Indian Motorcycle despatched a shot throughout Harley-Davidson’s bow when it unveiled the 2023 Sport Chief. Until then, the Motor Company loved a monopoly on the club-style cruiser market with its Low Rider S and its sport-touring cousin, the Low Rider ST. At such an obstacle, Indian knew it wanted to make a splash to make headway within the performance-driven class. The Sport Chief does simply that.
The Minnesota-based OEM referred to as in reinforcements, equipping the club-style mannequin with Brembo-branded binders, Pirelli Night Dragon tires, KYB inverted fork, and Fox piggyback shocks. That brand-name pedigree pairs completely with Indian’s ergonomic changes, together with a sculpted quarter fairing, six-inch handlebar risers, mid-mounted pegs, and a solo seat.
Harley’s Low Rider S all however birthed the manufacturing unit club-style section, and it stays the king of sophistication for a motive. Showa suspension, H-D-badged Brembo calipers, and Dunlop rubber bolster the Low Rider S to that lofty throne. However, the Indian Sport Chief’s rebellious perspective presents a reputable risk to the Low Rider’s reign. Only time will inform which mannequin wins within the showroom, but it surely’s right down to us to find out which club-style cruiser wins on the spec sheet.
Overview
![2023 Indian Sport Chief - Overview](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/mMkVkj/s3/2023-indian-sport-chief---overview.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S | 2023 Indian Sport Chief | |
Engine: | Air/oil-cooled, 1,923cc V-twin | Air-cooled 1,890cc V-twin |
Bore x Stroke: | 103.5mm x 127mm | 103.2mm x 113mm |
Transmission: | 6-speed | 6-speed |
Performance: | 125 lb-ft of torque | 120 lb-ft of torque |
Weight: | 679 kilos (moist) | 665 kilos (moist) |
Price: | $18,199 | $18,899 |
Big-Bore Brawn
Both Indian and Harley convey out the massive weapons when arming Sport Chief and Low Rider S, respectively. The Motor Company turns to its largest manufacturing engine, the Milwaukee-Eight 117, for its Hog. That air/oil-cooled, 117 cubic-inch (1,923cc) V-twin lays down 125 lb-ft of torque (3,500 rpm), although H-D bypasses all horsepower claims in 2023. The identical goes for Indian, and its Thunder Stroke 116 retains tempo with 120 lb-ft of torque.
![2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S - Milwaukee-Eight 117](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/2NZqZB/s3/2023-harley-davidson-low-rider-s---milwaukee-eight-117.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
![2023 Indian Sport Chief - Thunder Stroke 116](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/KbmymA/s3/2023-indian-sport-chief---thunder-stroke-116.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
Though the Big-Twin Harley advantages from a one-cubic-inch and five-pound-feet benefit over its rival, the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin has 679 kilos of American iron to propel. The Thunder Stroke 116, however, pushes the 665-pound Sport Chief with barely higher effectivity. Especially when contemplating the Indian flaunts a Sport mode (together with Touring and Standard), we’re assured the Sport Chief nips the checkered flag in stoplight-to-stoplight drag racers.
Competent Cornering
Straight-line pace isn’t the end-all-be-all, although, and each club-style opponents convey their dealing with A-game too. The Bar and Shield depends on a tried and true 43 mm inverted entrance finish with a triple-rate spring and a preload-adjustable coil-over monoshock. By distinction, Indian calls upon a pair of Fox piggyback shocks and a 43mm USD entrance finish from KYB.
![2023 Indian Sport Chief - Scrape](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/xqo9oz/s3/2023-indian-sport-chief---scrape.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
In addition to the setup variations, the Sport Chief affords 4 inches of rear suspension journey whereas the Low Rider S solely yields 2.2 inches. At the fore, now we have a draw, with each fashions itemizing 5.1 inches of suspension stroke. Still, the 2 bruisers commerce blows with the Hog prioritizing agility due to its 28-degree rake, 31.3-degree lean angle, and 63.6-inch wheelbase.
All the whereas, the Chief upholds stability with a 29-degree rake, 29.5-degree lean angle, and 64.6-inch wheelbase. For that motive, Harley narrowly nabs its first spherical on this showdown, however you want greater than energy and fleet ft to win a struggle. You additionally want smarts.
Brains of the Operation
![2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S - Dash](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/8A9E9o/s3/2023-harley-davidson-low-rider-s---dash.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
![2023 Indian Sport Chief - Dash](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/W8nEn6/s3/2023-indian-sport-chief---dash.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
When it involves tech, the Low Rider S retains it easy. The LED headlight and taillight conform to class requirements, however the four-inch analog gauge instructions the highlight. An analog tachometer captures traditional cruiser cosmetics, however the digital speedometer brings the Softail into the now. That cluster additionally permits customers to cycle between gear, odometer, gasoline degree, clock, journey, and vary readings.
The Indian, however, takes issues up a notch with its four-inch TFT touchscreen show. Not solely does the model’s RideCommand system put a number of interfaces and layouts on the rider’s fingertips but it surely additionally affords turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. Alongside these options, the Sport Chief additionally comes customary with the aforementioned journey modes, ABS, and rear-cylinder deactivation. It’s secure to say the Indian is a transparent winner on this division.
The Scorecard
![2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S - Side, Left](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/Ak2W2P/s3/2023-harley-davidson-low-rider-s---side-left.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
![2023 Indian Sport Chief - Side, Right](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/3WGNGj/s3/2023-indian-sport-chief---side-right.jpg?resize=16%2C9&ssl=1)
With simply $700 separating the 2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S and 2023 Indian Sport Chief, it’s almost a toss-up between the 2 performance-inspired cruisers. The Sport Chief instructions extra dough at $18,899, but it surely backs up that markup with premium componentry and electronics. Similarly, the Low Rider S lives as much as its $18,199 MSRP with its confirmed platform and agile dealing with (for a cruiser).
The Indian might win on paper, however cruiser prospects additionally place a premium on the intangibles. From aesthetics to model loyalty, from exhaust be aware to ergonomics, numerous preferences issue into the cruiser-buying expertise. In the tip, when Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle vie for a similar slice of the market, the client is the last word wins.
Source: www.rideapart.com