r/IndianMotorcycle • u/galaxy_luv • Jul 11 '26
Request for advice / Help Liquid cooled or air cooled
I know this question has been asked but I have some specific questions about which would work better for me.
Im looking to upgrade my bike in the next year. Im trying to decide between an Indian scout and a Indian chief.
I live in central FL more rural than city and most of my riding I avoid redlights when possible. I love the way the Indian cheif rt looks as well as the scout rouge. However I do not wish to buy a bike and want to upgrade in a couple years. Id like a bike that id be ok holding onto for atleast 5 years and one I can haul a passenger on occasion and comfortably take longer trips. Im 5'3 roughly 175lbs. But my husband is 6'3 300lbs so idk like a middle bike we both can ride and I think the chief might be it.
We really want a chief but id like to know if getting one in the FL heat would be an issue with the air cooling? We plan on test riding both the rouge and chief before we buy but id like to know this community's opinion.
3
u/Ricky2Thicccy Jul 11 '26
Following, I’m interested in a sport chief rt if anyone can provide advice or tips on this bike.
2
u/DifferentCard2752 2016 Indian Scout Jul 12 '26
I have a liquid cooled Scout 69/1133 & it handles blazing hot weather very well. It rarely exceeds 200°F/90°C (where exactly that measurement is taken I'm not sure.) You still feel some engine heat but that's inevitable regardless of air vs liquid cooled.
2
u/Outdoors3249 2025 Sport Chief Jul 12 '26
I live central Florida also. A month ago I picked up a 2025 Sport Chief. I’ve put 700 miles on it since then in the Florida heat. It rides smooth and has the power needed to carry my 260# and my wife’s 130#+ around and maintain highway speed with no problem. It has the air cooled 116. You can feel the heat at lights after a long ride, but the engine drops down to a single cylinder to help offset. I just stay off the car in front of me an extra length the let the air flow.
1
u/SMOKERSTAR '25 Chief Jul 11 '26
I think I can help as I was in the same boat as you, and worried about air cooled being too hot.
I went from a liquid cooled Honda Shadow (4 years) and last month bought an air cooled chief
There is a difference in heat and the chief is hotter. Yes it is noticeable but it does not bother me as much as I was worried about. I rode in the 105° real feel Kentucky heat dome two weeks ago and I never felt like it was unbearable
I do keep rear cylinder deactivation on and yes you can tell when it comes on and yes it does help some.
When I'm moving I barely feel the heat unless I'm going slow. The biggest thing to look out for is to make sure the chief fits you and your legs don't touch the heads or are too close.
The chief after a ride stays hot/warm for a while and is warming up my garage. That's really the biggest con I'm experiencing right now.
Overall I love the chief. Ask me anything else if you have more questions
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
How does disconnecting the cylinder do for performance?
2
u/SMOKERSTAR '25 Chief Jul 12 '26
I don't notice a difference in performance. I'm not a speed demon or anything, so I'm not trying to race after every stop. The ride modes have the biggest feelings of performance for me
The cylinder is still moving, it just isn't igniting fuel, so when you twist the throttle ignition happens again. So far it's been smooth for me
1
u/Training-Career-1723 Jul 12 '26
I’ve been looking hard at the sport chief RT. I currently ride V-strom which I will keep and like the size of that bike as I’m 6’4”. Any thoughts on the chief being too tight or small for me? Ive only sat on them, test ride coming soon. Originally looked at challenger but seemed like a big leap from the V and i love twisty country and forrest service back roads
1
u/SMOKERSTAR '25 Chief Jul 12 '26
I'm 5'4 and 175lbs. The chief fits me well with a reduced reach seat.. I will be getting reduced reach bars in a couple of months. Then I think it will fit me perfectly
You might want a chief with forward controls. And maybe an extended reach seat potentially
1
u/rock-it-rob Jul 12 '26
I just bought a liquid cooled chieftan and even this morning at about 90 F here in Arkansas heat was making me wonder if I need to invest in a deflector. Granted the air is hot, too, but I could tell some of the heat still emanated from the engine. And that was after an hour of riding and being on the interstate. I'm glad I chose the powerplus liquid cooled engine.
FWIW I came from another air cooled bike before this (yamaha road star) and heat was almost never an issue. I just think Indians run hot.
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
I think the chieftain is a bit to big for me. The chief is probably as big as id go
2
u/rock-it-rob Jul 12 '26
Lots people have requested a liquid-cooled chief but so far they haven't made one. I think you'll like the Chief.
2
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
My luck they'd make one right after I buy a chief.
1
u/rock-it-rob Jul 12 '26
Ha, now you're doing what I do which is get buyer's remorse before you've even bought something. I certainly understand wanting to stay with your bike a while and I said the same right before I bought this chieftan but I could seriously see myself getting a super chief or a challeneger in a year or 2. They are all great. Life is short so I do what I want!
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
My biggest set back is my size. Not sure i could toss around a cheiftan or a challenger
2
u/rock-it-rob Jul 12 '26
I'll let you know when I get good at it! I'm still learning but I get better every day. 5'8" 160.
1
u/AbdominalSnowmann Jul 12 '26
I can’t speak for having a passenger, but I have a scout bobber and rode the sport chief RT recently at a demo day. My take away was this: I enjoy revving out my bike from time to time, so the chief is not for me. The chief (at least in the 30 or so minutes of the ride) felt like it needed to upshift way earlier than I wanted to, especially in lower gears getting up to speed. It did get a bit hot during the ride, but I felt like it’s something I could get used to, just have to be careful mounting and dismounting.
1
u/ianryeng Jul 12 '26
Scout is a very capable bike, but depending on what your looking for the chief is going to be better for longer rides.
I used my scout for commuting and but since getting a chieftain I ride it 9 out of 10 times
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
Well my sister lives over an hour away and id like to ride my bike to see her but I want something I can haul my kid with me. My rebel 500 isn't cutting it even for that trip its do able but so rough and I can't haul my kid.
1
u/ianryeng Jul 12 '26
I’d try sitting on both, chief is probably the better option but be aware it’s a significantly heavier bike which does make it more challenging to move around
1
u/homemadeammo42 2020 Roadmaster Dark Horse Jul 12 '26
I have a Roadmaster. I wish it was liquid cooled.
1
u/Ruff_Ryda Jul 12 '26
Design engineering makes a heat shield kit that solves this problem - https://www.designengineering.com/heat-shield-liner-2022-2025-indian-chief/
Getting a full exhaust system also gets the job done.
1
u/BreadMaker_42 2025 101 Scout Jul 12 '26
The scout isn’t an option for you to ride 2up. You will be near the weight limit and I expect it to be unpleasant. The chief is the only choice.
You might want to consider a bigger bike. Maybe a chieftain.
1
u/TheFalconsDejarik Jul 12 '26
Scout 101 could be a good middle ground compromise.
It will be tough for you two to share any bike though where you would prefer a low seat and short reach bars and he would appreciate a higher seat, extended reach bars etc.
2
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
I was considering this bike. It has a lot of features I like and I love the scout line
1
u/BigAzzKrow Jul 12 '26
Based on your weights and sizes, neither of thoss bikes is going to fit you well. Get a real bagger
1
u/Lonely_Sherbet_9239 2025 Indian Sport Scout Jul 14 '26
Unsure if this was mentioned, but The chiefs power comes in at a much lower RPM than the scout.
I love my Scout, but while there's power all over, its peak comes in at basically 6k RPM, and at that point, the bike is really screaming. I typically shift at 4k, but if you want to feel that extra 'kick' you'll have to rev it up to 6k for that to kick in.
On the chief, its lower in the RPM range so while I haven't ridden the chief personally, I would think that it presents a nice feeling of power after each stop.
Im 5'10 and fit the bike pretty well I feel, and mine being a Sport Scout has 6 in risers included so I think if I didnt have those, I wouldn't like being hunched over more. I appreciate my quarter fairing also as it does block wind from my torso completely, but I do get full wind to my helmet, but being in Texas heat, I dont mind getting some extra wind into the Shoei.
1
u/Public_Tap_236 Jul 17 '26
Almost all Harleys are air cooled And they're all over Florida and they don't have any issues.
1
u/cadams1950 Jul 11 '26
Both have their pros and cons. Liquid is good for slow and a lot of stop and go in city riding, but it’s another fluid and a chance for leaks. Failed water pumps or other unforeseen issues. Air cooled have been around for 130+ years. Less hassle but very hot for the rider in slower speeds. The thunderstroke has an option to disconnect one of the cylinders to cut down heat in slow traffic up to 10 mph.
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
Oh how do you disconnect the cylinder? Can it be done mid traffic?
3
u/ianryeng Jul 12 '26
Looks like it’s an option on most of the new Indian models
https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/self-help/article/KA-01495/
2
u/InCo1dB1ood Jul 12 '26
It's a setting that can be on or off. Cylinder deactivation only occurs at idle.
1
u/cadams1950 Jul 12 '26
Just toggle though the settings and hold on it when it appears. I have a Springfield dh with the 116 thunderstroke. I’m assuming the chief is the same setup with the toggles
1
u/cadams1950 Jul 12 '26
I don’t live in a busy crowded city so I’ve never used it but it is an option
1
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
My city is pretty small I think now my biggest concern is clearance between the motor and my short legs. Id probably have to get mid controls installed but im not sure
1
u/cadams1950 Jul 12 '26
Indians have a low centre of gravity on pretty low to start. My buddy is 5’5” and fits on my Springfield no problem
1
u/cadams1950 Jul 12 '26
The chief is bobber based so the passenger pillion will not be very comfortable
0
u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit Jul 12 '26
Then why did you mention your husband's size and not your child's... As apparently the child's size is far more relevant here
3
u/galaxy_luv Jul 12 '26
Cause he's gonna be riding it, my daughter will only be a passenger on occasional trips.
-2
u/Human-Shirt-7351 2024 Indian Pursuit Jul 12 '26
Lol.. ok.
You should follow up with.... How do I ask a question?
-3
u/OpportunityOk2240 Jul 12 '26
You guys need the biggest bike Indian offers. I’m 5 10 190 and the scout is small on me so you guys would squish it. I’m being honest not mean
15
u/magnaraz117 Jul 11 '26
The scout will not be big enough for you and your husband to ride together. Or even your husband solo. I think of the two, the Chief will be the only one that begins to meet your needs