Why the Indian Scout Sixty Is the Best Cruiser Motorcycle Under $10,000

Indian’s Scout Sixty shows us that top of the range cruisers can actually be great value for money. With a starting price of just $8,999 for a new cruiser may sound minimal, but the product itself certainly isn’t.
The Scout Sixty’s bigger brother, the Scout Bobber, starts at $11,499. So, opting for the Scout Sixty will save you $2,500 but what do you actually get? As it turns out, a lot.

Style

Style is, arguably, a bigger factor when buying a cruiser than when buying most other types of motorcycles and Indian is synonymous with style. Since Indian started producing motorcycles again in 2011, each model has echoed their nostalgic past, and The Scout Sixty is no different.
Wide, chunky, tires fill the Scout Sixty’s swooping fenders which fall perfectly in line with the bikes low-slung design. The Scout Sixty’s blacked out engine meets a black frame which gives it a somewhat menacing look. But the hints of chrome on the engine and air cleaner balance things out nicely.

Performance

While it may be the smallest and most affordable bike in Indian’s line-up, its 1,000cc engine still puts out 78 HP and 65 ft-lb of torque, which is definitely enough to have fun on.
The engine is, essentially, identical to the Scout Bobber but the capacity has been reduced from 1,131cc to 1,000cc.
What you will notice about the Scout Sixty’s engine is how accessible the power is. You’ll find peak torque at around 5,800 rpm – higher than most cruisers but great for everyday riding.

Handling

The Scout Sixty’s engine also plays a part how well the bike handles, as it’s a stressed member of the chassis. It has a cushy, confidence inspiring, ride at low speeds, making it ideal for anyone wanting to use it for their daily commute. While the Scout Sixty was never meant to be a corner carver, its handling is often described as ‘best-in-class’, and has no difficulty when the road gets twisty.

The key to the Scout Sixty’s handling is its balanced suspension, which is stiff enough to have fun on at higher speeds but soft enough to give a plush low speed ride. The grippy 130/90 front tire and 150/80 rear tire also help inspire confidence when pushing a bit harder. The Scout Sixty is one of the lighter cruisers on the market, coming in at 524 lbs (dry). Although its turning radius is a bit large, its low weight combined and 643mm seat height make it extremely manageable around town.

The brakes do a good job of bringing everything to a hault and, like all models in Indian’s range, ABS comes as standard.

Overall Verdict

This writer isn’t trying to say the Indian Scout Sixty is the best cruiser on the market. That would be blowing smoke. It’s surprising not to see a fuel gauge on the bike, and a smaller turning radius would be good. But, for $8,999, you’ll have one of the most stylish cruisers on the market and a bike which handles superbly in almost every situation – that’s unquestionable value for money.

If you have any questions about the Scout Sixty or any other Indian models, contact your local RideNow or Indian Motorcycle dealership today.