Indian Motorcycle is revving up the second generation of our favourite model in the line-up, the Scout. The range now has five new variants, two trim levels, and there are over 100 accessories available. Actually, six variants because they’ve just added the Scout Sixty with its 999cc V-twin.
Anyhow, we got to ride the Sport Scout, which features low-rise handlebars with machined triple clamps, a sweet bikini fairing, a 19-inch front wheel and a more aggressive riding stance. The entire range features a new chassis and updated engine. ‘Next level’ is how Mike Dougherty, President of Indian Motorcycle describes it. It still looks a peach too.
At the heart of the new Scout is a revamped and enlarged 1250cc liquid-cooled V-Twin, known as the SpeedPlus 1250. Delivering 82kW and 109Nm, the output feeds through a six-speed transmission to the rear wheel via a belt final drive. The previous generation Scout had an 1133cc engine, and 70kW/97Nm, so this a step up. It revs higher too, the redline set at 9000rpm. This is a bit more serious then and it needs to be to counter the likes of Harley’s Sportster.
The extra power is telling, not so much on acceleration off the mark but more particularly on the overtake where the new one is 0.7sec quicker 80-120km/h, a proper uptick. Despite tall gearing, it won’t quite stretch to 100 in first and there’s a pause as you wait for the power to hit after selecting second gear. That means we couldn’t quite crack into the three-second bracket for the 0-100 sprint. Nor was it happy trying to do this. But owners won’t care as the midrange is where it’s all at. Unless they’re running with the Sportster from Harley. It’s quicker.
Scout still likes to churn away merrily enough down low, but not much below 2000rpm. With tall gearing you’re in second or third at urban speeds but at motorway pace it’s loafing along at just under 3000rpm, sipping fuel at a rate of 5.5L/100km. And standard cruise control works well, being easy to set and change speed.
If you’re used to a clunky gearbox in your American cruiser, then Scout may well appeal. The transmission is so slick, the clutch action light. Only there’s no lever adjustability and there should be on something that costs $25,495.
In our case the price was $27,495 because it featured the Limited Plus tech package that adds turn-by-turn navigation, more display screens and keyless ignition. So long as the key is on your person somewhere, you just push a button on the left side of the engine, and hit the activate switch which powers up the machine; no need to keep your thumb on the starter button.
The new lone instrument is pretty trick too, a touchscreen that tells you all sorts of information you might want to know about. And there are two screen configurations, the simplest showing revs, digital speed readout and gear the most useful, as it’s less distracting.
Where the former model had ABS and not much else for electronics, this now has traction control and ride modes. TC is genuinely handy; there’s enough mumbo in Sport for the rear tyre to light up on take off if you’re not careful! Mind you, it’s not that wide on the Sport model that we rode, the rear a 150/80-16. The slimmer rear tyre helps with steering ease and accuracy. Oddly, for the Sport model, it gets a single disc up front whereas the top 101 model gets a pair of them. Not that the Sport doesn’t stop just fine with its lone radial-mount caliper.
It’s a bobber the Scout and they’re not always known for their plush ride quality. Quite the opposite really, with somewhat limited suspension travel in the rear. This one isn’t bad though, and it’s only over really sharp bumps or unexpected potholes that you’re aware your lumbar spine isn’t quite the pristine thing it once was. Being long in the wheelbase and low riding – standover height seems ludicrously low at 650mm – Scout will touch down in slower, tighter corners. But otherwise, it negotiates more open corners well, its extended wheelbase contributing to great stability. And changes of direction are simple to initiate too, with none of the resistance you sometimes get with bikes that sport wide rear tyres.
The low rise handlebars and slightly forward mounted pegs give a more aggressive riding position for the Sport Scout. Others in the range have a cruisier riding position, if that’s what you’re after. Weight is good, for a cruiser, at under 250kg wet, as before. It’s the smallest and lightest of the Indian cruisers, and the least expensive, bar the Scout Sixty model, the introduction to Indian.
What attracted many to the Scout in the first instance was the great look. Now, it seems even longer and more ornery. The engine is still very much part of the visuals, our Sport model with pretty much blacked out everything. Bar end mirrors get the tick of approval from me. They look staunch and give a better rearward view (no arms and elbows). And in this case no real vibration from the engine to mess with reflections either. The seat, a single here, is well shaped, generously foamed and helps counter the limited rear suspension travel.
About the only real negative we had was having to return the bike early. It was brand new and suffered a small oil leak from the rear cylinder which turned out to be a breather gasket issue. So we didn’t get quite as much time aboard as we might have hoped for, darn it.
New Scout seems a great update on what has long been our favourite Indian model. Only now there’s even more of them to choose from, one even set up for touring. And with the arrival of the Scout Sixty Bobber, the entry point for Indian ownership drops to $21,995.
Indian sport Scout
$27,495
0-100 km/h 4.05s
80-120 km/h 2.03s (56.55m)
100-0 km/h 36.39m
Speedo error 96 at an indicated 100km/h
Engine Capacity 1250cc
Format Liquid-cooled / fuel-injected / V2
Max power 79kW@7250rpm
Max torque 108Nm@6300rpm
Cylinder head DOHC / 8v
Gearbox 6-speed
Drivetrain Belt final drive
Suspension front 41mm forks unadjustable
Suspension rear Twin shocks preload adjustable
Brakes front Twin-piston calipers, 298mm disc
Brakes rear Single-piston, 298mm disc
Safety systems ABS, TC
Tyre size f-130/60-19, r-150/80R16
Tyres Metzler Cruistec
Wheelbase 1562mm
Seat height 654mm
Rake/trail 29° / 123mm
Fuel capacity 13L
Measured weight 249kg
Weight distribution f-121kg / r-128kg
