#scout

What’s going on with the 2022 Indian Scout Rogues is this: blacked-out trim, a quarter fairing, mini ape-hanger handlebars, a “sport-style” seat, and a 19-inch front wheel. We were big fans of the Scout when it got here, enough so that we made it our 2015 Motorcycle of the Year. At the time, we liked the portent Indian had established with a few new bikes in as many years, as well as the Scout being a direct shot across the Sportster’s bow: No doubt the new Sportster competitor was one of the factors that motivated H-D to get off its, ah, laurels.

Shootout At The MO Corral: A Bout With The Scout + Video

In the ensuing seven years, Indian brought out Scout Sixtys (60 cubic inches instead of 69), Scout Bobbers, and Scout Bobber 20s – all of them variations on seat and handlebar themes. If you were expecting something different for the Scout Rogue, you’ll be a bit disappointed. Then again, the original liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin was so good, what do you want? Cruiser riders don’t demand more horsepower and new tech every year. They want cool, and the Scout Rogue does deliver that. A power cruiser with Indian’s FTR engine, though, would be even cooler. 

Indian Press Release:

Powerful, Reliable, Comfortable & Agile – New Scout Rogue Offers the Most Aggressive Style & Performance-Minded Expression of the Iconic Indian Scout

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – February 1, 2022 – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today unleashed the most aggressive iteration of its iconic Indian Scout with the launch of the new Scout Rogue and Scout Rogue Sixty. Packed with attitude and edge, thanks to its aggressive styling and performance-minded features, Scout Rogue exudes performance, begs for more throttle, and is ready for whatever comes its way.

Indian announced new colors and other updates to the cruiser, bagger and touring models returning for 2022.

Indian Motorcycle has filed trademark applications in multiple markets for “Scout Rogue,” suggesting a new Scout variant is in the works.

The trademark was first filed April 1 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with subsequent filings made today with trademark offices in Australia and the European Union. In each instance, the name “Scout Rogue” was registered for use with “motorcycles and structural parts therefor.” While that description is relatively vague, we can make some inferences from what we know from recent history of both Indian and its parent company, Polaris Industries.

Indian announced it initial batch of 2021 models including its touring, bagger and Scout models. Along with new color options for several motorcycles, the 2021 model year includes a new Roadmaster Limited, a new Vintage Dark Horse and a restyled Roadmaster Dark Horse. Not included in the announcement were the FTR 1200 and the Chief cruiser, but we expect further news from Indian in the weeks ahead.

For 2021, Indian offers the ClimaCommand heated and cooled seats as standard for the Roadmaster Dark Horse and Roadmaster Limited but as an optional accessory for the rest of the Thunderstroke lineup (model years 2014 through 2021 only). The climate controlled seat is now available in Classic or Rogue styles. For 2020-2021 Chieftain and Roadmaster models, the ClimaCommand seat is integrated with the Ride Command system.

Indian is preparing to release a 1000cc version of the Scout Bobber, or, to look at it another way, a bobber version of the Scout Sixty. The new variant was recently certified by both the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the 2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty, which, as if it weren’t confusing enough, will have a smaller version of the engine powering the anniversary edition Indian Scout Bobber Twenty.

While we wrap our heads around the math of 20 > 60, it’s relatively easy to figure out what to expect from the Scout Bobber Sixty. The regular Scout Sixty is similar to the Scout, only with a 1000cc V-Twin engine (versus 1133cc) and a five-speed transmission (compared to the Scout’s six gears). The Scout Sixty lacks the Scout’s passenger seating, as well as the chromed highlights on the engine and wheels.

It stands to reason that the Scout Bobber Sixty will likewise be similar to the Scout Bobber, but with blacked out cylinder heads and a five-speed gearbox. The Bobber Sixty will likely get the same truncated fenders and lowered suspension, low profile seat, headlight, handlebars and foot pedal positions of the Scout Bobber.

Indian Motorcycle has announced its 2020 Scout lineup, including an array of new touring accessories and two special edition models celebrating 100 years of the Scout’s debut in 1920. Confirming our report from last week, the two models are the Indian Scout 100th Anniversary and the Indian Scout Bobber Twenty.

“The Indian Scout has stood the test of time as one of the most influential, iconic and recognizable motorcycles in the world,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “100 years is an incredibly special milestone, and it made perfect sense to honor Scout’s history and legacy with these two heritage-inspired 2020 models.”

In addition to the touring accessories, Indian is also offering a new stage 1 shorty slip-on muffler kit and a 2-into-1 full exhaust system

For 2020, all Scouts (including the Bobber and the Scout Sixty) will receive brake calipers, master cylinders and floating rotors. All 2020 Scout Bobber models will also now come with Pirelli MT60RS tires while the regular 2020 Scout gets a new sport seat and passenger pegs.

A new executive order published by the California Air Resources Board confirms two new 2020 models celebrating the 100 years of the Indian Scout. The CARB document certifies a new Indian Scout 100th Anniversary model as well as a new Indian Scout Bobber Twenty.

Photos of the 100th anniversary Scout have already leaked online from Polaris’ dealer meeting last month (which also confirmed the 2020 Indian Challenger). The photos show the Scout wearing the classic red with yellow pinstriping and wire-spoke wheels instead of the Scout’s usual cast wheels. Other details include a floating seat and 100th anniversary badging.

Anniversaries are a time for celebration, and this July 4th holiday, what better way to celebrate the 243rd anniversary of America’s independence than by getting some killer deals on gear to make your motorcycle ride even better. Here, we’ve rounded up a bunch of items that are on deep discount this July 4th holiday, with some big tickets items being offered at almost half-off full retail pricing. Take a look around, and if you see something that catches your eye, now is the time to act – these deals won’t last forever.

Indian Motorcycle has filed a trademark application for name “Indian Raven” as a potential name for a new model. The application was filed today with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for the intended use of the “Indian Raven” mark for a “motorcycle and structural parts therefor.” We expect a similar filing to come with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the next week. UPDATE: As expected, a trademark application for “Indian Raven” has also been filed with the USPTO, also for “motorcycle and structural parts therefor.”

The trademark application reveals very little details, beyond Indian’s intent to use the name. That leaves us to speculate on what the Indian Raven could be, based on what we know of Indian’s current model lineup and nomenclature. The trademark filing was for the words “Indian” and “Raven” together, so we can probably rule out a Scout variant, otherwise the filing would be something along the lines of “Indian Scout Raven.” Likewise, we assume the name is for a new Chieftain variant, otherwise it’d be something like “Indian Chieftain Raven.”

It’s possible the new model could be a bagger or a tourer like the Springfield or Roadmaster, but the Raven name hardly conjures up images of a heavyweight motorcycle. The use of a bird, especially a relatively small one like the raven, would suggest something much smaller and lightweight. That leaves us with the FTR1200.

Indian has filed a patent application for a modular motorcycle design that may reveal the production version of the FTR1200 and perhaps a couple of model variants. The patent illustrations primarily show a motorcycle that closely resembles the FTR1200 Custom, a concept that itself is based on the FTR750 flat track racer. We know that the Indian FTR1200 will enter production in 2019, and the patent filings gives us an idea on what it will look like.

Indian Motorcycle saw a small growth in sales and market share during the first quarter of 2018, according to Polaris Industries’ quarterly financial report. The modest increase was enough to offset a decrease in Slingshot sales and increase Polaris’ motorcycle sales by 9.3% to $131.6 million.

Polaris reported a low single digit percent growth in Indian sales and a mid single digit decrease in Slingshot sales. The industry, as a whole, saw a drop in the mid-teens for heavyweight motorcycles (900cc and up) during the quarter, leading Polaris to claim an increase in market share for both Indian and Slingshot.

An unusually cold and wet spring over much of North America also had a negative impact on sales. Outside of North America, Polaris saw better results, reporting a 42% growth in motorcycle sales internationally.

Polaris credits demand for the Scout and Scout Bobber for some of Indian’s first quarter growth. Demand for the Jack Daniels Scout Bobber was especially high, with Indian selling out the limited edition run in less than 10 minutes.

Polaris’ motorcycle business reported a gross profit of $16.6 million over the quarter, compared to a loss of $19.8 million over the same quarter of 2017. That sounds like an impressive turnaround, until you remember a big part of last year’s loss was due to wind down costs for shutting down the Victory Motorcycles brand. Polaris will continue taking a hit on that decision to the tune of $80 million to $90 million through the end of 2018, for disposal of assets, cancellation of supplier agreements and support for Victory dealers in selling what’s left of their inventory.

As a company, Polaris Industries reported overall first quarter 2018 sales of $1.297 billion, a 12% increase over the same quarter in 2017. The company recorded a net profit of $55.7 million in the first quarter compared to a $2.9 million loss in the first three months of 2017.

The big news is the new FTR1200 Indian revealed last week; the bigger news is how close to production-ready it looks, complete with lights and carbon-fiber bodywork, which may have to give way to plastic on a real production version. Indian’s Gary Gray says they built it to see what the public reaction would be, but I think the public had already reacted as soon as they built the FTR750 race bike, which was wildly successful. The Wrecking Crew was on hand to pull the cover off the “concept” bike.

The clop, clop, clop of my steel shoe resonating through my helmet as I walked through the uncomfortable October heat at Perris Auto Speedway in my trusty NJK leathers as I headed toward the snarling motorcycle that was waiting for me.

Not just any motorcycle, mind you, but maybe the most amazing motorcycle I’ve ever been privileged to ride in my 25 years as a moto-scribe.

Remember back in 2013 when Indian Motorcycle relaunched with just three models? Well, a lot has happened in just a few short years. Today, Indian revealed its 2018 lineup, with the addition of a Roadmaster Elite and a Springfield Dark Horse for 2018. With the Indian Scout Bobber that we recently tested, Indian has 16 models in its latest catalog. The rest of the 2018 Indian model line receives tweaks and updates for the upcoming model year.

“The Roadmaster Elite and Springfield Dark Horse are two fantastic motorcycles, with two different attitudes,” said Reid Wilson, Marketing Director – Indian Motorcycle. “The Roadmaster Elite packs all the bells and whistles perfect for riders looking for the best of the best, while the Dark Horse brings blacked-out style to the Springfield line. Beyond these two offerings, we have elevated each and every model – listening to our consumers to bring new features and colors they have asked for.”

Whichever Indian model you may be interested in, you can see them in person starting in September at your local Indian dealer.

On Aug. 26, 1967, New Zealander Burt Munro set a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats on a self-modified 1920 Indian Scout, a record that still stands today. This Aug.13, just shy of 50 years after that historic run, Munro’s great nephew Lee will try to recreate it on a modern Indian Scout with a custom aerodynamic fairing dubbed the “Spirit of Munro Scout.”

“My uncle Burt was a significant inspiration for my own racing career and his appetite for speed is clearly a part of my DNA,” says Lee Munro, himself a road racer in New Zealand. “What Indian Motorcycle is doing is fantastic and I couldn’t be prouder to partner with them and pilot my own Scout at Bonneville in honor of my uncle and the 50th anniversary of his historic record.”