We Test Ride The Scout

[DGShannon_imp]

Pamela and I left for Ocala, FL yesterday at 5AM so that we could arrive at Indian Motorcycles of Ocala by opening time. They're hosting the Indian factory ride show over the weekend and we hoped to beat the crowds to sign up for a ride. Arriving at 9AM we discover that they had opened an hour early and there is a long line at the ride sign-up already. We finally get signed up for a turn on a Scout in the third wave and spend the morning browsing the inventory of this fantastic dealership which sells Honda, Kawasaki, Can-Am, Triumph, Polaris and Victory as well.

It's late morning with perfect riding conditions when we get our turn on the Scouts. I haven't ridden a cruiser in years and am immediately struck by how weird and totally unnatural this riding position is with your feet forward and your body compressed into a "C" shape. The seat is very comfy, for me at least. Pamela and another lady tester declare the seat a torture device, designed for male bums. The ride takes about 20 minutes and covers some rather bumpy sections that I expect to transmit some hard hits from the limited rear suspension travel but not so. I think the large tires with their flexible side walls absorb the worst of the jolts. The most surprising aspect of the Scout is it's handling, completely natural and confidence inspiring. The bike flicks willingly into a turn and holds any line easily, very un-cruiser like. The motor is just about perfect with great torque from right off idle and very smooth. The fuel injection is well sorted and not a sign of throttle snatch. The brakes are adequate but sub par compared to the CB. Another disc up front is needed. Set up on the test bikes varied it seems. Pamela's bike had a heavier clutch pull and a bit of throttle snatch that made her ride less pleasant than mine and I've already mentioned her opinion of the seat.

Overall, I like this bike but it would never replace my CB1100. Another Indian model with the same motor but better ergos would tempt me to have one as a second ride.

The trip to Ocala took us past many of our favorite places that we frequented when we lived there. One of these is Lochloosa Lake near Hawthorne,FL. We spent many good times there bass fishing and bird watching. Pausing at the lake for lunch on the way home it was as we remembered it, beautiful. Bald Eagles soared overhead and a Tri-colored Heron on the boat dock accompanied our break.

Anytime handlebars slant backward, away from the triple clamps, you have already lost me. So many of the cruisers & tourers do that, and to me there is hardly anything else as goofy looking. Just sort of says... "Sorry we put the forks in the wrong place. Let's slant the bars back to where your hands really are!"