2018 Indian Scout Bobber

An X Games after party at the Aria in downtown Minneapolis served as the site for the unveiling of Indian Motorcycle's new Scout Bobber, a stripped-down, blacked-out bike that joins the standard Scout for the 2018 model year. The venue, dubbed Hometown Throwdown, was packed with a crowd that Indian marketing sees as the perfect demographic for their new cruiser.

Red Bull pro stunter Aaron Colton rolled onto the stage with a smoky burnout as the oohs and ahhs escalated and the cell phones focused in on the first stylized version of the Scout. Motorcyclist Digital Editor Brian Hatano has been out at the X Games for the international launch and press ride of the new Scout Bobber, which is slated for release in September of this year. Indian Motorcycle's Industrial Design team has taken the Scout even further forward, developing a production bobber that can be bought direct from an Indian dealer. The newest member of the Scout family pays homage to the mean, stripped-down builds of America's post-war past.

With its tracker handlebars and footpegs moved 1.5 inches (38mm) rearwards, Scout Bobber delivers a more engaged riding position. Indian has added new knobby tires and blacked-out wheels for a stronger look. Indian say the model’s low-slung profile and one inch (25mm) lowered rear suspension along with new cartridge forks up front will give a new feel and energy to the ride.

Further features include a black headlight nacelle, minimal engine covers and vented exhaust shields. There’s also a black speedometer face (instead of the usual red and cream) and black exhaust. Chopped front and rear fenders and a new two-tone genuine leather bobber seat enhance the minimalistic styling. Finally, an entirely new bold Indian fuel tank badge marks this out as Scout Bobber.

Indian Motorcycle’s International Product Manager, Ben Lindaman said: “We have introduced Scout Bobber to bring some edge to Indian. Many Scout riders have already been bobbing their bikes to give them an aggressive and raw look. Scout Bobber is inspired by those owners and this new model will offer a great platform for even more personalization.”

Ben adds: “Scout Bobber focuses on style with its low profile, chopped fenders and blacked out components; it performs really well too. We’ve fitted new cartridge forks up front, the new riding position makes you feel more connected and the engine produces a meaty 94hp making this a great bike to blast around on.”

Reid Wilson, Marketing Director for Indian Motorcycle said: “Scout Bobber is Indian’s leanest machine to date. It’s an incredibly fun motorcycle to ride with the bobber style that many Scout fans have been asking us to build for some time.”

The Scout Bobber will be on sale in five colors at launch:

Prices and official launch date (sometime late 2017) in the EMEA region to be announced.