Harley Killer or Wannabe? Indian Sport Chief 116!

Today we're jumping into the most heated debate among motorcycle enthusiasts everwhere! Is the 2023 Indian Sport Chief 116 a Harley Killer or total wannabe? Here's my in-depth ride, review, and impressions of the bike.
tag: harley vs indian motorcycle sport chief indian, review, ride, impressions
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[@unlawfulorder2127]

Harley fans stay mad at anything that isn’t Harley. Out here acting like they’re sponsored by the brand. 😂

[@paintballjunkie65]

While there are some dudes like that, a lot of Indians bikes are just ugly. This bike doesn't look half bad. I know a lot of harley guys that are looking forward to the Buell Super Cruiser. Myself included. Would buy it over any Indian. And might even take it over a Harley once they are proven.

[@orhancebi5288]

That's exactly my thoughts bro! Acting like little children over a brand.

[@larryhouse3776]

They are sponsored tho, they definitely have a shirt or hat at least. 😅

[@FXLRS-21]

The squared tank kills it for me. I have an fxlrs and I really like a lot about this bike.

[@drainmonkeys385]

Where are you seeing that? Except in your own imagination..

[@GearHeadMoto]

I test rode a Sport Chief a year ago. I got my Dyna built up to be similar to that of a T-Sport. I love my Dyna and figured I'd give the Sport Chief a shot. I loved the the Sport Chief except for on two different things. I didn't like how I could feel the vibration through that grips. Yes I know my Dyna vibrates like crazy but I have aftermarket grips that take away that Vibration. 2nd thing was I felt like the fairing was too low on the bike and the windshield would vibrate like crazy towards the top of it. With that being said I loved how the bike handled. The sport mode should be called God mode because it completely changed the experience on that bike. I test rode one with the factory taller risers with exhaust and was very comfortable on it. Put a two into pipe, a set of leatherpros, and a different seat and I'm good to go on this bike.

[@luisprado439]

Que onda güero. Great content on your channel! I own a Chief Bobber 116, Fat BOB 114(traded a Street bob '13), Scout Bobber and a Dragstar 1100 '99 custom. I always say that I enjoy the best of 2 worlds, there are things to love about the Fat Bob like better maneuvering, short wheel base, sporty feeling, however the Chief feels effortless when twisting the throttle for speed and power, comes with cruise control, great for the long haul, I'm not a big fan of tech ornaments, the power commander is nice, but just me, I could be as happy with analog and LCD. Regarding my Scout, I've ridden her from Dallas to Mexico city, no problem, my old Yamaha visited Alaska a few decades ago, my point is, competition pushes manufacturers to improve and innovation, I can't and won't say something negative about Indian and the current Softail M8 lineup. Again, great content here.

[@marvinmartinez2637]

The speedometer is fire 🔥

[@donrudeboyt1895]

Test road one on a demo day. I feel that the risers should have a pullback. One thing I noticed is the weight felt higher than on my Chieftain. Suspension felt as expected for what it has. Have never ridden Low Rider S, so can’t compare.

[@heinegamskjr8915]

Sad that you didn't use the sport mode, 'cause that would have made you able to do a wheelie 😉 Got a Sport Chief myself and sport mode turns off "all" the limitations to the engine and sets the ignition and airflow to a much harder driving 😍🥰 You can not NOT Love this bike after trying it in sport mode, just saying 🤷🏼‍♂️😉 TBO I haven't had it out of sport mode since 🫣🤭

[@JonsMotoGarage]

I messed around in sport mode a bit and even tried a few wheelies. I'm sure with a bit more practice and seat time I could eventually find the right formula. 💯🤙

[@JAMMAJ-cq2bl]

Good to see you again Jon. Keep up the good work bro.Cheers🙏👍

[@kashanimous1711]

Good to see you back man! I've been kicking around the idea of test riding one of these this spring. Last week I went to an Indian dealer to check one out. I wasn't super impressed with the fit and finish. The button housings on the handlebars were loose and rattled. The foot pegs also seemed really sloppy for some reason. The infotainment took like 45 seconds to boot up, and the salesman had to turn the bike over twice before it started (I've seen this happen on another video of the sport chief). I'm kinda glad I didn't love it to be honest. It'll save me a ton of money haha

[@HDR20]

This is my conclusion with all Indian products. The fit and finish is awful compared to HD. The power and suspension are great but those can be changed on a Harley not so much change on fit and finish for Indian.

[@stuwhyte479]

What are you guys on..The fit and finish is top notch.I think you should remove you rose tinted Harry Davidson clothing company propaganda machine goggles.

[@HDR20]

@@stuwhyte479 I guess each to his own but if you think Indian paint and plastic are top-notch more power to you. smoke on

[@stuwhyte479]

@@HDR20 Go to your local Harry Davidson clothing company propaganda machine dealership this Saturday and buy another tee shirt..Ya mug

[@HDR20]

@@stuwhyte479 sound butt hurt it's ok son keep riding your indian gay machine copy cat

[@michaelmunkers5144]

Glad to see you back doing reviews it seems to me that everybody copies Harley but Harley rarely if ever copies anyone else That being said that Indian is definitely the best Harley copy

[@paulf9653]

@@joevsfood huge facts and the Challenger still beats it. I do love the full digital dash though. Maybe we'll see an updated Challenger next year.

[@tainted1581]

Please keep making vids bro! You inspired me to get an 02 DX and stunt it out and its by far the best thing I've ever done!

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Hells yeah!

[@derfskittlers6125]

Love that bike but hate the exhaust.

[@2hotFL]

Agreed, nice looking bike but that exhaust would go the moment it was mine.

[@ericknapp3114]

that road looked awesome! would love to be able to ride in a place like that. cool bike, nice review 👍

[@valienterf]

Am a honda fan, and love this indian bike planning to get one. That aircool engine is just to admire. Has lots og great features but that engine is my thing.

[@drewyager4020]

Love my fat Bob 114 but this Chief is looking pretty sweet

[@GoDadGo]

Hey John! I got the chance to ride the Chief and the Chief Sport on an Indian test ride day up here near SLC, Utah and man!…. I thought I’d fly off the back of the seat when I put it in sport mode! It was seriously the most fun I’ve EVER had on a bike and I’d love to get one from Indian and make some vid’s up here. You’re an inspiration to me to ride, to be a good dad, and to do what you love. Can’t wait to ride one of those again. Hit me up if you wanna ride together if you’re ever up near SLC, man! That would be rad to meet you and make a quick ride video with you!

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Thats awesome to hear, brotha! We hit Utah a few times a year. I'll try and reach out if we make it that far north. 💯🤙

[@GoDadGo]

@@JonsMotoGarage That would be so rad! Enjoy the warmth in AZ… it’s starting to get cold up here, but I keep riding as long as the roads aren’t icy. Keep up the rad videos, Jon! I still can’t believe you can wheelie cruisers. That’s so gnarly!!

[@riderdav]

I got one in the icon blue, came from an sv650, I'm 5'10 ~135lbs. I sat on scouts, lowriders, irons blah blah and I liked it the most. Comes with all the right goodies and was far cheaper than a lowrider, I live in Sturgis and because of the rally the upcharge on bikes is insane. For a used lowrider s with minimal upgrades they wanted $32,000. Fucking scalpers. Way more bang for buck for 10k less

[@bnplaza]

great video.....I'm picking up an FTR. I don't want to deal with the Harley reliability and dealerships.

[@BeefQueef7]

It’s not the 80s anymore dude, Harley’s are as reliable as the rest lmao

[@mrmurphy8609]

I didn’t realize that the Scout bobber has more horsepower @ 100.

[@viperq]

This would be perfect with the PP108 engine.

[@jamesbronson3347]

Welcome back. You need to review a Honda Rebel 1100 DCT.

[@richardsmith5738]

I like it, but I just don't know if I love it. But to be fair, I feel the same about the Low Rider.

[@JaySorsby1]

That’s a pretty sweet bike. The proportions are a bit off to my eye, but that’s just me probably.

[@slim56]

Love the Indian chiefs

[@bobbylee3567]

Brought mine home last week! Awesome!!!!!

[@roguewarr4662]

Always being compared to Harley why's that . Harley killer might be a little of a stretch . But the bike sure looks good .

[@gforce7990]

looks good man

[@jacquesferhaniarnaut3524]

Good to see you back hermano (is that bro in Spanish? No clue lol). I love this bike, but I don’t $19k love it though. Just sayin’

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Yeah, I bought a bike once for $19k. Sold it shortly after...lol.

[@MeanOldBastardBikerBob]

So what? Now you’re back in the MOTORCYCLE game? No, I’m not. Yes, I am?

[@Larrs]

The look and sound is killer. I can't even lie.

[@Bass.Player]

Looks like the exhaust would hit doing a wheelie

[@JonsMotoGarage]

I couldn't for the life of me get it to do a proper wheelie. I maybe got the front wheel a foot off the ground.

[@Bass.Player]

@@JonsMotoGarage It's like you said that it's probably the traction control

[@TrustyZ900]

Rode the Sport Chief and Low Rider S back to back. 117 pulled a lot harder than the 116. Like the LRS looks better, especially the 117 engine. A masterpiece. One of the only modern engines to look excellent. Went home with the HD. Very, very happy.

[@jetjock400]

Huh? You either didn’t have the Indian in sport mode or something was wrong with it… I was all set to upgrade my Harley to a Low Rider S or ST… rode them both quite a bit… friend has a Sport Chief and convinced to at least ride one before signing… sure am glad I did, the Sport Chief in Standard Mode is awesome but in Sport Mode it’s a torque rocket… at least it has modes unlike Harley… Handling and ride is way better on the Indian… The display is beyond amazing, on the S it’s pretty cheap, on the ST ridiculously tiny, and I couldn’t get over the uneven bags and hated the fixed fairing… Went with the Indian in matte crimson red, it’s a way better bike and I don’t feel like a Harley sheep anymore…

[@TeensierPython]

@@jetjock400 so you’re an Indian sheep now? Just because you like one over the other doesnt make the other one bad. Chill.

[@lastnline1]

We need a garage update 💯what bikes do you have left 😊

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Update coming soon!

[@stephensledge13]

Awesome vid

[@7viewerlogic670]

What's the update on your bike sales?

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Still have a few in the garage...been busy and haven't gotten around to listing the others.

[@ren5548]

Is lane splitting legal there now?

[@JonsMotoGarage]

It's now legal to "filter" to the front at stop lights.

[@myleshopkins2529]

For a true comparison, you need to compare a stage two Harley against a stage two Indian. Stock bikes are so limited on what they are capable of. You need to release the fury of the engines for a true comparison.

[@peterwilson8039]

At $19k, more like $30k in Canada, and 684 pounds, this clearly is not the bike for me, but I’ve always loved the muscular look of that motor.

[@scottw550]

24K in Canada

[@7viewerlogic670]

Cool.

[@kfiedl3600]

That club fairing or whatever looks like an afterthought pulled out of a child's PowerWheels motorcycle. That and the frame is SMALL! The ergos and space is more cramped than a Scout. The engine is a gem, as is the display, but Nope. Both this bike and the HD LRS suffer from Squatty Potty ergos.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

In our minds, Indian beats Harley. Why? Because they hook up our bro Jon from Jon's Moto Garage! Good job, Indian. 👍👏 🤸🏼‍♀️ ❤❤❤

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Haha! Heck yeah!

[@sam_o_b]

Cool

[@TonVerkleijT3]

Beautifull bike, only with very limited ground clearance.

[@Sway1177]

2nd review of the same bike?

[@TeensierPython]

Neither. It’s just another option. More options and more competition is awesome. Edit: oh. You said the same thing.

[@danielrhew2772]

Why they not smart enough to do 2 into 1 exhaust from factory?

[@ZakkBoozell]

Yo Jon! You haven't posted in so long, I thought maybe you quit making videos..

[@JonsMotoGarage]

Just been busy. Thanks for rollin through! Hoping to be a bit more active on the channel.

[@snowmanrainmaker]

HK

[@forgedglory]

Since Harley has dropped dynas I’m looking at the Indian Chief for my next bike.

[@JP-ec9rl]

If you've ridden any Indian after riding a Harley and don't realize that it's at least an out of the box superior machine when it comes to handling and suspension and chassis, you're completely delusional to the fact that you're a hopeless brand loyalist fanboi. If you admit that you'd rather ride a Harley just because of nostalgia, I'd say that that's respectably honest. I've owned both and don't hate Harley's, I just like my Indian better.

[@breakfast00club..11]

The throttle sucks. And thats a big deal.. Its off by a second.. i returned my indian cheif and picked up a softail.

[@jackwood2328]

In our UK market, the depreciation of Indians is catastrophic. Harleys fine.

[@journeyofjerry820]

With a few small pieces of electrical tape you could change the letter I into the letter J on the riser plate. lol once you see it , you can't unsee it. lol

[@jeremyneufeld6541]

Doesnt feel cheap? The whole thing looks cheap compared to HD. I cant get past the looks alone.

[@goodinsrt8]

It just doesn't compete with Harley at its $20k msrp. And I want something besides a Harley.

[@rand4561]

Indian make a copy of every model harley have😂😂😂

[@b0xhead96]

It's not a copy if you're making it better.

[@GraemeBlore]

Indian Challenger and Pursuit! Forced HD to up their game and that’s great for all of us.

[@rand4561]

@@GraemeBlore well you right

[@Firemedic1985]

Polaris makes absolute junk motorcycles. My wife had a sport chief for 3 days and we got rid of that sack of crap. The 116 is a joke, along with the pathetic transmissions. Anyone with a polaris is just mad because they cant afford anything better. I would ride a crotch rocket over another polaris turd.

[@glennelliott4989]

It’s a 20k bike, wtf are you on about? Indian owners aren’t mad about anything. Their just enjoying what they ride. You try it sometime and worry about yourself

[@Firemedic1985]

@@glennelliott4989 had a challenger for 2 days and got rid of it. Pure junk.

[@glennelliott4989]

@@Firemedic1985 you seem to be in the minority. Hope you enjoy some riding time on whatever you dig

[@Firemedic1985]

@glennelliott4989 minority or not it's still true. Funny you're getting butthurt.

[@glennelliott4989]

@@Firemedic1985 no one’s hurt, Champ. You’re projecting. Have a snickers and enjoy your life