In 7 Pics: How Does The Chinese Copycat Fare Against The Indian Scout Bobber?

Chinese bikemaker, Jonway, has debuted the YY800 abroad and like many of its motorcycles before, it draws inspiration from iconic motorcycles from around the world. This time around, it is the Indian Scout Bobber. So it naturally brings the question to mind: how does the Jonway YY800 compare against the American Bobber? Let’s have a look:

Design:

Both motorcycles are bobbers, so the overall design language is very similar. The Jonway YY800 gets high ape-hanger handlebars with upside-down bar-end mirrors. The Chinese bike’s tank design is quite identical to that of the Scout. The similarities continue when it comes to the low-slung stance and the rear fender design but the seat is much flatter in this bike. Even though the white-walled tyres add a retro touch, the alloy wheels look too modern for an otherwise retro design. 

The Indian Scout Bobber, on the other hand, takes the minimalist approach with blacked-out components and monotone paint jobs. Being the original design, the Scout’s brawny styling with the dual-barrel exhaust retains the desirability factor as always. 

Engine:

The Jonway YY800 is powered by a 800cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled engine producing 61PS and 63Nm with a top speed of 180kmph. It comes paired with a six-speed gearbox. The Indian Scout Bobber, on the other hand, is powered by a 1133cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled engine producing 97Nm of torque (Indian Motorcycle does not usually disclose the power figures) and comes paired with a six-speed gearbox. 

Underpinnings:

The Jonway YY800 gets an adjustable upside-down fork and dual shock absorbers suspension setup along with dual disc brakes at the front and a rear disc brake with dual-channel ABS. It gets 16-inch tyres at both ends.   

The Indian Scout Bobber gets a 120mm telescopic fork and 51mm dual shock absorber suspension setup. Braking duties are taken care of by a single 298mm disc brake at the front and a 298mm disc brake at the rear with dual-channel ABS. It comes equipped with Pirelli 16-inch tyres at both ends. 

Dimensions:

The Jonway YY800 has a wheelbase of 1,620mm, seat height of 690mm, ground clearance of 140mm and a kerb weight of 230kg. Fuel tank capacity of the motorcycle is 16 litres. 

The Indian Scout Bobber has a wheelbase of 1,576mm, seat height of 649mm, ground clearance of 129mm and a kerb weight of 252kg with a fuel tank capacity of 12.5 litres. 

Features:

Features-wise, there’s not many details available on the Jonway YY800 apart from it getting a TFT instrument console. 

The Indian Scout Bobber gets a semi-digital instrument console that displays a tachometer, odometer, trip meter, engine temperature and also gets a USB port near the console. 

Conclusion: 

The Jonway YY800 seems impressive on paper. Yes, a 230kg bike making 61PS and 63Nm may not be interesting. But for perspective, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 makes 47.5PS and 52Nm and weighs 240kg, yet it is a pleasant motorcycle to ride. 

So, has the Chinese bikemaker outplayed the American in its own game? Well, maybe not. The Indian Scout Bobber, being the original, retains the classic bobber appeal along with a thumping 1133cc, V-twin motor that is surely going to provide a mesmerizing cruising experience on the highways. And oh, it is available in India, unlike the Jonway YY800. So the OG Indian Scout Bobber doesn’t have any competition from the Jonway by a mile.