New Bobber from Indian

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW variant of the Scout, called the Bobber, and soon this model will make its way to the Indian market. So far as looks are concerned, Indian have struck all the right notes with the Bobber. The rear suspension has been lowered to give the motorcycle a low-slung stance, in line with its retro nature. A fairly large portion of the motorcycle — from the instrument cluster to the exhaust pipes — has been given a blackedout treatment, accentuating the raw appeal of the motorcycle. The front and rear fenders have also been chopped off to a bare minimum, exposing knobby tyres that add to its menacing stance. Indian claim that the Bobber will have an aggressive seating position because the footpegs have been moved about 40 millimetres closer to the rider.

Another interesting aesthetic feature is the all-new tank badge. The Indian logo is now presented in block letters, emphasising the Scout badge right below it.

The Scout Bobber is powered by the same 1,131-cc engine that drives the Scout. This liquidcooled V-twin mated to a six-speed gearbox produces 101.6 PS and a peak torque of 97.7 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Braking is taken care of by 298-mm discs at both ends. In spite of stripping it down to the essentials, the bike still weighs 251 kg.

In India, the Scout Bobber will compete with the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and the Triumph Bonneville Bobber. Let’s hope the Scout Bobber is priced as aggressively as it looks.