Be Prepared for this Scout
LOOKS & DESIGN
The 2015 Indian Scout's low and muscular stance give it attitude.
Subtle styling cues from past Scouts are retained, such as the chrome-trimmed headlamp and speedometer, extended tail fender, tan leather seat and most importantly, the italicised "I" in the brand name.
The bike's overall design is "balanced" by near-identical fat tyres at both ends.
Though it comes from a company established in 1901, this American bike is all new and modern.
ERGONOMICS
You'll get a different perspective, thanks to its 25.3-inch low seat height. Shorter riders will appreciate that both their feet can now rest firmly on the tarmac.
The riding posture on the single-seat Scout is upright and relaxed with forward foot controls that afford you more stretch and legroom.
The low centre of gravity and its fully-fuelled weight of 253kg also help when pushing the Scout by its handlebars.
POWER AND HANDLING
It's a middle-weight cruiser with a 1,133cc v-twin engine that's capable of a maximum 100hp and 97.7Nm of torque.
In short, traffic stop-to-traffic stop dashes are always spirited and punchy.
So, too, are sixth gear roll-ons from 60kmh to 80kmh, effortlessly done with a crack of the throttle hand.
Throttle response is smooth without any snatchy feeling when the throttle is abruptly closed and opened.
The belt-driven Scout did not judder when traffic started to crawl. In sixth gear at 90kmh, the Scout's rev counter showed 2,850rpm suggesting the bike can be pushed further to 8,000rpm where its power begins to dip.
Despite its beefy looks, the Scout is no sloth when engaging bends. Show it smooth and wide corners, and the Scout will commit confidently to the sound of scrapping footpegs.
Be prepared to sacrifice your boots' heels as the Scout loves to go down low.
While some may lament that designers did not give the Scout the hard-tail look, or what's known as the suspension-less look, I suspect few would complain.
The telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks will tackle most road imperfections. But bigger bumps may give you a jolt.
Brake rotors the size of dinner plates - front and rear - and steel braided hoses add braking power.
What some may find irritating is the spring-less foot pegs that flap about when they catch your pants' hem or the signal light indicator button that needs encouragement to cancel.
TECHNOLOGY
The Scout tech is simple. It's fuel injected and its speedometer has an analogue face and a digital window that shows temperature, oil pressure and engine revs. That's about it.
Too much technology would have resulted in a 2015 Scout that's so alien from what its original designers had intended.
VERDICT
The Indian Scout will surely be compared to more popular Harley-Davidson Motorcycles here. But if you want a mid-sized cruiser that's equally steeped in heritage and a little different, the Scout may just be your next ride.
FAST FACTS
Make & model: 2015 Indian Scout
Capacity: 1,133cc
Engine: Liquid-cooled, Twin-cylinder
Max. horsepower and torque: 100hp and 97.7Nm
Machine price: $23,500
For more information, call Mah, tel: 6295-6393.
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