Motorcycles have gotten extra complicated by the minute. All the technological frou-frou that the trendy market calls for makes it more durable to create heritage-focused machines with clear traces and minimalistic styling. Released at present, the model new Indian Scout is a refreshing tackle the strain between trendy and basic.
The Scout moniker is likely one of the oldest in motorcycling. First used on the 1920 Indian Scout, it has been related to legends like Ed Kretz and Burt Munro, and the Indian Wrecking Crew that dominated AMA racing within the Fifties. The 2025 Indian Scout faucets into this heritage in each method it may well.
“Our top priority was to uphold the iconic namesake of Scout and ensure the new lineup is as timeless as all its predecessors,” says Ola Stenegärd, Director of Industrial Design at Indian Motorcycle, who spearheaded the Scout’s redesign. “For us, it was imperative to keep it clean, follow the iconic lines of Scout, and create a package that offered seamless customization. To achieve this, it all started with the steel tube frame and all-new, V-Twin engine.”
Redesigned from the bottom up, the brand new Scout platform is shared throughout 5 fashions, together with the Scout Bobber, Scout Classic, Sport Scout, Super Scout, and 101 Scout. Each is powered by Indian’s all-new, liquid-cooled 1,250 cc ‘SpeedPlus’ V-twin engine. With an additional 120 cc over the outgoing Scout motor, it makes between 105 and 111 horsepower at 7,250 rpm (relying on the mannequin and trim), and 108 Nm of peak torque at 6,300 rpm.
On the tech aspect, the Scout will get ABS, traction management, and selectable rider modes (this, too, differs by mannequin and trim). The transmission is a six-speed affair, the clutch is hydraulic, and energy is delivered to the again wheel through a belt drive.
The Scout’s engine makes no bones about its liquid cooling, with a fin-less design that appears up to date with out wanting cheesy. If I’m being sincere, I miss the machined particulars on the previous Scout’s energy plant—however this can be a handsome mill, nonetheless. The mostly-black donk is trimmed with contrasting traces and Indian logos, and a few fashions get chromed heads.
It’s packaged in an all-new metal tube body, designed with the 1929 Indian Scout 101 in thoughts. Sure, when you park the brand-new Scout subsequent to the enduring 101, you’d need to squint to see the resemblance; it’s a 95-year-old bike, in any case. But speaking to Indian’s designers through convention name, it’s clear that the 101 knowledgeable many nuanced design particulars on the brand new bike.
The new Scout’s swooping body downtubes are a nod to the previous, and when you hint a line across the Scout’s redesigned gasoline tank and thru its twin inline shocks, you’ll see shades of the 1929 Scout 101’s silhouette. The new tank sits somewhat additional again now too, exposing extra of the body’s neck junction—a trick that Indian lately used on the brand new Indian Chief.
Indian has completed an admirable job of finessing a few of the Scout’s unavoidable modernities. The two-into-one exhaust system is predictably gargantuan, and the sprocket and chain cowl on the other aspect of the bike is an eyesore (which might be why Indian’s press supplies include barely any images of the Scout’s left-hand aspect). But bits just like the radiator and neck-mounted air intakes are tucked away properly, including performance with out including bulk.
The undeniable fact that the rear shocks are ever-so-slightly off being completely in step with the body rails wreaks havoc on my obsessive tendencies. On the flip aspect, the uncovered little bit of body beneath the seat, and the way in which that the aspect covers are built-in with the chassis’ machined junctions, are neat touches. Keen eyes can even discover that the Scout’s rear fender struts at the moment are hidden ‘inside’ the rear fender, decluttering the design additional.
It’s straightforward to nitpick the Scout’s refreshed format, however the one huge win right here is that it seems to be tidier than the outgoing mannequin—which wasn’t ugly to start with. It’s additionally good to see that Indian has shrunk the bloated Scout line-up to only 5 fashions, with every bike’s meant viewers now lots clearer.
The Indian Scout Bobber [above] is probably the most pared-back mannequin within the vary, dwelling as much as its title with a bobbed seat and rear fender, blacked-out arduous components, beefy 16×3.5” wheels, and ahead foot controls. It wears 41 mm forks with 120 mm of journey up entrance, with 51 mm of journey obtainable from the preload-adjustable twin shocks. Its engine is setup to place out 105 hp, and it weighs in at 237 kilos [522 lbs] dry.
If your proclivities lean in direction of basic cruisers, the Indian Scout Classic [above] ought to tickle your fancy. Like the Bobber, it makes use of 16×3.5” wheels—besides right here, they’re laced. Big, swooping fenders add successful of 60s model, whereas the back-swept bars, ahead controls, and easy, spherical headlight all go well with the Classic’s laid-back vibe.
There’s 120 mm of entrance wheel journey, 76 mm of rear wheel journey, and a seat top of 654 mm. Like the Bobber, the Classic makes 105 hp in normal type.
The Indian Sport Scout [above] provides some West Coast efficiency model to the Scout. It rolls on sporty 19F/16R alloy wheels, with its moto-style handlebars perched on 6” risers. The quarter fairing and sporty, stepped seat nail the transient. Like the Bobber, the Sport Scout has 120 mm of entrance suspension journey, however there’s 76 mm obtainable on the again.
Numbers-wise, the Sport Scout is sweet for 105 hp, weighs 239 kg [528 lbs] dry, and has a 654 mm seat top. The trimmed entrance fender and angle-cut rear fender are slick particulars… however provided that the bike has ‘Sport’ in its title, I’m left questioning why the Sport Scout’s engine doesn’t have the complete 111 hp obtainable to it. (Indian has hinted that the bike may be ‘uncorked’ by Indian dealerships, through software program.)
Next up is the Indian Super Scout [above], which resembles the Scout Classic, however comes totally loaded with saddlebags, a pillion seat, and a windshield. Complete with its luscious paint and chrome finishes, it’s obtained that nostalgic Americana vibe on lock.
The remaining—and arguably the nicest—bike within the vary, is the Indian 101 Scout [below]. A direct nod to the 1929 Scout 101, it unleashes the Scout’s full 111 hp output, and provides Brembo brakes (with twin entrance discs), adjustable upside-down forks, and adjustable piggyback shocks. The bars, risers, and quarter-fairing match these of the Sport Scout, whereas a trendy gunfighter-style seat tucks the rider in tightly.
All of the above bikes are available varied paint schemes, trimmed with a number of tidy particulars and machined components. They can be bought with three completely different ranges of trim, which vary from fundamental rider aids, LED lighting, and an analog speedo, to varied digital rider modes, a USB charger, cruise management, premium badging, and extra.
At the highest trim degree (which is normal on the Super Scout and 101 Scout), a 4” TFT show replaces the analog gauge, including smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, journey stats, and a bunch of different app-enabled providers. Oh, and also you get a keyless ignition, too.
Available from May within the USA, the 2025 Indian Scout will set you again something from $12,999 to $16,999, relying on the mannequin, paint job, and trim degree. And if a inventory Scout simply received’t do, Indian has an array of equipment and accent packs obtainable too.
The Scout’s value and engine measurement put it in the identical ballpark because the Harley-Davidson Sportster S—however its aesthetic is way extra cohesive and timeless. If ever there was a loud shot throughout The Motor Co.’s bow, that is it.
Source: Indian Motorcycle
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