Indian Motorcycle rolls into MY2023 with a rollover, retro-tacular Bobber model from its Scout family. This bike channels its own deep history with design elements borrowed from way back to include old-school custom culture and a nod to the old rigid rear-end frames with its own rear-end geometry. The V-Twin engine manages to suggest the look of the old mills, but with modern, liquid-cooled technology and powerful output figures.
The Scout moniker was first used from 1920 to 1949 and was one of the factory's most prodigious Indian models at that time. Reintroduced as a 2015 cruiser, the base Scout model has since launched a number of variants to include the Big Bobber; called so to distinguish between this bike and the smaller-displacement, Scout Bobber Sixty.
2023 Indian Scout Bobber
- Modern Take On Classic Bobber Styling
- Sporty, Aggressive Performance
- Genuine Leather Bobber Saddle
- Available ABS
- Nice Paint
- Model: Scout Bobber
- Engine:: 1,133 cc V-Twin
- Power Output: 100 HP @ 8,100 RPM
- Torque: 72 LB-FT (98 Nm) @ 5,900 RPM
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- MSRP: $12,249
- Powerful And Fun
- Low Seat Height
- Retro Design
- Lack Of Higher Electronics
- Forward Foot Controls Can Be Wearisome
- Lack Of Dual Front Brakes
2023 Indian Scout Bobber Performance And Capability
The 2023 Indian Scout Bobber produces 100 horsepower and 72 pound-feet of torque. The torque doesn't fully develop until 5,900 rpm while the ponies pony up in full at the 8,100 mark, so this is clearly an engine that likes to be wound up pretty tight, especially for a V-twin.
A 99 mm bore and 73.6 mm stroke give it a 1,133 cc displacement with a warmish, 10.7-to-1 compression ratio that will want mid-grade pusholine to make the magic happen with no knock, ping, or dieseling. Like its counterpart, the Harley-Davidson Sportster, the Scout engine is what you might call a post-unit engine. In this configuration, the responsive 6-speed transmission and clutch are built into the same cases as the engine for an overall compact and self-contained drivetrain.
Rather than a chain, it uses a gear-type primary drive to power the clutch hub. A fiber-reinforced belt carries power to the rear wheel with an overall drive ratio that turns out a Scout Bobber top speed right around the 128-MPH mark. Overall, the liquid-cooled, 69-cubic-inch, 100-horsepower V-twin is a powerful engine that makes raw power and a thrilling ride accessible to riders.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Liquid-cooled V-Twin, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder |
Displacement | 1,133 cc (69 cu in) |
Bore x Stroke | 99 mm x 74 mm |
Compression | 10.7:1 |
Power | 100 HP @ 8,100 RPM |
Torque | 72 LB-FT (98 Nm) @ 5,900 RPM |
Fuel System | Electronic Fuel Injection, Closed-Loop / 60 mm bore |
Exhaust | Split Dual Exhaust with Cross-Over |
Final Drive | Belt Drive, 141 Tooth |
Clutch | Wet, multi - plate |
Gearbox | 6-Speed, Constant Shift/Foot Shift |
Design
The overall design of this little gem holds a host of Easter Eggs. Let's start with the sheet metal. Someone went nuts with the grinder and left a vestigial front fender and what I can only describe as a whacked rear fender that's barely large enough to clear its own struts.
The taillight and turn signals mount to the fender, but the tag mounts off to the left side of the rear, so it doesn't ruin that custom-classic rear end. Fat tires and ample blackout paint add more yet to the custom look, but it's the stretched, teardrop tank that really steals the show.
You get a sharp-looking, genuine leather bobber-style seat. The two-tone saddle slings your butt at 25.6 inches off the deck which should accommodate some fairly short riders, but it's a solo seat as the Bobber rolls off the showroom floor. The cockpit is similarly clean with a single round headlight ahead of a single round gauge, which packs a digital tachometer, engine temp, trip meter, odometer, and low fuel lamp. I'm loving the hang-down bar-end mirrors too, what a nice custom touch. Despite the aggressive stance and class-leading horsepower, the Scout with its bobber styling offers a relaxed ride.
Indian Scout Bobber Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 87.5 in |
Width | 36.5 in |
Height | 41.5 in |
Seat Height | 25.6 in |
Wheelbase | 62 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Fuel Capacity | 3.3 gal |
Curb Weight | 553 lbs |
Dry Weight | 533 lbs |
Chassis
The factory went to great lengths to cultivate that old-school look in the Scout Bobber, and it starts in the frame. A constant angle of drop from the steering head and down the backbone picks up by the rear shock to give the bike a bit of a hardtail look without going overboard with a whole swing-cage thing hanging off the rear end.
Rake and trail are somewhat relaxed from a pure sport machine with a 29-degree rake and 5.1 inches of trail for a measure of stability with decent tracking. However, if you are into flogging it for fun, the 5.1-inch ground clearance delivers a lean angle of 29 degrees to either side, so you can get just about as jiggy with it as you like.
The 41 mm forks come with set parameters and 4.7 inches of travel, which is about right for a cruiser motorcycle. But out back, the two-inch suspension stroke is almost medieval and superior only to an actual rigid frame in practice.
Cast-alloy, blackout wheels roll in a 16-inch diameter at both ends with Pirelli MT60RS stealth-knobby tires in a 130/90 ahead of a 150/80 for that low-down and fat look. As for brakeage, it relies on the strength of a single front brake with a 298 mm rotor and two-piston anchor and a single-bore caliper, and another 298 mm disc out back. ABS is standard on all but the lone non-ABS colorway at the bottom of the price range.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Front Suspension/ Travel | 41 mm Telescopic fork/ 4.7 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Dual shocks/ 2.0 in |
Rake | 29° |
Trail | 4.7 in |
Front Wheel | Cast Black, 16” x 3.5" |
Rear Wheel | Cast Black, 16” x 3.5" |
Front Tire | Pirelli® MT60RS, 130/90B16 67H |
Rear Tire | Pirelli® MT60RS 150/80B16 77H |
Front Brake | 298 mm floating disc, 2-piston caliper |
Rear Brake | 298 mm floating disc, single-piston caliper |
2023 Indian Scout Bobber Price And Availability
The 2023 Indian Scout Bobber costs $12,249. That's for the non-ABS model in Black Metallic. If you fancy one of the nine remaining color options, all with ABS, the starting price will range from $13,149 to $14,649.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Warranty | Two-Year Unlimited Mileage |
Colors | |
└ 2018 | Thunder Black, Bronze Smoke, Star Silver Smoke, Indian Motorcycle Red, Thunder Black Smoke |
└ 2019 | Thunder Black, Thunder Black Smoke, White Smoke, Bronze Smoke |
└ 2020 | Thunder Black, Thunder Black Smoke, Bronze Smoke, White Smoke, Deepwater Metallic, ICON Radar Blue, ICON Ruby Smoke, ICON Deep Brass Smoke |
└ 2021 | Thunder Black, Thunder Black Smoke, Maroon Metallic Smoke, White Smoke, Alumina Jade Smoke, ICON Indy Red, ICON Burnt Orange Metallic Smoke, ICON Thunder Black Azure Crystal |
└ 2022 | Black Metallic, Black Smoke, Titanium Metallic, Maroon Metallic Smoke, Silver Quartz Smoke, Alumina Jade Smoke, ICON Indy Red, ICON Blue Slate Smoke, ICON Black Azure Crystal |
└ 2023 | Black Metallic, Black Smoke, Springfield Blue, Silver Quartz Smoke, Sagebrush Smoke, ICON Stealth Gray Azure Crystal, ICON Copper Smoke, ICON Indy Red |
Price | |
└ 2018 | Thunder Black: $11,499, Colors: $11,999, Thunder Black Smoke w/ABS: $12,499 |
└ 2019 | Thunder Black: $11,999, Thunder Black w/ABS: $12,799, Colors: $13,299 |
└ 2020 | Thunder Black: $10,999, Thunder Black w/ ABS: $11,899, Colors: $12,399, ICON: $12,899 |
└ 2021 | Thunder Black: $10,999, Thunder Black w/ ABS: $11,899, Colors: $12,399 - $12,899, ICON: $13,399 |
└ 2022 | Black Metallic: $12,249, Black Metallic w/ ABS: $13,149, Colors: $13,649 - $14,149, ICON: $14,649 |
└ 2023 | Black Non-ABS: $12,249, Black w/ABS: $13,149, Color: $13,649, Premium Color: $14,149, ICON: $14,649 |
Competitors
There can be little doubt that the Scout line is Indian's response to the Evolution-driven Harley-Davidson Sportster that for so long was the only American-made sport-cruiser in town. H-D has a new performance-driven Sportster platform nowadays, so let's see how the Bobber stacks up against the Sportster S.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S
The new Harley-Davidson Sportster S has a similar look in that it's low and beefy with abbreviated bodywork and a V-twin drive unit. Fat tires and an even smaller front fender than the Bobber set the tone, while out back, a solo seat and small, sporty subframe section finish it up with all the gear in the rear mounted on the swingarm-mount hugger.
The Sportster engine churns out 121 horsepower and 94 pounds o' grunt to shame the Bobber's 100/72 power figures and is capable of even deeper banks with a 34-degree lean angle to both sides. H-D brings the pain by adding full infotainment functionality and making its safety electronics available to which the Bobber claims only ABS for its safety electronics. You'll pay for it though, to the tune of $16,399 no matter which of the four colorways you choose to leave Indian some wiggle room at the checkout counter, and this is where the Scout Bobber comes fighting back.
He Said
“This thing is nice and properly thick with low visual and actual weight, and oodles of custom yummygoodness to boot. I like the balance between old and new, though it's hard to go wrong with retro nowadays and is a pretty safe bet, especially for buyers familiar with the marque's history.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The Bobber has a low center of gravity, so handling is very balanced. This sporty cruiser has a characteristically low seat height, but taller riders might feel a bit clam-shelled. There are no safety nets here so when you ride it, it's just you, the bike, and your skill. Performance-wise, it's a really nice ride, and you'll really like that grunt way down low on the rev range.”
FAQ
Q: Is the Indian Scout Bobber a girl's bike?
Comparatively, the Scout Bobber is not a big bike, and with a low seat height some riders might label it as a "girl's" bike. In fact, with lively performance and responsive handling, the Scout Bobber is a rider's bike. Tall riders might find it a little small, but while the dimensions are favorable for many female riders, it's not a chick's bike.
Q: How fast can an Indian Scout Bobber go?
Top speed of the Scout Bobber is governed at 128 MPH with zero-to-60 time of four seconds and a 12.7-second quarter mile.
Q: Is Indian Scout Bobber good for long rides?
Forward controls and a slouchy rider posture are fine for urban travels but are wearisome for long distances. The two-inch rear suspension travel adds to discomfort for rides other than short trips.
Q: Are Bobbers harder to ride?
Bobbers, originally called "bob-jobs," by definition are bikes on which all parts that don't contribute to performance are removed. The rear fender is shortened (bobbed) and the front fender is removed along with other superfluous body panels to reduce the weight of the bike. This customization is applicable to any style of motorcycle but lends itself to cruiser-styled bikes. As such, a bobber is no easier or harder to ride than any other bike. The skill needed to ride a bobber depends on the base model from which the bobber was fashioned.