2025 Indian Scout Bobber 1250cc Long term review 12,000km

I bought this bike used with an aftermarket freedom exhaust in August 2025 with 1100kms on it. Limited trim. Phenomenal bike when it works with compromises. Ergonomics. This bike stock was meant to be customized by the aftermarket. If you want it solved, go buy the 101.

I am a new rider and after the grom this is the first bike in my ownership. Completely confidence inspiring because the weight and seat height is low. But the requirements are that you have atleast a 28-34 inch inseam, too long or too short of an inseam will mess you up if you go for the bobber spec.

First problem is that I am not a straight line rider, it is boring just to twist the throttle and go straight, I try to master the slow speed on this bike and you can easily scrape the frame doing figure 8s. Suspension out of the box is terrible, instant upgrade to ohlins that fixed almost all the suspension issues. I have hyperpro springs coming in for winter. Any serious slow speed u turn involves lock to lock, which is very difficult with forward controls with the bars so low folded taco style.

Second comes the bad. Software glitches and gremlins. The bike never starts first try. Now approach with caution, I proceeded to do a s&s intake with a 2 into 1 exhaust system with a lloydz tune. This is 4000 canadian dollars later in attempt to fix some issues with euro5 garbage. Did not fix it. Progressively the bike got worse and worse during it's start up sequence. Again, analogue gauge no ride command.

I TORE MY HAIR OUT getting this bike to run right, endlessly on forums trying to solve the issues. Okay indian comes out with an ecm and several module updates after my lloydz tune that will end up wiping my flash. Then...the starting issues got worse, almost 15 minutes of attempting to start it with a 500cca lithium battery and every konami code. Bike is on a tender when not ridden.

Fast forward, August 1st 2026, almost a year into my ownership the bike at 12000km no longer fires, just endlessly cranks. I ran diag and threw parts myself to try to fix it and it no longer runs. Towed to dealer today to have them figure it out, and I guess that is what extended warranty is for.

I think this bike is absolutely bonkers if you fit the ergonomics and uncork it. It is probably the quickest sporty cruiser that is more comfortable than the sportster S.

I wouldn't say the bike is unreliable, it technically never left me stranded, it broke down at work.

Is it japanese reliability? No. But it is a damn good looking bike and great when it works. Hopefully we can resolve these issues and go back to riding.