2025-on Indian Sport Chief RT review: Whole lotta torque!

There’s no getting away from the fact that this Indian is a BIG motorcycle. An overall length of 2301mm and a kerb weight of 322kg see to that. At walking pace, the RT can feel cumbersome, but on the go, it’s more manageable.

While the RT’s ergonomics live up to the bike’s billing – Indian refers to the model as a ‘luxury cruiser’ in its marketing bumph – the Sport reference is a tad optimistic. Upside-down forks and remote-reservoir shocks may denote ‘sport’ to American eyes, but point the Chief at a typical B-road and it won’t be long before the hero blobs make contact with the tarmac.

The non-adjustable 43mm KYB forks and Fox shocks (preload and rebound adjustable) give a firm ride – enough to fire you out of the seat on bumpy roads. Twin 320mm front discs, gripped by Brembo calipers, hint at rapid, one-finger braking, even with a 320kg-plus weight to retard.

However, the system lacks the outright power and feel advertised because it’s controlled by a generic Indian master cylinder rather than a Brembo part. So they’re adequate rather than stunning.

Overall, the subtle upgrades give the Sport Chief a wider window of potential. And Harley’s Low Rider ST a direct competitor.

The Sport Chief RT’s air-cooled 1890cc Thunderstroke motor perfectly suits the bike’s larger-than-life character. Referred to as a ‘116’ on account of its cubic inch capacity, this 49° pushrod V-twin thumps out a colossal 115lb.ft at a leisurely 3300rpm.

Roll-on acceleration from 40-70mph is vivid. It’ll spin through to the 5000rpm redline, complementing that mighty torque curve with an 89bhp power output, but there’s little need to work the motor hard, such is its punch at lower rpm. Three riding modes (Standard, Tour, and Sport) manage delivery.

The gearbox shifts positively through all six of its ratios, transferring drive to the rear wheel via a maintenance-free belt drive. And while vibes do make their way through to the bars and pegs, as you’d expect from a big V-twin, they’re part of the cruiser experience rather than intrusive to the ride.

Indian have done well to build a reputation for excellent build quality and reliability, which accounts for the brand’s popularity and rise. The current Chief range has only been around for a couple of years, and the Sport Chief MCN reviewed in 2023 hasn't had any negative owner reviews and no reports of major problems, which is the basis for this new RT version giving any new owners some peace of mind.

Indian’s update of the Sport Chief puts it directly in the crosshairs of Harley’s Low Rider ST. They offer similar performance, ride, and styling for comparable money – the Indian is £200 more. Both also radiate authentic heritage, but the Sport Chief’s styling, finish, and componentry lift its overall package to a slightly higher level than the H-D.

The RT oozes cool, is a blast to ride, and packs enough toys and kit to warrant its place as more than a mere boulevard cruiser. Two price points depend on your choice of colour. Black Smoke, seen here, is the cheapest at £21,495. Sunset Smoke and Heavy Metal are slightly more at £21,995. That’s an extra fiver more per month on PCP.

If not a bagger from the States, what else is out there to compare it with? You might be tempted by the Honda CMX1100 Rebel at a wallet-friendly £8,999, but it’s really a different step to that of the Indian and Harleys. Instead, BMW’s R18B is a closer match at £21,500, or there’s the R18 Classic, which will set you back a comparable £20,980. But let's face it, if you are thinking about something American, you will likely end up weighing up the Indian or the Harley.

Equipment

The RT has one more upgrade, but unfortunately, it hasn’t made it onto UK bikes as standard. US-spec RTs come with a Bluetooth speaker – that includes a 4.5in subwoofer, two 2.5in midrange speakers, and a pair of 1.5in tweeters – housed inside the fairing. Without it, the inside of the fairing looks bare and unfinished. UK bikes can have them fitted, however, for £836.18.

The circular 4in TFT features touch screen control, dual display options, a host of neatly presented info – speedo and tacho, fuel gauge, range, clock, gear selection, and more – as well as connectivity with GPS navigation. You also get keyless ignition, cruise control, and full LED lighting as standard.

The RT’s saddlebags are rigid, colour-coded, and lockable, but their overall construction feels slightly cheap for a 20-grand-plus bike. Capacity is limited too – just 37 litres; enough for a weekend away but not an epic tour.

The new dual split-level seat is well-padded, extremely comfortable, and nicely detailed with light-coloured stitching on black material. The back-stop gives ample support, too. A pillion back rest would be welcome, however. An update for next year, perhaps?