Indian teases all-new Scout

Indian Motorcycle has teased an all-new Scout, with the world premiere of the new platform slated for April 2, 2024. Teased through a 30-second video, the narrator starts by saying: “Some say history repeats itself, and to that we say… well, good,” suggesting the new Scout platform is likely to stay true to the model’s legacy, which dates back as far as 1920.

The current Scout platform was introduced in 2015 as an 1130cc V-twin, and aside from some minor updates during the last nine years such as a small capacity hike in 2017, ride-by-wire, switchable ride modes and an updated dash in 2020, the most accessible cruiser in Indian’s line-up has remained largely unchanged since.

Presumably a response to the Euro5+ emission standards that have been implemented for 2024, the new Scout is likely to spawn a multi-model platform similar to what’s currently available. Right now, as well as the standard bike, there’s the Scout Bobber, the Scout Bobber Twenty and the Scout Rogue, which all speak to slightly different buyers through different styling cues.

First launched in 1920 as a 606cc parallel-twin, the first V-twin version came in 1927 as a 740cc model. While the Scout underwent several changes between then and 1949, the basic V-twin configuration has remained a constant feature of the model.

Current owner Polaris Industries purchased Indian in 2011, four years before the 2015 relaunch of the current Scout platform. The original Indian Motorcycle Company, founded in 1901, went bankrupt in 1953 marking the end of its continuous production. There were attempts to revive the brand in the following decades, but none were particularly successful until Polaris acquired the rights 13 years ago for a reported US$100m.