Duke Out on the Cheap: Iron 883 vs. Scout Sixty

Past Commonality

Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle have two very cool contenders in the entry-level cruiser category. While the popular Iron 883 and the more recent Scout Sixty are similar, they are also very different machines with one underlying commonality. Based on classic models from both company's past, it is arguably a punch-up that has been going on for the past century.

Rider Move

For all their differences, the Iron and the Scout Sixty are joined at the hip as American-made V-twins. Doubly so, because all other mass-produced, base-level, V-twin offerings are imports. Importantly, the MSRP for both these machines squeaks in at just under $10,000. It is a price that makes them affordable for a rider looking to move up, without resorting to the used bike market.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Extreme Theme

The Sportster Iron 883 was introduced in 2009. Almost unchanged cosmetically, the latest version goes for an economical $9,749. The blacked-out, the matte-finished machine was a derivative of the Nightster 1200 but took the Dark Custom theme to the extreme. It was an instant hit and has remained in Harley-Davidson's lineup to date—despite cuts to the XL family.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Little Brother

Indian Motorcycle resumed production in 2014, after closing its Springfield, Massachusetts plant in 1953. To the critic's praise, the Indian's Scout Sixty was rolled out in 2016. It runs for $8,999 in today's money. The 61 cubic-inch (1000cc) Scout Sixty is the little brother to the marginally bigger 69 cubic-inch Scout, which Indian had released the year prior.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Important Roots

The Iron and the Scout Sixty are both pitched as machines with a long heritage. The original Indian Scout was built from 1920 through 1949. Second to the Chief, it was Indian's most important model. The Iron can trace its roots back to the first Sportster that was introduced in 1957 and owes a debt to the Model K that preceded the XL line.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Brand Rights

The heritage distinction gets a bit murky when comparing the two companies. Harley-Davidson is America's oldest, continuously operating, motorcycle manufacturer. Indian Motorcycle is billed as America's first motorcycle manufacturer, has opened its doors in 1901. Despite many attempts to resurrect the Indian brand over the decades, it was not successful until Roseau, Minnesota-based Polaris Inc., purchased the brand rights.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Maximum Power

The legacy difference is key to comparing the Scout Sixty and the Iron. On paper it comes down to the engines. Indian's entry-level offering features a modern, liquid-cooled, double overhead camshaft V-twin that produces a claimed 78 horsepower. Harley-Davidson's Iron relies on what some consider to be antiquated pushrod technology, with a maximum power output of about 55 horsepower.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Default Win

In many ways, the Scout Sixty is authentic in name and appearance only, while the Iron is the evolution of a long lineage. Perhaps the key difference is that Indian is providing an alternative, and this is appealing to some. Given the XL's uncertain future, the Scout Sixty may just win by default, as the only American-made, entry-level, V-Twin under $10,000 on the market.

>>Join the conversation on the Iron 883 vs the Scout Sixty right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

For help with the service of your bike, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com.