enough to buy
@@gigi9467 I get it, Familiarity breeds contempt.
People who grew up around Harley's, parents, grandparents rode them and it is programmed into the subconscious before age 7.
People who rode them for many years love the feel, the vibrations and the sound.
I never rode a motorcycle until age 34, and never owned a Harley.
I always wanted Indian to make a comeback.
It is definitely from seeing that old black and white photo of grandpa in his black riding leathers, grandma in her white riding leathers.
They were sitting on an old 1930's Pearl white Indian. The childhood stories of the MC they started in California.
Ride what you love, and hate on the rest, or respect their choices.
Me, i don't care what people ride, unless it's a scooter!
@@BB-1990 well my fam.never had harleys, i starting riding at 19 and started on sportbikes, had lots of bikes from bmw to honda and out of all of them the only one that really hooked me was the harley street glide, so am not saying it out of familiarity or contempt or stupidity am saying that TO ME harleys have a feel that no other bike have they have a soul, same
Thing could be said for the bme boxer engine but i prefer the v twin feel, so before u claim that indian is great try riding a lot of bikes cuz u already started late.
Looks alone the Chief blows the Lowrider away. The Thunderstroke engine is a jewel.
Speak for yourself on that one. Looks definitely not better than the HD, the indian116 also has a good amount less hp and torque than the HD117
I would have been much happier if they used the power plus 108
@@fvgc454ss My Springfield TS 111 with stage I intake and exhaust has 119 ft lbs of torque, Cycle World has the HD 117 at 115.13 ft lbs, so I wouldn't say good amount either way at all. And as looks go, my Springfield makes the Lowrider look like a poxy guttersnipe. But hey, to each his own.
@Rogue Cheddar a 117 with a good 2 into 1 and tune makes 125 ftlbs and 104 hp. The problem. Is the potential. Indian 116 is a 2 valve and HD 4 valve head. Just much better designed heads. Fuel moto has a cam, pipe, tune Intake package that made 136hp 130 torque to the rear wheel on a 117 the 116 indian will not do that with basic bolt ons
@@fvgc454ss The Harleys are still over weight, poorly balanced with a higher center of gravity.
Indian blows them away.
Seeing as i have Spina-bifida occulta and 3 spine surgeries, i can tell the difference. Even the fully dressed Chieftan is manageable for me, unlike the Harley pigs.
Nothing personal against Adam Waheed BUT I'm glad Troy was the one attending this intro. Good work, Troy. 🙂👍
Back to the bike.
This thing makes the now defunct Yamaha Road ⭐ Warrior look like an R1.
We love Adam! Even if he does work at another publication. :) But thanks for the compliment.
It’s like when a band covers another artist’s song called a cover tune. But sometimes the cover is better than the original
It’s not a competitor for the Harley because it’s already above the HD
Looks cool. But are you sure those are mid controls? Looks pretty forward to me
So like 108 lb/ft and ?80 hp to the rear wheel?
The brembo brake and navigation are dope...
How much heat is coming off the engine? Will you have to delete the cat to get through the ride?
Indian looks way better then HD specially the engine which is work of Art
Nice review! Beautiful bike!
What about reliability? Want an Indian more than a harley definitely, but need to know how good engines are they producing, which one would you say is better!?
Priceless quality video as always my friends, take care out there and keep strong, good vibes to yall
It’s a good looking bike. A nice option for Indian fans. I’m not trading in my FXLRS for one anytime soon, or anytime ever. But it comes with some cool extras for cruiser fans if rider modes and Bluetooth are important to you. From what I understand about the engine, 116 is all the displacement you can get outa that setup? The Harley can be taken all the way to 131.
Yes you CAN go up to 131ccs with an M8 engine...can and should are two different things though.
Loydz do 125 kits for the thunderstroke and I think possibly a 130 or there abouts for the same Cheers 🥂
More displacement doesn't necessarily mean more power. That being said, my 131 rips.
@@stuwhyte479 actually Lloyd’s offers a 126 and 131 for the thunderstroke engine
@@BikerJim74 I had Lloyd’s do upgrades to my 116 and just intake cams & exhaust it bumped the numbers way up over stock. Almost 20hp and 20 lbft torque increase. Their 131 kits are significantly better than my setup but I’m just not 💯 % sure of exact numbers.
Wait…do I need to wait for a user agreement every time I start the bike?
I just spent the last decade on a 1990 Shadow 1100, and I’m looking for…well at the very least something built this millennium, but I’m used to just turning the key, pushing the button and going vroom.
You don't have to click ok each time. I just ignore mine and it goes away after a few seconds. Don't even notice it anymore.
I think they should have made this bike with the engine from the Indian challenger. That would have separated it in performance by far
Exactly!!! You have a race winning performance motor that has been spanking Harley in the KOTB races. And your not gonna use it in your new performance cruiser designed to go after a Harley? Big missed opportunity
@@toofastnobrakes they haven't exactly been spanking harley. Lol
@@fvgc454ss they won last year. And they’re running neck and neck with harleys 131’s. While still running a stock bore 108… that tells me everything I need to know
@@toofastnobrakes lol they had the least amount of wins. Just podiums. Travis Wyman was leading in points but crashed in the last race of the season. He would have won the title. Lol comparing a 60° liquid cooled 108 twin to a 45 degree air/oil cooled twin is laughable. There is a reason they are allowed the displacement due to the rpm range same with liter bikes vs twins. Besides HDs 117 makes more power than Indians 2 valve 116 and their 1250 rev max makes substantial more power than Indians 1200. Kyle won 3 races...Tyler won ONE
@@fvgc454ss Fair enough, but my point stands. The power plus 108 seriously any of its air cooled competition. Having to bump their displacement to 131 still says that in spades. I’m not talking Indian versus Harley. I’m talking liquid cooled versus air cooled. And the fact that Indian would build a “performance” cruiser, and not use their performance motor, that from the factory would outshine anything it’s class is baffling to me. Theyre two valve 116 doesn’t even come remotely close
I have owned a low rider S and the sport chief is better bang for the buck. Bigger engine. Brembo brakes. Fox rear shocks. CRUSIE CONTROL which should be on most higher end cruisers. More tech. It feels like you’re paying for the motorcycle and not the name.
???? Lowrider s has a 117. Sport cheif has a 116. The 117 has more power stock. My ST has cruise...
How much heat is coming off the engine?
Saying that it corners doesn’t have to be followed up with “but it’s no sport bike.” That much is obvious. Making performance comparisons between cruisers and sport bikes is nonsensical.
How many gears does it have
How is that a copy of the Lowrider ST fairing? Looks nothing like it.
I like everything about this bike except one thing. I wish they had used the power plus 108 from the challenger. The thunder stroke is cool, but to not use your race winning performance motor in your new performance cruiser??? Big missed opportunity. Leaves this bike feeling like it’s chasing the low rider s, and not surpassing it.
This is an awesome bike man, almost ALMOST making me switch from a sport bike
Bro was really out standing in 97 degree weather to show us this bike.
Could this guy sound any more disinterested? Lol it’s like he pulled the short straw and had to be the one to do the review on it. He was struggling to remember anything about it. Lol
A “sport cruiser” kind of an oxymoron, I’ll just take the FTR 1200 if I want something “sporty” nice bits on this chief though I must admit.
Love the screen and cruise control but Harley looks so much better
I'm torn between the two. I like both a lot.
more like the HD Low Rider S WHICH STILL HAS LESS TECH AS AN OPTION..Which works for me.
How does anyone think that rear end looks good? That fender looks like it was left over from the 2000s OCC chopper days.
Such a nice looking bike!
Once I saw that gap where the saddle should be flush with the rear fender, I couldn’t un-see it. Strange that Indian would let that out for an international launch event. It just reinforces the negative opinion of Indian’s fit and finish that many have.
Looks an amazing bike!
Love the bike but they sit back and let Harley determine the market then come out with their version of the hit selling HD. I’m glad they give us their version but they would never have released this version of the chief had HD not shown staggering success with their Low Rider St
I prefer the look of the rogue
Halfway there. Just need the Challenger engine as well as the front end.
AWESOME ! ! ! ! ! !
Yeah this is the low rider s not st and honestly I wouldn’t be picking the two valve over the 4 valve anytime soon
Don’t all come with a 116? You implied some come with a 111.
Nice bro keep it up
Sport! LOL!
Every youtuber is testing and reviewing the same pos at the same time
Reminds me of the Honda reble 1100 🤘✨🤘⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
It doesn't look anything like a Rebel 1100.
@@tinman3586 your right it looks more like a soyglide 🤘⚡️🤘
@Nor-Cal Refrigeration & H.V.A.C To each his own, but please tell me you aren't simping for Harley, who's best selling "bike' is a trike.
I really detest the fact that i cant afford it, maybe next year Indian will release a Sport Scout with inverted forks, twin brembos and way more rear suspension ? just daydreaming
They could, probably be 17k though
Meh. That exhaust looks like it weighs 200 lbs.
But.... Who keeps the stock exhaust?
🤣 who tf keeps a stock pipe on a bike. News flash dum dums the epa requires catalytic converters and a decibel rating on all motorcycle exhaust system. Its why they look stupid and the aftermarket takes care of that.
Not into large fairing like on Harley ST. This Memphis shade size much nicer. Indian engine is cooler vs Harley 114
I like the look of everything but the pipes. They just aren't sleek enough.
would buy the bike if it had a bigger tank for sum real cruising looks there is a room there to put a bigger tank without taking away the looks
I like the bike
Harley has been doing the faring for years and yes everyone knows indian is copying.. it’s flattery at its finest..
Yah, just like everyone else used this before Harley did, man, you Harley guys are such toooooooools!
@@trucker-d4161 Indian is trying too hard to be Harley 🤡
@@CastroRides you and Matt Laidlaw drink the same coolaid. So…..Harley making an adventure bike……is trying to enter who’s market?? How’s tat crow taste?😂
It’s not a valid comparison to the ST Maybe the lowrider s…. But not the st….. but it looks like a nice bike
Heard "for a cruiser" a few times.
That intake is fugly, for any motorcycle.
I’m sorry, but the front of the low rider s beats this hands down for me. I do prefer the rear of the Indian tho.
First ride with no riding?
Why do all these new bikes come with horrendous looking exhausts? Big and gaudy.. are you telling me they can’t put decent looking exhausts on these bikes? If Indian wants to get a huge check in their box over HD, rectify this!… both manufacturers are begging for their customers to waste additional money to help add style to their rides
U mean “low rider S” 😂
Stand by, Indian will answer the low rider st next, don’t worry…
Not the ST at all maybe the low rider s
If you actually watched the whole video he corrected that at the end and in his comment here. S not ST.
Heated grips
THAT FRAME IS A VICTORY MOTORCYCLES DERIVED FRAME AND POLARIS DUN GOOFED!
#VictoryForever
I don't think American manufactures should put "Sport" on any machine they make 😂
Indian doesn't make a bike that I like and this one is no different.
I get it man, enjoy your Rebel 300
@@BlackbirdSSR You spelled FJR1300 wrong.
AFAROJ MALIK
Are they ever gonna release an original bike 🤣🤣🤣🙄
LOL Indian didn't come close to the Low Rider ST. For one it has no bags on it. Indian is so far behind they will never catch Harley. Great looking bike for sure. As a Harley owner I would own one.
I just never understood sporty and cruiser in the same sentence, oxymoron???
Meh....not impressed
If you want to beat a Harley Davidson……Then go and buy a Harley Davidson
Your move Harley-Davidson. Or are you just going to release another embarrassing trike?
A over priced goldwing probably.
? They literally based this bike off a lowrider S dum dum.
It does a several things better than the LRS like the Ride Command features integrated into a low profile digital guage. Then there is stuff like not charging extra for ABS, or all LED lighting, you know, things that should be friggen standard in 2023.
@@tinman3586 u forgot to mention it makes 20 less hp, 5 less ftlbs of torque and is 900$ more dollars. 😅. Oh and a 2 valve engine vs a 4 valve for the HD. Lol
That is one ugly looking motorcycle
Yeah. Looks just like a Harley
Something is going on with the back half of that bike that just looks Chinese to me. But overall Indian did their homework
Oh man that's ugly. If that bike was a woman in a ugly pageant it would win face down.
That would be a yellow goldwing actually
Came to like and support but no interest in anything cruiser related.
Fake views
When will Indian consider to produce realy decent and expectble tour-enduro? That might change the game. HD pan America has already bit a piece of enduro pie market. And it gorgeous, but expensive