Honda Rebel 1100 Vs Indian Scout: A Detailed Comparison

Indian Motorcycle and Honda are two diverse motorcycle manufacturers with completely dissimilar branding and production strategies. Honda thinks out of the box and extends its full support to the research & development sector to focus on future trends. Meanwhile, Indian Motorcycle, even in 2024 is sticking to the vintage nostalgia which is quite evident from its cruiser lineup.

One such example by Honda which depicts its transformational engineering processes and modern performance is the Rebel 1100. This bike is Honda’s contemporary take on a cruiser which turned out to be successful and people have accepted it wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, the Indian Motorcycle, to compete with Harley Davidson and to stay strong in the U.S. cruiser market, is still keeping the Scout alive with the same retro styling and conventional cruiser attitude. Continue reading this article to learn about the detailed comparison between the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Indian Scout.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is a modern option between the two with a trendy and unconventional cruiser design and dark-themed finish. What makes the Rebel 1100 stand out from the rest is its uniquely designed chassis and frame. This bike has a slanted backbone with a top-mounted wide gas tank installed diagonally. The Rebel 1100 can also be referred to as a naked bike due to its stripped-down and exposed engine, machinery, and frame. The conventional telescopic front fork looks incredibly stylish with a dark titanium oxide coating and premium-style round punched-face headlamp with four LED bulbs in the front.

The Rebel 1100 has a lightweight bobber-style front fender and a mid-size broad chopped rear fender with a streamlined tail light, enclosed in a transparent cover. The engine and machinery are completely blacked out, giving this bike a dark-themed look.

The Rebel 1100 also features a uniquely designed 10-spoke 18-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels with road-biased smooth tires. To enhance its bobber look, this bike also boasts a simple solo rider seat.

The Indian Scout is the simplest vintage-looking cruiser with no fancy or additional parts. It boasts a classic style and elements, taking inspiration from the original Scout. The Indian Scout, as you see it from the side profile, is one of the most planted bikes on the market with a 25.6-inch low seat height and a low center of gravity.

Towards the front, the Indian Scout features an eye-brow-style front fender and a small round-shaped head lamp enclosed in a blacked-out cover with a chrome bezel. The rear mudguard is heavy, extended, and chopped to ensure a full view of the rear wheel. The two-up saddle is nicely fixed with the frame and the rear mudguard. The frame and engine are mostly blacked out with dull chrome cylinder heads. The separate dual exhaust pipes and front forks have received a sleek chrome finish.

On top of retro vintage styling, the 16-inch aluminum contrast cut 15-spoke front and rear wheels wrapped under the Pirelli Night Dragon tires provide an unconventional look to this bike.

The Honda Rebel 1100 vs the Indian Scout is more of a parallel-twin vs V-Twin comparison. The parallel-twin engine is undoubtedly punchier, responsive, and abrupt when it comes to delivering power to the rear wheel. Meanwhile, the V-Twin engine installed on the Indian Scout starts slower compared to the Rebel’s 1,083 cc parallel-twin engine but it does not run out of power even at higher rpms and as you keep rolling, the ride becomes more exciting.

If you talk about pure cruisers with V-Twin engines, they are programmed to distribute the power band smoothly throughout the rpm range. Meanwhile, the parallel-twin engine is more common in sports, adventure, and naked bikes for a better power-to-weight ratio and abrupt power delivery.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is the most powerful variant in the Rebel family with the ability to cruise smoothly on open roads and highways. What makes this bike extraordinary in the cruiser segment is its modern performance thanks to the unconventional parallel-twin powerplant. If you have ever ridden a motorcycle with a parallel-twin engine, you would know how sporty they are. Similarly, the 1,083 cc water-cooled, parallel-twin engine installed in the Rebel 1100 makes this bike perform faster, ensuring a quick throttle response and rapid acceleration. The power produced by the engine is readily available with even a little pull of the throttle.

One thing that perfectly compliments its fast performance, along with the parallel-twin engine is its low weight. The Rebel 1100 feels extremely lightweight as you are riding this bike. Talking about the power figures, the Rebel 1100’s engine makes an incredible horsepower of 85.8 hp at 8,100 rpm and a torque of 98 Nm at 4,750 rpm.

Being modern equipment, the Honda Rebel 1100’s powerplant is coupled with a throttle-by-wire engine management system to ensure that the riders also enjoy a customizable riding experience. Regardless of its quick nature and sporty attitude, the Rebel 1100’s engine is tweaked by the factory to not go above 100 mph. The electronic speed limiter ensures that the engine cuts off the throttle so the bike does not go above a certain speed limit. However, the speed limiter can be removed if you want to enjoy the feel of the Rebel 1100 at its full potential.

The availability of the DCT variant provides a great opportunity for new riders and those who want to restart motorcycling after a very long time. If you are unsure about the quality of the automatic transmission system, the Honda DCT technology has a proven track record. This feature allows riders to choose between both automatic and manual modes. However, the Rebel 1100 DCT has no clutch and foot-controlled gear shifter. Instead, there is a small pedal shifter installed on the handlebars for riders to shift gears with ease in the manual mode. The rider can easily switch between the automatic and manual modes even during the ride with the single push of a button present on the right side of the handlebars.

The Indian Scout is a classic, easy-to-ride cruiser with plenty of power and torque-producing ability. Though this bike produces more power and torque than the Rebel 1100, the powerband is spread equally throughout the rev range due to being a perfect cruiser. As you hop on this bike and start riding it, it may initially not feel as responsive as a bike with a parallel twin. However, as you speed up, the bike does not hesitate to keep going. Whether you are riding at low-rev or high-rev speeds, the engine does not feel asthmatic and runs out of power.

The Indian Scout houses a 1,133 cc 60° V-Twin engine which delivers 100 hp of horsepower at 8,100 rpm and 97.7 Nm of torque at 5,900 rpm. The Indian Scout was the company’s response to the Harley Sportster series. Regardless of being very basic in terms of tech, it carries a phenomenal engine and a metal body which makes it a reputable American cruiser. On a bike like the Indian Scout which has not much to offer to young and new riders who want a more innovative and interactive machine, the engine plays a good role.

If you want to experience the full power and throttle of the 1,133 cc V-Twin engine installed on the Indian Scout, make sure to take this bike to a straight road. This bike can comfortably attain a top speed of 128 mph.

As discussed already, the Rebel 1100 feels extremely lightweight thanks to its low seat height and lower-to-the-ground build. Regardless of its high-powered nature and premium class, the Rebel 1100 is one of the smoothest-running bikes with light handling. This bike makes cornering easier for riders who are not scared of riding a 1,100 cc bike. The Honda Rebel 1100 makes use of its sportier nature to provide riders with a better and more aggressive steering and cornering performance. You can enter a curve confidently at moderate speeds on this bike which is usually not expected from a conventional-style cruiser. Considering the quality of suspensions installed on the Honda Rebel 1100, this bike is good for paved roads only. The ride can get uncomfortable if you plan to take this bike on unpaved or bumpy roads.

Due to being planted, the Indian Scout is closer to the ground and has a longer wheelbase which ultimately influences its handling capabilities. This bike performs reasonably while turning corners and on twisty roads. Despite its wider rear tire, the bike stays planted and stable while entering curves. As you expect from a classic cruiser like the Indian Scout, it offers an extraordinary linear performance on straight roads. The bike handles well but you must not expect it to enter a curve at the same pace it runs on straight roads as it is not programmed for it. You eventually need to slow down before you enter a curve. You cannot compete or chase a sports-style bike while riding the Indian Scout on a track that contains several twists and turns.

Also, the Indian Scout is more than 50 lbs heavier than the Rebel 1100 which is why it does not support relatively new riders to handle this bike with ease. Above all, this bike also has low cornering clearance which takes the confidence away. The suspensions on the Indian Scout are quite stiffer and only capable of maneuvering on smooth roads. Your back will start to hurt if you experience riding this motorcycle on a bumpy road.

The Rebel 1100 does not precisely fall under the cruiser category but it is still a cruiser and is quite comfortable. It may not be the most comfortable bike in the cruiser category, but regardless of its sporty nature, this bike still offers an easily approachable seat position and overall comfortable ergonomics for riders of almost all sizes. The foot controls are not forward mounted but are a little forward than the mid-mounted controls, offering a reasonable legroom for riders to adjust their legs comfortably.

The rider is expected to lean a bit forward in a slightly sportier stance to grab the handlebars. Overall, the ergonomics may not be too spacious and relaxed but they are adequately wide to keep the rider happy for city traveling, daily commuting, and light cruising.

Like most cruisers, Indian Scout offers relaxed riding ergonomics for continuous long-distance rides. Though the Indian Scout models were made to imitate the Harley Sportster series, this particular variant offers spacious legroom and a roomy rider triangle. The handlebars are though quite low mounted but are sufficiently swept back to fall within an easily approachable position of the rider so he/she can sit with an upright back. If you are a taller rider, you will have to resist the urge to sit in a slouched riding position which can cause back pain on long-distance rides.

Technically speaking, the Honda Rebel 1100 is a far better bike in terms of performance, price, tech package, and value for the money. It is a modern bike and an unconventional take on a cruiser design with a bold and sportier look and stance. It can attract more young and new riders with its thrilling performance and ride customizability options. It has ride modes, traction control, torque control, cruise control, ABS, and whatnot. The only thing it misses is the traditional cruiser vibe and feel, like the Indian Scout. However, this is not seen as a disadvantage by most riders looking for a modern-day bike.

On the contrary, if you consider the Rebel 1100 vs Indian Scout as a cruiser comparison, the Indian Scout is a clear winner with a powerful V-Twin engine and top-end torque delivery. This bike is usually preferred by old and experienced riders who prefer the vintage looks of cruisers and their torquey linear performance. The 1,133 cc V-Twin engine can make your cruising experience thrilling and can make you in awe with its throaty and typical V-Twin exhaust note. However, a price tag of  $13,249 can make potential buyers think twice before they buy the 2024 Indian Scout.

In their stock forms, the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Indian Scout are highly suitable for highway cruising but to take them farther on a motorcycle tour, Viking Bags can assist you in transforming these bikes. Visit the website to find out the range of motorcycle luggage bags, parts, and accessories for your specific make and model. Check out the supreme-quality neatly-stitched saddlebags exclusively designed for your Honda Rebel 1100 and the Indian Scout. The brand specializes in manufacturing practical storage options for cruisers, including solo bags, roll bags, tail bags, handlebar bags, backpacks, and tank bags.