'18 Indian Bobber Test Ride. A Newb's Report.

[jas67]

Not for nothing but Jay and I had the Scout on some curves during demos when it was first released and I don't recall any peg down problems. Lean angles on the Scout aren't sport bike sized, but they are better than say lowered Harley models.

Correct, but, I don't recall that we went around any curves at high enough speeds for it to be an issue, as it was a bit of a parade loop, unlike the demo at the Harley factory that was self-paced.   I did scrape floor boards and pegs that day.

I really like the Scout motor.   Too bad Polaris never built a sporting standard with it under the Victory name.    That's what the Octane should've been.

[Kev m]

Correct, but, I don't recall that we went around any curves at high enough speeds for it to be an issue, as it was a bit of a parade loop, unlike the demo at the Harley factory that was self-paced.   I did scrape floor boards and pegs that day.

I really like the Scout motor.   Too bad Polaris never built a sporting standard with it under the Victory name.    That's what the Octane should've been.

There were enough backroads and corners that I would have scraped if it was that easy. Shit I've scraped Harley demos making a turn at a light.

[blackbuell]

Here is our scout; had just installed a new screen with foil. I don't find the radiator too intrusive; think it's a good looking bike for a small cruiser.



Jon

[kirb]

REALLY interested in the FTR1200... everything else isn't my thing. Let's hope they don't modify the demo bike for the street too much. It looks great as-is.

[slopokes]

That street tracker looks nicer than the v85 that I ordered.

[Tom]

The Scout's main attribute is a smaller engine that puts out some good horses.  Forward peg controls, a little annoying.  On the suspension, the angle of the rear shocks is kind of annoying.  It does toss easily into tight turns.    From what I hear the dealers are real accommodating on fixing issues with the bikes.   

[Tom]

Guzzi Gal.....was the demo's down in Chandler?

[Guzzi Gal]

Guzzi Gal.....was the demo's down in Chandler?

Yep, at Ride Now. 

@ Kev M- The Scout seems to fit you well.  The pegs were a bit of a stretch, and I wasn’t enamored with the reach to the grips, but I still enjoyed the ride.

My wife, who will only ride two up under extreme protest because she wants to be in control of the bike, has the same issue. When she was on her CB500X she once told a geared up woman inside the gas station what she was riding. The woman quickly pointed out she was on a real motorcycle, a Harley Ultra. As we left, my wife saw the woman on the pillion seat of the Harley and stepped over to tell her she should try riding one herself, it was a lot more fun.

Seriously!?!  What a snot!  

Guzzi Gal, I like your writing. You are always telling stories that are both funny and really interesting, very descriptive.

Regarding downshifting into 1st while the bike is still rolling and then holding the clutch...

I always switch into neutral, release the clutch and only select 1st when I start again.

Thank you!  I used to be quite the reader, but have never been much for writing.

Does it matter if I actually use 1st before coming to a stop?  I was taught to leave the bike in gear in the event a quick exit was needed. 

[Bonaventure]

Here is our scout; had just installed a new screen with foil. I don't find the radiator too intrusive; think it's a good looking bike for a small cruiser.



Jon

You got an X-Creen spoiler blade on there.   

[Kiwi_Roy]

Does it matter if I actually use 1st before coming to a stop?  I was taught to leave the bike in gear in the event a quick exit was needed.

It has a 6 speed box, I'm sure you can take off in 2nd just about as quick.

This is a timely topic, my older Bro just bought the same bike in New Zealand

[Guzzi Gal]

It has a 6 speed box, I'm sure you can take off in 2nd just about as quick.

This is a timely topic, my older Bro just bought the same bike in New Zealand

 :1: Congrats to your bro on his new ride!

I've done the 2nd gear start a few times by accident, and she survived. 

[Aaron D.]

Speaking of Scouts..this story found me somehow.

https://rideapart.com/articles/case-mid-sized-cruiser

[Guzzi Gal]

Speaking of Scouts..this story found me somehow.

https://rideapart.com/articles/case-mid-sized-cruiser

 :1: Good read.  Thanks!

[AH Fan]

Jay and I rode ones with the same stock "forwards" though I'm on the record for saying they're not THAT extreme (though they are forward, I'm not sure they are that much more forward than the controls on my old Jackal).

But see comments about body size and expectations.

That is one ugly as machine........... IMHO   

[Mr Pootle]

I’ve had a couple of test rides on a Scout 90,one before, and on after I bought my V7. I enjoyed riding it in town, but on the open road, at above 50 mph it was too blowy for me.

[Kev m]

That is one ugly as machine........... IMHO   [emoji23]

Ah but maybe it takes that to make ME look good....

.... What's my Italian friend say "tastes must not be discussed".

*Shrugs*

I thought the Scout was a good looking bike. Not cookie cutter. Certainly better looking than the Tonti Cali, but I'm sure those are fighting words to many here.

[Tusayan]

Shucks, I read the thread title and thought I might be reading a report about riding a 1918 Indian...  which shows where my head is.  I rode a 1912 Pope once, sure glad I did, but it was a little scary. I was wondering if things changed much in the next six years 

A neighbor recently bought a new Indian Scout and asked me to ride it and report back.  I did but what to say... I said the engine was quite pleasant, not lying because it's tractable and seems well engineered  The bike overall isn't a patch on my $950 used SV650 in either engineering or quality, never mind an older Italian bike. To me everything other than the engine on the Indian looked cheap, the tires appeared to be made cheap to OEM spec in China and the whole bike is a little depressing in that regard.  Like something you'd see for sale in Home Depot, made to last two summers and be thrown away. Just my impression.

[Kev m]

  The bike overall isn't a patch on my $950 used SV650 in either engineering or quality, never mind an older Italian bike. To me everything other than the engine on the Indian looked cheap, the tires appeared to be made cheap to OEM spec in China and the whole bike is a little depressing in that regard.  Like something you'd see for sale in Home Depot, made to last two summers and be thrown away. Just my impression.

Well just goes to show what nonsense an impression can be....

[Tusayan]

If you're looking for an econo bike built by an American mass market corporation, I'm sure it's reliable but don't be persuaded it's more than that just because it carries a genuinely historic name. The Scout has more in common with Japanese econo bikes of the 60s than the Indians of the 30s.  Anybody with an engineering or manufacturing background can see it's built to the lowest possible price, and I think it's an inappropriate use of the Indian name. 

BTW, I helped my neighbor install some accessories on his, they were also cheaply made and fit ridiculously poorly.  As a result what should have taken 30 minutes took an afternoon.

[Kev m]

If you're looking for an econo bike built by an American mass market corporation, I'm sure it's reliable but don't be persuaded it's more than that just because it carries a genuinely historic name. The Scout has more in common with Japanese econo bikes of the 60s than the Indians of the 30s.  Anybody with an engineering or manufacturing background can see it's built to the lowest possible price, and I think it's an inappropriate use of the Indian name. 

 

[LowRyter]

Well just goes to show what nonsense an impression can be....

I'd like to know any advantage whatsoever that the Scout has over an SV650?  Performance, handling, styling?  Not so much.

The SV is a competent do-anything motorcycle whereas the Scout is a style job for the Sportster crowd.  Nothing wrong with that but the SV is a fantastic bike.  Now if Indian comes out with a standard, street tracker or cafe version, my assessment could change.

[Kev m]

I'd like to know any advantage whatsoever that the Scout has over an SV650?  Performance, handling, styling?  Not so much.

The SV is a competent do-anything motorcycle whereas the Scout is a style job for the Sportster crowd.  Nothing wrong with that but the SV is a fantastic bike.  Now if Indian comes out with a standard, street tracker or cafe version, my assessment could change.

Challenge gladly accepted:

1. Seat Height - like it or not there are plenty of people who want a low seat height either because of stature or preference. And though the controls are a bit forward for some of the former they sell a kit to move them back a bit.

2. Ergos - The SV650 and bikes like it (like our Duc) have ergos that are uncomfortable to me and after more than two decades of trying to like riding positions like that (Honda Ascot VT500, BMW R11RS, Guzzi B11, Buel ST3, and our current 696) I've given up. I am much more comfortable with ergos like the Scout.

3. Ease of Maintenance - SV650 has a chain and 15k valve adjustments, Scout has a belt and 20k valve checks, but few expected adjustments. The Scout valve train is similar to a Ford 2.0L with 100k inspection intervals for valves.

I wouldn't mind it if they gave the Scout a little more suspension and brakes, but I'm sure it would be fine for me as it is and I'm equally sure I'm not alone. There are a number of people (some on this forum) who would pick a Scout over an SV.

[Tom]

Seems that the Bobber and FTR 1200 Custom are spreading the line out for Indian on the Sportster end.  I like the Custom more than the Scout but the drive train in the Scout works well.  The Bobber goes with the current trend. 

[blackbuell]

I now own a scout (see pic earlier in this thread) and I have owned an SVS. I actually think the fit and finish is better on the scout. True, the SV was quicker in the twisties, but it's suspension was pretty mushy. The scout is much more comfortable for me now than the SV would be.

Jon

[Tom]

The Scout, I rode more than a couple of times is the same as the one Kev M is on in the pix.  Not a fan of the fwd controls but the bike is fun to ride.  Definite competition for the HD Sporty's also the 1100 Cali/Ev. 

[Tusayan]

The Scout can't be ridden at any kind of pace on a twisty road.  The engine has a nice enough character but the chassis and braking are obviously made for gentle, slow riding.  Is there any other manufacturer that uses Kenda tires on a new bike? 

http://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/should-i-replace-the-stock-tires-before-my-first-ride.13665/

Guzzi's small block line is also built to a price, and with the V7 it also somewhat tastelessly utilizes the name of an older, top of the line bike for 2017's bottom of the line.  However, I think the Guzzi is built a bit a bit better and doesn't quite so loudly scream 'K-Mart' when you look at its detail design. 






 

[Kev m]

The Scout can't be ridden at any kind of pace on a twisty road.  The engine has a nice enough character but the chassis and braking are obviously made for gentle, slow riding.  Is there any other manufacturer that uses Kenda tires on a new bike? 

http://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/should-i-replace-the-stock-tires-before-my-first-ride.13665/

Guzzi's small block line is also built to a price, and with the V7 it also somewhat tastelessly utilizes the name of an older, top of the line bike for 2017's bottom of the line.  However, I think the Guzzi is built a bit a bit better and doesn't quite so loudly scream 'K-Mart' when you look at its detail design.

Oh brother. I guess we're gonna have to keep trying.

I'm going to make some assumptions here, and if I'm wrong I'm sure you'll let me know.

But these are the types of statements I hear just way too often from people who have little to no experience riding this type of bike.

They just come across as snooty, because their _____________(insert sporting bike of choice) is "so much better" - it's engineered better (I swear to gawd most don't have the slightest clue what that word means, it just means "makes more powa beoch" or fulfills some other race track need better) or costs less or bla bla bla.

I'll assure you the Scout, like many other bikes of the genre can be ridden at pace on a twisty road. Shyte a decade ago I remember a buddy of mine and I leaving a pair of HonduYamaKawaZukis for dead on a twisty road while we were riding a pair of stock LOWERED 883s that had less lean angle by spec than the Scout.

Hell the Sporty in my garage today probably only has about the same lean angles as the Scout and I've surprised or embarrassed more than a few riders on it. A number of riders from this board have ridden it and expressed surprise in how well it handled.

Point is that most people make ridiculous assumptions, usually from lack of experience...either that or they ride on the street at so far beyond any reasonable limit (meaning with a total disregard for the safety of others) that it's pointless to discuss with them further.

But even some of the worst handling Harleys I've ever ridden could be hustled through MOST corners at well above the speed limit with a little body English and a good line. So much so that the average rider really isn't going to take those curves any faster on their sportbike. Hell, how many people do you see blasting the straights only to stand it up and walk through the curves even on their Duc, Trumpet, etc.  I've seen plenty.

Tires, meh, I dunno, are they rock hard and last 20k miles or soft and only last 6k? Both are unacceptable to me. I'm looking for a middle ground, I want more stick than 20k and more miles than 6k...so I'll take something in the middle.

And V7 - tastelessly? - Dude, you and I got almost nothing left to talk about cause I'm not sure you're gonna hear my words from up there, and if that's a serious attitude I'm not sure you're worth shouting to (though hopefully I'm wrong).

I love my V7, and my Harleys, and even have a soft spot for Jenn's Duc. I've ridden hundreds of bikes... I can't think of any right now that I'd rather have from my bud's heavily breathed on K1300GT or 748, or well, just about any press bike I had for any length of time... nah... I'm good with my "slow and gentle" riding... 

[Tusayan]

Point is most people make ridiculous assumptions...eithe r that or they ride on the street at so far beyond any reasonable limit (meaning with a total disregard for the safety of others) that it's pointless to discuss with them further.

Actually, I've never been injured on a motorcycle and after roughly 40 years and hundreds of thousands of miles riding motorcycles on roads atypical of the east coast of the US, in a way that is impossible on something like the Scout, I make my own judgments about motorcycles and people.

Thanks for laying our your opinion 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have trouble keeping up with my buddy on his Indian in the twisties in fact we all do.
It's a 46 Indian Chief with hand shift and foot clutch LOL

https://ibb.co/njiVZm

[Kev m]

Actually, I've never been injured on a motorcycle and after roughly 40 years and hundreds of thousands of miles riding motorcycles on roads atypical of the east coast of the US, in a way that is impossible on something like the Scout, I make my own judgments about motorcycles and people.

Thanks for laying our your opinion 

Well not been injured doesn't assure us there's no "blatant disregard" now does it?

Then again maybe it equally suggests you ride more "slow and gentle" than you think?

[emoji848] [emoji6] [emoji56]