Can an Iconic American Motorcycle Brand Successfully Reboot a Classic?

We test-rode all five variants of the all-new 2025 Indian Scout. Here’s our verdict.

Published August 30, 2024

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Updated August 30, 2024

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Revamping a legendary product can be risky business. Just look at New Coke, the New Beetle and, of course, Velma. (There’s a reason you’ve never heard of that last one. The latest Scooby Doo incarnation ditched the dog and currently has a 1.6/10 rating on IMDb.)

Wrapped into a new steel tube frame, the new Scout is 10 pounds lighter than its predecessor and yet also more potent: A new 1250cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine, the SpeedPlus 1250, delivers 11 percent more power and 14 percent more torque.

So when it came time for Indian to revisit the Scout, the designers and engineers truly had their work cut out. The nameplate dates back to 1920, and the most recent iteration, introduced in 2015, has evolved into the brand’s best-selling bike — a huge reason Indian has sextupled its market share (to 13 percent) over the past decade.

Only adding to the ambition of the reload was the decision to launch not one new bike, but five different variants.

Well, spoiler alert: They pretty much nailed it. I got a chance to ride all the new editions all over Northern California earlier this year, and I came away pretty damn impressed.

A whole troop of new Scouts

That’s right, there are five new bikes. But in a wise move that made their lives immeasurably easier, they elected to begin by establishing a standard framework from which all the variants could emerge.

Simply by making that baseline superior to previous Scouts, they’d be ahead of the game before they even started picking paint schemes.

2025 indian scout motorcycle lineup — The new lineup, from left to right: Scout Bobber, Scout Classic, Scout 101, Sport Scout and Super Scout.

So, how does the revamped version beat its predecessors? Attracting the interest of newer and shorter riders, it features an accessible seat height (generally 25.7 inches) and narrow standover width, user-friendly mid controls and standard ABS.

Wrapped into a new steel tube frame, the bikes shed 10 pounds and yet also get more potent: A new 1250cc liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine, the SpeedPlus 1250, delivers 11 percent more power and 14 percent more torque. Four of the five variants boast 105 horsepower, while the top-of-the-line 101’s engine has been tuned up to 111.

One more point of difference: Trim levels

Now, before we get into each variant, I should mention that in addition to the different bikes, Indian also offers a number of trim levels, each with its own package of features, to help you saddle up with whatever you want/your budget will allow.

The most stripped-down and affordable trim is Standard, which includes ABS, new LED lighting and an analog gauge with new fuel level and fuel economy readouts.

Next up is Limited, which adds premium badging and additional technology, including traction control, cruise control, a USB charger and three selectable ride modes: Sport, Standard and Tour.

indian-scout-101-touchscreen — A staple of the Limited +Tech trim level, the round touchscreen display (seen here on a 101) resembles a classic gauge but packs a whole lot of modern functionality.

At the top of the line you’ll find Limited +Tech, which includes everything mentioned above plus push-button, keyless ignition and a 4-inch round touchscreen display packing Indian’s Ride Command navigation, plus weather and traffic overlays, configurable gauges, ride stats and more.

Note: This third trim level is actually standard for the 101 Scout model and the Super Scout — and an optional upgrade for the three others.

Alright, without further ado, here’s the hype on each new bike, plus my first impressions, breathlessly recorded after two full days of rumbling down along the coast and zipping up through the redwoods between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. We’ll start with the three “cruisier” rides before moving on to the two sportier ones.

The new Scout Bobber: City pretty

2025 indian scout bobber — Rebel, rebel: The Bobber’s perfect for riding the wrong way on SF’s famously winding Lombard Street — up. (For the record, Indian arranged to close off the roads for this particular stunt.)

The hype: With a solo seat, chopped fenders, a slammed two-inch suspension and headlight nacelle, this bike exudes raw bobber style. The understated color schemes, low stance and bar-end mirrors round out a streamlined package ideal for no-holds-barred riding.

First impressions: Of the bunch, the Bobber is probably the coolest looking. It also possesses perhaps the biggest point of distinction: The slammed suspension means a full inch less of travel than all the other bikes have.

That causes the bike to sit just a bit lower — literally 0.1 inches — and yet it changes the whole vibe, especially because at 522 pounds, this bike is also the lightest in the line. I know I said cruisier, but being closer to the ground does make the Bobber great for really jamming, engaging with the road and generally feeling like a badass.

That said, the reduced suspension is noticeably tougher on the body: Whenever I hit a pothole or other unexpected bump, I definitely felt it in my spine. For that reason, it’s the ideal urban bike, better for lookin’ good than ridin’ long.

2025 Indian Scout Bobber

Specs

Engine	SpeedPlus 1250 V-Twin
Transmission	6-speed, constant mesh / foot shift
Horsepower	105 hp at 7250 rpm
Weight	522 lbs
Seat Height	25.6 inches

$12,999 at Indian Motorcycle

The new Scout Classic: Meat and potatoes

2025 indian scout classic — Ol’ reliable: Pleasant and predictable, the Classic might be right up the alley of some riders, particularly newer ones.

The hype: With premium chrome, flared fenders, wired wheels and picture-perfect paint, the Scout Classic offers a mix of heritage looks and modern convenience. The low seat and a relaxed riding position should keep long trips safe and comfortable.

First impressions: Not unlike, say, a Honda Civic, the Classic offers an approachable base from which to begin. From a style perspective, it’s very traditional and from a performance perspective, it’s quite capable. The upgrade in power and acceleration over previous Scouts is particularly palpable, but overall, riding it delivered everything I expected yet nothing, you know, surprising.

Sitting somewhere between the city-oriented Bobber and the highway-focused Super Scout — closer to the former in terms of weight and price and the latter in terms of shape and ride feel — the Classic has the versatility to handle both environments capably.

From a somewhat blank canvas, you could easily accessorize with your own personal touches so that, like many a pimped-out Civic, it eventually becomes one-of-a-kind.

2025 Indian Scout Classic

Specs

Engine	SpeedPlus 1250 V-Twin
Transmission	6-speed, constant mesh / foot shift
Horsepower	105 hp at 7250 rpm
Weight	536 lbs
Seat Height	25.7 inches

$13,999 at Indian Motorcycle

The new Super Scout: Long-haul trucker

2025 indian super scout — Road trip: Putting the bagger to the test along the California coast was quite a delight.

The hype: The Super Scout is built for extended two-up adventures. Standard features include user-friendly saddle bags, a windshield, passenger pillion and three inches of suspension travel. Chrome touches and wire wheels add some trademark visual flair.

First impressions: The Super Scout’s bona fides as a touring bike are obvious from the jump, especially compared to the Bobber. The way the bars sway back makes for a much more relaxed riding position, which is ideal for long journeys on the open road.

This bike also packs saddlebags (the largest Indian has ever offered on a Scout), a passenger seat and pegs — plus the navigation assistance of the Limited +Tech package’s touchscreen display — so it’s ready to load up your gear, grab your partner and just go.

One other distinguishing feature is the windshield, which should keep your teeth bug free on the longer trips. It conveniently has a quick-release mechanism, so you can easily detach it for more casual jaunts. Even with everything mounted up, however, I have to say the Super Scout looks pretty damn cool.

2025 Indian Super Scout

Specs

Engine	SpeedPlus 1250 V-Twin
Transmission	6-speed, constant mesh / foot shift
Horsepower	105 hp at 7250 rpm
Weight	571 lbs
Seat Height	25.7 inches

$16,499 at Indian Super Scout

The new Sport Scout: Just plain fun as hell

2025 indian sport scout — Scrapin’ pegs: The Sport Scout’s playfulness quickly won me over.

The hype: Blending historical inspiration and modern aesthetics, the Sport Scout features six-inch moto-style risers (standard), moto handlebars and a 19-inch front wheel. The quarter fairing provides a custom look — plus wind protection — while a supportive sport-style seat makes hours in the saddle more comfortable.

First impressions: It’s funny to say about the second-most affordable bike in the lineup (after the Bobber), but the Sport quickly won my heart. At 528 pounds, it’s also the second-lightest option, and it just felt very playful and easy-shifting from the start.

The handlebar risers have the effect of putting you in a more athletic riding position, and together with the light wind protection of the quarter fairing, amps up the whole attitude of the bike. Tearing past the trees, I felt as free as I ever have on a moto, and as you can tell from the photo, I managed to lean pretty low in the corners, too.

I will stop well short of saying it’s the best bike in the lineup (we’re still getting to that one), but at $13,499, it’s a strong candidate for the best value of the bunch.

2025 Indian Sport Scout

Specs

Engine	SpeedPlus 1250 V-Twin
Transmission	6-speed, constant mesh / foot shift
Horsepower	105 hp at 7250 rpm
Weight	528 lbs
Seat Height	25.7 inches

$13,499 at Indian Motorcycle

The new Scout 101: The bike that would be king

2025 indian scout 101 — Form, meet function: The 101 is the rare bike that looks as fantastic as it rides.

The hype: Behold the highest-performing Indian Scout ever produced. Thanks to adjustable piggyback rear shocks, inverted adjustable front forks, dual-disc Brembo brakes and a bit more horsepower than its brethren (111 vs 105), the 101 Scout is preordained to reign. The gunfighter-style solo seat, moto-style bars with six-inch risers and a premium fit and finish secure its place at the top of the new line.

First impressions: With its clear position as the lead dog, the 101 carries high expectations. That’s probably why Indian went out of its way to maximize this ride. As with the Super Scout, the Limited +Tech package is standard on the 101, while the paint schemes are so dialed, they almost feel custom.

Plus, right out of the gate, it packs 6 more horsepower than any other bike here. (Pro tip, you can get a calibration update at the dealer to move the others up to 111 hp, for a few hundred bucks.)

From the moment I straddled this bike and fired up the engine, I could feel the difference. It’s like a roaring beast that must be tamed. As we ripped through the redwoods, the bike itself enabled me to blast straightaways and dig into corners in ways I rarely have before.

In retrospect, the configuration of its shocks, responsiveness of its brakes, force of its acceleration and precision of its Sport mode — plus the aggressive position encouraged by the gunfighter-style seat and handlebar risers — does something special. Ultimately, the 101 invites you to push it to the limit — and responds in kind.

In other words, it’s not here to make you comfortable: It’s here to make you faster, sharper, more daring and, yeah, maybe a little bit scared. But when you pull up to the cantina at the end of the day, heart still pounding in your chest, you’ll have good stories to tell.

As pretty much every seasoned rider knows, that’s something you just can’t put a price on.