The Indian Motorcycle’s Industrial Design team has taken the Scout model even further forward, developing a production Bobber that can be bought direct from an Indian dealer. The 3rd and newest member of the Scout family pays homage to the mean, stripped-down builds of America’s post-war past. The Scout Bobber is a minimalist approach to aggressive street style. The emphasis is on the dark side, including blacked-out wheels and exhaust pipes but the Scout Bobber will come in five colors.
Main features include:
– Drop down bar-end mirrors
– Slotted exhaust.
– Rear LED lights have integrated stop, turn and tail signals fir visual simplification.
– New Bobber leather seat adding to the aggressive look.
– Stripped-down and blacked-out, the Scout Bobber is a minimalist approach to aggressive street style.
– Cartridge fork front suspension for a smooth, controlled ride that connects the rider with the road.
– A 100 horsepower liquid-cooled V-Twin makes the Scout Bobber quick off the line.
– Slammed rear end and low-slung profile to deliver unfiltered feedback from every inch of blacktop.
– An aggressive rider position pays homage to the mean, stripped-down builds of America’s post-war past.
– Bobber-style chopped fenders and side-mounted license plate.
– Tracker handlebars and foot pegs have been moved closer to the rider, resulting in a more aggressive riding position,
– An all-new Indian tank badge with bold block letters.
The 3rd model of the Indian Scout line-up will be available at US dealerships in September and before year end 2017 in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa.) The new Scout Bobber will have a US retail price starting at $11,499, about $2500 less than the Harley Street Bob. It is my point of view that among the 18 to 35 yo Millennials who have now surpassed Baby Boomers in numbers to become the largest generation pool in the US may fall in love with this type of “Bobber Riding.” It’s exactly the opposite of the cumbersome, over–accessorized, over-chromed, over-painted touring bikes of their parents…Specs after the jump.
For God’s sake. Polaris is up to its old tricks with Indian, just like the Victory brand it crushed into nothingness. Here is the game-plan: Take the same bike as last year, add some new paint and a few bits. Call it a new model. Use trigger words like “bobber” to make it seem like you cut up some sheet metal and recreated the bike. Lather-rinse-repeat every couple years.
I know Harley does the same. Yep, but Harley can get away with it. Polaris cannot. Unfair but true.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Triumph already just release a new model called the “Bobber”? Did they not register it as a Trademark?
Kinda hard to get excited about anything Polaris does after what it did to Victory.
Triumph has done a far better job with their Bonneville Bobber…
Not for me but I like it. I hope it draws some young people into motorcycling. After the proper MSF course naturally.
The mid 30’s era CHIEF chassis bike In the video is bad ass.
First, you can’t trade mark a name like “Bobber” it’s to generic in common
Second, Changing bits to a platform is a New Model, put a snorkel hood scoop and batches on a Challenger and it’s a R/T.
Paint all the chrome on a pick-up and it’s a “Sport”
It’s a New Model! Not a new platform
What’s that big box attached to the front of the frame? Almost looks like an automotive radiator. A “look” that demands you look at it. 🙂
FUGLY!!!!!
$12,000.00 really ? Then you expect 18 to 35 years olds drop $12 on something they don’t need ?
Not in the New York metro area .
Unless I am that out of touch with the young guys and gals at work?
Have to agree with Lonny. “New model” doesn’t necessarily mean new platform. It would impractical to expect even Polaris to introduce a brand new engine and/or chassis every year or two.
That being said I think this is one of the best looking current Scouts. The minimalist style certainly compliments the industrial look of the platform IMO.
As an owner of a lowrider s, I like these, at 5’4, I thought the riding position to be confining and the more or less forward controls to be awkward, maybe a seat swap would have changed this, I like the general shape but it’s a bit busy under the seat and tank. And yes it’s thousands less than my Harley!
cool ad though! 12k probably is a bit rough for the youth, and young generation ” millennials ” don’t care about American made. don’t know what to say
Great for shorter riders. Those tires would work well in mud or snow.
A blackout paint job , stupid tires and a couple more ponies between the legs all at a ludicrously high price . Oh be still my beating heart . Yawn . Next up . A decal special for 10k over the standard price . Yup . Polaris is up to its same ole Dog & Pony show tricks
same tractor tyres + crappy brakes, but look a cartridge fork! + 2 inches of travel on the already poor suspension!! the HD guys should love its jarring ride but its faster than any sportster ever made!!
sorry but it,s the ugliest motorcycle motor i ever seen
Hobo: I think young professionals with their first steady stream of exposable income and a still somewhat adolescent attitude towards debt could be likely candidates for a purchase like this.
But then again I see just about as many old fogeys putting around on Sportsters and Scouts as Millennials these days so perhaps in this case Indian isn’t putting all of their eggs in one demographic.
Starting at $11,499! The key word here is “starting”
Yes, after what they did to Victory I have been one of their harshest critics and they will never see another dime from me. There’s my whining. Now, to give credit where it’s due. They didn’t over hype this as a ground breaking “all new” model like they’ve tried to do in the past. They’re calling it a Scout and the newest member of the Scout family like they should. Props to them for that. There, I said something nice.
Thanks Bob S. Seems most condemn the way production motorcycles are marketed. Not surprising for a custom bike blog, but Indian never purported to reinvent the industry. Looks like a nice bike with over 100 hp off the floor? Seems like it will contend in this market
Young riders seem to understand what makes a good bike.
Debt-free.
Lots of specs, but not one mentions what the slug weighs.
Simon you got that right !!!!
Sharp bike, I dig it.
Victory- wake up- it was a dead-man-walking the moment Polaris bot Indian. Just biz. It’s like getting upset that there isn’t Buell anymore- pffftt. Pontiac is gone, too- buh bye.
Wide awake J, you’re not imparting any wisdom. Reality is about half of the riders of bikes in this category don’t want a pretend old bike. Getting upset that we had an option we liked and now we don’t…that’s called being normal.
This bike looks ok but it’s not for me. Like the other Indians I’ve test ridden,or sat on, at 6’2″I feel cramped. Like BobS said, I don’t want a pretend old bike in this category or the bagger category. For now I’ll keep my X-C…and Hammer.
It’s interesting how different opinions can be. I LOVE the look of this bike. I think Polaris is doing some great things and a really nice job of keeping heritage while mixing modern elements…I get it and I like it.
Lol!! BobS I’m in shock you said something complimentary. As for the bike, not for me but definitely for some. No matter what certain butt sore segment of victory owners say, the Scout is a good bike for the price especially when compared to the Sportster.
Well Chris G. when a company bends you over and screws you every way from Sunday; is it really any wonder you get butt hurt from it.
No kiss first or anything… No downsizing; just up an quit. Polaris is getting a reputation for this now. They did it with their watercraft now Victory. How is anyone supposed to believe in a company that’s a fair weather friend? From the customer side of things; Victory was finally getting its stride. It filled a critical niche for those who were tall and those who liked something different than 80 year old styling. The bullet proof engine was the icing on the cake that could be improved on without worrying about it grenading. The Scout was originally being developed for Victory but after the Indian acquisition that changed and it was changed enough to be the Scout. They did surprise me by bringing out the Octane after the fact. Oh well; the tears dried up long ago but the disappointment remains.
Boomer If Victory was making money it would still be here. Polaris is a business and the whole point of a business is to make money. They are not your friend!! I mean both are owned by Polaris, I am quite sure more DOHC bikes are coming down the pipe. I mean now that the Twin cam has been replaced with the M8 does that mean Harley is selling out the twin cam diehards and betraying their customers? You know I used to own a Pontiac and GM got rid of them boy am I ever angry with them I will never own a GM product ever again. Sound silly? I think so
that’s a hundred at the crank!…trust Pooralis???yeah sure
paint it black for the bad boys…wheres the burnouts??
Thanks Chris, there’s plenty of complimentary things I can and have said, and you’re correct the Scout is a fine machine, especially when compared directly with the Sporty. Much like Boomer was alluding to though, the Scout is not the best version of this design. There is a version with a smoother engine with a better torque curve and shorter gearing that makes better use of the long rpm range. It also has original styling that appeals to the half of the market that isn’t impressed with pretend old. Unfortunately as we know the Octane was WAY overhyped as a V-Max and Diavel competitor completely ignoring the market it actually fit into, they thought they could lie to us about what it was and nobody would call them out on it. Polaris gave it about six months before bailing on it. Yes I congratulate them for not overhyping this time, and I do congratulate them for making a fine motorcycle. But the pattern is clear. Build a market following, screw them as soon as something new captures the fancy of the brass in Minneapolis. If you think it’s just butt hurt crying…maybe, I’m man enough to admit you may be right about that. But ask a Victory owner whose tried to order parts from a dealer about that 10 years parts availability promise they made barely half a year ago. Another Polaris LIE. It’s one thing to build a decent motorcycle, something entirely different to build a decent motorcycle company.
p.s. Chris G Victory was making money. The reason it’s gone, and the CEO has said as much in different interviews, is because after putting all new developments into Indian and nothing but paint colors into Victory, he saw Indian’s sales growth outperform Victory. Golly gee who woulda guessed that? So his takeaway from that is releasing the next all new bike dressed up with old looking fenders and an Indian badge would be better than modern styling and a Victory badge so just kill Victory and all those stupid bikers will just buy Indian. Perhaps that sounds biased and harsh but the proof is in the numbers. With Victory revenue excluded motorcycle sales were down 59% in Q1 over last year. That’s failure no matter who you are. This was a business decision and a bad one by any measure. That’s who is running Indian now. Not a company anyone who is passionate about motorcycles should feel comfortable doing business with.
I’m not sure why but this board won’t accept my last post. Maybe too wordy. If this posts then I’ll know that was the case.
Thanks BobS. It’s good to see someone gets it.
I wish Polaris and Indian well but I think they would find most Victory owners have no intention of ever buying another Polaris product. Screw me once; shame on you… I bet their watercraft owners still have a bad taste in their mouths. Oh, and comparing the demise of Pontiac with Victory’s demise is a terrible analogy on just about every level starting with the number of Pontiac’s made. Also any company that wants repeat business better consider their customers as friends. I sure consider many of the people working at least one Victory dealership as friends. The good news is existing Victory’s will be on the road for many decades to come since they were built that well. Victory made great bikes, but as BobS said, their business model sucked.
Well it looks like a radiator with wheels, but good for Polaris for mot over-hyping it at least. Unfortunately like every bike they’ve produced, it’s ugly and the whole “bobber” thing is about as played out as any fad ever has been. All in all this millenial would rather buy a used harley for half the price of one of these monstrosities.
Front quarter view looks like a V-rodski
Cool looking bike, let’s hope it’s around in 10 years….
It’s not a bad looking motor and has potential but it’s in a ugly motorcycle put it in a traditional tubular frame with twin shocks and loose the Mr potato head looking Polaris bodywork you might have a bike that would sell , the Chiefs now there’s no help for those
Man this is a tough crowd. I like the bike and all the people I know with Indians are happy with them.
I am glad to see an American manufacturer compete with Harley and the big 4
It looks even more like a radiator with wheels without the larger fenders to balance it out a bit. When will Polaris hire a proper designer?
I don’t know, I kinda like it. You guys have to forget about the past, this is a company that is looking forward not back. They have to, after all. The bike looks like fun to me.
This is a nice looking bike. Surely it’s not going to appeal to the pirates riding their ’96 Wide Glide with braided handlebar grips who calls anything built from another brand as “fugly”. But I like what Indian is doing with their line. They are definitely raising the bar on the Motor Company, and that’s good for everyone.
V-Pops – Sounds like a very convenient way to dismiss any opinion that differs from your own. Not everyone who dislikes the polaris indians are “pirates riding their ’96 Wide Glide with braided handlebar grips who calls anything built from another brand as “fugly”.” You just sound ridiculously defensive.
BobS I do agree the overhyped thing really is stupid especially the Tattoo ink. How lame!! All I know is I bought a chief in 2014 and at that time for stock it was a 100 times better than any Harley I have ever owned. TBH I can’t speak for the M8. My old school harley independent wrench (and friend) even praises the new Indian over Harley. The crappy pressed cranks that harley continues to put out infuriate him among other things that he says Indian got right. Corporate. … well I don’t care who it is, they don’t care about any of us no matter who it is
Cyril has a misprint in the specs. The GVW is listed as 988 lbs, this bike is actually
544 lbs. Also in regard to the comment about “starting price” the only option
for price increase is ABS. I learned to handle slow speed maneuvers in the grey zone
using the rear brake and clutch to create a gyro effect so no ABS for me. I also
did a side by side comparison with a twin cam and a Victory. You lean a twin cam
into turns, the Victory falls into turns. It’s all about the center of gravity. The tall
jugs and DOHC on the Victory gives it that tippy feeling. At retirement age, my
FLHR is getting heavy, traffic, idiots, and road construction have made it impossible
to do any safe touring so I am going to ride this bobber and see if fits the bill for
some mid day fun.
This is the best looking Scout yet. Yes it has a big radiator and air cooled engines are better looking but I believe they have done the best they can with it. I think the success on the flattrack will boost sales with the young riders and it will force Milwaukee to do something exciting and that is good for everyone.
Many of us shovelhead owners have oil coolers on our bikes and nobody seems to care, so when liquid cooled bikes become mandatory we can just tell everyone they are big oil coolers cause we drank the cool aid. Pun intended