Indian Sport Scout 2025 – Bike Review
Copyright Kristen Lassen 2025
Intro
This spring, I was presented with the opportunity to test one of the bikes in the new Indian lineup. My own motorcycle did not agree with my timing, so this is where the Brand Amp jumped in. They are responsible for the fleet of press bikes for the Indian Motorcycle Company. I reached out, and there was one motorcycle available on short notice. The 2025 Indian Sport Scout Limited+Tech, the second generation of the popular Scout series. One caveat, I was in Boston, pick up and drop off are in Los Angeles.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
So, I flew to the west coast. Without any luggage options fitted, I consolidated my life into a duffel bag that I strapped to the fender. Plus a backpack that holds a hydration pack, some snacks, my passport, and the usual small stuff. The duffel bag contained my tent, mattress, sleeping bag, camping chair, blanket, stove, toiletries, 3 changes of clothes, a week’s worth of socks and undies, a towel, and some small tools. Three weeks and several thousand miles to conquer! I am writing about that part of the trip in the series on the Western States on this blog, here, I will focus on my experience with the Sport Scout.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
The Plan, the Trim
At the Brand Amp, Billy handed me the keys to a Nara Bronze Metallic Smoke Sport Scout Limited +Tech. Well, that’s a lot to unpack. Let’s go. The Limited trim adds a few welcome comforts, including traction control, cruise control, and three ride modes: rain, standard, and sport. The main difference between the three being the increasingly rapid throttle response and power delivery. The +Tech adds a Bluetooth connection, Ride Command, and keyless ignition. Billy had a little chuckle when I told him I was planning to ride to Utah, Arizona, and back: “Your lower back is gonna love it!”. Spoiler alert: with this suspension and seat set up, my lower back and hips had no complaints on +300mi days!
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
The Colours
Words we often hear coming from the Indian Motorcycle Company: “We build beautiful bikes.” Words I cannot disagree with. The Sport Scout is definitely the most young and aggressive looking Scout, but with the Classic, Super, Sport, Bobber, and 101, there is a Scout for everyone. Whether you’re a purist, a performance seeker, or an aspiring extra in an MC television series. The base Sport Scout comes in Metallic Black, and with the Limited trim, Smoke Black, Storm Blue, and Nara Bronze are further colour options. The Nara Bronze has a metallic flake which yields a beautiful champagne sparkle to the bronze in bright sunlight. With its bikini fairing and the bar end mirrors it sure looks the part. Let’s see what’s inside of it.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
The Power
Since the first generation, this generation evolved from a 1133cc to a 1250cc, delivering an additional 12 Nm of torque, totalling 109 Nm, and plus 5bhp adding up to 106 bhp total. All this is possible due to slight overbore from 99mm to 104mm and a significant weight reduction of over 10 pounds, of which half was saved by trimming the crankshaft. A tune on the Scout 101 further elevates the SpeedPlus 1250 motor output to 112bhp. Surely, more can be obtained with aftermarket exhaust systems that swap seamlessly onto the newly designed 2 into 1 exhaust.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
The Handling
The liquid cooled V-Twin sits in a tubular steel frame, another evolution from the previous aluminium cast frame. This opens the door to customisation further, so we’re curious to see what happens when these bikes end up in the shops of some of the usual suspects. The geometry remains the same, 29 degree rake, 123mm/4.8in trail, and 1562mm/61.5in wheelbase. Keeping it under 250kg wet makes this bike very nimble. So nimble, that it was not too shy to touch the tarmac in a few sharp corners on my way up to Big Bear Lake on the first day. Whoopsidaisy! The forward controls, the 19” cast front wheel, and the supported seat just invite you to ride this bike like it was intended… And the suspension setup ensures that you can! With 119mm/4.7in of travel in the front, and 76mm/3in the rear, it is amply equipped to handle any rough surface, though any unexpected potholes will remind you where your spine and tailbone are located.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
This aggressive attitude is further supported by the beautifully machined triple clamps and 6” handlebar risers, and the wide, moto-style handlebars. Together with the 3” taller front wheel, it makes excellent ergonomics. The raised tail on the seat keeps you firmly in place when you give it the beans. Simultaneously, it provides support when you have a longer day in the saddle, or many highway miles holding 90mph. What a fun bike to ride!
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
Thanks to the new slip/assist clutch, you can drop a few gears on engine braking without the rear wheel bumping you out of the seat, and you can smoothly climb through the gears when you pin it because you let your intrusive thoughts take over.
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
The Verdict
In all, I was impressed with how well the weight can be thrown around bends and how fast it gets moving. If you have a chance, try out a Scout! Or better, try them all, I’m sure there is one that will get you smiling like a kid in a candy store!
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
Copyright Casper van der Ven 2025
