2015 Indian Scout merged threadfest

[Kev m]

I noticed earlier this year that Victory dropped their most "Indian-like" baggers - the RK competitors... now they only have models with fairings. So Polaris is obviously paying attention to how to keep the brands from eroding each other's sales.

But ya know, I could see a shared motor in different platforms/brands working for Indian/Victory.

I can't think of any actual downside to such a thing... they're not going to cannibalize sales from each other that way.

[Aaron D.]

I see they had to get the motor way up there, as the Scout carries a lot of weight down low.

I learned that Swissauto designed the engine-Polaris bought Swissauto 5 years ago or so.

[tiger_one]

When is Pikes Peak race?

[rocker59]

I see they had to get the motor way up there, as the Scout carries a lot of weight down low.

Ground Clearance.  (the Scout doesn't have much).

[Aaron D.]

Ground Clearance.  (the Scout doesn't have much).

You can say that again

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Here is a Victory race bike based on the Indian Scout motor.       Hmmmmm, I'd like a street version of these please!

With a bigger tank! I doubt the under-engine tank holds enough for more than a short trip (like up Pike's Peak).

[tiger_one]

Motor sounds really good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmWcd_AnQj8

[Moto]

I took a test ride on an Indian Scout today, and offer these belated first impressions as a Griso 1100 rider.

I found it powerful and exciting to ride, especially once I got it above 6000 rpm. (I think the red line is above 9000, but didn't know that at the time). I pulls harder than my 1100 Griso, and has more torque through the rev range than the 1200 I rode long ago.

I got down on the pavement to look at the cornering clearance possibilities. It looks like the bike itself is suited for pretty good angles on both sides, except for the foot pegs, side stand, and the bottom muffler. Those things could be modified. Indian MC claims 31 degrees of banking, but it is beyond me how this could be measured meaningfully. I scraped the left foot peg in a low speed corner, and was happy it was the peg and not my heel or the side stand that scraped first. It's no Griso, for sure.

This was my first experience of a feet-forward design. I found it surprisingly comfortable. My legs felt more relaxed than on the Griso, and looking down I estimated the center of my ankle joint was 2 inches ahead of the center of my knee joint. Not bad. (On my Griso I later estimated the ankle joint was a good one foot behind my knee joint, in my usual ball-of-the-feet riding position.) I didn't notice any particular strain holding my position against the wind at 65 mph, with no windshield. (I did, however, feel like I was about to slide off the back when I yanked the throttle at 50 mph and 6000 rpm!) I'm 5'10'', with a 30" inseam.

I really liked the overall look and configuration once I saw it in person. It is low, long, and compact, without any ostentation. I must say I didn't notice the radiator, although it is obviously huge. The large tires front and rear look like good candidates for gravel and dirt (though the Griso is pretty good there, too). It seems to be a utilitarian design, rather than a styling exercise, probably because they were trying hard to copy the profile of a utilitarian original in the old Scout.

There was a 1948 Indian Chief in the lot too, and it seemed to be about the same size as the new Scout. A good, practical size motorcycle. However, it is not so practical in that it has no storage of any kind, nor even a passenger seat ($350 with pegs).

I took the test ride to see if I'd made a mistake in reserving a Scout for a 24-hour rental in Denver the first week of September. I decided I hadn't, and will be looking forward to a romp in the Rockies on one. Maybe I'll have a better-informed opinion when I'm done.

[jbell]

Moto, I'm a bit taller than you and would definitely need a windshield (or bigger biceps) for longer rides.  Also, I'd like to try the extended footpegs as I could feel a bit of tension in my legs after twenty minutes.  The biggest obstacle for me, however, is that you'll be looking for gas after only 100 miles, a larger tank would be a "must have".  Otherwise, completely agree with your assessment.  Let us know your feelings after your week's rental.  Thanks.  ..........Jack.

[Aaron D.]

The reduced reach controls offer better clearance, but it is necessary to lean your body into the corner to get decent clearance for spirited riding.

In normal use you get over 50 MPG, low fuel light at 125 or so. Not too bad-but we did find a spot or two that made us a bit nervous, so we have fuel bottles in the bag on longer explorations.

[jbell]

Thanks, Aaron, the mags all reported mileage of around 45 mpg and I was figuring 3 gallons usable, though the tank is advertised at 3.3 gals. 

[dave1068]

Never knew much about Indians but drove to a dealer this morning and saw the Scout. Very nice bike in person. Being 6'2 w/ 34'' legs, and never having a fwd control bike, felt a bit out of the ordinary. It did feel very confortable, you sit in the seat not on it. A test drive may be in order.

Have any other long legged riders taken the Scout out and if so, what did you think? Most reviews seem positive and from what Ive read, the engine is bullet proof and for 11k, you get a lot of bike. The only thing I find odd is if you want a passenger seat and pegs, they're extra and not included on the bike.

-Dave

[Aaron D.]

And it is Motorcycle.com's Bike of the Year!

If you don't like forward foot controls and you are long of leg the Scout is pretty good straight out of the box, and Aeromach boards work great too.

Passenger accomodations are for "down to the ice cream stand" only, pegs mount on the swingarm. Best used as a solo bike.

Old fashioned ride. Try it and you'll know if it's for you.

Worst downside-Indian Fora, especially Scout, are inhabited by serious mouth-breathers and various sacks of hammers who are mainly concerned with exhaust noise.

[Kev m]

There's a foot board option/accessory?

Tell me more.

[Aaron D.]

Yep, Aeromach makes a nice set of boards with a heel/toe option. Comfort goes up, clearance down a bit.

I find a put my foot further back with the boards, much more relaxed. I just put the pegs back on (only takes about 30 seconds/side) just to compare after a week.

[Kev m]

Yep, Aeromach makes a nice set of boards with a heel/toe option. Comfort goes up, clearance down a bit.

I find a put my foot further back with the boards, much more relaxed. I just put the pegs back on (only takes about 30 seconds/side) just to compare after a week.

Further back then the reduced reach controls?

[Kent in Upstate NY]

Just visited Mamba Motor Sports in Santa Clarita today. They just opened a BMW/Victory/Indian dealership. They are also going to sell Piaggio Group soon. Found out that the Scout has a self retracting side stand.  Fortunately, they are easy to pick up. This is me, in the black, looking at the Slingshot.

[Aaron D.]

Kev-I found I hung my heels off the back of the boards quite often. The boards are lower than the pegs by an inch or so, it was pretty relaxed.

But I did go back to the pegs, I like the slightly more agressive feel, and I was skimming the board in a few turns that surprised me a bit. I might go back to boards on the next long ride in a few weeks.

Kent, the stand doesn't self retract, but it does come up very easily. Lots of people caught out.

[Doppelgaenger]

I got to ride some Indians today.

The Scout was by far the worst of the stable. I can't bring myself to like the damn thing.

The engine is damn smooth down low, I like the amount of torque that it has down low, but once you pass about 5000 rpm it starts to buzz the... how shall I put this... inside of my anus. it's not pleasant. And with one single front brake disc, it doesn't have the stopping power to match the squirt. It also doesn't turn very eagerly, when under way.

I also rode the Dark Horse though, what a machine... that 111 cu in. engine is really really nice, I like how you can drop it into 6th at 50 mph a 2000 rpm and just roll on the throttle and it'll chug away. with less weight than the other bikes it's nice.

Didn't like the chieftan's fairing, it captures a lot of the engine heat and drafts it back to the rider. I'm sure that's nice in the winter, but in the summer it's hot and the windscreen buffets you.

[Kev m]

Thanks Aaron, I really appreciate your reports!

[Kent in Upstate NY]

Aaron, I know it isn't self retracting but its location behind the foot makes it problematic.

[jbell]

Never knew much about Indians but drove to a dealer this morning and saw the Scout. Very nice bike in person. Being 6'2 w/ 34'' legs, and never having a fwd control bike, felt a bit out of the ordinary. It did feel very confortable, you sit in the seat not on it. A test drive may be in order.

Have any other long legged riders taken the Scout out and if so, what did you think? Most reviews seem positive and from what Ive read, the engine is bullet proof and for 11k, you get a lot of bike. The only thing I find odd is if you want a passenger seat and pegs, they're extra and not included on the bike.

-Dave

Dave, I'm also 6'2" w/34" inseam.  The Scout was the first time I'd ridden a forward control bike, also.  It felt natural and comfortable within just a few minutes.  After about 15-20 minutes I began to feel some tension in my legs and would like to try one with the extended foot pegs.  It might have just been the new riding position rather than the reach to the pegs.  Around 60 mph I was getting serious helmet lift and my arms were getting a bit tired from hanging on.  A windshield would be a must for me.  Overall, I really liked the bike, engine, transmission, suspension and riding position.  A bit larger fuel tank wouldn't hurt, but not a deal breaker for me.  They're selling all they are producing and I'd like to see what they do (paint wise and performance wise) after the new wears off.  Hope this helps.

[Farmer Dan]

Dealer in Jackson, MI called yesterday to say they have three Scouts ready for test drive.  I'll try to get in there some time during the week and try one out.  I'm 6'7" with a 38" inseam, I'm sure I'll have problems with leg room LOL.

[Buddy Shagmore]

Just visited Mamba Motor Sports in Santa Clarita today. They just opened a BMW/Victory/Indian dealership. They are also going to sell Piaggio Group soon. Found out that the Scout has a self retracting side stand.  Fortunately, they are easy to pick up. This is me, in the black, looking at the Slingshot.

I was there at Mamba's grand opening yesterday. Kent, are you the fella who dropped the black Scout? Amazing it had no damage. I was standing neaby when I heard it hit the floor...ouch! I sat on the Scout. The ergos seemed weird to me. If they made a standard ergo version (taller seat, mid controls) that would be of serious interest.
The Dark Horse with the pullback bars is very cool, but black is not my thing. Guess I could re-paint it, but would hate to do that on a new bike.

[rocker59]

Don't know if they'll do it, but a "Dark Horse" with glossy sheet metal would be cool.

I"m not a big chrome fan.  All the blacked-out cycle parts of the Dark Horse, but with Indian Red sheet metal, would look great.

And, it would look a lot like the Indians of yesteryear.

[Kev m]

Don't know if they'll do it, but a "Dark Horse" with glossy sheet metal would be cool.

I"m not a big chrome fan.  All the blacked-out cycle parts of the Dark Horse, but with Indian Red sheet metal, would look great.

And, it would look a lot like the Indians of yesteryear.

Didn't I do a photo chop of that too last year.

[NorthernProducer]

I bought a "1st Run" 2015 Scout and took delivery in December.  The engine is the best feature and the rest of the bike suffers from a weak suspension (too stiff shocks and too soft forks), Kenda tires that just didn't perform for me, POOR paint, questionable build quality (had to go over the bike to tighten quite a few fasteners), pricey accessories that are just now becoming available...the windshield I tried was returned because of poor fit and added turbulence (the aftermarket is now catching up), disappointing gas mileage which turns the bike into short trip machine (remember Sportster peanut tanks?), a brake system recall...I could go on, but I wrote a full review for the Indian forum if you want more details.  The experience was so disappointing that my wife cancelled her order.  If Indian is on your shopping list...my advice is to focus on the Chief's.

Polaris mismanaged the whole launch and on more than one occasion, the CEO (Scott Wine) admitted they screwed up...an interview for the Wall Street Journal last month admitted the paint issue was because the new paint system they installed did not include the required final paint drying station.  The tank fabricators were tasked with painting the tanks...horrible, paint missing, flacking off, fish eyed, thin to no clear coat.  Funny, he expressed his surprise that motorcyclists were so particular about the paint!  They also had a national search for a suspension engineer that hopefully will replace that person that messed up the Scout's suspension spec's.  I could go on, but I think you probably get a sense of how one owner/rider judges his Scout experience.

I have a 2015 Griso that is my preferred ride...it will ride circles around my Scout on the challenging roads in my part of Tennessee.  I estimate that for the funds necessary to address the Scouts "issues", you would have more than enough $$$ to buy a Griso.  I'm considering dumping my Scout at this point while they are still in demand.

Interestingly, I see MG posts on both the Indian and Victory forums to a generally positive response.

Ride safe!

[Aaron D.]

Y'know, I saw more weird stuff written about shocks and forks on Scout fora. Tires too.

I even saw one person planning on putting on struts to make the rear rigid. I figure that one will not be popular, as the angle will cause the things to bend pretty quick.

3" of rear travel isn't going to be very softly sprung. Even if the suspension is set properly, and most seem to have not been set properly.

Sounds like the Griso is a winner for you, though,  and I thought about one myself for a while.

But what fuel economy are you getting on the Griso? I thought they were low 30s, our Scouts are consistently 50MPG.

[NorthernProducer]

Y'know, I saw more weird stuff written about shocks and forks on Scout fora. Tires too.

I even saw one person planning on putting on struts to make the rear rigid. I figure that one will not be popular, as the angle will cause the things to bend pretty quick.

3" of rear travel isn't going to be very softly sprung. Even if the suspension is set properly, and most seem to have not been set properly.

Sounds like the Griso is a winner for you, though,  and I thought about one myself for a while.

But what fuel economy are you getting on the Griso? I thought they were low 30s, our Scouts are consistently 50MPG.

The Scout shocks are probably it's weakest component (fork preload and springs a close 2nd).  When I took delivery of my bike, another Scout was still in its crate with both Chinese sourced shocks leaking fluid.  Some are reporting bent shock shafts now and it appears that the factory may be installing them with the spacers in the wrong position which then puts the upper and lower mounting points out of alignment.  Agree the radical angle for the shock mounting complicates the situation with respect to controlling travel and compression/rebound...design over function.

As for the Griso mileage, I am getting 43 MPG on average and it would increase a bit if I would stop having so much fun with it!  I'm lucky to get anything close to that with the Scout (high 30's to low 40's, but very inconsistent).

[Kev m]

NorthernP, it may help if you know that Aaron has two Scouts that he and his wife have already ridden across country.