Indian Sport Chief RT 2026 Review
The Indian Sport Chief RT is a direct rival for Harley's Low Rider ST. We take it for a spin to see if it comes out on topThe Indian Sport Chief RT is a new model from the iconic American brand and its designed to take a direct shot at the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST. It carries the same bold club-style attitude as the original Sport Chief that we tested in 2024, but with a few touring additions aimed at improving practicality without losing that performance-cruiser feel. The big question is whether Indian pulled it off. And after spending some time with the bike, I think it’s fair to say the bike has a lot going for it despite a few little quirks.
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How much does the 2026 Indian Sport Chief RT cost?
The Indian Sport Chief RT is priced at $35,995 ride-away in Australia, putting it right in the same territory as its Milwaukee-built rival from Harley-Davidson. It’s powered by the familiar air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine, now claiming 156Nm of torque. That’s ever-so-slightly down compared with what Indian previously quoted, and a bit less than the Low Rider ST, but it’s still plenty for real-world riding.
Like the original Sport Chief, the RT keeps its tough stance and muscular V-twin presence. It also inherits much of the core hardware, but Indian’s Australian arm is only bringing in this new RT version, not the standard bike.
What do we like about the 2026 Indian Sport Chief RT?
The standout upgrades on the RT are the hard saddlebags and the two-up bolster seat. The bags are lockable and offer around 37 litres of usable space. They’re not huge, but they’re enough for an overnighter. And this is a performance cruiser rather than a full-size bagger after all, so compromise is expected. The new seat isn’t the most luxurious pillion perch, but it’s an improvement over the single-seat setup on the regular Sport Chief.
The ride quality is one of the bike’s best traits. The KYB fork and fully adjustable Fox piggyback shocks give the Sport Chief RT a beautifully balanced feel. The suspension isn’t too firm or too soft, and the bike holds its line well without wallowing or squatting. It feels incredibly stable and composed, even when pushed a bit harder.
The tech package is another strong point. The circular TFT display is a touchscreen – a feature far too few brands adopt – and it works with gloves. The bike also includes keyless ignition, cruise control, three ride modes, USB and 12V charging ports, smartphone connectivity and colour map navigation. It’s a comprehensive suite for this segment.
On the road, the Thunderstroke engine delivers exactly the kind of torque you want. It’s not the torquiest bike I’ve ever ridden, but anyone asking for more is probably kidding themselves. This is a cruiser, not a race bike, and it offers more than enough punch for overtakes and fun bursts of acceleration.
What don’t we like about the 2026 Indian Sport Chief RT?
The saddlebags, while useful, do feel on the small side. The lack of a lockable fuel cap is also a strange omission. And although the RT comes standard with an audio system in the US, it’s only optional here.
The pegs scrape a little earlier than expected – the same issue I had with the original Sport Chief. It doesn’t ruin the ride, but it does limit lean angle sooner than you’d like. The brakes also feel a bit soft, even though they still get the job done.
The riding position suited my 6.1ft (185cm) frame perfectly, but smaller riders may find the stretch to the bars a little long. And on paper, the Sport Chief RT falls slightly short of its key rival from Harley-Davidson, though the spec sheet doesn’t tell the full story.
Should I buy the 2026 Indian Sport Chief RT?
The 2025 Sport Chief RT is a genuinely solid effort from Indian Motorcycle. Yes, it has some flaws, but none of them overshadow what the bike gets right – strong performance, impressive build quality, great suspension and a distinctive character that stands out.
Some riders will naturally gravitate toward Harley-Davidson because of the badge, but Indian is building motorcycles that are every bit as good, if not better in some cases. The Sport Chief RT is a great example of that.
If you want a performance cruiser with touring capability, quality suspension, useful tech and loads of attitude, the Sport Chief RT is absolutely worth a peek.
Specs: 2026 Indian Sport Chief RT
ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled Thunderstroke 116
Capacity: 116cu in (1890cc)
Bore x stroke: 103.2mm x 113mm
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Fuel system: Closed loop electronic fuel injection, 54mm bore
Claimed maximum torque: 156Nm at 3300rpm
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, 100mm travel
Front brakes: Brembo twin 320mm discs with four-piston calipers, ABS equipped
Rear brakes: Single 298mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS equipped
Tyres: Metzeler CruiseTec, front – 130/60B19 61H, rear – 180/65 B16 81H
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 28 degrees
Trail: 111mm
Claimed wet weight: 322kg
Seat height: 695mm
Wheelbase: 1640mm
Fuel capacity: 15.1 litres
OTHER STUFF
Price: from $35,995 ride away
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres
- Punch V-twin engine
- Excellent touchscreen display
- Great suspension with fully adjustable rear
- Footpegs scrape too easily
- No lockable fuel tank cap
- Saddlebags are on the small side
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