Just two weeks after unveiling its 2015 Roadmaster supercruiser, Polaris-owned Indian Motorcycles has taken the wraps off another new 2015 model -- the Indian Scout.

The Scout, a smaller bike than the company’s large Roadmaster, Chief Vintage, Chief Classic and Chieftain, has an 1133cc liquid-cooled engine that puts out 100 horsepower, the company says.

It has a smaller stance, the company says, specifically to attract smaller riders, female riders, or first-time riders who might be intimidated by a full-size Indian -- much as competitor, and segment leader, Harley-Davidson has done with its Sportster and new Street 500 and Street 750 bikes.

“This is our answer to the Sportster,” said Steve Menetto, Polaris’ vice president of motorcycles. “With a lower seat height, the easy balance and the smoothness of throttle, we are thinking of female riders, as well as early riders or riders who already have a Chieftain. They may not want to take out a big luxury touring bike. The scout is a fun bike.”


It’s also competitively priced. The MSRP for the base model Scout is $10,999 -- almost half the cost of a Chief Classic, but more than the lowest-cost Sportster or either of the two Streets.

For Indian, it’s a return to former glory. The company sold Scouts from 1920 to 1949, and tried to revive the nameplate under a previous administration from 2001 to 2003.

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