Is This Loaded New Motorcycle the Best-Looking Bike Under $23,000?

Locking saddlebags, raised moto-style bars and built-in audio make the 2025 Indian Sport Chief RT uniquely irresistible right off the lot.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published January 28, 2025

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Updated January 28, 2025

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Several years ago, I got the chance to ride a brand-new Indian Scout all over South Dakota during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Thanks to its beguiling seafoam-green-and-cream paint scheme and bourbon leather saddle, people kept asking me where I got the mods.

A few years later, I had the opportunity to ride the brand’s just-launched Sport Chief and was super impressed with this performance cruiser’s pickup, athleticism and overall style.

indian sport chief rt hero — Note: This particular bike has the Tall Flared Wind Deflector — more protection with a bit less style, IMHO.

Now, Indian has brought its proven knack for giving stock offerings a custom feel and that very bike together into a stunningS new set of wheels: the 2025 Indian Sport Chief RT.

Examining this sub-$23,000 beauty of a beast closely, I’m not sure I would change a thing.

Custom vibes

So what exactly is going on here? The brand has essentially curated the ultimate Indian Sport Chief using the finest available accessories from its own catalog, with notable additions on the storage and sound departments, to name a couple.

indian sport chief rt action — Here you can see high and standard windshield treatments, with the one on the right being the RT’s stock offering.

In other words, if you already own a Sport Chief, you could technically bring it to a dealer and have the bike made up to resemble the RT.

However, it would cost a pretty penny and still might look as mint as these bikes rolling fully stocked with factory-installed upgrades right off the showroom floor.

The Sport Chief draws major inspiration from aggressive West Coast bike modification. The RT carries that approach forward with moto-style bars on machined six-inch risers, a 2-up high bolster seat and contrast cut, lightweight cast alloy wheels, 19 inches in front and 16 in back.

So let’s take a closer look at the standout features of this pimped-out new treatment. Dunno about you but I’m already salivating.

Luggage rack

One of the first thing you notice about the RT is the built-in storage, courtesy of a pair of locking rigid saddlebags providing more than 10 gallons of storage for riding gear, extra layers, general EDC and, of course, snacks.

indian sport chief rt locking boxes — On the Black Smoke version of the bike, the matte black saddlebags match the pipes pretty perfectly.

The bags feature large lids with forward hinges, making them easy to access, and while the material is not as classic as leather, it is more weather-resistant, ensuring your gear stays safe and dry, even when left outside overnight.

SoCal style

When it launched a couple years ago, the Sport Chief drew major inspiration from aggressive West Coast bike modification.

The RT carries that approach forward with moto-style bars on machined six-inch risers, a 2-up high bolster seat and contrast cut, lightweight cast alloy wheels, 19 inches in front and 16 in back.

indian sport chief rt colorways — Each of the paints schemes — Sunset Red Smoke, Black Smoke and Heavy Metal — has its own distinct vibe.

Rounding out the form with an eye toward function are forward controls (for a more relaxed riding position) and a quarter fairing with a 6.5-inch screen to boost aerodynamics and wind protection.

Sound investment

One of the most exciting features, and frankly probably the best to have installed right off the bat, is the PowerBand Audio Bluetooth Speaker, clearly wedged between the handlebar risers and the fairing.

indian sport chief rt dash — The PowerBand speaker offers the opposite of what we used to ask of children: it is heard and not seen.

Controllable via the round 4-inch touchscreen display mounted between the bars, this system boasts two 2.5-inch speakers, one 4.5-inch subwoofer and two tweeters.

The brand says it will deliver 90 watts of crystal clear audio, even at highway speeds, but having had sound drowned out on many a bike when I really put the pedal to the metal, I shall believe that claim when I hear it.

Peak performance

None of these proverbial bells and whistles would matter if the RT didn’t have the steak to back up the sizzle. But of course it does, thanks to the Thunderstroke 116 V-twin engine, a rumbling, air-cooled 1,890cc power plant delivering 120 ft-lbs of torque at 2,900 rpm.

indian sport chief rt engine — I’ll never get tired of American V-twins — and Indian’s Thunderstoke 116 is one of the finest around.

Like the classic Sport Chief, the RT also offers three modes (Sport, Standard and Tour) and confidence-boosting Brembo brakes.

Smoothing things out are cushy KYB inverted front forks and adjustable Fox Piggyback Rear Shocks. The latter features 23-click twist knobs, enabling you to dial in a level of suspension that feels just as custom as the rest of this truly stoke-inspiring new bike.

Availability and pricing

The 2025 Sport Chief RT is available now with Black Smoke, Sunset Red Smoke and Heavy Metal paint schemes at authorized Indian Motorcycle dealerships for a starting price of $22,499.