Indian Sport Chief 2024 Review

The Indian Sport Chief is an old-school cruiser with a truckload of attitude and, surprisingly, a high degree of sporting prowess.

But the Sport Chief is not a power cruiser, or a Sportster-style cruiser, or some kind of Frankenstein mishmash of a cruiser and naked bike.

No, it’s just a good ol’ fashioned club style cruiser. And it rocks.

So, what makes the Sport Chief so…err…sporty? Well, for starters, it comes with altered geometry from the other Chief models, a moto-style handlebar with a six-inch riser, and ergonomics which allows you to ride hard without sacrificing any laid-back attitude.

Add in the KYB fork and dual Fox piggyback shocks, which are both tuned for performance, as well as a chassis that handles way better than it should, and you have a cruiser that truly justifies the use of the word sport.

For context, think of the old-school Harley Dyna models, which all the Dyna Bros of the world will tell you break down the stereotypes of cruisers not being able to turn.

But let’s not mention the H word too often – Indian and Harley are arch-rivals after all. In fact, the Sport Chief is very similar in spec to the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, and while only a head-to-head would reveal the true winner, it’s fair to say that Indian is well up to the challenge of beating Harley at its own game.

The Indian Sport Chief checks in at $32,995 ride away, which makes it the most expensive of the Chief range. Actually, that makes it the most expensive bike below Indian’s grand touring bikes.

But it still comes in cheaper than its main rival, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, which starts at $33,250 ride away. The relatively small price difference is made more attractive when you consider the Chief comes with more technology, including the Ride Command system with in-built navigation and smartphone connectivity.

The Harley does trump the Indian in the torque stakes, with 167Nm to 162Nm, but let’s leave the comparisons there – we’ll save them for a head-to-head. For now, let’s keep diving into the Sport Chief.

As mentioned above, the Sport Chief handles exceptionally well for a cruiser. Despite the 311kg wet weight, the bike feels quite agile and light to turn, and it holds a nice line through sweeping bends.

The suspension package is as good as it gets for a bike of this ilk, especially the Fox rear shocks, which offer more travel than other Chief models. The Brembo brakes are equally good, offering plenty of stopping power and control.

Of course, it is still a cruiser, so don’t expect record times around Phillip Island, but a good rider should keep their sportsbike mates honest on a weekend blast in the hills.

That air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin engine is a beauty too. From a standstill, the ample torque hits you in the face as soon as you grab a handful of throttle. This is even truer when you switch the ride mode over to Sport.

Perhaps the real strength of the Sport Chief over any of its rivals is technology. The round touchscreen TFT dash is a great blend of style and functionality. It is incredibly easy to see and to use while riding – something that cannot be said about many bikes.

The Ride Command system features in-built navigation, which is a big plus, while you can connect your smartphone for music, calls, and more.

There are three ride modes, with Sport being the most potent. Each mode offered a big difference in character, but the middle mode seemed to be the sweet spot.

Also featured on the Sport Chief is keyless ignition, cruise control, USB and 12V charging ports, and a rear cylinder deactivation system to help reduce heat at a standstill. All in all, it is a very comprehensive package.

From a pure style point of view, the Sport Chief really hits a home run. There is a strong West Coast club style look and feel to the bike, which plays into recent trends. The mid-mount foot controls and tall moto-style handlebar look the biz, while the chunky bikini fairing completes the club look.

The bike feels great to sit on too. The gunfighter seat locks you in place and stops you from sliding back, while the controls are all easily accessible. The mid-mount ride position adds to the sporty character and makes you look like a boss at the same time.

The Sport Chief really is hard to fault, but there are a few little issues.

While the Sport Chief does offer generous ground clearance for a cruiser, it does leave you wondering what could have been. Put simply, it is very easy to touch the ‘pegs on the ground, which perhaps masks how well this bike actually handles.

Of course, it is a cruiser after all, and there will always be some limitation, but a little extra clearance would have taken this bike to another level.

The lack of traction control is also a little irritating given the price tag and the immense torque on offer. Fortunately, the bike has plenty of mechanical traction, while the Pirelli Night Dragon tyres are top notch.

Throttle response is a little twitchy, especially in sport mode, but it’s nothing to write home about, and you quickly get used to it.

Perhaps the only other bother is that the Sport Chief might get a little uncomfortable after long distances. This is mainly due to the reach to the tall handlebar.

Hell yeah. This is one of the coolest cruisers on the market. While Harley has traditionally been the pick for club style fans, the Sport Chief is proof that Indian can make cool bikes too.

Cool factor aside, the Sport Chief is fast, handles like a dream, and is packed with functional tech. It is a seriously capable motorcycle.

The price is perhaps the only question mark, but if budget is no concern, then this is a bike that very few, if any, will be disappointed with. As Mick Jagger once said, I know it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.  

ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled Thunderstroke 116
Capacity: 116cu in (1890cc)
Bore x stroke: 103.2mm x 113mm
Compression ratio: 11:1
Fuel system: Closed loop electronic fuel injection, 54mm

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: N/A
Claimed maximum torque: 162Nm at 3200rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: 6-speed
Final drive: Belt
Clutch: Wet multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel tube w/ cast aluminum rear subframe
Front suspension: KYB inverted telescopic fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Dual Fox piggyback shocks, 112mm travel
Front brakes: Brembo twin 320mm discs with four-piston calipers, ABS equipped
Rear brakes: Single 300mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS equipped
Tyres: Pirelli Night Dragon, front – 130/60B19 61H, rear – 180/65 B16 81H

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 28 degrees
Trail: 111mm
Claimed wet weight: 311kg
Seat height: 686mm
Wheelbase: 1640mm
Fuel capacity: 15.1 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $32,995 ride away
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres