This week Indian Motorcycles rolled out their latest iteration of the Scout. I wont go into the marks long and storied history. Of its racing pedigree or wartime contributions. Suffice to say The Scouts a name that's been around far longer than most. Under its current stewardship with Polaris the Indian brand has blossomed. They have renewed their commitment to racing even expanding to be part of one of my favorite racing series King of Baggers. but that's a different bike and a different story. I am here to talk about the new Scout.
If you were to draw a line to its competitors The Scout and FTR are Indians entry level models with the Scout doing the lions share of the heavy lifting. Where Harley Davidson splits its entry level offerings between the Sportster and what used to be the Dyna the Scout pulls double duty for indian. The models are as follows.
The Scout classic.
It's got the chrome and fenders you'd expect of a more traditional cruiser.
The Super Scout
A chunkier more bobber style version of the classic. Smaller fenders and fatter front wheel.
The Scout Bobber
The natural evolution of the Scout Classic and Super Scout. These three bikes feel like you're looking at the evolution of man chart but in Stock to custom motorcycle form.
The Sport Scout
Minimalist and very little of the shiny stuff. A taller narrower front wheel and a tight fairing over the headlight this is the "1%er special". If someone in the Sons of Anarchy TV show rode an indian this would probably be the one they'd pick for the show.
The 101
The hero bike of the 1%er Tv show. this is the top of the line version with a bigger motor and upgraded suspension and breaks. If this was a car changing the color of the suspension bits and adding bigger breaks would not changes that stood out style wise. On a bike though? The difference is undeniable. I am interested to learn more about its engine and tuning and what it took to differentiate it from the rest of the scout line up.
if I was to choose one from the line up, personally this would be the one. While I've never been into the biker gang life or the cosplaying as such. These bikes come from an evolutionary style forged in the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. The rake of the forks, the narrow bars and slim tanks and not overly low stance? All these choices evolved for lane splitting and aggressive riding in traffic over shitty roads. It's just lucky for us that all those utilitarian changes also happen to look pretty bad ass. While I am not the guy Indian is talking to with the Scout line up I do think they are a great looking bike.
Polaris had a good thing going with their Victory line up and took a big swing rescuing the Indian mark from its legal issues and previous mismanagement. While I haven't been a fan of all the decisions made. With the Scout especially they've done a hell of a job. Best of all for us they are a legit and worthy competitor to Harley Davidson. Harley had for far too long gone un challenged, their quality and engineering reflected this lack of competition and with Indians resurgence they no longer have that luxury. Indian has come into the ring with the chip on its shoulder a new company needs. They've hit Harley hard on every front. Asking no quarter and offering none in return. Challenging and beating Harley on fields of battle Harley had for decades taken for granted as theirs. Competition breeds excellence. So I am glad to see Indian not only on the scene but adding to and directly improving it.
Like I said I am not the demographic Indian is shooting for with the Scout line up but the 101 is cool. Cool enough that I am absolutely willing to take a trip into a showroom just for a look. While I am there, my eye will doubtless wander to the side that is for me. The chief and Challenger I am sure I wont be the only one this happens to and that's a win for Indian as well.
If this is what they did for the Scout I can't wait to see what they have in store for the Chief and Challenger. Harley recently has rolled out some damned impressive new baggers and its Indians turn to fire back!
James
The Lowered HMFIC