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Tootal
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2014 - 09:01 pm: | 
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At first glance I see two things right off.
The gas tank looks like it came off an early 80's Yamaha 920 Virago.
The exhaust looks like it came off the shelf over at Victory.
I think Polaris makes great bikes rather you like the styling or not. I saw a disassembled Victory engine once and was impressed with the design and the castings.
This bike is water cooled and I agree with those who don't think a cruiser style bike should have a radiator. It just doesn't fit but then again, I'm over 50 and probably not the target of this machine.
Still waiting for the AX but until then my Uly is still going strong.
When the Hardly Dangerous finally get old I may spring for a new Indian Chieftain for my touring needs, but not a Scout. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 09:33 pm: |
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Tomorrow, the Demo Truck is going to be in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Indian dealership. I'm going up with the express purpose of taking a Scout out for a ride. If I'm in the right frame of mind, I might take out one of the Big bikes as well (Roadmaster, Chief, whatever it's called). I have no interest in getting one of the big bikes, even though I think the 111 engine is a work of art. I have never liked the skirted fenders that damn near everybody else thinks are pretty, and I think the whole bike is just too freakin' big. I will take one out for a demo ride though. It might just surprise me. The Scout has caught my eye, though. It could be a Contender for a future purchase. I'll report back; probably tomorrow evening. |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 06:12 am: |
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Looking forward to reading your ride report, Crusty. |
Badlionsfan
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 08:53 am: |
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Demo truck is gonna be in my neck of the woods next weekend, gonna try to get down there next Saturday to ride the scout and a chief or Roadmaster. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 12:20 pm: |
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The local Indian shop already has twelve deposits on Scouts, sight unseen... |
Crusty
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:03 pm: |
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I went up to Manchester, NH today specifically to take a Demo ride on a Scout. I got to Indian of Manchester a little after 2:00 and went over to the sign up table. They were going out in groups, and the next group(#6) had all the Scouts booked, so I booked a Scout for the ride after that (#7). Since I had to wait anyway, I booked a ride on on a Chieftain in group 6.
The Chieftain turned out to be a surprise. It wasn't nearly the awkward tank I expected it to be. It had boatloads of torque from about 1 RPM right on up. The transmission shifted smoothly, and the general handling wasn't bad. Make no mistake; it is a big bike; it just doesn't feel as big as it is. The 111 Engine is one of the prettiest engines being manufactured today, and it makes good power according to the seat of my pants. I still don't like the skirted fenders, but I'm more favorably disposed toward the bike after the ride.
After the ride on the Chieftain, I took a Scout out, and what a difference. The Scout is low, relatively nimble makes good power, and is very capable of generating a lot of revenue for the local LEOs. It invites hooliganism. It handles well enough on city streets and Interstate, though I'd like to ride one without a group around me preferably on a twisty mountain road, to form a better opinion. The engine doesn't make the locomotive torque down low that the 111 does, but get it wound up a bit and it flat screws right along. On the Interstate portion of the ride, we were only hitting 60 MPH or so, and both bikes were happy in fourth gear, but pulled fifth and sixth smoothly. A lot of people think that the shock angle is too far from vertical, but other than wanting to crank up a bit of preload (the bike wasn't set up for a robust Guzzi afficionado), I found the rear suspension to work well. I also had no complaints about the front suspension. The brakes worked well, as did the shifter.
I probably won't get one though, in spite of all its good points. The forward controls and bucket seat would have me feeling uncomfortable in a short time, and I don't think I would want to even consider trying to cover 800 miles in a day. The fit and finish is very good on everything I noticed about the bikes. The Scout is offered in four colors, Indian Red, Gloss Black, Flat Black and a Flat Grey/Silver. There were no Flat Black bikes available. I rode a flat Silver and thought it was the nicest color of the three colors available.
Indian has one hell of a warranty for those who pre-order; 5 years, unlimited mileage on the drivetrain. I think on the whole bike (bumper to bumper, the salesman called it), the warranty is two years, but I might have misheard it; it might only be one year. Anyway, for a bike that retails under $12,000, It's a damned good deal and easily worth the price.
In a couple of weeks (September 22) EBR is going to have their Demo truck in Westfield, MA. I think I'll ride the Norge over and take out an RX and an SX and see how I like them. |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:47 pm: |
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Under 12 doesn't sound too bad. You could pull the fenders off. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 11:40 pm: |
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The Scout doesn't have the fully valanced fenders of the bigger Indians. I rode a Chief Vintage earlier this year. I'm not a fan of the riding position (at all), but the engine, transmission and suspension impressed the hell out of me.
Also loved all the attention I got at traffic lights. |
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