New Era for the Scout: 2026 Indian Scout 101 and Classic Land in the Philippines
CUBAO, QUEZON CITY – It isn’t every day that you see the spirit of American iron truly settle into the heart of the city, but that’s exactly what happened as the 2026 Indian Scout 101 and the 2026 Scout Classic made their official Philippine debut.
The launch, held at the Access Plus Group showroom on P. Tuason (the same company that brings us Ducati Philippines), a change of scenery, from the other side of the biking world that I am used to, the motorsports scene vs. the raw, visceral appeal of the American cruiser.
The first owners
The event was spearheaded by Rizzie Bengzon, GM of Access Plus, and Renzo Ongkiko, who leads the marketing efforts. They were joined by Zach Lucero of Makina, who shared his first-hand experience from the global launch in Illinois last year. Zach described the Scout 101 as a "refined sports cruiser", essentially a "tricked-out" version of the platform that doesn't sacrifice rideability for its aggressive looks.
The highlight for many was seeing the first keys handed over to the pioneers of the 2026 Scouts:
- Michael Yao: The first owner of the Scout 101 in the country. Interestingly, this isn't just his first cruiser, but his first "super big displacement" bike.
- Eric Matutina: A Ducati rider who took home the 2026 Scout Classic, marking his first foray into the cruiser world.
Watching these two receive their official Indian patches felt like a genuine "welcome to the tribe" moment.
Closer Look: 101 vs. Classic
Displaying the 101 and the Classic side-by-side highlighted the range’s versatility. While the Classic leans into heritage and chrome, the 101 is all about performance—sporting inverted forks and dual Brembo brakes.
Quick Specs: 1250cc SpeedPlus Engine
The 2026 Scout line is powered by the redesigned liquid-cooled V-Twin:
- Displacement: 1250 cc / 76 cu. in.
- Horsepower: 111 HP (Scout 101) | 105 HP (Classic)
- Torque: 82 ft-lbs (109-111 Nm) @ 6,300 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Seat Height: 25.7 in (654 mm) laden
- Fuel Capacity: 13 Liters (3.4 Gallons)
Pricing & Availability - Scout 101: ₱1,145,000 (Only one unit currently available)
- Scout Classic: ₱1,190,000 (Finished in a stunning Ghost White)
The "Bagger" Itch
While the Scouts were the stars, I couldn't help but wander toward the massive Indian Chieftain and the Chief Dark Horse on display. As someone curious into American motorsport, I was particularly looking for the Indian Challenger.
This is the machine used in the King of the Baggers racing series. There is something fascinating about seeing a massive bagger with fairings and hard cases being leaned over at 50-degree angles on a racetrack. It’s a unique type of racing I’ve become increasingly drawn to, and seeing the street versions up close only fueled that interest.
The Community:
It was a full house for the media, with some of the most respected names in the industry present to witness the arrival:
- Zach Lucero (Makina)
- Andy Rodriguez (2ner Nation)
- Donna & Alex Alo (Lifestyle on Wheels)
- Maki Aganon (Maki Moto)
- Rally Zamora (DUC)
- ...and yours truly Darwin Zialcita (NewsMoto)
Between the bikes, the Indian merch, and the heavy-duty cruisers, it's clear that Access Plus is looking to give the Philippine cruiser scene a serious performance influence.
