As the statue of King Alfred in Winchester was passed the lights were switched on and the run became a night ride. The Splitdorf lighting set functioned faultlessly, notwithstanding a considerable use of the electric horn. The horn button is situated immediately in front of the right handlebar grip. The ammeter and switch box form a compact unit on the top tube, and we usually found that on dimming our lights car drivers politely responded.
Without wishing to enter up on the "dimming� controversy, there can be no doubt that this is a help to the solo man, always provided he can give ample and easy warning to pedestrians or cyclists a little way ahead.
This side of Lyndhurst two ponies provided a necessity for testing the efficiency of the foot brake. Dark of hide and stock still on the black road, even the penetrating beam from the headlamp failed to pick them out. It was not until the Scout was almost on top of them that we realized the danger. However, the machine pulled up with a locked wheel in a safe distance, and the horn sent them galloping into the darkness. Those who visit the Forest must always expect four-footed obstructions.
A machine of the power of the Indian Scout should, of course, be capable of taking a pillion passenger. In contrast with a machine used with a sidecar this is not purely a matter of horse-power only. Weight distribution, balance and steering all play an important part. In order that our information on the subject might be first hand, a trip was made to Bournemouth next morning for a passenger. The extra weight was not noticeable in the least, either as regards effect on the steering or the speed performance. Returning through the Forest two youths on 500 c.c. singles famed for their high-speed performances in amateur hands were overtaken and were obviously out for a scrap. Now we are on treacherous ground when we have to talk about speed on the highway. We cannot admit that we broke the law, although we may have bent it a little. However, we all put our heads down and opened out, and the Scout simply ran away from its pursuers. We should like to be able to state the figures one of the youths, congratulating us on the performance, admitted his speedometer showed.
Amid the sylvan delights of what is one of the most beautiful portions of our island the day was spent; Beaulieu with its Abbey full of relics, justifying the charge of 6d. for admission; Brockenhurst, Dibden, Hythe, Fawley, Lepe - to mention but a few of the picturesque little villages seen in a leisurely jaunt of some 60 miles. In many places the ground was literally carpeted with primroses, and here and there a stop was made for daffodils. Not far from Lepe a water-splash of some depth - as we discovered too late - had to be taken on the run, and although the machine did not object, the passenger did.
The run to town, of some 100 miles, was a non-stop so far as Richmond, where a halt was made for lunch. A drizzle began with the Kew tramlines and continued all the way to Euston Road. Careful going was desirable, but by this time we were absolutely at home with the controls and the worst traffic held no terrors.
A Trouble-free Run.
Criticisms? No, there aren't any. We had made up our mind to say something about the brake pedal being on the small side, but as the machine entrusted to us - one that had seen some thousands of miles of service, by the way - had an extension piece riveted on, we were robbed of the opportunity. During the 300 miles of our possession, purposely covered at a high average speed, no spanner was laid on the machine. Those who seek a mount with plenty of power and a performance well above the average should certainly study the specification of the Indian Scout. The machine is naturally an excellent proposition with a sidecar. This, however, is beyond the scope of the present article.
The price is �68 15s., and the electrical equipment �9 15s. extra. The Indian Motorcycle Co., of 366-8, Euston Road, London, are the concessionnaires.
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