[Mgg]

I am looking for the most comfortable and easy to adjust shocks for the Scout. Have been thinking about upgrading to the Challenger and still might do that come summer but I lost my job due to the Corona virus and because I was a contractor I may not be going back.
So was thinking about what I really don't like about my Scout and the number one thing is the suspension. I have upgraded it twice and am still not happy. My first upgrade was to the Dark House suspension. Which I thought was way to stiff and difficult to change for 2 up riding. Then I went to the bullets. These were a big improvement over the others however as I have gained 30 lbs and now ride with full saddlebags and they are 3 years old, they are not as good as they use to be. (Maybe just need to have them recharged.)
Beginning to think that the Arnott cycle air shock might be the answer.
Note that I ride for comfort not speed so much. The Scout fits me well and is comfortable except for the hard bumps. I don't take corners as fast as I can I ease through them. So performance is not an issue.
If anyone has come across such a thing would love to hear about it.
mgg

 

[thehueypilot]

I put the adjustable (24 clicks) Fox performance shocks (Item # 2881790-463) onto my 2020 Scout and it helped soften the ride somewhat. I ride with 7 clicks from soft and it rides a lot better than the stock shocks but still bottoms out once in a while after hitting a big hole. They are pricey at $930. I just bought a 2019 Chieftain Limited and it rides like a Cadillac compared to the Scout and is better in every way except low speed handling, quickness and gas mileage. I still ride the Scout on short trips but for longer trips the bigger bikes are the way to go. The Chieftain has a single rear air shock which I ride with 0 psi currently. I test drove the Challenger and it was similar to the Scout except 100 times better in every category. I did not chose it because of the first year teething issues but it was better than the Chieftain in power. I like the old school looks so I went with the Chieftain. Warning if you test ride the Challenger it you will want it.

Tim

 

[MattyBoy]

I am looking for the most comfortable and easy to adjust shocks for the Scout. Have been thinking about upgrading to the Challenger and still might do that come summer but I lost my job due to the Corona virus and because I was a contractor I may not be going back.
So was thinking about what I really don't like about my Scout and the number one thing is the suspension. I have upgraded it twice and am still not happy. My first upgrade was to the Dark House suspension. Which I thought was way to stiff and difficult to change for 2 up riding. Then I went to the bullets. These were a big improvement over the others however as I have gained 30 lbs and now ride with full saddlebags and they are 3 years old, they are not as good as they use to be. (Maybe just need to have them recharged.)
Beginning to think that the Arnott cycle air shock might be the answer.
Note that I ride for comfort not speed so much. The Scout fits me well and is comfortable except for the hard bumps. I don't take corners as fast as I can I ease through them. So performance is not an issue.
If anyone has come across such a thing would love to hear about it.
mgg

K-Tech Bullit gas-filled shocks. Very easy to adjust because there is no adjustment needed. No more bottoming out and smooth ride otherwise... Like buttah!

 

[Mutant]

Elka, Legend or Ohlin are also proven options. All have adjustable spring preload and dampening. It is a question as to how much you want to spend. The Scout is a very good motorcycle, BUT is not a touring bike. My Harley friends all use Ohlin and are very happy. You are probably looking at $700 to $1200 to get you were you want to be. I highly recommend you call these companies and talk to their specialists. I have and they are very helpful and will help you make the right selection for the results you want.

 

[YOBobber]

Search the forum, maybe a page or 2 deep and you will see several discussions on this

 

[Westport]

Elka, Legend or Ohlin are also proven options. All have adjustable spring preload and dampening. It is a question as to how much you want to spend. The Scout is a very good motorcycle, BUT is not a touring bike. My Harley friends all use Ohlin and are very happy. You are probably looking at $700 to $1200 to get you were you want to be. I highly recommend you call these companies and talk to their specialists. I have and they are very helpful and will help you make the right selection for the results you want.

I find the Scout is an excellent motorcycle to tour on. I’m not sure why you state it is not a touring bike.
It may not be in the “Touring” section of the Indian catalogue but there are many people who do tour on 1200cc motorcycles. Would you also state that a BMW GSA is not a touring bike? Makes a great tourer?
I have fitted K-Tech Razor Lite rear shocks with correct spring weight with K-Tech Tracker front cartridges, again, with matched spring weights. Bike is now very comfortable and the front end very compliant. I have no issues touring on it

 

[Mutant]

I meant no offense. When I tour I will ride 350 to 400 miles some days. Last year we covered 4k in 9 days. I consider cruse control a nice plus as well as storage and mass to handle the truck traffic. So touring may be perspective as far as ones build and health and objectives. I would ride my Chieftain over a Scout. If I only had a scout I would still go, but my days would be shorter.
Our dealer put a fairing kit and hard bags on a Scout with sound. All color matched. Looked great but 18k.
If you want to tour on a Scout, by all means — I guess you can use any sport/bobber for that.

 

[MattyBoy]

I meant no offense. When I tour I will ride 350 to 400 miles some days. Last year we covered 4k in 9 days. I consider cruse control a nice plus as well as storage and mass to handle the truck traffic. So touring may be perspective as far as ones build and health and objectives. I would ride my Chieftain over a Scout. If I only had a scout I would still go, but my days would be shorter.
Our dealer put a fairing kit and hard bags on a Scout with sound. All color matched. Looked great but 18k.
If you want to tour on a Scout, by all means — I guess you can use any sport/bobber for that.

Sure do wish someone made an electronic cruse control for my Scout. I would buy in in a jiffy!

 

[dan1111]

I just fitted these NITRON R1 Classics and so far very pleased with them. I agonised over different Shocks and pro,s and cons etc but quickly eliminated FOX and several others. So it was a tossup between NITRON and OHLINS nitron are less $$ but have the reputation of being very good, they are race developed and apparently OHLINS tried to buy them out rumour goes. the rebound and compression settings are on one adjustment and it is fingertip to change which is great, especially if you sometimes take passenger. Im still fine tuning and hope to hit the 'sweet spot' soon. here in NZ Nitrons about same price as FOX check out at Nitron.co.uk

 

[Mutant]

I just fitted these NITRON R1 Classics and so far very pleased with them. I agonised over different Shocks and pro,s and cons etc but quickly eliminated FOX and several others. So it was a tossup between NITRON and OHLINS nitron are less $$ but have the reputation of being very good, they are race developed and apparently OHLINS tried to buy them out rumour goes. the rebound and compression settings are on one adjustment and it is fingertip to change which is great, especially if you sometimes take passenger. Im still fine tuning and hope to hit the 'sweet spot' soon. here in NZ Nitrons about same price as FOX check out at Nitron.co.uk View attachment 589462 View attachment 589463

They look nice enough. What did your overall suspension travel end up being? your spring rate looks linear? Are progressive springs available?

 

[dan1111]

They look nice enough. What did your overall suspension travel end up being? your spring rate looks linear? Are progressive springs available?

While they are an improvement and I am still tuning them,.trying to work out the 'sweet spot' between comfort and handling. Im not sure about progressive springs. Im starting to give up on ever getting the ride i want with the configuration of the shock mounts on Scout which does not allow proper shock action, [they pivot too much on mounts] The Victory Octane shock mounts were way better and Im guessing a much better ride. Long term I will be looking at another Bike

 

[Mutant]

While they are an improvement and I am still tuning them,.trying to work out the 'sweet spot' between comfort and handling. Im not sure about progressive springs. Im starting to give up on ever getting the ride i want with the configuration of the shock mounts on Scout which does not allow proper shock action, [they pivot too much on mounts] The Victory Octane shock mounts were way better and Im guessing a much better ride. Long term I will be looking at another Bike

You will like the Springfield or Chieftain for sure. Maybe you have already owned or rode one. Hugh difference. Wish you good luck and good riding.

 

[dan1111]

You will like the Springfield or Chieftain for sure. Maybe you have already owned or rode one. Hugh difference. Wish you good luck and good riding.

Im positive the Springfield and Chieftain are very comfortable, but cant see me ever owning one,. A/ I dont like the look of them and the HD equivalents, and B/ I like a lightish bike I can throw around, being 5-7" and 150lb the Scout fits that bill. might have to look at Diavel X,... 10lb lighter than scout and 60 HP more

 

[lahti35]

K-Tech Bullit gas-filled shocks. Very easy to adjust because there is no adjustment needed. No more bottoming out and smooth ride otherwise... Like buttah!

Looking to put some of those on my scout. I did the progressive springs in the front w/ heavier oil and it feels great up there. The rears though! Bone shaking sometimes. Hoping they work out just as good on my '15. Nice to see some feedback on these shocks from a scout owner, thanks!

 

[Mutant]

Im positive the Springfield and Chieftain are very comfortable, but cant see me ever owning one,. A/ I dont like the look of them and the HD equivalents, and B/ I like a lightish bike I can throw around, being 5-7" and 150lb the Scout fits that bill. might have to look at Diavel X,... 10lb lighter than scout and 60 HP more

That is a wild looking machine.

 

[Fydo]

I find the Scout is an excellent motorcycle to tour on. I’m not sure why you state it is not a touring bike.
It may not be in the “Touring” section of the Indian catalogue but there are many people who do tour on 1200cc motorcycles. Would you also state that a BMW GSA is not a touring bike? Makes a great tourer?
I have fitted K-Tech Razor Lite rear shocks with correct spring weight with K-Tech Tracker front cartridges, again, with matched spring weights. Bike is now very comfortable and the front end very compliant. I have no issues touring on it

I personaly dont think the scout is considered a touring bike because of the size of gas tank. the motor is plenty powerful.

 

[Hatt]

Now that you gained 30, and ride full the once too stiff D.S. shocks are likely perfect now.
Slap those back on.

 

[Mgg]

Now that you gained 30, and ride full the once too stiff D.S. shocks are likely perfect now.
Slap those back on.

Hi Hatt: The DS Shocks were too difficult to adjust. I even purchased a different wrench and they still sucked to adjust. Everything else is set on my Scout pretty much how I like it but the suspension still sucks. I am considering a Challenger. I have not test ridden one yet as I am afraid if I do I will buy it. And that is another set of problems. My Scout fits perfect on my brothers trailer with his Trike. And we go to the Ozarks twice a year (Spring and Fall), Florida Bike Week, and North Carolina (Dragons Tail, Moonshiner 28, Blue Ridge Skyway.) My scout has sure served me well and runs like a well oiled sewing machine. Just a great engine. Might give the Nitron R1's a try. Money is not the issue but don't want to keep pissing it away if I'm not going to be happy. P.S. I'm also on a serious diet so who knows.

 

[Malboo]

I put FOX shocks on the rear and K-Tech progressives on the front haven't bottomed out yet and they give me a nice ride and they are very easy to adjust,a bit pricey though ,also they look good too
I was going to get different shocks but took the advice of one of the Harley guys in the bike shop who has access too free shocks he said he has tried a few different brands and has gone back to FOX shocks

 

[MattyBoy]

Looking to put some of those on my scout. I did the progressive springs in the front w/ heavier oil and it feels great up there. The rears though! Bone shaking sometimes. Hoping they work out just as good on my '15. Nice to see some feedback on these shocks from a scout owner, thanks!

Thanks, Glad it was helpful. If you go this route, you'll be pleased as a pig in s h i t. With 20/20 hindsight, I have to say these KTech bullits are just awesome (just pay attention to washer spacing... put them where they want to go, not necessarily where they were). Used to bottom out a lot, now never. Ride is 100% smooth. Plus... no adjustments needed (or to obsess over). Progressive fork springs, 20wt fork oil, Nitrogen gas rear shocks, Michelin tires, and lead shot-filled handlebars to dampen vibs that used to numb my hands. Total remake. Steady as a rock at highway speeds and impervious to tar snakes to boot!