The first ever Custom Scout Contest reserved to official Indian dealers has resulted in 36 cool machines from the US and abroad that you can now see online and vote for. The custom Scout dealer contest didn’t impose any specific rules or restrictions, any bike theme, cost or build style. But each project had to feature at least 3 genuine Indian aftermarket parts. Starting today and everyday through February 19th, 2016 you can vote online at Indian Project Scout.
The top 3 finalists will be announced on February 26th, 2016. The 3 corresponding dealers receive an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to the 75th annual Daytona Bike Week for themselves plus a guest. Indian Motorcycle will host a special award ceremony in Daytona Beach on Friday 11th March, during which a panel of celebrity judges will select the ultimate winner of the ‘Project Scout: Build a Legend’ program, with party goers voting for the winner of the Fan Favorite award.
I’m not a fan of the looks of the new Scout at all, especially that giant rad and the frame design, but these versions improve on it a little bit. I’m more a fan of Polaris’ marketing of their Indians than I am of the bikes themselves really, but who cares if I like the bikes, they’re selling like hot cakes and that’s good for everyone who loves motorcycling.
Some very nice pieces.
We can vote 1 time every day?
I want so bad to like the Scout because of the good build quality reports and that they’re a US company, but that still looks like an ugly baby contest with really nice outfits.
Finally figured out where I’d seen that gas tank before-my 1986 1100 Honda Shadow! The sculpted area in the top held the gas and water temp gauges.
Woody, check out an ’80s vintage Honda Sabre. That was the first thing I thought of when I first saw the Scout.
I love them all! Would take any back home.
Woody’s. What do you ride? Send a pic to Cyril to know what is your taste. Me, I love the Scout.
Indian, there is a big issue on your website. We see 1/2 of a Scout. To see it in full, you need to vote for it first!!! Complete nonsense.
@Dyno currently have a chopped ’72 CB750, ’97 Valkyrie and an ’08 Fat Bob, none of which (or a dozen previous bikes) have anything to do with how/what I think of the styling on the new Scout, right? 🙂
great promotion for Indian and the Rebel Scout looks sexxxxxy and what a great look for a hard-tail
narrow it down a bit. the fat tire look, uh-uh.
@Freddy Manson. I thought the same thing too, but if you click on the name of the bike it will bring you to a brief description and more pictures.
I’m seriously not trying to be a dick when i say that I saw only one bike that I thought was well done. The others should have stayed stock. Sorry.
Like Johnny Speed…I am not a fan of the Scout. Before I saw one in the flesh and heard about them coming out…I was keen on trading in my 2011 Victory Jackpot. Then I saw one…hmmm, kind of bland. Then I did a demo ride on one (from the Demo fleet semi that came into town). The engine had an awful whiny sound to it…I put 41,000 miles on my ’03 VROD with a similar set up of high h.p. in a smaller displacement engine and that engine sounded great. Also, the bike felt very small…felt like I was going to fall over the handlebars at any moment. Slow speed turning felt very odd to me, like the front end of the bike wanted to fall into the turn. The fenders seemed tinny and unfinished to me and that electronic fly-by-wire throttle…a total disconnect with the engine (same with the fly-by-wire throttles on several of the 2016 Harley’s that I’ve ridden when their demo fleet semi was in town). I’d like to see Polaris put out another new model…called the Warrior. Bigger than the Scout and smaller than the Chief series…about the size of a Harley Street Bob. Perhaps run a smaller displacement Chief engine but with the same look and configuration and price it somewhere around the Dark Horse. Just saying…
Woody & Tundra, I was thinking more along the lines of the Nighthawk
ROLLFAST remains the only one I can ‘vote’ for. Too many flogging the lame legacy-horse – that ‘Crazy-horse’ left town half a century ago…
I voted for the guys in Fargo, “MUNRO’S REVENGE”
………… Domino Dave …………
Tough job making one of these Indian Scouts look good when you’re starting with one of the ugliest radiator/frame designs in motorcycle history. But if I have to pick one I’ll go with “The Rebel” because they did a great job making the rear of the bike flow so nicely. Good job with an ugly duckling.
who f —king cares if your a fan or not of the Scout……..we are enthusiasts RIGHT??? and its a motorcyle
so lets all just grow the sport /lifestyle and the industry
Taildragger. Love’em or hate’em, Jersey Legend took alot of ugly out of it.
Rusty Jones Customs
“Dakota Demon” wins in my book.
I like Tomahawk and Rollfast.
We know Polaris has used input from custom builders for several years. Now they are soliciting input from both national and international dealers. Encouraging creative development from many sources is good for the brand.
I really like seeing all those Scouts that are not cookie cutter.
A lot of great bikes on this list although I would agree with some commenters that not all of the attempts at retro seem to flow as well with the Scout’s more modern engine and frame. I think My favorite is the Urban Dirt Tracker because it utilizes the Scout’s sporty design and rugged construction so well. Overall some great inspiration here!
Personally, I love the Scout. Fast, maneuverable, not too heavy and great lines. So much so, I bought one and haven’t been disappointed. Can’t ride anywhere without admiring looks and comments, including from riders of other makes. I think the bike has created more curiosity and positive interest in motorcycles and specifically, cruisers than just about any other new intro. Certainly, more than H-D’s Street bikes. In my opinion, these cool designs and the one-offs that Indian has commissioned over the past year show how versatile the design is and what might be the beginning of a full line of Scouts specifically for different segments from cafe to hill climbers.
Btw, Frank, if you want to see the full and in most cases, multiple pictures of the bikes, go to the vote page and click on the motorcycle image not the vote button.
Jerrman
They all are winners
What your Cyril?
Can’t say. Don’t want to influence vote.
It’s refreshing to see a manufacturer come up with new and innovative ways of marketing their brand. The industry needs more of this.
I agree. The versions that will attract new, younger users are the cafe racer styles which really show the versatility of the basic Scout design. Styles that move more towards heavy cruisers aren’t, IMO, all that appealing to younger riders. A couple of those designs above and the ones commissioned directly by Indian (Roland Sands’ version and the custom European designer whom I’ve now blanked on his name, which probably shows I’m not exactly in that young user group :):), are what’s needed to revitalize the market, particularly American brands. Indian seems to be acutely aware of this but H-D still seems to have an issue with taking this market seriously.
I honestly didn’t think this many people could screw up this many bikes. A few are hopeful and the rest are just awful.
How can I vote for a winner when they’re all terrible!
While I agree that none of these does it for me, there was a very nice one at the Progresove show in Dallas today.