The Why and How of Touring on an Indian Scout Bobber - You Can Do It!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ค. 2024
- Why and how of touring on an Indian Scout Bobber. I do it, you can do it and it is very feasible and possible. We talk through four areas of touring on this motorcycle. I give my experience doing it, how I have done it, and how far I've gone on my Indian Scout Bobber. From Bandera, Texas to Sturgis, South Dakota, through Big Bend, and many more adventures to come.
#motorcycle #touring #bobberlife #indianmotorcycles
LINKS FROM THE VIDEO:
Sleeping Pad: amzn.to/34HNSM9
Compact Cot: amzn.to/38Dn7K0
Tent: amzn.to/2M38uYR
Biltwell Exfil-7: bit.ly/37Nd0TV
Saddlemen 1300 Tactical: bit.ly/3hiQIw9
Street and Steel Grimur: bit.ly/3rrpUyu
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MY RIDE, GEAR & MODS:
2019 Indian Scout Bobber Thunder Black
Trask Performance Intake: bit.ly/2ZbdgGv
PV3 Tuner from Fuel Moto: bit.ly/2GTZy60
Two Brothers Comp S 2-into-1 Exhaust: bit.ly/38yoX0k
Twisted Chipper 8" Handlebar: bit.ly/2B92w3B
Dean Speed License Plate Mount: bit.ly/3g1JquT
Dean Speed Pulley Cover: bit.ly/2NvHMps
Dean Speed Crash Bars: bit.ly/3dzqemC
Dean Speed Sissy Bar: bit.ly/3hjhVPG
Memphis Shades Cafe Fairing: bit.ly/3eQZAYE
Halo LED Headlight from Eagle Lights: bit.ly/2Z3WglE
Saddlemen renegade LS Solo Seat: bit.ly/3dzzpn6
Helmet | Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS: bit.ly/31uZNfs
Warm Jacket | REV'IT Tracer Air Overshirt: bit.ly/38sDg4y
Cold Jacket | Scorpion Covert: bit.ly/3lsb0VC
Warm Weather Gloves | REV'IT Striker 3: bit.ly/31JS5hS
Cold Weather Globes| Joe Rocket: bit.ly/3gbI1TT
Jeans | Scorpion Ultra Covert: bit.ly/3ezBGzY
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So sad to hear him talk about retirement and the future when his kids are out of school. Rest in peace, these videos brought me great joy. I wish the family the very best. I just wished i knew what happened to him but anyways thats non of my business.
Ride in Paradise brother. Your content inspired a lot of mods on by Scout.
I love the "You can't tour on that" attitude. I remind them that every year people start in South America and tour all the way to the Arctic Circle... on bicycles.
So true. People seem to forget the "lose yourself" aspect of motorcycle and make it all about how comfortable it can be for the duration of your ride.
Also you don't need to drive 600 miles per day. The journey is literately the destination when you're touring. You can make the rides as short or as long as you feel like. When I was a young man I rode my Suzuki GSX-R all the way from Northern Europe to Italy. Smart phones did not exist and GPS was expensive, all I had was some paper maps. I just took random roads that looked fun always going south. I had no particular destination in mind other than "south". It ended up being the best journey of my life. I met a bunch of interesting people and I didn't ride more than maybe 150-250 miles per day.
Thank you for this one. I just purchased a 2019 Scout Bobber and pick it up next week. Most of my riding is around town but I go back to my hometown to camp with friends every year and its 5 1/2 hours away and I plan on taking the bike. So I’m taking notes. Subscribed
Awesome glad it is helpful
How did this trip turn out?
@@dwightwhite9763 the trip went well, my brothers both liked the bike. But man that is one rough ride. I bought a air hawk cushion and see how that works for the next trip
Bought a 2019 scout bobber last year. I LOVE it. Looks cost comfort, but I'll never trade that bike for pure comfort. I'll stop as much as I need to
I love mine ... and just adopt it for what I like. That's why we buy bikes right ... take em, customize em and make them out own
potential first time motorcycle owner from Syd, Aud here! lovely review!
you have a backpacking mentality and moved it to a stripped down style of bike. That is exactly how i'm looking to do things. I've been doing extensive research on which bike now. I'm looking a a few different Harleys and now seeing that the Scout is extremely reliable. I live 3 blocks from a Harley Dealer/ service center but I love the Scout as well. I'm torn!! don't know what to get! I guess I have all winter season to think about it. Thanks! great video
Glad you like our Tactical line up - thanks for the review
Absolutely - I love your stuff. Have the Renegade Solo seat as well. Great products!
@@dadwithabike Thanks for the kind words- let us know if we can ever help with anything.
Awesome video. Solved my packing issues. Love the video.
Awesome glad it helped
Man I’m in the ATX area. New rider a d just started less than a year ago after watching my dad ride my whole life. I love it so much man haha I have a Kawasaki Vulcan S and have modded a lot of things but I’m contemplating upgrading to the scout bobber!
The Vulva S is an awesome bike, the 650 parallel twin from Kawasaki is a good engine. But the scout platform is amazing.
I love my Scout. Great video need to find some riding friends.
I plan on getting a bobber within the next few months. And already got a 700mile round trip planned with some friends. Glad I came across this. Lol
Haha, I get more comments when I tour than my buddies with road glides
Thank you for the great video. I have been back and forth on my next bike. Low-rider s, wide glide, road king and either the scout or scout bobber. I have a 2019 mt 09 and want the next bike to have a bit of both worlds. Have fun in the curves and yet cruise the back roads of montana. Look forward to more travels on the scout. Thanks.
So, I came from an FJ-09 and I am so happy I did - the bobber has been an amazing bike so far!
@@dadwithabike do they get about the same gas mileage. From your experience? I just have the issue with my knees on mt 09. Love riding in however I'm tired of the wind. Got a windscreen for the bike. I think getting the wind on the bobber would be easier to take. And from what you about your windscreen it just makes the ride so much better. I want to ride in my great state of montana but I don't want to carry crap on my back. Thats awesome got someone who knows what I'm going through and looking for in a new style of bike. Thanks again. Enjoy the content.
Glad I can help. As for the gas mileage. So the MT-09 will have the same as the bobber (bobber will get a bit more). I rode the FJ-09 and it had a much bigger tank. I do ride from time to time with a friend that has an MT-09 and he and sync our fill-ups pretty close. So the wind on the MT-09 is horrible because you sit "on" the bike. The bobber you sit almost "in" the bike. The wind is still pretty bad w/out a fairing but it's better than the MT-09. Good luck man!
I'm digging the Biltwell stuff. Thanks.
Awesome! Glad it's helpful
You are correct on its journey.. my wife and I ride from virginia to florida or Tennessee several times a year... She rides he Vulcan 650, me on my Vulcan 750.
That's awesome to hear and it is great that you and your wife are riding.
Would of liked to see the bags set up on your bike
Sure. I'll do a full walk around on my bags.
Phenomenal video!
Thanks Man...tracking and loving your content, all the way from Israel!
Awesome - thanks!
It's crazy that i came across your video, i'm looking into getting a scout bobber very soon and i'm in austin as well! Lol i can see you cruising on 620!
Haha, yeah - I'm out on 620 a lot .... I live out near Four Points
I tour on my sportster 48. I may have to stop for gas more often than most but it's still a pleasant ride.
Great video and discussion; I ride a scout rogue and the same position your in; I’m in San Antonio
Great video thanks for posting up, I learned a lot. Did you ever consider the Indian quick release fairing?
I did but the cost have kept me away from it. I've not considered the new mini shield because I have the cafe from #memphisshades now.
I installed the Indian scout fairing on my wife’s bike, but there is a rubber gasket that encompasses the light held on by a screw and it’s a pain in butt to put on and off. I don’t really consider it a convertible fairing like they advertise. Hard to explain in text but yes the fairing comes off easy, but there is more to it to ride it naked
@@Sodiumfreeriding Yeah, when I added mine I moved over to the Scout headlight instead of the one that came with the Scout Bobber.
I like your touring set up its pretty cool, so thanks for the Video you've really done your research on what works best for the Scout bobber, I have a Scout so im thinking ill follow your lead and maybe the same thing for mine so i can do some light touring , what are the dimensions of sissy bar are you using if you don't mind me asking ? ~ Thanks for your service in the Army!
Thanks for the positive feedback. The sissy bar is the 18 inch from Dean Speed.
Hi mate, really helpful video. I’m looking at touring on my bobber in Australia. About 4000km. I’d be very grateful if you could post the specs for your handlebars, grips and seat as these seem to be the key comfort elements for a long tour. Thanks v much for your help.
No problem. So I run 8" bars and they are vaulted. You'd be good with 8-10" anything though. My seat is more about the airhawk cushion than the seat itself. Lastly I use Vans cult grips. Hope it helps
Good day Sir! I owned a Victory Octane 2017 and loved the bike. I am wondering what RPM you are turning on your Scout at 70 MPH. The Victory had different gearing and turned 4,400 at 70.
That's about where I'm at 4200-4400. I love the Octane and would have bought that if Victory wasn't discontinued
Thanks for posting really interested in Indian bobber my biggest complaint problems 110 MI touring that would get all quick for me
You know it's funny. Even when I had my sport touring bike I found myself stopping every 120-130 miles or so just to get off and see something. For me it's always been the journey of getting there and not how fast can I get there. With that in mind, the fuel range doesn't bother me at all
I mostly do long distance riding on my scout bobber. Installiing the floor boards and the quick release fairing made a big difference. Thanks for the video.
What kind of mirrors do you have?
I'm contemplating floor boards. My mirrors are from Amazon. The brand is Fenrir. I'm quite pleased with the quality.
I know Im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot my password. I love any tips you can give me.
@Misael Jaime instablaster =)
@Kaden Kaiden i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process atm.
Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Kaden Kaiden It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much you saved my ass!
Great video
Thanks!
love it
Thanks!
Super nice bike. What kind of mirrors are those?
How do you go with a pillion on the back ?
How do your pegs hold up as far as hitting the twisty's, scraping? I hear that's a big grip from other bobber owners.
Scraping your pegs is part of the game with the bobber. The lean angle is only 29 degrees .... but I think you'd find that fun as hell.
Just curious as to why you changed out the mini oval mirrors?
More for asthetics than purpose.
Really enjoyed your video. TH-cam metrics knows i've been watching the vlog topic of touring on cruisers and suggested yours. I have been riding for a year and I own a Kawasaki Versys...its lightweight , upright adventure styled street bike. I have never ridden a cruiser but have an interest in owning something like a Speedmaster, Scout or the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100. On one hand riders talk about how comfy cruisers are but on the other hand many caution about touring on a cruiser. I am not sure why its less comfy to ride a cruiser over a touring styled bike as long as the seat, bars etc are comfy. You seemed to address this when talking about making your changes to fit you. My question is more fundamental: If you were to do it all over would you buy the bobber or more broadly the cruiser style ? Many of the cruisers now seem to be moving towards all the riding modes and features that the super high end adventure and bagger bikes have. I live in and ride in an urban city environment but I commute out towards a rural area..I see myself going on about (4) 500-600 mile trips per year. Thanks
Cruisers as a whole are much more comfy for long distance but bobbers are not cruisers.
@@dadwithabike besides mid controls, bar position and a few bobbers with poor seats i don't see that much difference between bobber and the cruiser.
That's about it really. Some have a hard time with forward controls.
You know someone's from Texas when you can hear a little of that Twang!
Haha, so true ... so true
If people can ride to Alaska on Honda 250 Dual Sports, you can tour on anything. I go on days long solo runs along the coast of the great lakes on my 883 iron. Long as you can find a means to put gear on a ride, you can do whatever you want with whatever you’re riding.
Hell yeah. And to be honest I actually enjoy it. Seems more real and in tune
i love your comment, you nailed it! its all about the experience of riding!
I thought I saw you had the MC Cruise control on your bike? I don’t see it now and wondered why it wasn’t mentioned as part of your touring. For me the long rides kill my hands and was thinking of the cruise control but wondering if you had any problems? Thanks…nice bike.
Yeah - at the time this was recorded I didn't have the MC Cruise .. but oh yeah, I do now and it's amazing!
Does not having cruise control for that many miles bother you? I have looked for that as an add on option and have not been able to see it yet. Have a soortster right now but thinking about a bobber! Thanks for making the vids they are great!
No cruise control but I will use a cramp buster. Cruise control is hard in groups unless you lead.
@@dadwithabike ah yeah, that makes sense!
Love your content bro. I'm wondering what handle bars are you using? How many inches are they? And do they provide reduced reach and make the cruising more comfortable than the stock ones?
Owner of the channel passed away unfortunately.
How do you minimize chance of your bike getting stolen when you are traveling. I worry about that quite a bit.
Most places I go - I end up camping and rarely stay in hotels. Now, I do have a wheel lock that is also an alarm. Pick up something like the Xena wheel lock with an alarm. The moment it is moved that 120db alarm wakes up.
Thanks for all these informations. I’ve had a Scout Bobber for a year, and I planning to do my first long road trip this summer.
What I’m trying to figure out at the moment, is what to do with all the bags when I stop for lunch or to visit somthing during the day. How do you do? Do you have the bags locked to the bile in some way? Or do you juste leave them on the bike? Or take of everything each time?
So what I do is take a lock and a cable and run the cable through parts of the bag. It won't stop someone determined ... but it will stop them long enough for them to have to deal with me.
@@dadwithabike thank you for your answer. I had thought of something like that, but wasn’t sure if it would be efficient enough. Thank you again for all your great content, always full of great informations! Ride safe!
@@madogsband8234 No problem ... and you enjoy that long ride this summer!
I see you swapped your mirror's, how do you like the new ones?
So far so good, trying to get used to them ...
I've done 6 hour rides on my 09 gsxr 600 I definitely get sore after a few hours but right now I'm looking for a second bike and I'd have to figure that this would be better then a super sport for comfort
For dudes like us, these bikes will be NO PROBLEM. Most these guys get tired after 45 min. I’ve put thousands of miles on my sports bike in one month. Having a cruiser would be a breeze
Touring : quieter exhaust, ear plugs, seat, position, suspension, sissy bar or anything to attach bags, windshield. Warm riding clothing. Something missed ?
Hello, great video, thank you for making it! I would like to get Indian Scout either Bobber or regular. I'm mostly riding in a city (Chicago) and I like nimble bikes. Here is the thing, I'm 6'4". Is this bike to small and too low of a seat height? Can I get higher seat option? I think you have a taller seat than stock. Are you taller than regular person?
Thank you for help!
I'm only 5' 10" and I think the bobber would be too small for someone your height. Another option would be the Springfield. They do make extended foot controls. I would go test ride one and see how it fits.
I am the same height and ride a Scout Sixty (non-bobber). It fits me well. I sat on the bobber and felt like I was folded in half. At the end of the day any scout is a smaller bike, but I love it. Go ride one and see what you think!
@@kosborn14 hi, thank you for replying! So you saying that non-Bobber is more comfortable than Bobber? I was kind of hoping to get that version instead of bobber
@@kosborn14 True - the scout sits higher and is a bit more of a relaxed ride.
@@pavelkochanicek4258 Yes sir... It is significantly more comfortable for a tall rider.
Do you use any highway bars? I’m 6’2 and I need to stretch out on long rides. Also does the windshield help out any?
So not really highway bars, but the Dean Speed crash bars provide a nice place to rest my leg while riding. If your 6'2" investing in OEM style highway bars with foot pegs might be super comfy for you though.
@@dadwithabike thanks man btw love the new bike
I think I’m seeing some pegs in front of your normal foot controls if so could you send me the link to where you purchased them
Yup, they are from dean speed. dean-speed.com/scout-crash-highway-bars/
whats it look like on your bike? would really like to see.
Absolutely - here's a link to my instagram pic... instagram.com/p/CJSbJRAB1Mg/?
Is your ODOMETER here in KM?
are you using the stage 1 2into1 exhaust from Indian ?
No, I'm using the Trask Performance Intake.
@@dadwithabike thank you, how is it working for you ?
@@MRFLESHSTORM I love it. My opinion is either Trask or S&S is the way to go.
@@dadwithabike :)
Did you hade to make a lot of modifications to fir those 8" handlebars.
None, they work with stock cables
@@dadwithabike thank you
Have done a 2500mile road trip on the bobber. Strapped a 60l bag to the back and went. Don’t do more than 250 miles per day. Take some breaks and enjoy the scenery. Find many bars in small towns.. suspension sucks, but acceleration rules! Plan your gas stops.
Good points. I swapped out my suspension and can manage 500 mile days well now. The frequent stops for gas make it nice
@@dadwithabike same here, managed 500-800 mile days with fox shocks. still needed a seat upgrade stock seat sucked but hey did 6000+ mile trip and im up for another long ride! but i will put my comfort seat on for the next one!
@@kirk561 Dang - 6000 miles is awesome
@@dadwithabike it was epic!!
New mirrors?
I'm trying them out to see if I like them. Largely trying to add a bit more weight to calm down some vibrations. We'll see...
Great bags, but you didn't show how you actually mount those on your bike.
steiner ranch! i used to live there
Yup awesome place
Where can I buy this bag?😊
Sorry, but he passaway over a year ago 😢, but the bag is in the description,
Was it difficult to set your progressive 444? Any advice?
Not at all, it's pretty easy because they are hand settable (no tool required). My advice would be to get someone to help you and set your sag properly. Check out Dave Moss' videos on setting suspension sag. th-cam.com/video/0kCGoDjtnM4/w-d-xo.html
when you asked why, my first thought was "isn't the scout the person who's job it is to travel ahead to "scout" out the upcoming route for the others?" lol
So tell me how long you've traveled on your bike. Are you planning any long trips?
Houston resident here...I've had my Bobber 60 (first bike) since September and put about 3k miles on it. Most of them have been in the national forest area north of Houston, but I did one trip to Central Louisiana on it (my daily was in the shop). It was a little over 500 miles in 24 hours. My bike is pretty much stock and it was pretty brutal, namely the seat and because I had to use a backpack, my arms and hands suffered. I've been planning on picking a Saddlemen or Mustang seat and a set of bars. I want the Indian luggage rack so that I can carry a bag there instead of on my back and possibly an inexpensive set of throw over bags, and maybe eventually a cruise control setup. Like you, I'm fine with the range because I like to stop anyway to stretch and take a break. I'm also a Dad and knocking in the door of 40 years old, so most of my riding is limited to commuting and half day runs on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
@@stuckinpodunk That's pretty much my world of riding as well - but I do get the "okay" to take a long trip (or two) a year. I think once you square the seat and handlebars away - add a rack, you'll be golden.
The first summer I retired(2018), I rode my DR650 from S.E. Arizona up to Alaska and back. Made it all the way up to the Arctic ocean! 12k miles, most of it on dirt roads. Went by myself, and had an awesome time, meeting tons of super cool people along the way. Looking forward to doing some long pavement rides this summer on my ISB.
Dang that's impressive on the DR650
Subbed. Going in tomorrow to sign paperwork. They are giving me 500 in accessories...if you had to pick, mini apehangers or seat? Which would you choose? Butt or changing the triangle?
Oh man .. Butt ... save the Butt. That stock seat is the most horrible thing in the world. Besides, I think Dean Speed handlbars are MUCH better than anything Indian is releasing.
I've seen guys go cross country on a Honda rebel. You can tour on anything
My wife jokes saying she has two saddlebags from her bobber, on my challenger 😂
Haha - that sounds about right. Some of the rides I ask ... alright, who's carrying my extra gas?
@@dadwithabike 3.3, we are usually looking for gas every 130-140 miles. Not too bad considering
@@Sodiumfreeriding Yeah - I've only ever had to reach into someone's bag to get gas once and that was out in the middle of nowhere when at Sturgis this past year.
@@dadwithabike we are planning our 2021 trips and was wondering about that. I get 40-42mpg pretty consistently with the 6.0 gallon tank but the scout needs gas pretty close to that 140-150 mile range. Will have to think about that
@@Sodiumfreeriding I had ZERO problems going there or coming back ... it was us getting lost in no-where Montana that broke me :)
Still miss u
in my day, bikers would go on cross-country rides with far less power & comfort
Oh, I'm aware. The difference is those were the only motorcycles available. Now there are more capable machines including cars. So why not embrace it.
@@dadwithabike yup! And just saying ;)
🙏 RIP
Of course you can, but should not...that is why its called a "bobber"
It's called a bobber because Indian called it a bobber. In all reality, it's not really a bobber nor is the new Chief that's coming out with the title "bobber".
@@dadwithabike nice! So that new chief is also not for touring, coz the maker called it a "bobber"
@@tablatejr2010 actually no .... same platform has the super chief and super chief limited. Exact same bike but with bags and a windshield. I ride mine a lot and enjoy it quite a bit and have traveled quite far with it
@@dadwithabike so they are marketing it as a "bobber" because "bobber" sells, but in reality it is not.. its a touring/cruser bike?
@@tablatejr2010 Largely, that's even true with the Indian Scout Bobber - it's not really a bobber in nature and many people strip it down further and remove the rear fender and many other mods. I bought the bobber because of the power, speed, agility and how light it is for a cruiser. Like all bikes - we take it, mod it and make it out own.
You can tour on a moped. Listen, this has all been done before, so if you’re this dedicated, upgrade to a touring or at least bagger (that’s why they are manufactured to begin with). Why are you quilting Chinese duffles on…. Just nevermind. Try this, go to a dealership of your choice, grab a bike that has bags and give it a run. You quickly figure out why these bikes exist. It’s like watching someone tape together three step ladders with duct tape instead of buying a basic ladder to begin with. 😊
No