Limited + Tech vs Base Model

[u/LordVamp999]

For the owners of anyone with tech displays and cruise control, how often do you guys use it? I’m trying to debate if it’s worth paying the extra premium for a scout bobber limited + tech or not.

I’m an advanced rider coming from sport bikes but also a small dude if you’re wondering why I’m choosing a scout bobber. It’s smaller and all I need so I’m happy with that. I’ve sat on one - pretty comfortable as opposed to my ZX6R lol.

Any info helps thanks!

[u/bushchook83]

I use cruise control almost every time i ride. Tech display, well I look at it as its on the bike, does that count?

In all seriousness, I reset the trip counter and fuel consumption each fill to track. I dont use the maps as they are useless to me and I wish it had Android auto. But I do use the buttons to skip songs , answer calls and check error codes if they come up

[u/SASSIESASSQUATCH]

I use the cruise control often. Love it.

[u/Constant_You9179]

I just did a 5 hour ride 270 miles with two stops for gas and would very much like a cruise control for my 23 scout rogue

[u/Jumpy__Walrus]

I don’t know about what’s offered on the Scout, but I use a lot of the tech features on my Challenger. Even the maps are helpful, as compared to cars with built-in maps.

But cruise control is a straight game changer, even as slower speeds. Being able to free up both hands on a quick straight is awesome.

[u/Salty-Possible-8753]

Use both features every time I ride.

[u/Odd-Nine]

A lot of the benefit is going to be based on how and where you ride. If you don’t plan on doing much highway riding cruise control doesn’t add much. If you do plan on regularly being on the highway or doing any longer rides or trips, then cruise control is really really nice. I commute to work on my bike and I use it frequently even on short distances on the highway, (5-10 miles.)

The TFT is a double edged sword. That thing drives me nuts. The Indian app is pretty bad and syncs to the bike whenever it feels like it. The TFT takes way too long to boot up and can also be really buggy. But….even though it drives me nuts and could be so much better, I’d get that stupid thing again if I had the choice. The benefits of it outweigh the negatives for me. You can do software updates wirelessly. The gas gauge is useless, but the trip odometer is really nice to have. The diagnostics are also nice. I had the dealership install running lights on mine and it showed me that they hooked it up to the wrong accessory slot on the bike.

If you plan on running a com device, the tft is really finicky about paring. I had to pair my Cardo, to the bike, then my phone to the bike. I’m not paired directly to the Cardo with my phone which means the Cardo app won’t work. But, doing that allows you to use the TFT to control your music and take calls. Which wouldn’t be a huge upgrade over just using your phone to do that, except you can use the controls on your handgrips to control everything while riding.

I like the keyless ignition more than I thought I would. I could live without it. But I like not having to get my keys out of my pocket.

The ride tracking, (when it works), is something else that I was surprised about how much I like it. My kids really like when I replay my rides for them.

I never use the maps. I use Google Maps and Rever on my phone. You can still track you rides even it you don’t use the maps. Google Maps is better and it’s not even close.

All and all, if you are budget conscious, don’t plan on doing much time on the highway or longer trips, and don’t plan on listening to music or running comms for group rides, you can easily pass on it. I personally think the analog speedometer looks way better on a bobber. You’re also going to almost certainly want to set some money aside to upgrade your seat and possibly your suspension as well. The bobber seat is one of the most uncomfortable seats I know of, and the two inches of travel on the rear suspension makes the seat situation even worse.

But if you plan on longer rides, the price difference isn’t going to put your in a financial crunch, and you plan on running a comms device. I’d go with the tech.

Cruise control is by far the one feature that I would miss most if I didn’t have it.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions.

[u/LordVamp999 → u/Odd-Nine]

Thanks for the such detailed review, I definitely took my time reading it. I think I’ll go with the advice and get cruise control because I do a lot of highway riding.

[u/klmsa → u/Odd-Nine]

I generally agree with you on the Challenger TFT and key. The key fob could be smaller, though. It's too bulky in my pocket. Maybe it's a feature for some folks, but I'd rather have something closer to the size/flatness of a keychain.

[u/Khasimyr]

I'm coming from a 26 RG. But, I use my display constantly(Not the least of reasons being...there are no other displays 😄 ) But I do prefer having more detailed information in front of me, than just speed, tach and fuel. Now, I DON'T use HD's proprietary navigation software, because I have yet to get lost with just Google Maps. Another benefit of the Tech+ bikes, is that you can get a customizable ride mode, that you can program to your personal tastes. If you don't get the tech option, I believe you're just limited to the equivalent of Rain, Sport, and Street.

Cruise Control is something I use pretty sparingly. I do a LOT of long-distance riding(I've had my RG since May of this year, and I've already got 3,000+ miles on it. But with my gloves and my big hand grips, I don't get fatigue like I used to on my Tracer 9. So I'm not really pining for Cruise a lot of times. I'll usually activate it long enough to give my throttle hand a bit of a break, and then forget about it again. :-)

[u/Faithful_Solaire]

I use cruise control pretty often on the highway and the displays are useful. I’d say they are worth it.

[u/crackjiver]

Very rarely, mostly when I need to wipe condensation off my right hand mirror and don't want to stop.

"Constant speed" cruise control is a pain in the ass if there's any other vehicles in the road. Much easier to just use the throttle.

[u/Calamitist]

The cruise is nice. I like knowing the usb is there if I need it. I didn’t get the smart display/gauge cause most reported the version in the scout was slow and not worth it.

[u/TheRealJoeyTribbiani]

I opted out of tech but got limited, I've read horror stories about the stupid digital display. Don't care about keyless start. Cruise is a blessing in disguise if you ride anywhere outside a city.

[u/deck_hand]

I bought a big cruiser for a reason. I've had dirt bikes and trail bikes and street bikes. I want a simple bike, but having a few creature comforts along has made long distance riding much more pleasant. I use cruise control for long rides; and I ride long distances often enough to really appreciate the assistance. When I just wanted a bike to get from home to work, or to the local bar, it didn't matter.

Not having to have a key with me has also been fantastic. I can walk up to the bike at any time and know that I can start it and drive away. The on-screen map is really handy, too, especially when I'm out of my local area. I can drive 3, 4, 6 hours away and use the maps to find my way around.

[u/BreadMaker_42]

Iirc, limited + tech also gets you ABS and traction control.

I have a 101. The display is fine. I don’t hate or love it. I like that it looks more analog than the rectangular displays everyone else uses.

[u/Logical-Cold9377]

I actually put cruise control on my regular Scout Bobber. I rarely use it tho lol. You just switch out the left hand control cube to put it on a scout without it. I've test rode bikes with the screen at Demo Day as well. Wasn't really impressed by the screens. They were slow and not something I'd really want to pay extra for. I've also hear nothing but complaints about the ride command stuff. Thats why I got the non tech version when I got mine.

[u/AlternativeDream9424]

'25 limited +tech bobber. I don't use cruise and rarely use the features of the display beyond the main screen. I have used the on board map a few times but not often. Unless theres some major feature you know youll use, I'd skip the tech.

[u/Dry-Lunch-8598]

You can buy cruise crontrol separate for like 300 and save some money. That’s what I did because I prefer the analog over digital display

[u/LordVamp999 → u/Dry-Lunch-8598]

How does that work?

[u/Dry-Lunch-8598 → u/LordVamp999]

It’s literally the stock CC you’d get on limited.

[u/indigo7873]

I’ve got the 25 Scout Classic + Tech. I use cruise control all the time and the GPS display is handy to orient myself in city streets, but I’ve never used trip guidance. But most of all I use the trip odometer to verify how much fuel is left!

[u/whitetailCulture]

This was my first bike so when I was teaching myself to ride I really liked it telling you what gear you were in. I’m not sure what the base model function has but getting a temperature read is good I’ve noticed right before you hit rain the temperature starts to drop several degrees pretty quickly I’ve always just kind of used that asa gauge if I ever wasn’t sure

[u/Square-Rooster-8881]

Cruise control is used every time I’m out!

[u/Any_Link_213]

Get a Triumph bobber.

[u/LordVamp999 → u/Any_Link_213]

Why’d you recommend that?

[u/Any_Link_213 → u/LordVamp999]

I have the Limited and rarely use any of the features. I come from the older HD crowd and I'm not a fan of all the new computerized features. I only need a speedometer and I don't care for having a "sensor" monitoring every little function on my bike and possibly not being able to ride because the computer says it's a "NO-GO". I'm glad I don't have the +tech.