Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Indian Scout 249 sold for $5,500.
The Indian Scout 249 was one of the last bikes made by Indian before it eventually went out of business in 1953. To be fair, Indian was on its deathbed since 1945, when Ralph Rogers bought a controlling interest and discontinued traditional Indian bikes like the scout to instead make lightweight bikes like the 149 Arrow and the Scout you see here. It should be made clear that these lightweight bikes weren’t the demise of Indian – they were just ahead of the time.
Despite the name, this bike has a 440cc vertical twin engine set in a rear sprung frame. Because it weighed only 315 pounds, it was capable of hitting nearly 85 miles per hour. Indian also produced a “Super Scout” version, which added touring features like saddlebags, a center stand, and crash bars. Sold for just about $500 when new, we’ve seen a pristine version of the Super Scout go for $12,000 just 18 months ago.
There isn’t much information on this specific Indian Scout 249. The seller notes that it was restored in the early 90’s, and that the engine runs good. In addition, the seller notes that everything, except for the tail pipes, is original.
Find this Indian Scout 249 for sale here on eBay with an opening bid of $4,000 in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.