Indian Scout Bobber Limited Review: Raw Power Meets Timeless Style

Let’s cut to the chase. You’re not looking at the Indian Scout Bobber Limited because you want a sensible, practical motorcycle. You’re looking at it because it makes your heart beat a little faster. It’s a machine that prioritizes emotion over logic, and after spending a few riotous, rain-soaked days with it on Mumbai’s streets, I can confirm it delivers on that visceral promise.

This isn’t just a rehash. For 2025, Indian Motorcycle has unleashed a full spectrum of Scouts, and the Bobber Limited sitting in my garage, with its 1250cc heart, is arguably the meanest of the pack. But does its attitude translate into a ride you can live with? Let’s find out.

Stance & Style: A Head-Turner with a Few Quirks

First things first: this bike is stunning. The Scout Bobber’s design philosophy is “less is more,” and it executes it flawlessly. The chopped fenders, the stretched-out tank, the fat 16-inch Pirelli MT 60 RS tires—it all coalesces into a brutally elegant package that oozes confidence. Park it anywhere, and it becomes the center of attention.

However, style has its compromises. Those ultra-cool short fenders are practically decorative in the monsoon, offering about as much protection as a paper umbrella. You will get wet. The riding position is pure cruiser bliss: a comically low 649mm seat that lets almost anyone plant their feet firmly, paired with forward-set footpegs and a relaxed handlebar reach. It’s surprisingly comfortable and immediately makes you feel part of the machine.

The Beast Within: That Glorious 1250cc V-Twin

Fire it up, and the liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin answers with a satisfying, throaty rumble that’s polite enough for city laws but exciting enough to bring a grin to your face. This 105hp, 106Nm engine is an absolute gem.

Its duality is its masterstroke. Around town, it’s a gentle giant. The torque is so abundant from as low as 1,500 rpm that you can potter around in high gear without a complaint. But crack the throttle open, and it transforms. The acceleration is violent and linear, pulling hard all the way to its 7,000 rpm redline. It feels every bit as fast as a modern middleweight sportbike, with a character that’s uniquely its own. The three riding modes (Rain, Standard, Sport) are noticeably different, with Sport mode being an instant ticket to mischief, especially with the traction control switched off.

The Reality of City Riding: It’s a Compromise

With 246kg to manage, the Scout Bobber is manageable in traffic. The clutch is light, and the steering is neutral. But it’s not without its quirks. The engine heat in bumper-to-bumper traffic is significant, a common trait for big V-twins. More curiously, the bike occasionally stalled at very low rpm in heavy traffic, each time flashing a momentarily alarming (but apparently harmless) “Low Oil” warning that vanished on restart.

The elephant in the room—or rather, under the bike—is the 109mm ground clearance. You must treat every speedbreaker and pothole like a potential enemy. Scraping the undersides is a real and expensive risk, especially for heavier riders. The cornering clearance is equally modest; the footpegs scrape early and often, reminding you this is a cruiser meant for style and straight-line bursts, not knee-down canyon carving.

The suspension, with its limited travel, is surprisingly plush over small imperfections but can get overwhelmed by sharper, larger bumps. Braking from the single 298mm front disc is adequate but feels underwhelming for the bike’s performance; you’ll learn to lean on the rear brake hard.

Features & The Bottom Line: Charming, Not Cutting-Edge

The Bobber Limited trim foregoes the fancy TFT display for a classic analogue speedo with a small LCD. It looks the part but is frustrating to navigate with a single toggle switch. You also get quirks like an unlockable fuel cap and a surprisingly basic key.

As of now, official prices are pending, but it must undercut the Harley-Davidson Sportster S (₹16.7 lakh) to be competitive. With only six dealers nationwide, ownership will be an exclusive affair.

Verdict: The Indian Scout Bobber Limited is not a motorcycle for everyone. It’s impractical, occasionally temperamental, and demands constant vigilance over road conditions.

But if you want a motorcycle that is dripping with character, delivers explosive performance, and looks like a rolling piece of art, its flaws become charming idiosyncrasies. It’s a beast, and a beautiful one at that. IMAGE SOURCE – www.indianmotorcycle.in

Indian Scout Bobber Limited