Indian’s Big V-Twin Goes Apex Hunting With New Sport Chief
Indian Motorcycle has announced a new model based on its big Thunderstroke 116-cubic-inch air-cooled V-twin that’s going a bit against the current. The new bike, dubbed the Sport Chief, is a stripped down, stripped back, more city-focused cruiser that’s not a cruiser at all.
With Brembo triple disc brakes, pumped-up adjustable suspension, solo seat, bikini fairing, and a standard if not sporty seating position, the Sport Chief looks more like something a custom shop would envision and build, rather than an OEM one. bicycle manufacturer. But here it is.
But since being revived by Minneapolis-based Polaris over a decade ago, Indian has never shied away from performance-oriented bikes, including their liquid-cooled Scout line and flat-track-inspired FTR line. But gearing the big, sloping V-twin usually found in their heavy cruisers towards a sporty driving experience takes things to another level – or at least another dimension.
The big, long-stroke V-twin making around 80 horsepower (according to numerous tests) seems like an odd choice for sportiness, but with a massive 120 pound-feet of torque on tap and a six-speed box turning the rear wheel, The Sport Chief can prove irresistible to a segment of riders who like their finned engines and their bikes heavy yet sporty.
Indian says the 665-pound Sport Chief thanks to front “upside down” (USD) KYB 43mm forks, which are borrowed from the Sport-Touring Challenger model, and dual preload-adjustable “piggyback” Fox Rear wheel shocks with adjustable remote reservoir has improved ground clearance and an improved tilt angle. A triplet of Brembo disc brakes with radial-mount semi-floating four-piston calipers up front grip large 320mm discs. ABS is standard, thank goodness. Pirelli Night Dragon tires roll on 16- and 19-inch cast wheels.
Semi-flat bars sit behind a small quarter fairing that houses a new adaptive LED headlight with automatic high-beam recognition and cornering vision. A single instrument sits behind the short nose screen, a round 4-inch touchscreen that houses Indian’s Ride Command tech package, which includes GPS, three riding modes, keyless ignition and full smartphone connectivity. Since the power plant is fuel injected and Indian uses a ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control is also standard. There’s even a charging port to recharge your mobile tech.
The Sport Chief may remind older drivers of a similar model from Indian’s main competitor, Harley-Davidson. In the late 1970s, Harley produced a 1,000cc Sportster-based “cafe racer” called the XLCR, which had similar features, including a small bikini fairing and sporty ergos. It didn’t sell well at the time, but has since become a coveted cult classic.
Same fate for the sports director? Unlikely. Packed with modern technology and with a large audience always looking for a sportier, big-bore V-Twin, the Sport Chief could be a versatile choice; an ultimate city prowler with sufficiently long legs and ergos for sporty tours. Indian will offer a range of accessories including windshield options, upgraded Fox rear shocks, handlebar risers, luggage racks and soft bags. Expect the aftermarket to get creative with it too.
Prices start at $18,999 in Basic Black Smoke, Ruby Smoke, and Stealth Gray are $500 options, while the Spirit Blue Smoke color adds $1,000. Indian says the bikes will be coming to North American showrooms in the coming weeks.
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