Demonstrating the customization potential of the new 2025 Indian Sport Chief RT, Indian Motorcycle invited six motorcycle dealers from around Europe to compete in a build-off and is asking fans to vote on their favorite.
The “First 6” builds of the new Sport Chief RT were presented at the Moto Bike Expo in Verona, Italy, and the winner will be announced at the Salon Du 2 Roues show in Lyon, France, Feb. 13-16. The six builders were given only six weeks from the date of delivery of their base Sport Chief RTs to the date of presentation at the Verona show. Builders include Indian Motorcycle dealers from Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, the U.K., Switzerland, and France.
“When we’re designing, we’re always keeping customizers in our minds to ensure that the bikes we produce are as easy to work on as we can make them,” said Ola Stenegärd, director of design for Indian Motorcycle. “The ‘First 6’ really is the fruit of that process, and as ever, I’m totally blown away by the results, especially with the really short time our dealers had to create these bikes from the sketches they presented during the selection process,” said Stenegärd. “The level of paintwork is next-level, and the close-up details are off the wall. With every viewing you find something new on each build.”
The Indian Sport Chief RT is new to the lineup for 2025, offering a club-style performance cruiser to rival Harley-Davidson’s popular Low Rider ST. It’s powered by Indian’s 116ci Thunderstroke motor. Compared to the standard Sport Chief, the RT receives hardshell saddlebags with a claimed capacity of about 10 gallons. The RT also gets a 90-watt Bluetooth PowerBand audio system tucked behind the fairing, a two-up seat, forward foot controls, and color-matching side panels. Read more about the Sport Chief RT and other 2025 Indian models here.
Voting is now open for fans to choose their favorite of the “First 6” Indian Sport Chief RT builds. Find Indian’s descriptions and photos of each bike below, and cast your vote here.
American Graffiti – Indian Motorcycle Praha, Czech Republic
Representing the brand since 2013, Indian Motorcycle Praha is one of the first European Indian Motorcycle dealers in the modern era, continuing a great tradition in Prague where the original dealer, Frantisek Marik, sold more than 6,500 motorcycles in the 1920s.
In a team where everyone is a racer and loves adrenaline sports, their inspirations for the build are rooted firmly in the American race scene, and the name “American Graffiti” came to the team immediately when they decided to paint the entire bike and the frame to celebrate everything they love about the world of U.S. race culture.
Bastard – MotoStrada Porto, Portugal
MotoStrada Porto has been an exclusive Indian Motorcycle dealer since 2015 whose team prides itself on a more intimate approach to customer relationships and sharing the same deep passion as their riders – customization.
Inspired by the performance and racing DNA of Indian Motorcycle, the team chose a build reminiscent of King Of The Baggers and Superhooligan racers while trying to use as many genuine accessories and parts as possible and keep the youthful, irreverent, and street-racer spirit of the Sport Chief RT.
Hoka Hey – Styrian Motor Cycle, Austria
Markus Krasser, the owner Styrian Motor Cycle (South Austria), has worked with the brand since 2013, another very early European dealer in the modern era. Passionate about motorcycles, Markus says he gets custom inspiration everyday.
The team at Styrian Motor Cycle was inspired by the history of Indian Motorcycle and their personal experience of the brand’s evolution over the years. With club style as the anchor, “Hoka Hey” is a testament to the clean, simple lines of the Sport Chief RT and the raw, mechanical, V-Twin motorcycle.
No Comply Society – Krazy Horse, United Kingdom
Krazy Horse, based in U.K. since 1995, is one of the unavoidable names in bike custom culture with over 30 years of builds from vintage V-Twins to some of the finest custom Indian motorcycles in the world.
“No Comply Society” was inspired by all forms of custom culture, from the bike and car worlds, encompassing the Club Scene but with a different twist and a nod to many other elements of the bike-and-art world.
The Qwetcher – Biker Syndicate, Switzerland
Biker Syndicate have been in Lausanne, Switzerland, since 1992 and joined Indian Motorcycle in 2014. Their continued success in meeting the needs of Swiss riders saw them expanding their stable in 2019 with a new location in Crissier.
“The Qwetcher” pays homage to Biker Syndicate’s roots in the canton of Vaud. In the Vaudois dialect, “qwetcher” means “to mumble,” an authentic term that echoes pride in being true patriots. For them, “The Qwetcher” evokes these murmurs, these little noises that come to life, as the motorcycle mumbles its history and its personality to the biker who rides it. A discrete but expressive presence, it whispers to the free spirits of the road, sharing its vibrations and secrets with those who listen.
Top Fuel – Indian Motorcycle Metz, France
At the heart of its local riding community, Indian Motorcycle Metz has been demonstrating its passion and commitment to Indian Motorcycle with outstanding custom creations since 2017.
Top Fuel, as the name suggests, was inspired by NHRA, NASCAR, and King Of The Baggers. With Indian Motorcycle winning the 2024 King Of The Baggers championship, the Indian Motorcycle Metz team were inspired to blend club style with the feel of a race bagger.
Find more information at the Indian Motorcycle website.
