| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Too bad I have to give it back today.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Nice! How about a review? | ||
| Jaimec |
It has a completely unnecessary six speed transmission. Doesn't seem to matter what gear you're in, it ALWAYS pulls like a ****ing tractor. Not good for quick changes of direction, and that's due to the big, heavy front wheel more than anything else. Even with the wide bars, you can feel it. The frame is fully up to the task though... no flexing like all the Harleys I've ridden in the past. As I got more and more comfortable with it I started pushing it harder and harder on the on/off ramps. Never managed to drag anything on right turns, but the side-stand seems to hit fairly easily on the left. I'm not at all a fan of the feet-forward cruiser ergos, but the floorboards are long enough to allow me to keep my legs at a comfortable bend and rise up over bumps when necessary. I still have to reach for the shifter and rear brake, but that isn't too big an issue. It doesn't come standard with a heel/toe shifter but it can be added later by you or the dealer. I'm fine with it the way it is. I haven't been stuck in traffic with it, which is a good thing. The clutch has a "manly-pull" and it is an old-fashioned cable clutch, not hydraulic. I didn't notice that much heat spilling off the engine either (but then again, I wasn't stuck in traffic with it at any time either). The saddle is very comfortable with good support and a nice shape. They really did their homework when they designed it. The windshield has a quick release, but sadly it is not adjustable. The top is right where I DON'T want it. I either have to sit up very straight to look over it, or crouch down to look through it. I was told three different heights were available when you ordered one... but why can't I adjust the one it comes with? I wasn't able to fit my Buell courier bag in the saddle bags. It fits easily in the saddlebags of my K1200LT, or under the seat or in the top box of the scooter. That means by my definition, the bags on this thing are too small. All in all, it's a fun bike... but not one likely to take up permanent residence in my garage either. | ||
| 86129squids |
Pretty sure I saw one just like that down here in Mur-vil last year. Fit and finish is very strong, one can tell they spent a LOT of time on the aesthetics. I'm still very curious about the Scout- do tell if you get to try one of those out. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If they ever make a scout with sportster style peg placement, I will be veeery tempted to try one out. | ||
| Chauly |
If someone were to drop off a Scout engine & transmission at my house, I promise I will build something more sporting, ala' a Brough Superior... | ||
| Jaimec |
I liked EVERYTHING about the Scout except for the ergos. If they put that engine into a "real" motorcycle, I'd be VERY interested. I just can't get into that "feet forward" riding position the Scout forces you into. At least the floorboards on the Chief Vintage allow me to place my feet in a comfortable position (even if I have to reach forward for the shifter and rear brake). | ||
| Chauly |
How about something like this for a riding position?  | ||
| 86129squids |
LOVE that pic! Can't make out the maker of the inline-4, was that Indian or Excelsior-Henderson, or....? Obviously, these two are having an AWESOME day.  | ||
| Tombo |
Looks like an ACE. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - been looking at the scout - already figured how to bring it down in serious weight - figure around 470lbs - might make a nice classic Cafe - lol EZ | ||
| Chauly |
It is an ACE, 1921, and that's my grandfather. A couple of weeks ago, I was at Wheels Through Time Museum, and this was the first bike I saw. Dale fired it up as I walked up...  (Message edited by Chauly on August 25, 2015) | ||
| Hughlysses |
I liked EVERYTHING about the Scout except for the ergos. If they put that engine into a "real" motorcycle, I'd be VERY interested. I figure in the next year or so either someone's going to modify a Scout with mid-mount pegs and controls (it'd take a little work, but I think a re-routed front header would make it pretty easy) or Victory is going to come out with a fairly sporty standard/street tracker using this engine. | ||
| Chauly |
I looked at the cutaway engine that Indian had at the IMC shows last season, and was very impressed at the engineering inside. The idea that you have an engine that externally resembles the classic, long-stroke vee's, but in reality is an over-square, high piston speed, counterbalanced modern engine. Very impressive indeed... | ||
| Jaimec |
I wish Polaris would build a modern version of the Indian Inline-4. Now THAT would be awesome. So damned tired of these "Me too!" V-Twin cruisers. It's like American motorcycle manufacturers forgot there was ever any other kind of engine used in a motorcycle (Motus being the lone exception). Back in the late 70s and 80s, the perjorative term "UJM" was used to describe any inline four motorcycle from Japan. Japanese bikes have always come in a variety of different engine configurations but in the past several decades the ONLY configuration out of the USA has been the "Tandem V-Twin." We're better than that and should start demonstrating it. (Message edited by jaimec on August 25, 2015) | ||
| Chauly |
I'm looking for an automotive/industrial 4-cylinder that resembles the ACE/Indian 4 to construct a "Replica ACE". Soliciting suggestions... | ||
| Jaimec |
NSU? http://thekneeslider.com/when-an-indian-four-is-no t-in-the-budget-build-one/ | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Inline fours, V-twins => boring! They need to do a square-4 with liquid cooling. Like an Ariel that actually works! | ||
| Chauly |
That is cool,but nowadays the NSU engine is probably rarer than the Indian/Ace! Maybe a Deutz Diesel? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I've seen some fairly small air-cooled in-line 4 cylinder diesels on portable military generator sets, but I suspect it would be a little too big for a bike. I think I have a picture of one; if I can find it, I'll post it. Edit- Couldn't find my picture, but found this one on the net. The engine is a 4-cylinder Deutz. It's hard to judge the size, but with the shroud and fan removed it might not be too far off from motorcycle-sized.  (Message edited by Hughlysses on August 25, 2015) | ||
| Jaimec |
If a company wants to resurrect Ariel, then a Square-4 for them would be fine. I'm talking about Indian and their technological heritage. They built more than just V-Twins. | ||
| Crusty |
So did Harley. In the teens, they built a 180° twin configured fore and aft, as well as the BMW inspired XA during WW2. They've built two strokes and four strokes, vertical singles, V twins, horizontal singles vertical singles and developed, but never built, the Nova engines in V2, 4 and 6 cylinder configurations. Even H-Ds V twins have been at different V angles. If you find the term UJM offensive, you should find that categorizing American bikes as V twins also offensive. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Anyone ever go to the H-D museum? They have a wall-O-engines that had me drooling. Single cylinder knuckleheads and overhead cam sportsters! Most looked pretty roughly sand cast but quite a few looked like they were ready to roll off of the production line. | ||
| 86129squids |
I was out running errands today, had a group of about 5 riders roll past, one was on a Scout. Was slightly tempted to follow, but, naah. Weather's too good to piddle much (as I sit inside typing this...  ) I'll see one up close someday. | ||
| Jaimec |
Crusty, I'm 57 years old. Going back to the time of my birth (and not counting the Aermacchis sold under the HD logo which really WEREN'T American-made), how many different engine configurations have American made road motorcycles had in my lifetime? Two. V-Twins, and the Motus V-Four. Did I miss anything? Notice I did say "Road Motorcycles" so that excludes the single cylinder ATKs which are primarily off-road. | ||
| Jaimec |
I just remembered that odd-ball, 600cc sportbike someone made awhile back. An American bike yes... but I think he sourced the engine from China, if I'm not mistaken. BTW, I remember the Nova, and that doesn't count because they never shipped a production motorcycle using that unit. (Message edited by jaimec on August 25, 2015) | ||
| Daddio |
Polaris, since its acquisition of the Indian name, and development/production of the Indian bikes, has been positioning Victory as its performance brand. The upcoming Victory Octane is based partly on the RSD-built, Scout-based motored "Project 156" bike, which may be the answer the question that Hugh and Nate were asking. Also, Polaris owns engine design and development company Swissauto. As to why they put an I-4 GM crate engine into the 3-wheeled Slingshot, my guess would be that Swissauto had not yet developed an acceptable 4-banger. | ||
| Rwven |
Jaimec, That would be the Fischer MRX650. It used an OHC V-Twin sourced from Hyosung, pretty much a Korean made WeeStrom engine. One of the guys I ride with occasionally has one of the very few that were actually sold. | ||
| Jaimec |
Oh, so it was a V-Twin. I couldn't remember. I thought it was a DOHC I4. Memory is the second thing to go I guess (I forget what the first is). | ||
| Strokizator |
And, the 605cc engine in the ATK was a Rotax. Good engine but not "American Made". |
