Custom commuter
The radical-looking Scout Sixty has proved to be a perfectly practical partner even in daily use
AFTER SITTING ON a plethora of shiny new bikes at Motorcycle Live back in 2015, it was the Scout Sixty that stood out for me. Funny really, seeing how I’ve grown up with so many other biking influences. Sportsbikes have formed the backbone of my riding career, but I’ve always had a secret soft spot for cruiser-style bikes as I just think they’re a bit more interesting to look at. A weekend at the Bulldog Bash many years ago showed me that I just wasn’t extrovert enough to go ‘full hog’ at the time, but I’ve always admired the work, engineering and love that goes into some of the bikes.
Sitting on the Scout Sixty at the NEC, it felt like something I should try given the opportunity. You can’t tell what a bike is really going to be like day to day from just a few seconds sitting on it, but it does give an idea of whether all the controls can be reached comfortably, and in practice I can.
The riding position is perfect for me, with enough room to let me shuffle forwards and backwards in the seat. I’ve found it very comfortable too, with plenty of padding in the seat, and no problems even on a long journey to Germany and back.
I’ve not had to do any maintenance on the Sixty yet, other than take it for its first service at 500 miles. Custom bikes are mostly built with traditional technology, but one benefit of the Scout engine’s modern design is the minimal servicing it requires. Its 10,000-mile schedule allows for plenty of riding in between trips to the dealer, and even though I’ve been trying hard I’ve still not reached that mark. What a luxury that is compared with most air/oil-cooled V-twins.
Thanks to the fuss-free belt drive there’s no chain to lube, and nothing that flings sticky mess all over inaccessible places. That means it’s a joy to clean the Scout and it comes up a treat every time. I’ve been using some of Sdoc100’s wide range of cleaning products, which mean I don’t even have to scrub the wheels – this stuff just makes the dirt disappear. It also leaves a protective layer over the bike which helps fend off the salt, and has a UV filter that stops the bike’s paint fading in the sun too.
The Scout Sixty comes with very few bells and whistles, and that suits me fine. There’s not too much technology to confuse me, but just enough for me to know what’s going on. There’s an LCD screen on the clocks, and you can toggle through the information easily using a dedicated button on the left-hand switchgear. It’ll show you info like revs, engine temperature, a trip meter and a low-fuel light. I think a fuel gauge would be a useful addition though, as I have been caught out…
The speedo is easy to read and turns a nice shade of red when it’s dark. The clocks can easily be changed from mph to km/h when you switch the bike on, which is handy for riding overseas. There’s no gear position indicator, but I haven’t missed having one as the flexible engine pulls so easily in every gear. I can always tell when I’m cruising in top gear, as the engine feels smooth with no vibration.
Gear-changing is pretty smooth, but a bit clunky from first to second as it passes through neutral. I haven’t felt short changed by the absence of a sixth gear. I’ve found myself really enjoying the laid-back attitude of a cruiser, but when I need to get a wriggle on there’s still loads of power.
I’m going to carry on running the bike for a few more months. One of my plans for it is a ‘stage one’ tune – a more free-flowing exhaust and changes to the fuelling. I hope it’ll give a tad more power, but also a much more deserving exhaust note.
I also have a couple of genuine accessories to fit to the bike: a low screen and a set of saddlebags. And, crucially for the winter commute, some heated grips from R&G. I’ve had a glorious few months, but a cruiser isn’t just for summer, or at least this one isn’t. Whatever the weather, I’m looking forward to spending a lot more miles on this lovely bike.