We liked the new Scout Bobber. You can click HERE to find out why. And, in the course of the review, five things stood out about the motorcycle. Not all were good though.
It’s a looker
The standard Indian Scout is already a good-looking motorcycle. It’s well proportioned; it has a hint of classic appeal to it; and it stands out in a crowd. The Bobber just takes the game a level higher. The all-black theme, chopped fenders, and a hoodie for a headlamp make it look sportier, younger and more desirable than even the Scout.
It’s a modern machine
The Scout Bobber might run front forks the right way up and twin coil over units at the rear. But, the chassis they support, and the wheels and tyres they connect to, are as good as on any modern motorcycle. The engine too, with liquid cooling and fuel injection, and a smooth-shifting 6-speed gearbox by its side, is smooth, torquey and reliable.
It’s got the legs
If you get yourself a cruiser, the least you expect from it is long distance cruising ability. The Scout Bobber does that job well. It’s happiest dub-dubbing between 95-110kmph, but it has the ability to do more. The single seat is good for at least an hour of riding; the straight-line stability is great; and the lack of vibes at these speeds means, you don’t end up getting tired all too early.
It’s not the most comfortable
But, the lack of suppleness and travel in the rear suspension means you better chalk out a route that’s a ribbon of beautifully surfaced roads. On anything but the perfect roads – okay, maybe even on mildly broken tarmac to be fair – the Bobber can be quite painful. It’s especially bad when encountering an unexpected dip in the road at speed.
And it’s a good addition to the garage
Yes, I know you can’t your better half for a ride on it. And, that the ride itself is awful. Plus, the less than adequate headlamps make it impossible to see the dips and potholes on the road in the dark. But, in every other aspect, the Bobber is completely agreeable. And likeable. I like the way it looks. I like that I can ride it to work. And, I especially like how the engine, the chassis, the brakes, and not to mention, the low-speed stability come together to make the Bobber one very easy-to-ride 1000cc-plus motorcycle.
