In 1900, bicycle racer George M. Hendee and engineering wizard Carl Oscar Hedstrom partnered and unveiled the following year their first creation, the 1901 Single. The trade name chosen for their innovative machine would intended to express “a wholly American product in pioneering tradition”. Indian Motorcycle created Anerica’s first love story with motorcycles. In 2011, Indian’s new owner, Polaris industries, is providing a short term support to improve and maintain production of the current product line. At the same time the company is working to offer in summer 2012 (model year 2013) a strong Indian line up remaining true to the brand’s long heritage.
Indian Motorcycle’s transitional entire 2012 motorcycles lineup and accessories will be displayed in Sturgis for the 71st annual motorcycle rally. The show truck will be located downtown on the corner of 4th and Lazelle Streets. In addition, Indian Motorcycle is inviting all 1901- 2011 Indian owners to park their motorcycles by the Indian Motorcycle Display to celebrate the 110 years of the company and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Indian motorcycle owners.
Indian Motorcycle Company is also sponsoring a breakfast and self-guided ride to the Sturgis half-mile flat track races for all Indian Motorcycle Owners. The ride will start with breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 1319 Junction Ave, Sturgis,between 9:30am- 10:30am. The ride will leave from downtown Sturgis, wind through scenic Spearfish Canyon, ending at the 1/2mile Flat Track Races in Sturgis. So, join for a fun day of riding and racing. For more information the flat track races visit Jackpine Gypsies
Indian motorcycle is also the featured brand at the Knuckle Saloon, located at 931 1st Street in Sturgis . Friday August 12th, starting at 6pm there will be an Indian gathering.
This is open to the public, and all Indian Motorcycle owners are invited to show off their rides and share some stories. Indian Motorcycle.
I’m a “Harley” guy but wish Polaris well with their bikes as well as the Indian marque. I hope they keep the classical, traditional style for this line. I visited a small museum in Springfield Mass. about 20 years ago. It was part of the original Indian plant. It had Indian stuff floor to ceiling. There was an “older” lady there who knew the history and knew motorcycles who gave us the tour. We spent a wonderful hour there. While there, I could “feel” the spirit and the tradition of the past pride and success of the Indaian MC Co. If this place is still there, I would suggest that the Polaris people visit. It would provide much insight about a great American motorcycle and would therefore help them in their pursuit to bring Indian back to it’s long lost glory.
110 years?
If we take out all the years it has been out of business or only selling rebaged products what do we get? Maybe 65 years?
I hope Polaris can finally make something out of them or bury it forever.
When Indian makes a motorcycle that I want, I’ll buy one. But not before that. : )
1901 to 1953 = 52 years.
I like LOUD pipes!
Just wondering, when we talk about Harley…should the AMF years be removed from their history as well? So they really aren’t 109 years old….
No, Harley has in contimuous production since 1905 (not 1903) when they produced their first complete motorcycle for sale. If it wasen’t for AMF, HD probably would have been dead by now.
lol
AMF and the Federal govt. — twice (many thanks to Pres. Reagan and Ben Bernanke). Wish Harley-Davidson well (I own a crossbones and absolutely love it) but I hope the best for Indian too. Will buy one if Polaris gets it right (mechanically and otherwise). “Otherwise?” one may ask. All I can say is It’s like porn: I’ll know it when I see it, lol. Not that I care for porn, but Indians… that’s another matter. Anyone have an extra 101 Scout they’d like to sell, lol?
Interesting that the current “Indian” and Victory motorcycles owe their success (such as it is) to the MoCo, since they’re both based on Harley designs.
All this marketing BS, Indian 110th anniversary, making Indian what they did to Cris Craft, premium motorcycles, booths at Sturgis, yeah yeah yeah. I don’t care. Until you offer a decent bike at a decent price I’m not setting foot inside a modern Indian Dealer again.
I’m tired of all the fairytale land marketing with Indian. The product sells itself, that’s what Indian stood for. Make a great bike, set at a decent price and they will come. Not a wet-sump all over your sidewalk piece of crap.
Triumph did this and it worked. Have you seen the old Indian dealers? Basically a room with a few electric signs. The 80 year old original dealer I know started off in a 30 by 30 shop hopping them up and turning them out. Bonneville mods. The vertical twins didn’t sell because they were expensive pieces of garbage. Read up Polaris.
The bikes sell themselves. I’m 25, I want a bike I can afford to buy and afford to maintain.
Gee I wonder if the average person believes this large load. 1953 was the end and it still is the end I find it very hard to believe that a large company or should I say a multi Billion $ company would try to buy their History. And again I would wonder what could be next. Gary Bang
hd a moco my ass, they’re a corporation. Which has been living off borrowed glory since 1901.
Not sure what drives the HD boyz crazier… the math ( 110 yrs) .. or the pools of drool around Indians parked next to HDs……
Interesting observation on how indian motorcycle can shape ones perspective. This is very beneficial information. Great job Cyril.