FYI the Octane and Scout only share 40% of their parts together. The Scout is actually a re-badged Octane version 1. When Polaris unveiled the Indian line up at Sturgis in 2013 everybody asked "Where is the Scout?" At the time Victory already had the Octane in development so Polaris just restyled it and turned it into the Scout. This then allowed them to develop the Octane further to make enough changes that the bikes would be stable mates but not the same. Hence the Octane is 2kg/ 4.4 lbs lighter, has a larger engine at 1179cc compared to 1133cc and therefore a bit more HP and torque (104 hp/76 ft.lbs compared to 100 hp/72 ft.lbs at the crank). Larger front and rear wheels. Slightly larger fuel tank. Lower gearing. Longer trail at 137 mm/ 5.4 in over 120 mm/4.7 in and a 32 degree lean angle as opposed to the Scout's 29 degree. These are most of the major differences between them. I have ridden a number of Scouts over the years and own an Octane and they maybe close but, the Octane wins at the end of the day in all areas.
Nice comparison. Thanks. I was thinking of stepping over to the cruiser bikes coming from a sportbike. I love the power and handling but now interested int a naked bike but I don’t want a Harley. I want something that is quick, agile, and fun to ride as a weekend warrior at time 😁
Definitely look for an Octane or a regular Scout(not the 60 or a Bolt) if you're looking for performance from the cruiser market. The "other" Victory bikes are great handling as well(and have actual performance upgrade options), but I wouldn't really call them agile for someone coming from sportbikes. Good luck!
I know this is late. But look at the Scout or Octane. They are very quick and have very linear power. It's a nice medium with its higher revving, liquid cooled engine.
Awesome video. I am actually looking at these bikes, and without riding any of them, have decided it's going to be between a Scout full size and a Octane. Funny, though, I can get a Scout for over $1,000 less than any Octane around me. I do like the Octane looks and slightly bigger engine better, but I can't dismiss that savings. I'd like to get your opinion. I can get a 2016 Scout with some nice upgrades for slightly more than $5k, and a 2017 Octane with less than 500 miles for around $6500 What would you do?
So I have been looking at used bikes. I am planning to get one in a year or so. I hope to have the money for a new RE 650. I have been looking at used bikes and it seems there are tons of used cruisers and the prices seem a lot cheaper than other style bikes. Why is that?
The cruiser market was at a peak during the early to mid 2000s, so there were a lot of then produced, and now that the cruiser market has declined you find a lot more of then used, that’s why! Just more produced for a period of time means they are abundant and cheap
The Victory Octane and the Indian Scout are one in the same. It's like asking the difference between a Honda and Acura.... Sort of. All I'm saying is that the Scout and Octane are the same fricken bikes! While both the Indian and Victory are way way faster than the Bolt, I still prefer the bolt, purely on looks. I wish I could say the Bolt was made by Indian and that I like the Indian Bolt beat, but that just isn't how it is.
Ostensibly, they are indeed the same, but the Octane produces more power than the Scout and revs out a little more. Although the frame is just about identical, the rear subframe is different on the Octane; the shocks are more upright, and this steepens the effective steering head angle just a little, making the Octane more agile. Used Scouts contemporary to the Octane have softer front springs, giving them a plusher feel that can lead to the front end pattering and even bottoming out on hard braking on uneven tarmac. Not a problem on '97 Scouts onward as they upgraded fork springs and (I believe) fork oil. The Octane has bigger wheels that run lower profile tyres with more sports tyre options, again endowing the Octane with the edge on handling over the Scout. For someone coming from a sports bike these differences MAKE a difference. When I bought my Scout three years ago I deliberately rode the Octane immediately before the Scout because I know that small differences in power are more noticeable when you come down to the less powerful machine. And the differences DO show. Overall, I felt the Scout suited me better. It handled & performed well enough for a cruiser - far better than a Sportster '48 - and I liked the Indian name (hey - these thing matter!) If I was making the choice now the difference would more down to price, but either machine is an awesome ride.
They only share 30% of the same parts. The Scout was molded after the Octane, even though the Scout was released before the Octane. Though they are similar, they are far from the same bike.
These videos are great, at comparing a stock bike , to any other stock bike. If you just want to ride, and want a nice stock bike,, don't buy the Harley, its not for you. Go spend 8k on the bolt, go spend 13k on an Indian. Its like comparing a stock Honda civic, with any other basic priced sedan. Its not impressive. But if you are a tuner, then the game changes quickly. That lackluster honda civic has an incredible aftermarket, suspension mods, chassis and brakes, transmissions and engine swaps, turbo kits etc. To an enthusiast, the civic easily becomes not only appreciated, but respected. Same for the little sportster. Sure you can cushion the Indian, the bolt, but the options are very limited, and come at a premium. Look at the pathetic 883 sportster. Not impressive. But, to a tuner, when you look at potentially, and aftermarket availability, it quickly takes a turn. You can pick up a used 883 from 2005 up, for about 2500 bucks. You get on Ebay, find a buell xb12 engine, 1000 bucks. You spend a weekend, tearing that 883 down. Monday, you take the sportster case to a local machine shop, have the case machined to accept a buell bottom end, ( its cheap, and a familiar mod ) , you pick the case up that Friday, on the weekend, you bolt in the buell bottom end, the crankshaft with rods, you use the pistons and jugs, the heads the cams, the upgrade oil pump, you put it back to that same weekend, and you have 100hp or more, and about 87 ft lb, add the cost of fuel system mods and a tune, for under 5000 bucks you have a 100 hp almost 90 ft lb tq Beast that weighs about 500 lbs. That's just an example, of the fun you can have with the Harley. Get a hammer 120 kit if you want, 120 hp. Get a custom frame, suspension, customize anything, fenders, gas tanks, wheels etc. You can build the sporty, in ways you can't imagine. Want a turbo kit ? Np. They are available. You will not have these options with the bolt, with the Indian. I mean you could I guess, but it would be all custom engineered, and come at a Premium, where those same mods for the Harley are cheap by comparison. If you just want a nice stock bike, there are many better options than good Harley, I'll agree 100% all day long. But if you want a hot rod, something's to make unique, something to build on and grow with, there are no vtwins on the market, that will offer you all that the Harley will. Icing on the cake, is an incredible community, well versed and familiar with any mods you may like to do. The Harley isn't for everybody, but it is for that certain person, that wants to build a hot rod. Same as a Honda civic. As far as potential goes, nothing holds a candle to the sportster. Unless you want to pay someone 20k to do an 11 section quarter mile. I personally ride and owning a buell xb12s, its amaz, full stage 4 , its beautiful, its basically a sportster on a sport bike chassis,, I've never built bested at a stoplight, even by a Tesla. It gets 50 mpg, handles like it reads my mind, stops like it has anti gravity, easy to work on, parts are cheap. The sounds it makes are music. I wish these reviews would put more emphasis on potential, and how that potential may appeal to a certain individual, a stock to stock companies, against any other bike, does tell the full story. To an enthusiast, these bikes are a huge disappointment. Marketing is bs. If you want to spend 10k, on a bike to ride, the bolt and Indian is great. If you want to build a hot rod tho, you will quickly realize you wasted your money if u buy any of these bikes. Try to mod an Indian, the way you can mod the Harley, you'll quickly be overweight by the aftermarket, that's available for the Harley, but non existent for the Indian.
Bolt is an awesome choice! I liked the Octane a lot too, but kind of a different experience and for different reasons. The bolt is a well-rounded forever motorcycle haha
FYI the Octane and Scout only share 40% of their parts together.
The Scout is actually a re-badged Octane version 1. When Polaris unveiled the Indian line up at Sturgis in 2013 everybody asked "Where is the Scout?"
At the time Victory already had the Octane in development so Polaris just restyled it and turned it into the Scout. This then allowed them to develop the Octane further to make enough changes that the bikes would be stable mates but not the same.
Hence the Octane is 2kg/ 4.4 lbs lighter, has a larger engine at 1179cc compared to 1133cc and therefore a bit more HP and torque (104 hp/76 ft.lbs compared to 100 hp/72 ft.lbs at the crank). Larger front and rear wheels. Slightly larger fuel tank. Lower gearing. Longer trail at 137 mm/ 5.4 in over 120 mm/4.7 in and a 32 degree lean angle as opposed to the Scout's 29 degree. These are most of the major differences between them.
I have ridden a number of Scouts over the years and own an Octane and they maybe close but, the Octane wins at the end of the day in all areas.
Man your comment deserves more thumbs up. Thanks for all the details.
your comment i just what i needed to hear since almost 4 months now. I just couldn't decide but now i can. Thank you sir
Nice comparison. Thanks. I was thinking of stepping over to the cruiser bikes coming from a sportbike. I love the power and handling but now interested int a naked bike but I don’t want a Harley. I want something that is quick, agile, and fun to ride as a weekend warrior at time 😁
Definitely look for an Octane or a regular Scout(not the 60 or a Bolt) if you're looking for performance from the cruiser market. The "other" Victory bikes are great handling as well(and have actual performance upgrade options), but I wouldn't really call them agile for someone coming from sportbikes. Good luck!
I know this is late. But look at the Scout or Octane. They are very quick and have very linear power. It's a nice medium with its higher revving, liquid cooled engine.
I went from sport bikes to a 06 victory hammer. Absolutely love the hammer. I do want an octane too though
always fun to hear your take on different bikes. Thanks.
Dang. Alex.... and here I was expecting a ride through comparison
Awesome video. I am actually looking at these bikes, and without riding any of them, have decided it's going to be between a Scout full size and a Octane. Funny, though, I can get a Scout for over $1,000 less than any Octane around me. I do like the Octane looks and slightly bigger engine better, but I can't dismiss that savings. I'd like to get your opinion. I can get a 2016 Scout with some nice upgrades for slightly more than $5k, and a 2017 Octane with less than 500 miles for around $6500
What would you do?
Trying to decide what to get for my first bike, a Bolt R-Spec for $6k, an Octane for $8k, or a ???. It's gotta be the bobber look.
I got the bolt originally wanted octain
883, bolt, victory gunner were my options at the time (2014) bolt was a good choice. 30k going great
Is there really any difference between the regular scout and scout bobber? Looking into more of the bobber look
From what I understand it's cosmetic and ergonomic, maybe someone else on here has one and can comment? I have not ridden the bobber version
I had a chance to ride both, Alex is correct. The Bobber looks badass but the regular Scout is much more comfortable.
@@stevefry8081 yeah the bobber has a firmer rear suspension
So I have been looking at used bikes. I am planning to get one in a year or so. I hope to have the money for a new RE 650. I have been looking at used bikes and it seems there are tons of used cruisers and the prices seem a lot cheaper than other style bikes. Why is that?
The cruiser market was at a peak during the early to mid 2000s, so there were a lot of then produced, and now that the cruiser market has declined you find a lot more of then used, that’s why! Just more produced for a period of time means they are abundant and cheap
Wish i could get an Octane for half a Scout! Lol 😢😂
The Victory Octane and the Indian Scout are one in the same. It's like asking the difference between a Honda and Acura.... Sort of. All I'm saying is that the Scout and Octane are the same fricken bikes!
While both the Indian and Victory are way way faster than the Bolt, I still prefer the bolt, purely on looks. I wish I could say the Bolt was made by Indian and that I like the Indian Bolt beat, but that just isn't how it is.
Ostensibly, they are indeed the same, but the Octane produces more power than the Scout and revs out a little more.
Although the frame is just about identical, the rear subframe is different on the Octane; the shocks are more upright, and this steepens the effective steering head angle just a little, making the Octane more agile.
Used Scouts contemporary to the Octane have softer front springs, giving them a plusher feel that can lead to the front end pattering and even bottoming out on hard braking on uneven tarmac. Not a problem on '97 Scouts onward as they upgraded fork springs and (I believe) fork oil.
The Octane has bigger wheels that run lower profile tyres with more sports tyre options, again endowing the Octane with the edge on handling over the Scout.
For someone coming from a sports bike these differences MAKE a difference.
When I bought my Scout three years ago I deliberately rode the Octane immediately before the Scout because I know that small differences in power are more noticeable when you come down to the less powerful machine. And the differences DO show.
Overall, I felt the Scout suited me better. It handled & performed well enough for a cruiser - far better than a Sportster '48 - and I liked the Indian name (hey - these thing matter!)
If I was making the choice now the difference would more down to price, but either machine is an awesome ride.
The HP difference may be in the Octane's favor (+3 at the crank) but the actual difference in performance feel comes in slightly shorter gearing.
They only share 30% of the same parts. The Scout was molded after the Octane, even though the Scout was released before the Octane. Though they are similar, they are far from the same bike.
These videos are great, at comparing a stock bike , to any other stock bike. If you just want to ride, and want a nice stock bike,, don't buy the Harley, its not for you. Go spend 8k on the bolt, go spend 13k on an Indian. Its like comparing a stock Honda civic, with any other basic priced sedan. Its not impressive. But if you are a tuner, then the game changes quickly. That lackluster honda civic has an incredible aftermarket, suspension mods, chassis and brakes, transmissions and engine swaps, turbo kits etc. To an enthusiast, the civic easily becomes not only appreciated, but respected. Same for the little sportster. Sure you can cushion the Indian, the bolt, but the options are very limited, and come at a premium. Look at the pathetic 883 sportster. Not impressive. But, to a tuner, when you look at potentially, and aftermarket availability, it quickly takes a turn. You can pick up a used 883 from 2005 up, for about 2500 bucks. You get on Ebay, find a buell xb12 engine, 1000 bucks. You spend a weekend, tearing that 883 down. Monday, you take the sportster case to a local machine shop, have the case machined to accept a buell bottom end, ( its cheap, and a familiar mod ) , you pick the case up that Friday, on the weekend, you bolt in the buell bottom end, the crankshaft with rods, you use the pistons and jugs, the heads the cams, the upgrade oil pump, you put it back to that same weekend, and you have 100hp or more, and about 87 ft lb, add the cost of fuel system mods and a tune, for under 5000 bucks you have a 100 hp almost 90 ft lb tq Beast that weighs about 500 lbs. That's just an example, of the fun you can have with the Harley. Get a hammer 120 kit if you want, 120 hp. Get a custom frame, suspension, customize anything, fenders, gas tanks, wheels etc. You can build the sporty, in ways you can't imagine. Want a turbo kit ? Np. They are available. You will not have these options with the bolt, with the Indian. I mean you could I guess, but it would be all custom engineered, and come at a Premium, where those same mods for the Harley are cheap by comparison. If you just want a nice stock bike, there are many better options than good Harley, I'll agree 100% all day long. But if you want a hot rod, something's to make unique, something to build on and grow with, there are no vtwins on the market, that will offer you all that the Harley will. Icing on the cake, is an incredible community, well versed and familiar with any mods you may like to do. The Harley isn't for everybody, but it is for that certain person, that wants to build a hot rod. Same as a Honda civic. As far as potential goes, nothing holds a candle to the sportster. Unless you want to pay someone 20k to do an 11 section quarter mile. I personally ride and owning a buell xb12s, its amaz, full stage 4 , its beautiful, its basically a sportster on a sport bike chassis,, I've never built bested at a stoplight, even by a Tesla. It gets 50 mpg, handles like it reads my mind, stops like it has anti gravity, easy to work on, parts are cheap. The sounds it makes are music. I wish these reviews would put more emphasis on potential, and how that potential may appeal to a certain individual, a stock to stock companies, against any other bike, does tell the full story. To an enthusiast, these bikes are a huge disappointment. Marketing is bs. If you want to spend 10k, on a bike to ride, the bolt and Indian is great. If you want to build a hot rod tho, you will quickly realize you wasted your money if u buy any of these bikes. Try to mod an Indian, the way you can mod the Harley, you'll quickly be overweight by the aftermarket, that's available for the Harley, but non existent for the Indian.
Yamaha bolt all day, sporty vs. clunky
Bolt is an awesome choice! I liked the Octane a lot too, but kind of a different experience and for different reasons. The bolt is a well-rounded forever motorcycle haha
I prefer triumph over all above