2025 Indian 101 Scout Review: 13 Fast Facts for Sport Cruising

November 7, 2025

When the product planners at Indian Motorcycle were creating a new, five-bike Scout lineup for 2025 with a new frame and motor, they held out something for the flagship—the 2025 Indian 101 Scout. With more power, upgraded suspension, and improved braking, the 101 received far more than simply a cosmetic treatment. The 101 is the Indian Scout for riders looking for the most serious performance motorcycle in the lineup.

The 2025 Indian 101 Scout’s new SpeedPlus 1250 motor sets loose six more horses from the V-twin corral. The 111 horsepower peak comes at the same spot in the rev range—7250 rpm—as the rest of the Scouts, and the torque peak is identical at 82 lb-ft at 6300 rpm. With that extra six horsepower, the 101 is considerably faster than the other Scouts. You get the same pull, with a boost of power at an easily attainable portion of the rev range.

There are three power modes to choose from, and all provide you with 111 horsepower. Sport, Standard, and Rain modes are about throttle response and traction control levels, with TC defeatable in any mode. Sport mode isn’t excessively responsive, so it’s easily usable when rumbling around town, cruising at high speeds, or carving through the canyons. Sport makes everything more fun. You’ll love zipping away when the light turns green, making maneuvers through freeway traffic, and challenging urban twisties such as the iconic Mulholland Drive—the scenic divider between the LA basin and San Fernando Valley. Standard mode is nice and smooth, though you lose that sense of excitement when making a pass or squeezing through a slot in traffic.

Urban manners of the 101 are impeccable. The flagship Scout looks great around town, where other motorists will vocally show their approval. We rode the Sunset Red Metallic version, and it looks spectacular. The riding position with the cupped solo seat is pure cruiser, with feet and fists leading the charge as they reach the forward-mounted pegs and nearly flat-bend, narrow handlebar. You can back up the profiling attitude with commanding acceleration, as long as you’re willing to twist the throttle. First gear is high, so a substantial collection of revs and a bit of clutch slipping goes a long way toward establishing dominance off the line.

With bar-end mirrors, filtering through traffic requires a strong sense of place. They seem to be just the right height for arguing with the side-view mirrors of the majority of four-wheelers on Los Angeles roads. Bobbing and weaving in traffic is the best solution. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of cool, there are mounts for standard mirrors on the clutch and brake lever perches. Alternatively, you can spin the bar end mirrors 180 degrees so they’re positioned below the grips. This is a practical choice if you’re not concerned about what’s going on behind you—a perfectly laudable attitude.

On the freeway, the 2025 Indian 101 Scout has absolutely no problem keeping up with the Joneses. A bigger issue is evading a speeding ticket, as the SpeedPlus 1250 will take you up to, say, 90 mph before you know it when entering via an on-ramp or connector ramp between freeways. The throttle means business, particularly when you’ve selected the Sport mode. The bikini fairing protects you from the wind enough to encourage higher speeds.

Ergonomics and cornering clearance will temper the enthusiasm of sporting riders who want to make the most of the 101 when curving roads are on the menu. The sport-cruiser du rigueur 19-/16-inch wheelset with a wide 130mm front Metzeler Cruisetec delivers plenty of traction when leaned over—we’re not talking edge-grip here. The first thing to touch down will be the heels of your boots, which is much less alarming than the scraping of peg feelers. If you’re in the mood, it’s easy to hit the cornering limits, so the sporting aspect of the 101 Scout has clear boundaries. Within heel touches, the bike is stable with enough agility that you can change lines as needed when leaned over. Esses require some muscle, though you’re rewarded with good feedback. While you might not go as fast in the corners as you desire, you will ride with confidence.

The upgraded, fully adjustable suspension on the 2025 Indian 101 Scout improves the ride everywhere. Everyone complains about the sometimes-harsh ride of standard Scouts’ shocks, and rightfully so. The 101’s piggyback reservoir shocks are nothing like that. They’re supple and make the most of the three inches of wheel travel they manage. All the Scouts deserve rear suspension of this quality.

Rough and uneven freeways like the San Diego Freeway in the San Fernando Valley are no match for the 101. This stretch of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles can challenge the best of suspension, and the 101 tamed the expansion-joint-plagued freeway with notable aplomb. Brutal bumps that routinely bounce me out of the seat were sucked up without drama. On smoother freeways, like the Hollywood Freeway—yes, we tested the 101 on US Route 101—it’s a magic carpet ride. The 101’s comfort goes a long way toward making this a viable commuter motorcycle, should you want to deploy it in that manner.

The suspension action is also fantastic when riding in a sporting manner, even on the rougher portions of Mulholland Drive. It’s easy for suspension to work well on fresh, smooth pavement, as long as the settings aren’t pure mush. The 101 is poised at both ends, even when the pavement gets uneven. This extends down to the flats, where dips and potholes are constant threats. Scout riders are used to tightening their sphincters when approaching a rough patch, a reaction that is unnecessary on the 101 Scout. While you’ll still feel the imperfection in the road, the jolt you’re expecting doesn’t come. If you have a Scout that’s not the 101, Indian will sell you the high-performance shocks for $830 a pair—they’re worth it.

Indian put twin 320mm discs and radially mounted Brembo calipers on the front wheel for stopping. When paired with the inverted fork, the front of the 2025 Indian 101 Scout looks the business. However, it ends up being overkill. With the 101’s cruiser ergonomics, you’re unlikely to ride it so hard that you need that kind of braking. Further, the front brake lever is a reach and has a wooden feeling. Yes, it absolutely slows the 101 down when all four fingers are engaged on the lever and you rely on ABS to make sure you’re not pulling too hard, though the fat Metzeler Cruisetec can handle the braking force. As with the other Scouts, the 298mm disc on the rear brake is willing to do most of the work, and it’s easier to modulate with your right foot.

The Indian 101 Scout is an all-day rider. It’s easy to run through the 3.4-gallon tank without a break, whether you’re riding through rural roads or taking a ride through a sprawling metropolis. The custom-stitched seat doesn’t numb the butt, and the aggressively stylish ergonomics fall just short of being uncomfortable. Also, the 101’s 549-pound curb weight won’t wear you out. You’ll make friends at the gas station or coffee shop, as people will walk up to admire the bike and ask questions—it’s an attention getter, especially in Sunset Red Metallic.

We’ve had software issues with the round TFT dash in the past, but not this time. As with any computer, bugs can get into early software editions. Our test bike’s dash never faltered, and it has a broad range of display and information options, including built-in GPS. I’ve always loved the dash when it’s working, and I’m thrilled that the display was glitch-free on the 101.

The 2025 Indian 101 Scout is the line’s flagship, and it flies the Scout’s colors proudly. The upgraded motor and suspension make a huge difference, and don’t discount the beautiful paint and graphics on the 101. Sure, the double-disc front braking is more for show than slow, but there’s no real downside to that. If you’re looking for a Scout and $16,999 is in your budget, you won’t regret tossing the extra money on the table.

Photography by TMS Productions et al

RIDING STYLE

Helmet: Scorpion Exo-ST1400
Jacket: Cortech Marquee
Gloves: Spidi Rude
Jeans: Bolid’Ster Jean’Ster 2
Boots: Alpinestars Oscar Monty V2

2025 Indian 101 Scout Specs

ENGINE

Type: 60-degree V-twin
Displacement: 76ci (1250cc)
Bore x stroke: 4.094” x 2.898” (104mm x 73.6mm)
Maximum power: 111 horsepower @ 7250 rpm
Maximum torque: 82 lb-ft @ 6300 rpm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
Fueling: EFI w/ 60mm throttle body
Cooling: Liquid
Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
Transmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multiplate
Final drive: Belt

CHASSIS

Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable inverted 43mm cartridge fork; 5.9 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable, cantilevered piggyback-reservoir shocks; 3.0 inches
Wheels: Wire-spoke
Front wheel: 19 x 3.5
Rear wheel: 16 x 3.5
Tires: Metzeler Cruisetec
Front tire: 130/60-19
Rear tire: 150/80-16
Front brake: 320mm discs w/ 4-piston Brembo calipers
Rear brake: 298mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
ABS: Standard