Indian 999 Scout Bobber Sixty NEON 2021 — Specifications

When a Parisian custom shop gets its hands on an American cruiser and runs it under black light, the result can be spectacular or grotesque. With the NEON series, Tank Machine and Indian Motorcycle Paris Étoile have clearly avoided the latter. Clément Molina, the designer behind Tank Machine, chose the Scout Bobber Sixty as his blank canvas, precisely for its purity of line. On this 999cc platform powered by a 60-degree V-twin capable of 78 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 88.3 Nm from 5,000 rpm, he decided to make a strong visual statement rather than a mechanical one.

The inspiration comes from American NASCAR Series liveries — those garish race cars that turn heads on every oval corner. Three fluorescent color combinations were selected, each paired with matching contrast-stitched upholstery to maintain visual coherence. On a bike that tips the scales at 249 kg ready to ride and sits on a low 649mm saddle, the visual impact cuts sharply against the usual matte blacks that dominate the bobber segment. That is precisely what Molina claims as his intent: breaking with the austere sobriety that has become almost a mandatory dress code in this world.

The transformation goes well beyond paint, and that is where the project gains substance. The tracker-style raised handlebars noticeably alter the riding position, while the mirrors and front turn signals mounted directly to the grips give it an unapologetic dirt track character. The headlight nacelle follows the same logic, with an integrated LED projector whose daytime running light position is adjustable from the handlebar. Under the seat, a Supertrapp Black Edition silencer replaces the stock exhaust, and a Trask air filter kit rounds out the package. The wide AVON tires, wheels, and most components are finished in matte black to serve as a dark backdrop against which the fluorescent colors explode visually. The fork gaiters — a detail frequently overlooked in rushed builds — are also part of the deal.

In dynamic terms, the Scout Bobber Sixty remains what it is: an accessible American machine, with a 12-liter tank that will limit long-distance runs, a belt drive, and a five-speed gearbox that is adequate without being sporty. The claimed top speed of 180 km/h clearly places the machine in its intended urban and relaxed road-riding use rather than any pursuit of performance. The braking setup — twin 298mm discs with a two-piston caliper up front and a single piston at the rear — is well-suited to the bike's character. The cast aluminum frame brings a structural rigidity that older steel-framed Scouts could not match at the same level. At €19,990, the NEON series clearly positions this project in the premium custom segment, at a price point that mechanically excludes a large portion of bobber enthusiasts.

The target audience is unambiguously identifiable: an urban rider or seasoned tourer, sensitive to custom craftsmanship and willing to own a polarizing aesthetic. This is not a bike for someone looking to blend into the crowd of classic cruisers. It is a limited edition conceived to exist visually above all else, and on that precise ground, Tank Machine has delivered with a consistency that many custom builders never reach.