Cruiser motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes. From the tiny little Yamaha V-Star to the fire-breathing Ducati Diavel V4 RS, there’s a cruiser for everyone. With so many options on the market, it’s easy for new riders to feel a bit lost. Are small cruisers not powerful enough, and are bigger cruisers too much to handle? Of course, there’s also the question of outgrowing the motorcycle in a couple of months.
Fortunately, there are some cruisers that sit somewhere in the middle, striking a great balance between being easy to learn on while being powerful enough not to feel boring after a while. One of the best examples of it today, especially if you’re looking for an authentic American cruiser feel with badass looks, is the Indian Scout Sixty Bobber. Here’s how this stripped-down Scout Sixty stands as the perfect affordable cruiser for new riders in 2026.
The 2026 Indian Scout Sixty Bobber Is The Best Cruiser For Beginners
For newer riders looking to get their first cruiser, the best choice with an Indian badge today is the 2026 Indian Scout Sixty Bobber. It’s part of Indian’s entry-level lineup, the Scout Sixty, which is essentially pint-sized Scouts for those looking for something urban and affordable. In the lineup, the Scout Sixty Bobber takes a more non-nonsense, minimalist approach to the platform as opposed to the more aggressive Sport Scout Sixty and the traditionally styled Scout Sixty Classic.
The Indian Scout Sixty Bobber Starts At $9,999
The Scout Sixty Bobber starts at just $9,999, which also makes it not only the cheapest Scout Sixty but also the cheapest Indian motorcycle you can buy today. For this price, the Bobber offers plenty to love for new riders, starting with a modern V-twin engine with plenty of grunt, a nimble frame paired with a low seat height, and simple mechanics. This combination of affordability, accessible handling, and modern performance makes this bike the ideal first cruiser for those looking for an Indian flair.
Indian Scout Sixty Bobber Vs. Harley-Davidson Nightster
|
Starting Price |
Engine Type |
Power |
Torque |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$9,999 |
Revolution Max 975T |
91 HP |
72 LB-FT |
481 LBS |
At $9,999, the Scout Sixty Bobber isn’t your only option. The cheapest Harley-Davidson, the Nightster, also starts at $9,999, and it’s a worthy competitor. It offers more power, with its Revolution Max 975T delivering 91 horsepower and 72 pound-feet of torque. It gets a lightweight trellis frame, an extra cog in the gearbox, and a slightly more modern tech package, including traction control and drag-torque slip control as standard.
As good as the Nightster is, it can feel a bit too intense for new riders. And unlike the Indian Scout Sixty Bobber, the Nightster lacks the authentic V-twin cruiser feel; instead, it’s closer to being a roadster than an authentic cruiser. While that isn’t a bad thing, those who are looking for an authentic cruiser may not like the Nightster’s modern appeal. So, the choice between the two depends on what you’re looking for, with the Indian coming on top if you’re seeking old-school simplicity and charm.
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The Indian Scout Bobber Sixty combines performance and affordability in a nice package
Old-School V-Twin Charm With Modern Accessibility And Performance
|
Engine Type |
Power |
Torque |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SpeedPlus 999 V-twin |
85 HP |
65 LB-FT |
536 LBS |
The Indian Scout Sixty Bobber is designed to offer an authentic American cruiser charm in a beginner-friendly package, and that’s first visible in the bike’s powertrain. At its heart sits the SpeedPlus 999 V-twin engine, which is technically a toned-down version of the SpeedPlus 1250 of the bigger Scout Bobber. This engine ditches cooling fins for liquid-cooling, which gives it better thermal stamina and a quieter engine. The bigger 1250 V-twin is known for its reliability, and the same should translate for the SpeedPlus 999, too.
85 Horsepower And 65 Pound-Feet Of Torque On Tap
In terms of power, this engine produces 85 horsepower, roughly 8 percent more than the previous model, and 65 pound-feet of torque. The power is delivered in a broad curve, with torque peaking at 6,500 RPM, and the linear power delivery of the Vee engine should eliminate any surprises for new riders. Still, with over 80 ponies on tap, it should feel entertaining once new riders get the hang of it. As Indian Motorcycles assures, this is a bike that “you can ride and grow into, not out of.”
It Does Miss Out On Six-Speed Transmission
The only criticism of this engine is the lack of a sixth gear; instead, you get a wide-ratio five-speed gearbox, which may make you yearn for a sixth cog on the highway. This gearbox is mated to a slipper clutch, which should offer light lever pull for excellent low-speed control. Meanwhile, the final drive is a belt, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining and cleaning the chain every other week. The belt also adds to the bike’s traditional charm.
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Handling Tuned For Comfort And Confidence (With A Low Seat Height)
Unlike the modern engine, the bike’s other underpinnings are relatively old-school yet competent. The bike uses a double cradle frame that fully supports the engine, suspension on vanilla suspension, including a 41 mm fork up front and dual shocks at the back. There’s 4.7-inch travel at the front and 2 inches at the rear, which may feel uncomfortable for some riders. The forks are kicked out at a 29.4-degree rake, giving the bike a low-slung stance, and the 4.9-inch trail should help keep the bike stable at speed and nimble around corners.
Ergonomically Designed To Inspire Confidence
Indian says the ergonomics are designed for comfortable and confident handling, too. For instance, the Scout Sixty Bobber is low-slung, and despite being 536 pounds, the weight sits much lower to the ground at 25.6 inches. Pair that with a low seat height of just 25.6 inches, mid-controls, and a narrow handlebar, and the bike promises to be quite easy to handle in the city as well as out on the highway. Indian says that the ergonomics are tuned to inspire confidence, so even newer riders shouldn’t feel intimidated by the cruiser.
Fat Tires And Disc Brakes On Both Ends
Rounding out the underpinning package are a pair of 16-inch cast-alloy wheels shod in fat rubber. This setup pairs well with the bobbed fenders and the low-slung stance of the motorcycle, which gives it a great look. Braking is taken care of by a pair of 298 mm brake discs, one on each end. The front gets a two-piston caliper, and given the bike’s low curb weight, it should suffice in bringing the bike to a stop confidently. It goes without saying that the underpinnings aren’t designed to impress experienced riders; they are designed to be unintimidating and inviting, and they succeed at that.
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Enough Rider-Centric Features To Keep The Rubber Side Down
The Indian Scout Sixty Bobber pays homage to old-school bobber-style motorcycles, and it does that quite faithfully. It features a blacked-out, stripped-down look, complete with bobbed fenders, a sleek peanut tank, and just the right touch of shiny bits to keep it from looking completely stealth. Even the solo saddle plays well into the bobber’s low-slung flyline. Put simply, the Scout Sixty Bobber is a stylish motorcycle, and from no angle does it look like a starter bike. In fact, with its V-twin peeking through and the fat tires, it looks like a proper cruiser.
Slim Features List, At Least On The Standard Trim
Some of this stripped-down appeal does translate into its feature list, which is relatively narrow. As standard, the bike only offers an anti-lock braking system (ABS), LED lights, and an analog gauge that also shows the fuel level. If you are looking for more, you can upgrade to the Limited trim, which unlocks cruise control, traction control, ride modes, and a USB charger. Unfortunately, the Limited trim does raise the price to $12,199, which feels steep for what the bike offers.
Blank Canvas Cruiser With 100+ Accessories On Offer
Indian Motorcycles is also positioning the Scout Bobber Sixty as a blank canvas motorcycle, and so, it offers over 100 accessories with it. It includes probably everything you’d ever want to add to your cruiser motorcycle, including adjustable Fox rear shocks, a range of LED headlights, handlebar risers and grips, windshields, luggage, and much more. You can also make the bike pillion-friendly with a bunch of passenger accessories, like a backrest and a pillion seat. Indian Motorcycles not only wants you to learn riding with bike, but with this list, it wants you to make the bike your own.
Source: Indian Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson