2016 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Big Attitude, Smaller Tank
Indian's Scout Sixty takes the chopper silhouette seriously: long, low, and built from real metal instead of plastic pretending to be metal. A liquid-cooled 60° V-twin of 1000 cc makes 78 hp and 66 lb-ft, running back through a five-speed gearbox and a belt. Sixteen-inch wheels at both ends keep the stance right, and the seat sits 25.0 in (635 mm) off the ground. In a segment where lots of metal is the whole point, this one lands at the stripped, purist end of the cruiser spectrum rather than the loaded one.
On the road it feels lighter than the 564 lb (256 kg) on the spec sheet reads, because the mass sits low and the bike carries it without drama. It ages the way simple hardware does, helped by a belt rather than a chain, though the electrics want an eye kept on them. This is for riders who want American presence and sound without committing to a full dresser, and who would rather spend money on bars, pipes, and paint than on electronics. The honest caveat is thin equipment: no traction control, no ride modes, no cruise control. ABS comes standard, and that is the whole electronics list.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 66 lb-ft (89 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1000 cc1000cc Motorcycles → |
| Engine | 60° V-twinMotorcycles With V-Twin Engines → |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | BeltMotorcycles With Belt Drive → |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 |
| Seat height | 25.0 in (635 mm) |
| Wet weight | 564 lb (256 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 gal (12.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
ABS brake system air entrapment (2019 models)
A manufacturing defect allowed air to remain in the ABS brake systems of some 2019 Scout Sixty models, causing a soft lever feel and potential brake performance degradation. A safety recall (20V-454) was issued to bleed the system.
Throttle surging on some early models
Some owners reported intermittent engine surging under steady throttle, possibly related to ECU mapping in early production runs.
Front brake grinding sound
A minority of bikes developed an audible grinding noise from the front brake, often requiring pad or rotor inspection and replacement.
Water ingress into handlebar electrics
Water can enter the handlebar mounts, leading to electrical gremlins and random warning lights.
Stock battery prone to failure
The original battery is frequently reported as weak; many owners replace it early or use a battery tender.
Where this Indian Scout Sixty pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Scout Sixty is actually built for.
If Sturgis and Daytona are fixed points on your calendar, this delivers: real presence, a deep twin note, and a stance that holds its own in a lot full of chrome. Pack light, the tank holds 3.3 gal (12.5 L).
Made for Florida State Road A1A · Black Hills · Main Street, Daytona Beach
Small towns, old routes, and no hurry suit this one. The wide bars and low seat make a relaxed day easy, and the stripped-back look earns its keep every time you park it outside a diner.
Made for Park Loop Road · Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Straight answer: this is the wrong tool for coast-to-coast days. No cruise control, nothing to shield you from the weather, luggage costs extra, and 3.3 gal (12.5 L) means frequent stops. A weekend loop, yes.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Indian Scout Sixty. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.
