When seeing this Indian concept bike my first reaction was “what would New Zealand racing motorcycle legend Burt Munro think of it?” He was 68 and was riding a 47-year old machine when he set in 1967 his Indian World Land Speed Record . If living today, would he be interested to make this concept speed racer work on the Bonneville Salts? Would he work his magic on it? You must admit that the styling is gorgeous and that because of the spoke-less wheels this machine would look like floating when making passes between the timing mile flags. Well, if this concept Indian bike is never raced, at least designer Dan Bailey gave a lot of inspiration to all sport bike designers and builders.
Indian Motorcycle Concept Bike
Published by September 29th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.14 Responses to “Indian Motorcycle Concept Bike”
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Certainly is neat looking… is this an actual bike or just a conceptual drawing?
Hmmm, only problem I see is where to put your feet !
An “actual bike”…? Hard to imagine.
But an “actual sculpture”… Yes.
And nice design lines at that.
-nicker-
Dave B. I think you sit on it more like a sportbike. Those lower hole slots are probably your foot pegs
The lower REAR foot Slot, just so we ain’t getting coinfused!
This looks like it was generated by cad 3D software much like I use.
Indian needs some killer design to flew high and this seem to be impressive but not seeing it building in near future…so whats point of designing such thing which u cannot build.
Who are they kidding – this is Bionicle toy bike. I just backed over this “concept” in my driveway last weekend…
Nice looking Solid Works model. Indian will need to innovate its way out of the slump they are in. Cloning the Gilroy bike was not the answer…..all the vision private investors could muster will not help. They need a person that can innovate. Indian ruled the world of motorcycles back in the day by inventing electric lights, electric start, over head valves, you name it. No company can lead without innovation. I like the looks of the bike but one bump and the frame is going to be touching the ground. Avoid the speed bumps for sure. If that bike could ride up and down the street we all would be dancing for Indian.
Sounds like another Harley guy that has never gotten closer to an Indian than an add in a magazine. Slump? Cloning? I prefer to think of it as continuing the Gilroy bike, not cloning. After all, yes, for the most part it looks the same but they did redesign most it and made a lot of improvements on it. Maybe you should go take a closer look at one. Now if someone were to buy up a bunch of leftover Gilroy parts, slap together a bike or two and put another brand name on it,… that would be more like cloning.
My memory is slipping…. In 1936 Harley-Davidson introduced an overhead valve, 61 cubic inch motor, the Knucklehead. Now when did a Springfield Indian ever have an overhead valve? Other than the one Burt Munro build in his shed.
Susan.
I’m going to tell you the closest John has gotten to an 09 Indian is to own and ride one.
He allowed me to test ride his motorcycle for about 9000 miles.
Gilroy Clone it is.
As for the redesign and improvement?
Well I have ridden Gilroy bikes somewhere around 80k miles.
Rode the KM bike 9000 miles.
KM bike made as many miles being trailered around as it did actually riding down the hiway.
The 09 John owned has returned to Kings Mountain for the second and last time.
Stellican bought it back.
And?
For the less informed?
The dealership that sold John the motorcycle is no longer in business.
Porous engine cases.
Out of spec oil pump.
Broken fork lug.
Recalled saddle bags.
Cheap leather on the seat.
Melted down battery.
Few more items on the list.
Hey–give me a call 913-522-8374 we can talk.
I love to talk indian Motorcycle.
And?
Susan?
Go back another 25 years or so and retract your OHV comment.
Mis type there Susan.
You can go back a little further than 25 years.
Crazy,
The front fork extending to almost the road surface in front?
Hitting even a mouse would end for end the bike & hence rider – certainly wouldn’t fair well on speed humps at the supermarket now would it?
That’s why concept people won’t ever make engineers – common sense is not so common any more
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
Cheers
Get a grip people. Are we riding enthusiasts or collecters of nonsencycle artistic landfill?!
Wake up and ride.