Before you ride your Indian Scout, perform the pre-ride inspection as described in your Owner's Manual. Read, understand and follow all of the instructions, warnings and safety precautions in the Owner's Manual and on all product labels. Failure to follow these instructions, warnings and safety precautions could result in serious injury or death.
During your pre-ride inspection, do the following:
1. Visually inspect the vehicle, looking for debris, leaks and worn components that may impair the vehicle’s operation. Pay particular attention to the radiator area for the accumulation of debris, which can cause the engine to overheat, and clean any debris that is found.
2. Check the condition of the tires, looking for any sign of punctures or damage.
3. Check the tire pressures and tread depth and verify that they are to specification. The tire pressure should be 36 psi (248 kPa) on the front tire and 40 psi (276 kPa) on the rear tire.
4. Inspect the front and rear suspension for leaks, debris and damage.
5. Inspect the brake pads and rotors, looking for corrosion, nicks and burrs.
6. Inspect the rear drive belt for wear or damage.
7. Inspect the intake system for blockage or debris, and clean as needed. Notice: DO NOT spray water directly into the intake system, as this can result in water intrusion to the engine.
8. Remove the seat and inspect the battery and fuse panel connections.
- On Scout Bobber models, lift up on the rear of the seat to release the grommet and remove the seat.
- On Scout models, lift up on the front of the seat to release the grommet and remove the seat.
9. Next, inspect the fluid levels. Notice: Ensure the bike is level before inspecting fluid levels.
- Inspect the fuel level.
- Inspect the coolant reservoir on the left side of the vehicle. Add coolant as needed. Notice: Coolant level should only be checked or added on a COLD engine. Caution: Escaping steam can cause burns. Never remove the pressure cap while the engine is warm or hot. Always allow the engine to cool before removing the pressure cap.
- Inspect the front and rear brake reservoirs for proper fluid levels. Tip: Use a flashlight to illuminate the brake fluid reservoir.
10. Next, inspect the engine oil level. To do this, start the engine and allow it to idle for 1 to 2 minutes. Stop the engine. Notice: Perform this step in a well-ventilated area.
- Remove the oil dipstick and wipe with a clean shop towel.
- Reinstall the oil dipstick fully and remove to inspect the oil level. Caution: Operating with insufficient, deteriorated or contaminated engine oil will cause accelerated wear and may result in engine or transmission seizure, which could result in loss of control and serious injury or death.
- Add oil as needed. Caution: Do not overfill. Overfilling can result in loss of engine performance and an oil-saturated air filter. Use a suction device to remove excess oil if overfilled.
11. Turn the key on and inspect the headlight, tail light and brake lights for proper operation.
12. Operate the turn signals and hazard warning flashers.
13. Press the horn switch and verify the horn sounds loudly.
14. Sit on the vehicle and check the handlebars for smooth operation from full left to full right.
15. Verify proper pedal and lever movement.
16. Operate the throttle, brake and clutch levers, taking note of any binding or sticking.
17. Place the transmission in neutral and verify the neutral indicator illuminates in the instrument cluster.
18. Start the engine and verify the low oil pressure light is not illuminated.
19. With the engine running, move the stop/run switch to the STOP position and verify the engine stops. Attempt to restart and verify the engine will NOT restart.
20. Operate the side stand and verify smooth operation. Caution: An improperly retracted side stand could contact the ground and cause a loss of control, resulting in serious injury or death. Always retract the side stand fully before operating the motorcycle.
For more information, see your authorized Indian Motorcycle Dealer. Find a dealer near you with the Dealer Locator.
Maintenance tips, procedures and specifications can be found in your Owner's Manual.
To find diagrams and replacement part numbers, use the online parts catalog.
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