FEATURE – 2022 Indian Scout range - introduction

After the VERY early release of the 2022 FTR and all-new Chief models last year, Indian Motorcycle waited until November to announce details of the rest of the MY22 lineup, including the Scout range.

Thanks to COVID, there hasn’t been too much changed on the Scout for the past couple of years, but at time of writing, an all-new addition had just been announced – the Scout Rogue (click HERE for more on this model).

“The introduction of the reimagined Indian Chief in 2021 rounded out a truly comprehensive lineup of cruisers, baggers, and touring models, and with the help of customer feedback, we aim to consistently enhance and improve the lineup with new technology and wider-ranging accessory options for 2022,” said Mike Dougherty, President for Indian Motorcycle.

That “new technology” Dougherty refers to is confined to the big touring bikes for now and includes refinements to the cruise control and Ride Command systems available for those models. For the MY22 Scout, there’s no new or improved tech, but some new accessories have been added, along with new colours.

New Accessories

To improve pillion comfort, a new Syndicate Two-Up Seat and a Syndicate Low Profile Passenger Backrest have been added to the range of Scout accessories.

In harmony with these additions, there’s also new rear suspension units. In the piggyback style with remote reservoirs, these performance rear shocks are fully adjustable, too.

Continuing the performance theme, an analogue revcounter had also been added for 2022. Sitting to the left of the main instrument pod, using its trim ring for mounting, the revcounter features a large red needle and choice of white or black face to complement the Scout’s analogue speedometer.

For those that find the 7-inch Pathfinder adaptive LED headlight a little too large, a 5.75-inch version is now available. As with the larger version, the small Pathfinder headlight features additional LEDs that are activated when a specific amount of lean angle is reached, essentially throwing more light into the inside of a corner for safer night riding. 

These accessories are available to suit all MY22 Scout models, while a new accessory that’s exclusive to the Scout Bobber this year are smoked lenses for the indicators.

Familiar Spec

Since the Scout was released back in 2015, it’s been humming along quite nicely for Indian, serving as the entry-point to a brand reborn under Polaris ownership.

The arrival of the 999cc Scout Sixty a year later offered a smaller capacity, lower priced alternative to the standard 1133cc Scout. Although it had a short life in Australia, the Sixty continues to be offered in other markets.

The larger capacity Scout has been the better seller globally, so most subsequent variations of the Scout theme have been spun off that version. The Scout Bobber arrived in 2018, with the Scout Bobber Twenty following in 2020. There have also been a couple of limited editions – the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition from 2019 and the 100th Anniversary Limited Edition from 2020.

For 2022, the Scout lineup for Australia includes the base Scout, Scout Bobber and Scout Bobber Twenty, with the Scout Rogue a new addition for the year.

Since the Scout debuted, its drivetrain has remained the same – a 60-degree v-twin of 1133cc (69ci) capacity. That’s not a bad thing, though, as the lack of major changes or refinements suggests Indian had it right from the beginning.

This liquid cooled, DOHC, 8-valve engine features a 99mm bore and 73.6mm stroke, electronic fuel injection and a 10.7:1 compression ratio. Maximum torque is 97Nm at 5600rpm, with max power of around 70kW at 8100rpm. That’s 72ft/lb and 94hp in old measure.

The Scout’s v-twin is matched to a six-speed gearbox and belt final drive. The frame is cast aluminium, as are the subframe and swingarm.

Braking is made up of a single 298mm disc front and rear, with a 2-piston caliper at the front and single-piston caliper at the rear. The Scout’s lightweight chassis partly explains why there’s only one brake disc on the front end, when two would seem more appropriate for an 1133cc motorcycle. ABS is standard, though.

It’s at the suspension where differences in the MY22 Scout lineup start to become apparent. A 41mm tele fork front and twin shock rear with preload adjustability are common range-wide, but the Bobber variants upgrade the front end to a cartridge-type fork. On the base Scout, travel is 120mm at the front and 76mm at the rear. On the Scout Bobber and Bobber Twenty, rear travel drops to 51mm.

Wheels are 16-inch front and rear range-wide, but with different alloy finishes on the Scout and Scout Bobber, while the Scout Bobber Twenty has wire spoked wheels. Both Bobber variants upgrade the Pirelli rubber from the Night Dragons of the base model to MT60RS hoops.

All MY22 Scouts feature a USB charge port in the bracket for the instrument gauge, which consists of an analogue speedo and digital multi-function display for everything else.

Other changes across the range are confined to paint, trim and detailing.

Pricing for the 2022 Indian Scout range has risen across the board, with last year’s ride away pricing now the list pricing. The range now starts from $20,495 for the Scout Bobber, $21,495 for the Scout and $21,995 for the Scout Bobber Twenty. For Scout Rogue pricing, see separate article.

2022 Indian Scout pricing*

2022 Scout from $21,495 ($22,995 ride away).

2022 Scout Bobber from $20,495 ($21,995 ride away).

2022 Scout Bobber Twenty from $21,995 ($23,495 ride away).

*check pricing with your Indian dealer.