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Review of Biker Scout (Scout Trooper)
Exclusive Star Wars sixth scale figure

Sideshow Collectibles
Date Published:
Written By:
Overall Average Rating: 3 out of 4

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Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Introduction

Scout Trooper? Biker Scout? Same diff. I tend to call him a Biker Scout, because that's the way I always thought of him, but I'm pretty sure 'scout trooper' is the official title. In any advent, that's the name Sideshow went with when they released their latest sixth scale Star Wars action figure.

There are two versions of this figure, the regular available at many retailers for $190 and maybe a little under, while the exclusive is only available through Sideshow, also for $190. I'm looking at the exclusive tonight, which includes one additional accessory.

Sideshow is also doing a Speeder Bike of course, and I'll be taking a look at that next week.

Click on the image below for a Life Size version
Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Packaging - ***1/2
When Sideshow first started using this wrap around cover with magnetic closures, it was revolutionary. But that was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...now it's pretty common stuff.  The box is still attractive, and the photos of the figure show it off nicely, but the design has gotten a little long in the tooth.

Fortunately, it's all just as collector friendly as ever. You will end up tossing some pieces of plastic wrap that are put around the extra hands and boots, but that's fairly minor stuff.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Sculpting - ***1/2
There's any number of good screen shots out there of the Biker Scout, but getting great, up close details is always tricky. From what I've been able to find, I think they've done a solid job with this rendition.

Scale and proportions are good, and the clear smokey visor looks fantastic. I'm betting the hard core fans will find some nits, but for those of us with a less discerning trooper taste, this guy looks great.

I have heard of some collectors having problems with the face plate around the mouth. They've had missing pieces or damage - no problems with mine, but something to look for.

The armor is less obtrusive than with a standard Trooper, which allows them to be more agile on the Speeder Bike. I'm not super thrilled with the fit, but I'll save that for the Outfit section. He's sixth scale of course, and at just over 12" fits in with other Sideshow and Hot Toys figures.

He comes with a number of sculpted hands, and most are designed for specific accessories. These work well, and are properly scaled.

One weird issue, that I'm not sure is an issue...the front edge of the helmet is pretty rough. It's done in such a way that it appears intentional, but I couldn't find a screen capture that matched.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Paint - ***
Generally, this is a dirty figure.  It makes sense, being out in the brush and outback, scooting around on a high speed hover craft. The muddiest area is the boots of course, but the other hard plastic pieces of armor have their fair share of grime, done in realistic ways.

Oddly, the bright white packs and cummerbund are not dirty. This dichotomy was a little weird to me, and quite obvious in hand. Don't get me wrong, they aren't right out of the wash lily white. There is a slight smudge here or there, but it's done with such a light touch that it doesn't seem to match up style-wise with the rest of the outfit.

Having said that, I'm not sure they could have pulled off the sort of weathering technique that this would require. We've seen ThreeZero do it with their Ned Stark, and do it brilliantly, but Sideshow generally avoids dirtying up the cloth costumes on their figures. Can you say Snake Plissken?

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Articulation - ***
In the past, Sideshow has had issues with floppy joints on their base body, particularly in the hips and knees.  In the beginning, it was a consistent problem. Over time, it has become more hit and miss, getting better with each release.

My Trooper has no problems in this area.  All the joints were tight enough to hold and maintain just about any pose.  While this base body doesn't have quite as natural of a flow as the HT TrueType, it is still a well made, easy to pose body. All the articulation you expect is there, and you can get pretty extreme stances.

The armor is less restrictive on this figure than on most troopers, which also allows for some pretty cool looks. My big nit was with the hands, and to a lesser degree, the feet. These are swappable, and each has it's own post. All good so far. But they don't stay attached, particularly the hands.  Breathe on them and they fall off. This is quite frustrating when working on various poses, especially with the weapons. As I said, the issue isn't as bad with the feet, but that's due in part to the fact that the feet don't have to hold anything.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Accessories - ***1/2
There are several sets of hands, and while they can be a little frustrating to work with, they all look great when in place. There are three sets in total, and several are designed to work with specific accessories. Each has it's own wrist post as well.

You also get one extra set of boots, bent forward at the ankle. Swapping is easy enough, and they also have their own set of ankle posts. They sport the same terrific boot sculpt and dirty paint job as the initial, normal set.

The trooper has a small blaster pistol, standard issue. While the inclusion of the small blaster is critical, I have to say it looks a tad small to me. Compared to shots from the movie, The barrel doesn't come out as far from the hand as it should, making it disappear in his meaty grip. It does fit in the rubbery holster on his right boot, and looks good in place. It can fall out pretty easily, but just be aware when you're moving him around.

There's a canister with metal hooks which fit over the back of the belt.  There's lots of sculpt detail here, and it's even curved slightly to better fit the back of the body.

Finally, the regular release comes with a display stand, sporting the cool underbrush pieces. There's a large section and a small section, designed to look like the floor of the thick woods where they chased Luke and Leia. These sit on and around the basic black base. This is a nice add, since you can use it even if you don't support the figure with the supplied crotch post.

If you pick up the exclusive, you get an additional accessory - an E11 blaster.  This long rifle has a cloth strap to wear it over the shoulder, and he can hold it properly with a couple of the supplied hands.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Outfit - ***
The outfit consists of the outer plastic armor - three pieces on each arm, one for the upper torso, one for each knee - plus the belt assembly and the cummerbund, or as I like to think of it, 'girdle'.

Underneath all this is the black suit, made from a rather thick material.  I think a slightly thinner cloth might have worked a little better, but it's a minor nit, and the overall tailoring and stitching is quality stuff.

I've already discussed the sculpt and paint on the various armor pieces, but now it's time to talk 'fit'.  And unfortunately, the overall fit is a bit wonky in some areas.

My biggest issue is with the upper chest armor and the girdle.  The girdle (which also has the pouches attached to the front) is made from a thick material.  You can put the armor over the top edge of the girdle, but getting it to stay is another matter, thanks to the thick material.  The armor tends to ride up, lifting off the shoulders and leaving a gap.  You can adjust it down again...and two seconds later its ridden right back up. 

The same holds true for the belt.  It looks great, and it leaves plenty of room to fit around the girdle at the lower edge. But turn your back and it's fallen down off the edge again, riding low on the hips.

These issues with fit on the armor and belt aren't deal breakers, because you can adjust around them. They are frustrating though, particularly when you're working on that perfect pose.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Fun Factor - ***
While you'll experience some frustration working with the hands, the overall result will keep you happy. The base body is tight and allows for some decent posing and re-posing - but we'll have to see just how well he works on the bike!

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Value - **1/2
With most figures in the $200 and up range, it's nice to get this guy for $190 or less.  In fact, you can find retailers in the $175 range, making this a solid deal.  Of course, getting the exclusive for $190 (with the extra blaster) is a better deal than the regular release at that price, but is similar to the regular at $175.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Things to Watch Out For -
While I had some general issues, none of them were of the sort that could result in breakage or damage. The figure is generally very well made and very sturdy, and should hold up to normal handling and posing just fine.

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Overall - ***
This is one of those solid releases - you won't jump up and down with joy when you open the box, but you won't find anything to be extremely disappointed with either.  There's a few frustrations, like keeping the hands on or the torso armor in place when posing, but they're outweighed by the good sculpt, paint and accessories.

But let's be honest - this isn't a figure that really appeals all on his own, even with the nits removed.  This is a guy that needs his ride, and next week I'll be looking at Speeder Bike designed to go with him. I suspect that once he's on the bike, he'll take on a whole new attitude.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ***1/2
Outfit - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***

Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Sideshow has the regular available for $190, or the exclusive on wait list for $190. If you buy the figure with the Speeder Bike (which is $300 by itself), you get $25 off the total price.

- is at just $175 for the regular.

- has the regular for $190.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
If you like characters in various versions of Trooper armor, you're in luck. There's been lots of sixth scale versions out there, including Sideshow's recent Cad Bane and Captain Rex, and they've also done the 501st, Veteran, and 'shiny, the Sandtrooper with the Dewback, the Sargent Clonetrooper, the Shocktrooper, the Utapau Trooper, the Imperial Stormtrooper, and even Obi-Wan in his trooper armor. And one of my favorites - the Snowtrooper. And if you'd like some other troops, remember there's also the Droids, the STAP, and the Rebels!

Hot Toys is just getting started, and have released their first Stormtroopers. Hot Toys also had their release of the Blackhole Trooper earlier in the year.

Medicom has done plenty as well, including this Clone Trooper Captain, 501st, Sandtrooper, their own Blackhole TrooperShocktrooper and regular Stormtrooper.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

Discussion:
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Star Wars Biker Scout action figure by Sideshow

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This product was provided for the review by the manufacturer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

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