Who doesn’t love the idea of owning a big twin Harley-Davidson cruiser, especially something like the stylish Low Rider ST? Think about it: You have a West Coast-style factory Custom with a powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine rumbling beneath you as you slide down the black ribbon. As cool as it sounds, the Low Rider ST is an expensive motorcycle.
That doesn’t mean you can’t still experience a similar package that is also relatively affordable and easy to maintain over the years. There is a new American cruiser that follows the same principle but in a middleweight package, and is built at a lower cost than the low rider ST.
Harley-Davidsons are as good as they are expensive
Harley-Davidson has built almost a mythos around it over more than a century of producing authentic American V-twin cruisers known for their character and road presence. The company also has a rich heritage that is closely tied to American motorcycle culture, and for many, that culture would not be the same without the brand. Undoubtedly, this has earned Harley-Davidson a loyal fan base that no other manufacturer enjoys. This kind of fanbase will still choose Harley, even if there are arguably better bikes on the market.
However, there is another side to this reputation and legacy. What was once a truly American motorcycle manufacturer has now become a luxury brand. Of course, you can still buy the Nightster for $10k, but it’s a budget bike without any ‘real’ HD elements. Want the real Harley Big Twin? Pricing for the bare-bones Street Bob starts at $15k before choosing a rear saddle or color. Better models like the Fat Boy start at over $20k. These bikes are also expensive to maintain, with expensive parts and service, putting them out of reach for most enthusiasts.
Indian motorcycles are the best option
This is what makes Indian Motorcycles an ideal choice. Sure, the company has had its ups and downs since bankruptcy in 1953, but who doesn’t love a good comeback story? Today, the company makes bikes that not only feel more purposeful in their packaging and styling but also offer affordable ownership over the years. And there’s a new Indian bike that turns this factor on its head, standing as a cheaper alternative to one of the most popular Harley Big Twin models.
The Indian Sport Scout RT is your cheap ticket to SoCal styling
Among Harley’s big twin softail cruisers, the Low Rider ST stands out with its aggressive design, sporty performance and versatile character. It’s a classic cruiser inspired by the California tall bike movement, complete with an FXRT-inspired fairing, side case and jack-up design. Unfortunately for many, this amazing package is made less amazing due to its high price of $23,999.
Until recently, the only true West Coast-inspired alternative to the lowrider ST was the Indian Sport Chief RT. This cruiser is equipped with a Thunderstroke 116 V-twin that produces 120 pound-feet of torque with sharp styling and Brembo brakes. Compared to the lowrider ST, the Sport Chief RT is cheaper, with prices starting at $22,499, while it has become relatively more affordable to buy over the years. Still, as far as bikes are concerned, it is expensive.
This changes with the Sport Scout RT
That changes with Indian’s latest addition to the Scout lineup: the Sport Scout RT. It is a performance-oriented cruiser built on the Sport Scout, with a 1,250cc liquid-cooled SpeedPlus V-twin, a quarter-fairing and rigid saddlebags. And Indian only offers this bike in Limited +Tech trim, so you also get a lot of modern features including a 4-inch TFT display, traction control and keyless ignition. Essentially, the Sport Scout RT takes the same West Coast-inspired formula and applies it to the more accessible Scout lineup.
The result is a starting price of $16,999, which is significantly cheaper than both the Sport Chief RT and Low Rider ST. This is Indian’s most aggressive effort yet into Harley’s West Coast performance cruiser segment. For riders looking for street presence in a performance cruiser without spending too much, the Sport Scout RT is the perfect alternative to the expensive low rider ST. Plus, the bike should have become significantly cheaper to buy over the years.
SpeedPlus V-Twin features advanced reliability and easy maintenance
At the heart of the Sport Scout RT is a 1,250 cc SpeedPlus V-twin with liquid cooling and a six-speed transmission. The engine produces 105 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque, and owners report that the engine’s behavior is unlike that of a traditional big-twin cruiser. Indian claims that the engine offers a flat torque curve which provides quick acceleration and easy passing power. It also has a sporty side due to its high compression ratio of 12.5:1 and relatively high rev limiter.
Must be reliable for a long time
Since its revival in 2015, the Indian Scout has proven to be quite reliable and bulletproof. The same should remain true for this bike, despite the engine being only two years old. The engine is smoothly tuned, features liquid cooling and is designed for everyday riding. Compared to high-strung performance engines, this lump gives priority to usable torque, and compared to air-cooled V-twins, it should have better thermal stability. All this should result in good reliability over the years.
Indian also assures that the bike is easy to maintain. It features a final belt drive, which eliminates chain maintenance stress. It gets an oil sight glass, which lets you take a look at the engine oil, and the valve cover can be removed without splitting the fairing. Additionally, the bike also gets an extended service interval of 10,000 miles compared to the 5,000-mile interval of the low rider ST. It is backed with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. Like other Indian motorcycles, owners on forums report typical maintenance costs of $350 to $550 for standard servicing. Given that the bike is lighter than the ST, its tires and brake pads should last longer.
Harley counters with better resale value and service network
While the Indian cruiser will be cheaper to maintain than the lowrider ST, you can’t deny that Harley has the upper hand with a more robust service network. The Indian network is growing but has not been able to match Harley yet. Additionally, Harley-Davidson cruisers hold their value better than their Indian rivals. This should be kept in mind before signing the cheque.
Versatility, style, modern technology, and much more
With the recent update, the new Indian Scout changes its cast-aluminium frame to a tubular-steel frame, which gives the bike a cleaner look. The frame is paired with 41mm forks up front and dual shocks at the rear, and the RT tips the scales at 568 pounds at full fuel. It is lighter than most American cruisers. Combine this with its sporty chassis geometry, short wheelbase and grippy Metzeler Crutec tyres, and you have a bike that should handle well in a variety of conditions, including corners.
Style that enhances bike comfort
The Sport Scout RT is as much about style as it is performance, thanks to its West Coast Custom-inspired design, which also enhances the bike’s comfort. The bike features a quarter fairing which is said to provide protection from wind. Meanwhile, its 6-inch riser, wide flat-bend handlebar and forward-set pegs will put you in a commanding riding position. Indian says that the solo seat has a longer bolster with more back support and is quite comfortable to sit on the seat for long periods of time. The seat is 25.7 inches above the ground, so it should be accessible to riders of all heights, too. It also has 10-gallon rigid saddlebags that should hold all your essentials.
Lots of features are also available
The Indian Sport Scout RT is only available in Limited +Tech trim, so it gets all the nice features you’ll need. It includes a 4-inch TFT display running anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control as well as Ride Command, which features GPS navigation, ride statistics and more. The bike also has multiple ride modes, cruise control, keyless ignition and a USB socket for charging. This technology package really complements the already great value offered by this Indian cruiser.
Source: Indian Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson
