America's First Motorcycle Company delivers aggressive new styling and enhanced capability across its cruiser range
Indian Motorcycle has just dropped their 2026 model lineup, and it's headlined by the all-new Sport Scout RT that has us genuinely excited to get our hands on when it hits Australian shores. For a brand that's been perfecting the art of American cruising since 1901, this latest evolution shows they're not just resting on their considerable laurels, though with 125 years of heritage, they've certainly earned the right to put their feet up occasionally.
Sport Scout RT: More Than Just a Pretty Face
The standout star of the 2026 lineup is undoubtedly the Sport Scout RT. Indian has taken the timeless Scout DNA and given it a serious capability upgrade that goes well beyond cosmetics. The factory-fitted locking rigid saddlebags offer over 37 litres of weatherproof storage, enough to swallow an entire set of riding gear and touring essentials.
The Sport Scout RT gets colour-matched fenders and a quarter fairing paired with revised graphics that give it a complete custom-inspired look straight from the factory. Stylish gloss black 140mm moto-style risers with machined highlights come standard, while machined triples and moto handlebars complete the package with both custom looks and dialled ergonomics.
The quarter fairing apparently isn't just for show either (but let us be the judge of that when we get one for review) it keeps wind off the rider's chest while delivering that factory-custom aesthetic. Combined with a 19-inch front wheel, the Sport Scout RT promises both aggressive styling and agile handling that should make it a genuinely fun prospect on Australian roads.
Fresh Paint, Fresh Attitude
For 2026, Indian hasn't forgotten about the rest of their lineup. The ANZ market gets a refreshed colour palette that's genuinely striking. The 101 Scout and Challenger Dark Horse headline with new finishes in Black Crystal and Super Graphite because apparently regular black just wasn't dramatic enough for the cruiser crowd.
The Scout Bobber expands to five colour choices, including an all-new Moss Green Smoke that sounds absolutely perfect for Australian conditions and blending in with our native vegetation when you inevitably have to hide from your partner after buying another bike. Meanwhile, the Super Chief Limited gets a sophisticated Chalk finish, and the Chief Bobber Dark Horse joins the trend with its own Moss Green colourway.
Indian Motorcycle's heritage speaks for itself, 125 years of American motorcycle excellence isn't something you stumble into by accident, though we suspect there might have been a few happy accidents along the way that resulted in some truly legendary machines.
We're particularly keen to get our hands on the Sport Scout RT when it arrives in Australia. The combination of that proven 1250cc V-twin engine, next-generation steel tube frame, and enhanced touring capability sounds like the perfect recipe for Australian conditions and for convince prospective buyers that this is definitely a "practical" purchase.
The Road Ahead
With Indian Motorcycle Australia now sending us press bikes for review, we'll be able to give you the real-world perspective on how these machines perform on Australian roads. No marketing fluff, no carefully staged photo shoots where everything looks impossibly clean, just honest riding impressions from bikes that have covered serious kilometres and probably collected a few bugs along the way. And frankly, we can't wait to find out if they're as good as they look.
If there's a particular model you'd like us to focus on, let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you, and it might help us justify why we "need" to test ride everything in the range.