INDIAN’S NEW SCOUT BOBBER IS A STRIPPED DOWN, BLACKED OUT, AND ULTRA FUN TAKE ON THE SCOUT PLATFORM, AND MAY JUST BE OUR NEW BEST FRIEND

BY MATT SCANLON

We caught our first glimpse of Indian’s Scout Bobber in a unique way, and at September’s ninth annual Brooklyn Invitational Custom Motorcycle Show. The event’s centerpieces, at least for us, were three custom bikes built by Keino Sasaki of Keino Cycles, Satya Kraus of Kraus Motor Co., and skateboarding Guru Steve Caballero (the last in conjunction with Roland Sands Design) and all were riffs on the late summer released Bobber platform. The boys’ work was universally fun, graphically intensive, and full of wit, but it seemed misplaced somehow. Because, the whole point of the Bobber (its name coming from a common term among enthusiasts and referring to the practice of stripping down production bikes) its manufacturing mantra, was to avoid eccentricities and folderol, or at least leave them for owners to apply. The latest model in its iconic Scout lineup, this is a low slung, blacked out, 94 horsepower, minimalist cycle a tribute to America’s post World War II builds.

We like, first and foremost, that the Bobber’s footpads and tracker handlebars are moved back 1.5 inches from standard Scout models, and we love the new cartridge fork all three making for better long distance riding comfort. The blacked out wheels and headlight nacelle (speedo and exhaust, too) and chopped front and rear fenders are cool as hell, as are the standard knobby tires and the slightly lowered (by 1 inch) rear suspension, making the whole presentation look slightly meaner, and certainly leaner.

A dead aim at Harley’s Sportster, performance and ride are nimble and spirited, and the Bobber is just a hair stiffer and leans further than the base Scout, making it even more fun to throw around its 550 pound curb weight. Not built for cross country, this is, rather, a commuter’s dream, not least in its responsiveness and urban ultra-cool Starts at $11,499.

Gotham Motorcycles
364 Bay Street, Staten Island / 718.447.0020
gothamsi.com