2018 Indian Scout Bobber Review
Bike Tested: Indian Scout Bobber; Road Test No. 930
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 14.96 lakhs
Going against a handful of Harleys and Triumphs, the Indian Scout Bobber does have an edge in terms of desirability
Trimmed fenders, domineering stance, grumbling motors and a construction which often comes across as the finest indication of minimalism – welcome to the world of Bobbers! Despite bobber motorcycles making an entry from time to time in factory-custom form or otherwise, there’s no denying that the Indian audience is yet to come to terms with this breed of motorcycles completely. In 2016, Moto Guzzi introduced their entrant to this class while the Scout Bobber from Indian Motorcycles landed late last year. We have the latter at our disposal to tread the roads of Mumbai before dishing out a well-weighted opinion. Read on to find out what to expect from this kind of a machine and how well, or not, does it fit our road conditions.
Motor Quest: In 2011, Polaris Industries took over Indian Motorcycles and started rolling out new products a couple of years down the line. One of them was the Scout, showcased at the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, on which the more-affordable Scout Bobber is based. The other derivative is the Scout Sixty which is priced lower than the Bobber. Together, this trio constitutes the midsize portfolio of Indian Motorcycles.
Even in this stealthy shade of black, the motorcycle has some serious presence on the roads
The Scout Bobber is pure aesthetic brilliance and nothing else!
Styling – As an automaker, Indian Motorcycles has been in our good books when it comes to product design. With outer dimensions measuring 2276 x 926 x 1154 (length x width x height, in mm) coupled with broad rubber and a hunkered-down stance, the Scout Bobber doesn’t deviate from the company’s trait even a bit and looks really handsome in flesh. Everything, from the cast wheels and street tracker handlebars to the footpegs and dual pipes, comes coated in satin black. Helping it stay true to bobber styling are those chopped fenders and a well-crafted brown leather seat. Attention-to-detail is of top order which shows in the level of detailing on the blinkers and bold block lettering on the tank. In essence, this motorcycle is a stripped-down Scout but the overall transformation has come out really well. So much so, that it tends to overshadow the standard Scout in terms of road presence.
The instrument cluster is basic in nature and sits close to the tank
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The Scout Bobber’s instrumentation unit consists of an analog cluster that also houses a compact digital display on the lower part. While there is nothing particularly attractive in this single-pod unit, it goes well with the motorcycle’s minimalist theme. The analogue speedometer circles various tell-tale lights and is fairly easy-to-read despite its size. All other information – including the odometer, tachometer, engine temperature, clock and more – is presented on the digital display which is just about legible in daylight. The switch to toggle with various options displayed on the screen has been provided on the handlebar. Speaking of switchgear, the Scout Bobber comes with well-finished buttons that feel nice and premium to operate.
The rider has to cope with quite a lot of windblast on the highways
Ergonomics – As compared to the standard Scout, Indian has altered the ergonomics of the Scout Bobber which has had an impact on the seating position. While the saddle height stands at a more-than-accessible 649 mm, the company has brought the footpegs closer to the rider by 38 mm and also made the handlebar more accessible. It is easy to manoeuvre this machine around corners as the centre of gravity is quite low. However, the riding position is a quirky mix of ‘relaxed’ and ‘dedicated’ which takes comfort out of the equation on longer runs. The rider has to lean in slightly to grab the handlebars while the lower body remains in a laid-back posture typical of cruisers. Thankfully, the seat is well-shaped and offers decent amount of cushioning. The rear-view mirrors offer a good view of what’s behind provided you set them right in the first place!
Performance – When it comes to real-world performance, the Scout Bobber is easily a step ahead of its competitors. The 1133cc, 8-valve, V-Twin engine borrowed from the standard Scout churns out a respectable 93.8 BHP of power and 97 Nm of torque. There is ample low-end pep to get going from a standstill and the motorcycle picks up pace without much effort. The peak torque comes in rather late at 5600 RPM which translates to a power delivery not as forceful as you’d expect with the Indian’s on-paper specifications. However, this machine comes to its own once you are in the mid-range. From halt, 100 km/hr comes up on the speedometer in 4.5 seconds and even after that, there is enormous amount of grunt to make good progress on open roads. At higher speeds, in-gear acceleration is outstanding as the motor doesn’t hesitate to pull at higher RPMs. In fact, it revs all the way up to 8250 RPM! However, vibrations start to creep in through the handlebar and footpegs post 4500 RPM and become intrusive by the time you cross 6000 RPM.
The responsive nature of the engine makes this bobber immense fun to ride
The Scout Bobber hits 95 km/hr in the first cog itself, while the second gear tops out at 130 km/hr!
In terms of refinement, the motor feels surprisingly good for a V-Twin at lower RPMs. Even in the mid-range, the vibrations are well-contained and not a cause of concern. At the same time, the characteristic rumble from the twin exhaust makes it a pleasure to cruise around town astride this beast. Though it has immense potential, the Scout Bobber doesn’t like to be handled aggressively. Near the redline, one can clearly feel some serious opposition from the 6-speed gearbox, which works well otherwise. The clutch lever isn’t exactly on the lighter side but feels manageable to operate. There is traction control on offer which does its work vigorously to avoid even the slightest of wheelspins and wheelies. Gulping in 12.5-litres of fuel in one go, the Scout Bobber, with a fuel economy of around 22 km/litre, can easily go for over 250 kms without needing a break.
The front suspension comes with 120 mm of travel while the rear one allows just 50 mm of movement!
The Scout Bobber feels planted and inspires a lot of confidence around corners
Riding Dynamics – Swing a leg over and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the way all 255 kgs of mass has been centred! At no point does one feel intimidated by the Scout Bobber’s kerb weight. The motorcycle feels effortless around corners and remains stable on the straights. However, one has to be extra careful on bad roads and speed breakers as the ground clearance is very limited at 123 mm. This also affects the lean angle negatively which allows the footpegs to scrape even under mild cornering. The conventional suspension setup is sprung on the stiffer side with limited suspension travel playing its part without fail to worsen the ride quality. All undulations on the road are thoroughly felt by the rider despite supposedly better absorption by the fat knobby tyres (130-section front and 150-section rear). Braking is performed by 298 mm disc brakes at either end. Coupled with ABS, brakes have good stopping power with a very positive feedback.
Our country’s fascination for chunky tyres also helps this one grab attention wherever it goes!
Verdict – If you are a sucker for aesthetics and performance, the Scout Bobber wins the game hands down. It blends the two beautifully and at the same time, adds in quality and exclusivity to the mix. In addition to being high on power, this bobber comes packed with the handling prowess required to extract it. There is something amiss about the ergonomics and ride quality, but that’s pretty much it when we talk about the bike’s shortcomings. Priced at almost Rs. 15 lakhs, the Scout Bobber isn’t even remotely close to be classified as a value-for-money proposition! Considering other motorcycles from the brand, it isn’t overpriced either. However, the feel of riding this one on Indian roads is unparalleled with all the eyeballs glued to the bike as if it is a Batpod! So, if you are willing to forego the impractical nature and questionable after-sales service, owning the Scout Bobber does make some sense for that desirability factor alone.
Keyslot has been positioned on the left side of the motor near the rider’s thigh, takes some getting used to
What’s Cool
* Looks drop-dead gorgeous with all that attention-to-detail on the outside
* Surefooted handling by bobber motorcycle standards
* Cracker of an engine, compliments the bike’s handling characteristics well
What’s Not So Cool
* Stiff ride quality, coupled with an uneasy riding position
* Both the engine and gearbox refuse to cooperate at higher RPMs
Every inch of this motorcycle screams ‘Badass’!
2018 Indian Scout Bobber Specifications
* Engine: 1133cc, Liquid-Cooled, Twin-Cylinder, 8-Valves
* Power: 93.8 BHP
* Torque: 97 Nm @ 5600 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed Manual
* 0-100 km/hr: 4.5 seconds
* Top Speed: 200 km/hr (Est.)
* Fuel Consumption: 22 km/litre (Est.)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Twin Shock Absorbers (Rear)
* Tyres: 130/90/16 (Front), 150/80/16 (Rear), Tubeless
* Brakes: 298 mm Disc (Front), 298 mm Disc (Rear), ABS
2018 Indian Scout Bobber Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2276 mm x 926 mm x 1154 mm
* Wheelbase: 1562 mm
* Ground Clearance: 123 mm
* Seat Height: 649 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.5-litres
* Kerb Weight: 255 kgs
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