#MyIndianMotorcycle - Marlon and his Indian Scout
As part of the #MyIndianMotorcycle series, Nineteen01 will be interviewing Indian Motorcycle owners from across the UK and Ireland to find out about them and their machines.
This time, we spoke to Marlon Sharland IG @marlons69
Like many motorcyclists in the UK, Marlon spent his early riding years on sports bikes before trying out other styles of motorcycles and then falling in love with the Indian Scout.
"I was always more interested in cars during my (much) younger years and didn’t take my bike test until my mid-twenties. This being the late 90s, sports bikes were really where it was at (my first motorcycle was a well-used Kawasaki GPZ600R) and I continued in that vein for many years. After a break of a few years, I resumed my motorcycling journey with a Honda CB1300, which was great if a little cramped, then onto a Ducati Multistrada 1200. The Ducati was an incredible machine really, but I really wasn’t putting the miles on it, so I had a look around for something that would more suit my riding needs, which brings us to the Indian Scout.
"The thing that first attracted me to the Indian Scout was seeing the fantastic custom work being done at Moore Speed Racing: after my test ride, I knew I had to have it. Two days later my deposit was in and my Ducati was being prepped for the sales floor."
Of course, like most Indian Motorcycle owners, Marlon has customised his Scout and made it uniquely his with a mix of genuine accessories and aftermarket parts.
"I have the Indian Motorcycle 1920s saddle and Beach Bars, Progressive fork springs, Öhlins shocks, custom small front and rear fenders (with MSR swingarm adaptor), wrapped stock exhaust with RSD Tracker slip-ons, Trask air intake, spoked wheels, Aprilia filler cap, Wildfire Red tank with custom decal (it was originally Black Smoke) and Avon Cobra tyres."
With access to the spectacular roads and views of his local area, Marlon has taken a keen interest in his local Indian Motorcycle Riders Group.
With access to the spectacular roads and views of his local area, Marlon has taken a keen interest in his local Indian Motorcycle Riders Group.
"I mostly ride relatively locally and through the beautiful Dorset countryside. I also organise ride-outs for the IMRG Moore Speed Racing South riders group to places like West Bay, the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum and, of course, the Ace Café.
"The Indian Motorcycle and Victory Day at Ace Café was brilliant fun. I organised the ride for the Moore Speed Racing IMRG group, a mix of new and experienced riders, mostly on Scouts and Scout Bobbers. It was a 2.5-hour ride from Dorset with stops, mostly motorways, so not necessarily the normal habitat for my Scout, but they performed admirably and we arrived in relative comfort to be greeted by the largest group on Indian Motorcycles I’ve ever seen in one place. "
"The event was brilliant: Indian Motorcycle was on hand showing off the new Chief range and handing out goody bags. It was great to catch up with old faces (including some I’d only met online previously) and to make new friends. There were some incredible bikes there with lots of beautiful custom work to check out – people love their Indian Motorcycles."
Sharing this passion for Indian Motorcycle, Marlon has been keen to try out other models in the lineup and Moore Speed Racing stepped in to provide both an FTR and a Challenger for extended test rides.
Sharing this passion for Indian Motorcycle, Marlon has been keen to try out other models in the lineup and Moore Speed Racing stepped in to provide both an FTR and a Challenger for extended test rides.
"The FTR and Challenger couldn’t be any more different to each other in their remits, but there are some definite similarities in execution."
"The FTR is pure fun: the engine is super-responsive, and the handling is incredible. I love the new 17” wheels with sticky rubber, great fun and, coupled with its quick turn in, it’s massively confidence-inspiring when scratching on country lanes. The riding position is excellent too, giving a great view of the road ahead and exceptional control, whether out in the twisties or filtering through traffic in town. They have a massive grin factor and they look fantastic too!"
"The Challenger is just awesome though: the performance and handling are just incredible for a bike of its size, and the comfort and equipment levels are perfect for long rides: flick on the cruise control and crank up the fantastic stereo and just munch up the miles. Around town, its nimbleness really impressed and, although it’s obviously a big bike, filtering was never really a problem: it’s barely wider than my Scout when you factor in the beach bars and bar-end mirrors. I’d love to own one."
Having had a taste of a performance bagger in the Challenger, Marlon is now considering adding to his garage.
Having had a taste of a performance bagger in the Challenger, Marlon is now considering adding to his garage.
"Next for me will hopefully be a new bike, something to complement the Scout. So, with that in mind, I’m definitely veering towards a bagger, something big and comfortable for longer rides. I’m a huge fan of the Challenger but I’m also really interested in the Chieftain or maybe Roadmaster Dark Horse 116. One of those could be perfect for me."
Find the perfect Indian Motorcycle for you here and click here to find your closest dealership.
Find the perfect Indian Motorcycle for you here and click here to find your closest dealership.
Want the chance to be interviewed as part of the #MyIndianMotorcycle series? Click here to contact us.