2015 Indian Scout merged threadfest

[leafman60]

I'm certainly not knocking the Sportster (make that 45 degree). I'm just responding to test rides that cite the better acceleration and performance characteristics of the Scout.

I've ridden a 1200 Sportster and I liked it.  In fact, long term, I'd probably like the traditional 45 degree Sportster more.

I had a Street Rod a few years ago and loved it.  But, in the end, I much much prefer the "old fashioned" and "traditional" and "real" 45 degree Big twin I presently have.

Still, I like the new Scout and I hope they do well.

I had a conversation with a friend who recently toured the Indian manufacturing facility.  He was blown-away with the sophistication of it. It is apparently very high-tech and employs a lot of robotics.

Ironically, he also toured the Guzzi factory a few day before and was struck with how low-tech it appeared by comparison. Each Guzzi is mounted on a pivoting turntable that moves slowly along the assembly line. Several humans do the work at each station and, when completed, the bike moves to the next station.  From what I hear, the most sophisticated part of the Guzzi assembly are pneumatic wrenches that hang from above at each station.

[bpreynolds]

Several humans do the work at each station and, when completed, the bike moves to the next station.  

Stupid humans.  Only mistakes result from such a process.  I can't until we no longer have to hide among them and replace them entirely.  Whoops.  Did I just type that.  RX45T now beginning automatic self-destruct module to preserve covert efforts of hive.

[leafman60]

Hey!!  I bet everything fits correctly and all the bolts are tight!

[rocker59]

he also toured the Guzzi factory a few day before and was struck with how low-tech it appeared by comparison. Each Guzzi is mounted on a pivoting turntable that moves slowly along the assembly line. Several humans do the work at each station and, when completed, the bike moves to the next station.  From what I hear, the most sophisticated part of the Guzzi assembly are pneumatic wrenches that hang from above at each station.

Just the way God and Carlo intended!   :BEER:

[Kev m]

On the Sporty vs. Scout thing, I EXPECT the Scout to offer more performance out of the box and for it to be hard for Sportys to match it just based on power-to-weight ratio.

I LOVE my Sporty and wouldn't trade it for a Scout for multiple reasons, but it's still in the upper 500# range and maybe is putting out 70-80 hp at the crank, more like 60-70 at the rear wheel.

So the Scout is lighter and makes more power for starters.

I still haven't seen all the specs (wheelbase, length, details on the valve train). I assume the Scout is going to require periodic valve adjustments (and if so, advantage Sporty).

And there are certainly guys who get 100+ hp out of their sportys, but that takes some work including cams and heads, not just air cleaner/exhaust/mapping.

But there's just no way an air-cooled, pushrod 2V/Cylinder V2 is going to compete in that arena with a water-cooled multi-valve OHC motor.

I might still choose the Sporty if buying new tomorrow, but for other reasons than straight power-to-weight performance.

[Kev m]

Ahhh Specs - http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/scout-indian-red/specs

So here are some things to put it into perspective:

It's almost the exact wheelbase of a Tonti-Cali - but an inch and a half more than a Sporty.

It weighs LESS than a Jackal, Stone, Black-Eagle by about 20-30#.

It's overall length is smaller than a Tonti-Cali, or almost equal to a Dyna - it's within an inch of the slightly less long Sportster.

[oldbike54]

Ahhh Specs - http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/scout-indian-red/specs

So here are some things to put it into perspective:

It's almost the exact wheelbase of a Tonti-Cali - but an inch and a half more than a Sporty.

It weighs LESS than a Jackal, Stone, Black-Eagle by about 20-30#.

It's overall length is smaller than a Tonti-Cali, or almost equal to a Dyna - it's within an inch of the slightly less long Sportster.

"Cab forward?"  :D

  Dusty

[Crusty]

I went to Daytona for bike Week back in 1996. I was doing a lot of demo rides on a lot of different bikes. One of the bikes I too out was a Buell S2. When I got back, I took out a Buell S2-T. The bars were an inch higher and the pegs were an inch lower than on the regular S2. I couldn't believe the difference. The S2 fely OK, but the S2-T felt like it had been designed specifically for me. If I'd had the money, I would have bought one on the spot.
Looking at those pictures of the old Scout/new Scout, there is enough difference between the two bikes seating position that I'd want to take out a new Scout on a Demo ride before I pass judgement on how one feels and how comfortable or un- it is to ride.
As far as the shock angle, why won't it work? As long as the springs and damping are set up right, they should work just fine. Velocette used to have a curved slot at the upper shock mount, so that suspension action could be tailored to the type of riding. Hell, I owned a couple of Buells that had horizontally mounted shocks, and they handled really well. Vertical, horizontal, somewhere in between, linkage or no linkage; if it was engineered properly, it should work just fine.
At first, I thought the Scout was pretty ugly; the more I look at it, the more interesting it's getting. I think I'm going to have to try a Demo ride on one.
A tombstone shaped windshield and a set of Hepco & Becker Juniors... hmmm...

[Shorty]

Demo rides in Northern USA starting in a couple weeks. I didn't bother test riding the bigger Indian models, but I might have to try the Scout when they get to BA:       http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/events?tags=demo%20rides

[steven c]

 I think this a good first review of the bike.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/08/2015-indian-scout-md-first-ride/

[redrider90]

Watch it on the Wall of Death. at 3:42
http://youtu.be/Zny8Wdpk9Gk

You mean this wall of death?

   

[redrider90]

100 hp, dual overhead cams, no tach and single disk front brake and 31 degree lean angle.
Now what else is missing?

[rocker59]

100 hp, dual overhead cams, no tach and single disk front brake and 31 degree lean angle.
Now what else is missing?

suspension travel.   ;)

[Joe A.]

You mean this wall of death?

   

I would not consider riding the wall of death dangerous unless I had a lion in my sidecar!!!

[steven c]

 I notice no one is holding out their hands with dollar bills as is customary with the lion in the seat! ( I know it is the 30's and folks wouldn't have a dollar) Maybe a steak?

[grebmrof]

Spoke with the local (Youngstown, OH, 40 miles away) Indian dealer and priced out a new Scout.  After adding $450 freight, $175 handling/assembly, $190 documentation fee, etc, etc, etc, plus sales tax, the total hit just over $13K.  Started at $11,299 for a red one. 
I do still like the new Scout, but think I will have to admire it from a distance when someone else rides by.  In watching some of the Indian videos, besides the forward controls, 3.3 gal tank and some odd styling cues, the suspension looks to be pretty short travel too.  Guess I am starting to dis the bike so that any remaining thoughts of owning one quickly will go away...

[redrider90]

suspension travel.   ;)

I knew there was more to the story.

[Rick T.]

Good looking bike.  I didn't expect water-cooling, but the future is unstoppable.  Reference Harley's electric bike...

This is a GREAT time to be alive and love motorcycles!!!

[Luap McKeever]

Looks to be in competition with other 1100 cc bikes and I wish the all American company lots of luck.  That 3.3 gallon tank will guarantee I wont be in line for one though.  Overall, I kinda dig it, but the engine is angled the wrong direction for me  ;D

[oldbike54]

Looks to be in competition with other 1100 cc bikes and I wish the all American company lots of luck.  That 3.3 gallon tank will guarantee I wont be in line for one though.  Overall, I kinda dig it, but the engine is angled the wrong direction for me  ;D

Luap , are you a hipster ? ;D

  Dusty

[drums4money]

I like it too, and with twice the hp of the H-D Sportster 1200, only a brainwashed fool would choose the Sporty over the Indian.

Like

[rocker59]

Bump.  Have y'all lost interest already ???

 :bike

[Kev m]

Bump.  Have y'all lost interest already ???

 :bike

I think they just ran out of points to argue...

[rocker59]

I think they just ran out of points to argue...

 :BEER:

[ohiorider]

I like what they've done!  One of our Guzzi breakfast regulars (Chad) rode in on his (I don't know the models yet) big Indian twin with full fairing, and it didn't seem to have a cheap or out of place part on it anywhere.  Just a beautiful, big cruiser.  In deep "Indian" maroon, the bike is striking.  I think the Indian lineup (with the addition of the new Scout) will make for a resurgence in the brand in the USA, maybe worldwide.

[CalVin2007]

  I like the looks of the Scout, especially with the optional exhaust (if its not LOUD!) and the pillion seat/back rest/rear rack. I'm not crazy about 3.3" of rear suspension travel...that 3.3" had better be properly damped and all useable. ???
   I want a red one.  ;D

   Terry

[Mile High Guzzi]

NGC:  I test road three Indian models (Chief Vintage, Roadmaster (dresser Chieftain) and Scout) this past weekend during an Indian Demo Ride at Grand Prix Motorsports in Littleton, Colorado.  They are a nice large multi-line dealership carrying Polaris, Victory, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki, and now also Indian (they are also now known as Indian Motorcycles of the Rockies).  For those so inclined, upstairs they are also Warhorse Firearms of the Rockies, but that would be a different thread.

I will leave the detailed reviews to the onlines and mags, but overall I thought they were all very nice motorcycles.  The fit/finish/paint/chrome attention to detail is very nice, as good as anything out there.  I was most interested in riding the new Scout, but I had not ridden any of the Polaris Indians, so I was also anxious to see how the big Thunderstroke bikes felt.  Both the Chief and the Roadmaster had plenty of power and very stable chassis.  The Thunderstroke motor must be solid mounted and counter-balanced, because they are dead smooth at idle, but pick up a bit of vibration as the revs climb, along with some valve clatter, but not unpleasant.  With stock exhaust they are quiet at idle, but have a very nice, unique sound when you crank on them.  A few of the demo models had the more open "Stage 1" exhausts and sounded even better.  Anyone in the market for a heavyweight cruiser / bagger / dresser should like these bikes.

Now for the Scout.  I really liked it.  But my first impression was "I'm too big for this bike".  The stock seat height is something like 25", so I literally could stand over it like a BMX bike....and sway it between my legs like a small dirt bike.....I know, a 550 lb dirtbike, but that was the relative sensation after getting off 800 lb Vintage and Roadmasters.  Fire up the motor, and it is smooth and quiet, and the stock exhaust is pretty quiet as well.  Foot controls are forward, which I don't like....but as someone else posted, they make optional controls that move things back 2", but I would like to move them back even further.  They also make a seat that is taller, so those two changes would be a must for anyone of any height or inseam.  The motor is very nice though, and on a bike this size, it felt downright fast.  It's not sport bike fast, but certainly not what you would expect from a bike of this style and size...I say well done Indian.  Handling wise it felt pretty nimble on the few curves on the test route.  The look is certainly unique, and to my liking.  I could see owning a Scout as a secondary fun bike, even more so with ergo tweaks.

Overall, thumbs up for my first impressions of Indian, I hope they do well.

Here are a few pics:

[ohiorider]

A good review of the new Indians from a Guzzi rider who knows what we like about our own brand.  Thanks for taking time to post your opinions about the new bikes.

Bob

[Kev m]

Great write up, good to hear.

[Crusty]

Very interesting. Thanks.