Ten years after the Scout name was re-introduced into the Indian lineup, the American brand has given the Scout a total overhaul - banging a new engine in a new frame and changing just about everything else along the way. This isn't really an update - more an all-new bike. Topping the Scout range is the brand's new 101 Scout - a more powerful, sexier and more exciting strain of the Scout family.
Without doubt the standout features are its handsome looks and rambunctious V-twin engine. The fit, finish and overall appearance of the 101 is luscious. The paintwork is superb and the attention to detail gives this production bike a ready-to-ride custom look. Of course, there is a swathe of optional accessories to bedazzle your 101 to suit your taste.
The 1250cc engine is enthusiastic to say the least. It's not your traditional low-down grunter and loves being kept higher in the rev range, and when you do, it is hilariously rapid. The gearing is tall, so it takes a bit more finesse to get the 101 off the mark than it does on most power cruisers.
The 101 sports an adjustable USD fork up front and dual shocks at the rear - a nice amalgamation of old school and contemporary equipment. When screaming around town or cruising on good roads the suspension offers a damn fine ride. Start pushing on bumpy, high-speed roads and the 101 struggles somewhat - it's not its natural habitat, so that's to be expected and not something that couldn't be rectified by a trip to the suspension guru at your local.
Seating position and overall ergonomics are everything you would expect from a power cruiser - aggressively comfortable. With a claimed weight of 249kg, the 101 is a great option for riders looking for a cruiser that is relatively light and nimble. There's a mild reach to the MX-style bars and your legs are propped forward on the forward controls. I spent a solid few hours riding the 101 on the day we filmed the bike, and I reckon it's pretty comfy. The seat height is a very reasonable 680mm and, combined with its low-ish weight, it's a really accessible ride for a lot of people.
I'm not sure electronic gizmos are top and centre in the mind of people looking at a ride like this, but if they are, the 101 has you covered. There are three ride modes - Sport, Standard and Tour - plus you get a keyless ignition system, ABS, switchable traction control, cruise control and a touchscreen TFT dash. It may be relatively and appropriately petite, but it packs a huge amount of information and features within it. There are different display options to choose from, navigation and the usual range of information you would expect. The dash can also connect to your phone via Indian's Ride Command system for even more info at your fingertips. The touchscreen works beautifully, and I wish more bikes had this - it's lovely.
There is so much to love and long for with the 101, but there are a couple of areas where I reckon Indian have dropped the ball a tad. Firstly, the fuelling when cold could be better. Once you've got some temperature in the big twin everything is just dandy, but when it's cold it's on the cantankerous side.
The other ball drop is the otherwise brilliant touchscreen TFT dash. The 4-inch display takes too long to fire up, and while you can fire the bike up after a few seconds even without the display in operation, it can take those few seconds to fire up at all. Now, it is a brand-new model, and Indian are pretty responsive to these things, so I have little doubt there'll be a software update along shortly to sort this.
The 101 sure makes an impressive performance and visual statement. Although it looks like a custom ride right out of the box, it's just screaming to be customised. If you want a cruiser but don't want a bike that weighs in excess of 300kg, then the 101 is spot-on. It is a fast, handsome and beautifully built power cruiser that is just begging you to be a hoon.
