THE ROKR MUZIC BLOG

Southern California’s First Indian Dealer gave me the opportunity to test ride the new Indian Scout. Please read this post before you go and buy the new Indian Scout and get a quote to have it delivered to your home to make sure it’s the right bike for you. Here’s my take on it.

Paint. Fit and Finish…excellent. It’s a beauty.

Got to give credit where credit is due…this is a good looking motorcycle.

It’s a small bike weighing in at only 558 pounds partly due to its innovative and lightweight multi-piece aluminum frame. Seat height is low at 25.3 inches. Wheel base, at 61 inches, is similar in length to Harley-Davidson’s 1200 Sportster which comes in at 59.8 inches.

Like the Sportster, the 2015 Indian Scout is small for a six foot rider like me. The Scout’s use of fat tires, portly frame and stylish fender design are classic Indian. Everything seems to fit. The bike looks good just standing to kick-stand attention.

The radiator is nicely tucked in front of the motor and fits tightly within the overall frame configuration. I like the ‘ol school look and feel of the seat and the bike’s sporty feel. If you’re looking to pick one up in the UK, they should be imported soon, and when they are you might want to consider a motorbike loan from Superbike Loans to streamline cashflow and leverage debts. We all know how expensive motorcycles can be so it’s important to find one for a good price, no matter which brand you’re buying. My friend told me to shop used motorcycles after he just bought a bike (in great condition!) for a fantastic price! It’s definitely worth shopping around when it comes to motorcycles.

The 2015 Indian Scout is a good looking bike. It’s got a nice, smooth and sporty-feel to it. Photo: MJB

The Motor…liquid-cooled, 69 ci V-Twin, 1133 cc and 100 hp!

The Indian Scout comes stock with a peppy liquid cooled 69 cubic inch V-Twin engine Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) with 4 valves per cylinder. It displaces 1133 cc with a claimed output of 72.2 pound-foot of torque and delivers 100 horses according to its manufacturer…we’re talking real horsepower here.

Compare this output to Harley’s 1200 Sportster Evolution Engine, the “Blockhead“, which typically perks up to 67.7 hp at 5,680 rpm. Most of the Japanese cruisers also tend to settle around the 65-70 hp range by the way.

The Scout clearly pulls away from its motorbike class when it comes to horsepower. Very impressive on-demand power bands with straight on smooth delivery when you twist that throttle.

The engines’s casing and cylinder design is cool and clean looking. See the photo below. Note there are no visible pushrods. No fake cylinder cooling fins pretenting to cool the engine. It reminds me of the Harley-Davidson V-Rod motor when that Porche-styled DOHC engine was introduced into Harley-Davidson’s 2002 model year.

The Gearbox.

The motor is married to a 6-speed transmission that allows the bike to cruise comfortably in 6th gear between 65 and 70 mph at around 3,500 – 3,800 rpm from what I could tell. Above 70 mph, not so good. Low gear shifting feel was average in my opinion. Not bad, not exceptional. Just an average gearbox.

The Powerplant. 100 Horses…apparently.

As for Indian’s claim that this motor puts out 100 hp? I’ll let the industry’s Dynojet Pros battle this one out.

I’ve ridden a few customized and powerful 100+ hp cruisers over the past 30 years and this motor, while very impressive, just did not feel like an aggressive 100 hp powerplant. Don’t get me wrong, the Scout goes and it goes fast quick but power and acceleration seemed somewhat muted to me above third gear.

The Indian Scout Motor. It looks good and it goes. Indian claims 100 horsepower comes out of this 1133 cc, liquid-cooled, 60 degree V-Twin. Click image for Manufacturer’s Specs. Photo: MJB

Suggestions for the good folks at the Indian Motor Company.

Not impressed with the Scout’s front telescopic suspension. Too soft.

Front telescopic forks. Wheel/fork travel is apparently set at 4.7 inches but wheel travel seemed to go further and bottom out when traveling over San Diego’s infamous pothole-laden roadways. As a result, steering and handling was compromised at times when confronted with rougher pavement conditions.

Single front disc brake? While smooth and sensitive to brake lever action, no 100 hp motorbike should be equipped with only one disc brake up front in my humble opinion. Suggest adding a second brake disc for more sensitive braking control.

Transmission. Quick, semi-smooth gearing overall in lower gears as long as I kept the throttle pressure on. I felt like a 7th gear or overdrive gear was required on the freeway. Overall shifting and gearing was not crisp enough for my liking for such a sporty motorcycle. I prefer a tighter, more positive shifting action from my gearboxes.

3.3 gallon fuel tank. Inadequate for serious riders. Why do manufacturers insist on such small volume fuel tanks? Riders want to ride. Not hang out at gas stations. A 4.5 gallon gas tank on this bike would be welcomed.

The Bottom Line:

The 2015 Indian Scout is an awesome motorcycle for those looking for a smaller, low-seat height motorcycle with plenty of get up and go.

Beginners, will like its “easy to handle” character as long as they twist the throttle with controlled enthusiasm. This is a very quick bike given the 100 hp motor and it offers impressive acceleration. Experienced riders will enjoy twisting the throttle all out when road conditions allow.

The Indian Scout…A Legendary Motorcycle. Click image for video of this fine machine’s history. Source: IndianMotorcycle.com. Photo: MJB

Out of the box, this bike appears to have been designed to fit riders in the 5.2 to 5.10 ft height range, 125 to 175 pounds. Remember, this is a light, low and small cruising-style motorcycle. Only 558 pounds with a short wheelbase of 61 inches.

The ride is smooth overall. The motor likes to rev high like the V-Rods I’ve ridden. There was no noticeable engine vibration as common with traditional V-Twins. The seating position and bars were OK but better suited to a rider under 5 ft 10 in in my view.

While the Scout felt too small for me with a 6 foot, 200+ frame, I believe it to be one of the world’s great new and innovative motorcycles. Craftmanship, style and attention to detail is everywhere on this bike. It’s a beauty. No doubt about it.

Ride Safe Out There.

Motorcycle Marc

May a new Scout find its way under your Christmas Tree this Holiday Season.

Thank you San Diego Indian for inviting me to test ride the new Scout.

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