?2016 Indian Scout Sixty?
Harley?Sportsters beware

Since its takeover of the Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011, Polaris Industries offers a full line of Indian motorcycles ? one in virtually every genre, and for taste and riding style ? cruisers, baggers, touring and racing models. Last year, the company launched the iconic Indian Scout ? the first to appear since 1920. It was a singular model – no more model 101s of different displacements, or Scout Sports or Scout Military and Military Juniors or even the Scout model 648 Daytona Sport. The 2015 Indian Scout was liquid rather than air-cooled, which represented a highly visible, non-conventional departure from its predecessors, while the suspension was basically conventional fore and aft. Now, for 2016, there?s a new Scout for the Lone Ranger?s sidekick, Tonto to consider – the Indian Scout Sixty, which comes with a base sticker price of $8,999 – $2,000 less than the regular Scout.

The Indian Scout Sixty (rounded off to represent the cubic inch displacement) happens to be eight cubic inches less than the Scout. There?s also eight fewer horses and 7.2 less pound feet of torque. Indian sleeves the cylinders with a bore that?s slightly thicker, reducing cylinder capacity from 69 cubic inches in the Scout to 61 in the Sixty. In addition, the transmission has one less gear, with its five-speed sequential manual gearbox. The Scout Sixty tips the scales at 4 pounds less than the regular Scout.

The Scout Sixty delivers the same retro flavor as its sibling. In fact, they look almost identical, having the same basic physical dimensions.

Motive force for the Scout comes from a 61 cubic inch, liquid-cooled Indian V-Twin with closed loop electronic fuel injection, a 60 mm bore and split dual right side exhaust with a crossover. Claimed horsepower is rated at 78, while the torque generated is 65 pound feet at 5,800 rpm. A five-speed sequential manual transmission gears the engine?s output to the rear wheel through a gear drive wet clutch Primary Drive to the final left-side belt drive.

The suspension setup consists of 41mm telescopic forks up front with 4.7-inches of travel and rear dual adjustable coil-over shock absorbers with 3.0-inches of travel, set at an exaggerated rake, paying homage to the 1920 Scout?s hardtail look. The new Scout rolls on Indian 130/90-16 72 H M/C tires in front and 150/80-16 71H M/C tires mounted on Black painted 5-tri-spoke alloy wheels.

The 2016 Indian Scout Sixty comes with its bodywork sprayed in a choice of Indian Motorcycle Red, Thunder Black or Pearl White, featuring hard edge lines on the fuel tank and front and rear fenders. The solo ?old school? seat is done in durable, weather-resistant vinyl with a leather option. Instrumentation includes a digital Tachometer, odometer, trip meter, engine temperature gauge and low fuel lamp. The base price was $8,999 with the final sticker coming to $9,299. (Dealer handling and prep may vary).

SUMMARY: The Indian Scout Sixty at first glance appears relatively small. It sits low, displaying an iconic retro image. There are no faux cooling fins on the engine, but rather ribbing that is structural matches other aluminum-toned accents.

The Scout Sixty comes as a solo bike in homage to its early heritage. Foot controls are set forward and the handlebars are well positioned, reaching back to the rider, all making for an exceptionally comfortable riding position. The seat is small but surprisingly comfortable with its 25.3-inch height. There?s an optional low fly windshield available, an optional 1920 solo seat with a grabrail, and available classic beach style handlebars. Essentially, all of the optional gear for the Scout will fit the Scout Sixty. Granted, added comfort, convenience and functionality may trump appearance and may not be a bad thing. Optional chrome crash bars, for instance, would provide relief for tall riders on long rides, but a lot of add-ons would tend to elevate the ?bling? level, which doesn’t really fit the Scout Sixty?s image.

The Indian Scout Sixty is exceptionally well balanced with its low center of gravity, which allows for easy, fluid handling at all speeds, and the lean angle is enough to bolster confidence in high speed cornering. The motor pulls powerfully at just above idle, making it a breeze to pilot in stop-and-go traffic. Shifting is smooth and finding neutral is easy, with a green neutral indicator in the gauge cluster. ABS and Traction Control are not available on the Sixty, but what do want for $8,999? The suspension delivers a comfortable ride that?s ideal for cruising.

All in all, the 2016 Indian Scout Sixty makes for a great, affordable entry level mid-sized cruiser that?s comfortable and easy to ride while looking totally cool, since it doesn?t look like an entry level bike at all.

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Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.