Rebel Without Chrome

This Indian tears up the cruiser cliché in style

- By Manaal Mahatme Photographs Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

What's a big American cruiser supposed to be? Heavy, slow to steer, happiest at a lazy pace, with a seat as soft as an armchair and a suspension that's more about posing than potholes. At least, that's what I thought until I met the Indian Sport Scout Sixty.

When I first walked up to it, the low stance and long wheelbase made it look every bit the classic V-twin bruiser I'd imagined. The sort of machine I can sink into, arms stretched, watching the horizon roll closer one mile at a time. But then I lifted it off its side stand — and almost stumbled. How could something that looked this substantial feel so light in my hands? The weight simply melted away, as though the bike was trying to convince me — Relax. I'm not here to fight you.

Thumb the starter, and the 999cc liquid-cooled V-twin wakes up with that unmistakable American rhythm. Emissions have taken some of the raw edge off the exhaust note, but it still has that familiar heartbeat. The surprise came a few minutes later, when I realised that this was not some slow, wallowing lump. This thing was alive.