2015 Scout Unveiling at SturgisAmerican Pickers star and motorcycle enthusiast Mike Wolfe, along with Academy Award nominated actor (for best supporting actor in The Departed, 2006) and producer Mark Wahlberg were the headline guests at a VIP party hosted by Indian Motorcycle at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Aug. 2 to help introduce the 2015 Indian Scout.Indian Motorcycles touts the balance and handling of the all-new Scout, which is the first Indian motorcycle by that model name in more than 70 years.
“Starting at $10,999, the new Scout is destined to appeal to riders of virtually every size and experience level who desire the perfect balance of style, maneuverability, power and price,” said Indian’s press release on the new Scout.Wolfe served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Other Hollywood celebrities in attendance included Kristy Swanson, star of the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Alonzo Bodden, American comedian and winner of Last Comic Standing and from New Zealand was John Munro, son of motorcycling legend Burt Munro, who was portrayed in the movie “The World’s Fastest Indian” in which Burt Munro piloted a streamlined 1920 Indian Scout to a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.Polaris Industries CEO Scott Wine and VP of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries Steve Menneto were on hand as well and spoke to the engineering commitment represented by the new Scout.“I am incredibly proud of the team that poured so much of their passion and commitment into designing, engineering and producing the stunning new Indian Scout,” said Steve Menneto, VP of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries.“They have meticulously crafted this motorcycle with all due respect for its rich heritage and its unequalled reputation for handling, power and precise balance, and carried that forward with modern styling, technology and engineering. It is truly a bike that lives up to its heritage and brings it to a new generation of riders.”Industrial Design Director Greg Brew and Rich Christoph, lead designer on the Scout, discuss how the storied history of Indian Scout models influenced the development of the new 2015 Scout in the video here.The event climaxed with a motorcycle stunt show by the American Motordrome Company, which showcased stunts performed with genuine vintage motorcycles, including a vintage Indian Scout that performed on the spectacular “Wall of Death.” Capping that part of the show was the inaugural appearance of a customized 2015 Indian Scout performing on the Wall of Death.A video recap of the evening is attached above.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
