Indian Motorcycle Chief, Scout

Indian Motorcycle Chief, Scout belongs to the classic American cruiser world, where low seat height, broad stance, and easy-going road manners matter more than speed-hungry engineering. By our assessment, the appeal is in the riding posture and the old-school look, which have made Indian’s big-name cruisers attractive to riders who want a motorcycle with presence rather than a sharp, modern stance. The downside is the same one that comes with the style: cruisers are not the most nimble machines in tight city traffic, and the relaxed setup is chosen at the expense of outright agility. In practice these bikes are about steady highway miles, comfortable cruising, and a sense of heft that you feel at a stop and at walking pace. Against sport bikes they are slower by design; against many other cruisers they compete on heritage and styling. Chief and Scout make the most sense for riders who want a traditional cruiser and know that the shape of the bike is part of the point.