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JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng - Indian motorcycles launched in South Africa only in August 2014 but already the bikemaker is bringing in more new models. Its Scout has already hit showroom floors, more will arrive through June (2015).
The bikemaker says: "One of history’s most famous, innovative and versatile bikes has been re-imagined with timeless craftsmanship - plus performance, handling and pricing that will appeal to any rider."
Time will tell...
CRUISER COMEBACK
Indian Motorcycle, which has claimed the title of "America’s first motorcycle company", has launched the 2015 Scout as “a contemporary yet classic interpretation of one of motorcycling’s most famous and coveted bikes”.
IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 Indian Scout
The Scout, at 225kg, claims to be the lightest in its class. It’s a middleweight cruiser that, its maker says, "carries forward the spirit of innovation that made the original one of the most talked about motorcycles".
It has, says Indian, "a breakthrough" chassis - a light but rigid cast-aluminium frame - and a low (643mm) seat for comfort, balance and manoeuvrability.
The bike is powered by a liquid-cooled, 1133cc, 75kW, V-twin with, Indian says, "handling that makes it a bike that will thrill even the most experienced rider".
The bike is, we're told, the first truly new Scout in more than 70 years and means the return of the bikes that conquered the infamous “Wall of Death” and carried the “Indian Wrecking Crew” motorcycle race team to multiple victories.
According to Indian history, technology and designs derived from Scout models played a significant role for Allied forces in the Second World War and a 1920 Indian Scout earned the title of the “world’s fastest Indian” as proven by Burt Munro in 1967.
HERITAGE TAKEN FURTHER
Polaris Industries', makers of snowmobiles and smaller electric vehicles, Steve Menneto said: “Through 30 years of countless innovations, racing wins, world records and industry firsts, the Scout earned its reputation as a versatile, multi-faceted bike that appealed to just about every rider and every riding style, with superior handling, balance, performance and craftsmanship.
“Our designers and engineers have taken that heritage and those characteristics and fused them into the 2015 Indian Scout. We think just about everybody who rides this incredible bike is going to feel like it was built just for them.”
Indian claims the new Scout was designed "from the ground up" for balance, comfort and control "to deliver a riding performance for new and experienced riders".
The brochure says it has:
• Classic “rigid triangle” looks, a set of premium coil-over-monotube rear shocks
• 1.56m wheelbase; 13.5cm ground clearance, 31 degrees of lean angle
• Anti-lock brakes
• Solo tan leather bucket seat
• Classic engine design cues with "purposeful styling for form and function"
• Closed-loop fuel-injection and drive-by-wire accelerator to the 98kW engine and six-speed overdrive transmission.
The 2015 Indian Scout is available in two shades of black (none of grey!), red, and silver. More stock is expected mid-June in South Africa.
