Road test of Indian1133 SCOUT 2016 An Indian in the snow

" I'll have to pack a scarf... ".

it was with this highly philosophical thought that I took the weather forecast that morning. I have to leave in a few minutes for Passy in Haute-Savoie (near Sallanches) to test ride the Indian SCOUT 1133. I set off from Lyon in a northeasterly direction, looking at the grey skies in the distance. Temperatures of 5 degrees, snow and rain are forecast. But after all, when you're trying out a brand called "Indian", this harsh Alpine climate is tone on tone with what I might encounter on the Great Plains of America in the cold season. So...

A little history:
yes, because it's important. When we talk about Indian, we mustn't forget that this brand has been around for over 110 years, and was founded in 1901 (two years before Harley Davidson was officially created) by an engineer, Oscar Hedstrom, and a bicycle salesman, George Hendee.
Time goes by for this brand, which has had its ups and downs with tough competition from Milwaukee, among others. This struggle left its mark, and in 1953, the Indian returned to the distant plains somewhere, to enter a sleep that would last for almost 60 years (with, it's true, a few bursts from time to time, but nothing very conclusive...).
Then, in 2011, the POLARIS company, which had created VICTORY, tried its hand at revival. 3 years later, the Indian returns from his distant plains to show off his new model, resolutely modern but with a name tinged with nostalgia: the SCOUT.

750 scout from 1928

Contact
i arrive late morning at POLARIS in Poissy in the 74. POLARIS is first and foremost a manufacturer of racy snowmobiles, quads and tricycles. It's also the founding brand of VICTORY and the importer of INDIAN in France. After a few words over coffee, I take possession of the beast. In front of the garage, its red hue contrasts with the brightness of the garage wall and the grey of the clouds. It's low, it's long and it already seems to be laughing at what I'm going to have to go through to test it. I approach the Mohican to take a closer look.

The owner's tour
after the color and the very long profile, the other thing that strikes me is the light brown of the saddle. It seems to be quite deep. My lumbar vertebrae are going to sit well on it. Then I look at the speedometer. The mix of colors gives a classy impression. As for the handlebars, they seem odd: low-profile and rearward-facing, but very comfortable to ride.

the rims are a thing of beauty. Granted, I'm nostalgic for spoked rims, but I have to admit that the black paint effect on the inside, with the edges and outside of the polished spokes, makes a very good impression. What's more, the slimmed-down mudguard gives it an impression of fluidity. No, really, you either like the style or you don't, but you've got to admit it's a good looker.

now we turn our attention to the engine: it's a liquid-cooled twin-cylinder with an overhead camshaft. The whole thing is covered in black, and some of the mouldings are polished and stand out like a glow. On the left-hand side, we find the "Indian" medallion and the famous Indian head. Finally, the capital "I" inscribed on the side of the cylinder heads and framing the "1901" (the brand's founding date) complete the highly qualitative result. The care taken to finish this engine puts it in a league of its own.

turn the key on the ignition switch and the mill starts up. At idle, the engine revs faster than a conventional V-twin. From the sound of it, I'm thinking that this mill should be a good companion on the road. It's worth noting that the model I had was fitted with Remus mufflers. Let's find out...

And off we go!
its size is unmistakable: it's a real bike! It's really easy to handle, despite its 250 kgs. What's more, the low seat height and low center of gravity give it great stability and maneuverability. But you don't want to push it too hard, do you? It's not a sports bike, but the pleasure of swinging it from right to left is there. It responds wisely without scaring you, in other words, it makes you feel at ease. In fact, it rides like it sounds. The forward-mounted footrests and close-coupled handlebars create a slightly confusing riding position for those unfamiliar with the world of custom bikes, but one that will quickly prove comfortable for touring. At least at reasonable speeds! After all, there's a fair amount of wind resistance, but that's to be expected on this type of machine, and strolling around with your nose in the wind isn't bad either.
The saddle also reflects the bike's image: hollow and well-tailored, it cradles the loins well, but...it's hard! This can easily be remedied by having it reworked by a saddler.

For starters, why not take a walk?
i decide to get some height and head for Megève. There's snow everywhere, but the roads are superbly cleared. I'm not cold at all (thanks to my equipment) and the road is magnificent. Do you know something? I really enjoyed riding quietly on a torque net through the fir trees with the low purr of the engine. The Scout is easy to handle and not tricky. It's clearly a docile machine. Powerful and playful, yes, but docile. Suspension is firm and pleasant. I've often found forks to be a little soft on this kind of machine, but that's not the case here. It has the feel of a roadster. What's more, the brakes do their job properly.

there's just one small downside: on the descent, I use the engine brake. Well, that's normal. However, during this phase, the fuel injection cuts out entirely (at least that's the impression I got), giving me a feeling of running out of fuel. Then, as soon as you touch the throttle, everything starts up again, as if you'd just opened a petrol tap. It's true that you get used to it, and it's not destabilizing, but it does feel strange at first.
the 6-speed gearbox is no slouch either, with its precise selection and robust feel. It's easy to use and there's nothing unpleasant about it. It engages well and selection is very natural. What's more, the belt final drive makes the whole thing very smooth.
i arrive in Albertville and there's no more snow in the fields. A bit of a long ribbon. We'll try to strike up a conversation with the boilermaker.

...and a bit of travelling ahead?

well, this mill is pushing hard! Supple at the bottom of the towers, the flight takes place without any reluctance in a constant push. A real treat. The torque is high for this kind of machine, it's true, but the power and suppleness allow you to enjoy yourself at all revs. In fact, for those in the know, it has much the same character as the 1000 SV, only less sporty. At ease at low revs and full in the middle. And even if some vibrations are felt at certain revs, it proves to be a model of versatility and a pleasant surprise!

in terms of melody, we recognize the characteristic V-twin song with, as the rev count climbs, the gradual attenuation of the sound of engine beats to end in a hoarse squeal.

the tachometer is a little confusing: classically graduated up to 120, the markings are very close together beyond that point, making it harder to read. On the other hand, the brown/past-red color scheme is a real eye-catcher!

the only fly in the ointment, already mentioned above but of particular importance here, is wind protection. The absence of wind jumps or deflectors and a rather upright riding position will soon make you feel the need to release the right-hand grip. But, I repeat, this is normal on this type of machine. You just have to be aware of it. If you're a big tape-swallower, you'll certainly have to invest in a windscreen or something... It's also worth noting the stability of the chassis, which turned out to be very good.

in terms of finish, it's virtually flawless. The various parts are well highlighted with numerous details that enhance the good workmanship (such as the Indian logo inlay under the brake light cap). I only had one minor problem on this side: the left handle started to come off. Still, it was a bit confusing. A pity.

photo session near Chambéry, then I'll have to take the bug back to its owner. I'd had snow, but for the return journey, it was rain that invited itself to my side. After all, taking a big rinse on the squash is part of every biker's luggage, and there's nothing like it to appreciate the warmth of a bistro... You take off your combarde in the bar, feel the heat rise gently, and dry your shoes. Then it's time to leave. We put all our gear back on, spend 20 minutes getting ready, contorting our bodies and start to sweat, but it doesn't matter, because we'll be safe after all this conscientious preparation...

...Then we realize that while we've been looking for the coins in the jeans pockets under the wetsuit, well, the rain has stopped.......... (eh oh! Don't laugh! I know it's happened to all of you!)

there's something special about a winter walk. For a start, you don't come across many other people, and you really feel as if you've got the road to yourself. What's more, the calm reflected by the white landscapes invites you to meditate...

Finally
there's something really endearing about the Scout. It's not flawless, of course, but cruising around on it is a real pleasure, and during the long stages, you'll be able to play with an engine that's as appealing as it is surprising. It's a great bike that's sure to get anyone's foot in the door if they want to experience something different. It'll quickly give you the confidence to go for a Sunday ride or a multi-day trip. No unpleasant surprises, it is what it appears to be. After that, the very elongated style of the overall shape (accentuated by the rider-facing handlebars) might put some people off, but the parts catalog makes it possible to modify this line. It lends itself very well to customization (I invite you to have a look on the net at the photos of certain preparations: bobber, custom, etc... there's something for every taste). A sweet perfume between modernity and vintage...

back at Polaris, I look at the various Victory and Indian models, and I can't help but think that for a style that's both modern and vintage, it's a good thing that we've got the right bikes.i can't help thinking that for such a common style, these two brands bring a vision that is not radically different, but undoubtedly with their own personal touches. Two ranges to discover, then, for those curious about the genre!

it would seem that the Indian has indeed returned from his great plains to show us what he's capable of, with a look at this style of motorcycle that's all his own. Only time will tell whether or not this will be a victory. In any case, we can only hope he succeeds!