Known problems
Weak starters on early Scouts and Scout Sixtys
medium concern2015 to 2017
Indian issued dealer service advisory ISA-17-01 in June 2017. It says some Scout and Scout Sixty bikes could crank slowly or not start because of a starter that may have a manufacturing defect. It covers 2015 to 2017 Scouts and 2016 to 2017 Sixtys built through April 20, 2017. It was not a recall, and we found nothing saying how many bikes were affected. Coverage runs five years from the warranty registration date, so it has likely expired on most used bikes.
Ask or check: Start the bike cold, more than once. Slow cranking or a no-start is a warning sign. Ask whether the starter was replaced and ask for the work order.
Sources: Indian Service Advisory ISA-17-01 (copy hosted by NHTSA)
Stiff, under-damped suspension
low concern2015 to 2024
Reviewers criticized the suspension on the original generation. RevZilla called the soft front fork on the 2015 Scout its weak point and said it bottoms on bad roads. Rider found the 2016 Sixty's rear shocks harsh, with only about three inches of travel. Ultimate Motorcycling called the 2021 Bobber Sixty's ride tailbone-jolting. RevZilla found no big improvement in the 2025 bikes. This is a ride quality complaint, not a failure.
Ask or check: Ride it over rough pavement. Ask what suspension parts have been changed. Check the fork seals for oil.
Sources: RevZilla: 2015 Indian Scout review , Rider: 2016 Indian Scout Sixty road test , Ultimate Motorcycling: 2021 Scout Bobber Sixty review , RevZilla: 2025 Indian Scout lineup first ride
Engine heat on the rider
low concern2015 to 2024
Test riders noticed heat. Rider said the Sixty's rear exhaust runs close to the right thigh and both testers noticed it. RevZilla said the 2015 Scout's engine puts a lot of heat on the rider. Rider called heat on the Scout's legs in traffic hardly a showstopper. Tolerance varies by rider.
Ask or check: Sit on it with the engine warm if the seller allows. Ride in traffic to see if the heat bothers you.
Sources: Rider: 2016 Indian Scout Sixty road test , Rider: 2016 Indian Scout road test , RevZilla: 2015 Indian Scout review
Lugging and stalling at low rpm on 2025 press bikes
low concern2025
RevZilla reported lean fueling, lugging and shuddering below about 2,500 rpm on the new 1,250cc bikes, and said several journalists stalled. It also noted the press bikes ran pre-production firmware. Rider said some pre-production bikes stalled in traffic and that Indian promised a refined fuel map for production. We did not confirm how production bikes behave.
Ask or check: On a 2025 bike, test low-speed takeoffs and stop-and-go riding. Ask the dealer whether the latest ECU software is installed.
Sources: RevZilla: 2025 Indian Scout lineup first ride , Rider: 2025 Indian Scout first ride
What to check on a Scout
- Check the VIN on 2015 to 2017 bikes. Ask if the starter was replaced under the 2017 advisory.
- Cold start it and listen for slow or labored cranking.
- Identify which bike it is. The Scout Sixty has a 999cc engine and five speeds, and the Scout has about 1,133cc and six speeds.
- Check the fork seals and the rear shocks, since suspension is the most common reviewer complaint.
- On 2015 to 2016 bikes, check that the front turn signals and mirrors are tight. RevZilla found them loose on a 2015 test bike.
- Look for oil around the engine covers and gaskets after the test ride.
- Look for scrape marks on the footpegs and under the frame. Rider found cornering clearance marginal on the Sixty.
- Ask whether any open recalls were done by VIN with an Indian dealer.
Do these on top of the standard walkaround. The free kit has the full list. Want a pro to look it over? Find a local shop.
Safety recalls
Recalls are fixed free by a dealer, but only if someone took the bike in. Ask the seller for proof, or have a dealer check the VIN. You can also check a VIN yourself at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2025 software #24V970000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2025 Scout and Scout Sixty motorcycles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of affected trims. The gear position display may falsely show that the motorcycle is in neutral. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 123, "Motorcycle Controls and Displays."
Risk: The motorcycle may move unexpectedly when the transmission is actually in gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Engine Control Module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-24-11.
2021 to 2022 fuel pump #22V837000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT, SCOUT BOBBER. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Scout, Scout Bobber Sixty, Scout Bobber, Scout Icon, Scout Sixty, Scout Bobber Twenty, Scout Bobber Icon, 2022 Scout Rogue Sixty, Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Dark Horse, Chief Dark Horse, Scout Rogue, Super Chief, and Super Chief Limited motorcycles. The fuel pump may fail while riding.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump and the fuel pump seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-22-06.
2019 service brakes #20V454000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT, SCOUT BOBBER. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Scout, Scout Sixty, and Scout Bobber motorcycles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS). After the manufacturing process, air may remain trapped within the brake system, possibly reducing brake performance.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will perform a brake fluid bleed of the front and rear ABS to evacuate the air, free of charge. The recall began August 19,2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is 1-18-07. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA Recall number 19V-156.
2019 service brakes #19V156000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT, SCOUT BOBBER. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Indian Scout, Scout Bobber, and Scout Sixty motorcycles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS). After the manufacturing process, air may remain trapped within the brake system, possibly reducing brake performance.
Risk: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian has notified owners, and dealers will perform a brake fluid bleed of the front and rear ABS to evacuate the air, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-18-07.
2017 to 2018 antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip #18V416000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Indian Scout, Scout Sixty, and Scout Bobber motorcycles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) may have air left in the system after the assembly process.
Risk: Air in the brake system can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the front and rear anti-lock brake system, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2018. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-18-07.
2015 to 2019 service brakes #19E007000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT, SCOUT BOBBER. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain accessory brake levers, part number 2883795-658, sold for use on Scout and Scout bobber motorcycles. The accessory brake lever adjustment screw may have been set incorrectly, causing unintentional front brake application.
Risk: The accessory brake lever may apply the front brake, increasing the application while riding until the front wheel locks up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian Motorcycle Company will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement parts, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-01.
2015 master cylinder #15V142000
NHTSA lists this for: SCOUT. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015 Scout N15MSA00AA, N15MSA00AH, N15MSA00AR, N15MSA00AS, N15MSA00BA, N15MSA00BH, N15MSA00BS, N15MSA00CA, and N15MSA00CS motorcycles manufactured May 12, 2014, to April 9, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.
Risk: A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear brake master cylinder, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact the Indian Motorcycle Consumer Service Department at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-01 A/B.
NHTSA data fetched 2026-11-06.
Is it a good first bike?
Low seat (about 25 to 26 inches) and good balance, but around 550 lb wet. The Scout Sixty has milder power and suits newer riders better than the full-power Scout. Sit on one first.
Generations
Original Scout
2015 to 2024
Cast-aluminum frame and a liquid-cooled V-twin of about 1,133cc, claimed 100 hp. Six-speed gearbox. Sold in variants over the years, including the Scout Bobber from 2018.
Scout Sixty
2016 and later
Cheaper version with a 999cc engine, claimed 78 hp, and a five-speed gearbox. A Scout Bobber Sixty followed in 2020. We did not confirm when the Sixty line ended.
2025 redesign
2025 to present
New 1,250cc SpeedPlus engine and a steel tube frame in place of the cast-aluminum frame. Sold as the Bobber, Sport Scout, Classic, Super Scout and 101 Scout.