Indian 1133 SCOUT Limited Edition MKII 2016 — Specifications

When Indian Motorcycle Australia decides to pay homage to nine decades of history, the result is counted on the tips of two hands. Ten units, no more: this is the measure chosen for this MKII Scout limited edition, designed exclusively for the Australian market and presented in 2016 as a marked nod to the 1935 Sport Scout.

The parallel with the ancestor goes beyond the label. The so-called "tractor" seat, suspended on two exposed springs and dressed in aged-black leather, directly reprises the spirit of the pre-war machine. Let's be direct: at 643 mm in height and with a seat this narrow, long-distance comfort is not the priority. This Scout is made to pose for photos, cross the city, impress in the parking lot of a rally. Not to swallow highway miles. The stylistic message takes precedence over everything else, and that is acknowledged.

The paint scheme confirms this logic. The deep matte or gloss black, highlighted with gold stripes and the gold Indian logo, produces a refined visual effect without falling into ostentation. Spoke wheels, often sacrificed on modern customs in favor of easier-to-maintain cast wheels, bring a visual coherence here that stick wheels would have destroyed. Indian had the good idea not to skimp on the aesthetics for budgetary reasons, especially since the price surcharge amounts to about 500 Australian dollars while the value of the specific equipment is around 4,000 dollars. For the buyer, it's a bargain.

Under the 12.1-liter tank, the 60° V-twin of 1,133 cc turns as expected. One hundred horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 98.1 Nm at 5,900 rpm, transmitted by belt via a 6-speed gearbox: the standard Scout has not been modified in its internals for this special edition. The engine remains the strong point of the range, renowned for its flexibility in urban use and its ability to climb in revs without jerks. The 253 kg fully fueled are felt at a standstill, but the Scout remains noticeably lighter than the Chief or the Triumph Thunderbird, its direct rivals in this segment. The announced top speed of 200 km/h places the machine in a reasonable category of Americanized custom, without sporting pretensions.

Facing a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 from the same era, the Scout plays a different card: more refined finish, more contemporary engine, slightly higher price with these 14,595 euros in base version. This Australian limited edition adds a collector's dimension that the Sportster cannot offer, except by opting for the considerably more expensive CVO editions. Ten copies worldwide, that's the kind of argument that is enough to silence debates about seat width. The target audience is clearly that of the informed collector or the Indian history enthusiast, less the novice looking for his first motorcycle.

What this MKII Scout mainly illustrates is Indian's ability to intelligently capitalize on its heritage without distorting it. The stylistic exercise is mastered, the content/price ratio of the special series is honest, and the ten Australian buyers have in their hands a piece that will increase in value over time. Not an everyday motorcycle. A motorcycle of conviction.