Without any doubt one of the most important events of the upcoming rally will be again Indian Motorcycle revealing its new 2015 models. So many expectations… For now, what we know for sure is Indian’s calendar of activities from August 4th to 10th in Sturgis with demo rides, product demonstrations, apparel sales, live music, and more. Events will be updated at Indian Events.
Indian Motorcycle Display, 3rd & Lazelle St., August 2 – August 9, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Motorcycling fans are invited to stop by and explore the Indian Motorcycle display in Downtown Sturgis to check out the entire lineup of 2015 models. The Indian Motorcycle exhibit will offer hands-on product demonstrations, apparel sales, accessory displays, and much more. The display will also feature the American Motor Drome Company with live “Wall of Death” shows where daredevils risk life and limb to thrill and entertain Sturgis attendees. Shows performed daily on the hour; starting on Sunday, August 3 at 11 a.m. with the last show at 5 p.m. Tickets are complementary, courtesy of Indian Motorcycle. Riders can also enter for a chance to win a 2015 Indian motorcycle.
Indian Motorcycle Demo Experience, I-90 @ Exit 30, August 2 – August 9, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Sturgis Rally attendees can be among the first to ride the all-new 2015 Indian Motorcycle lineup at the Indian Motorcycle Demo Experience on I-90 at Exit 30. Rides will be led daily with the first ride leaving at 9:15 a.m., last ride at 4:30 p.m. Riders must be 18 years of age and must provide proof of endorsement along with a helmet and appropriate riding attire. For full details visit Indian Motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle @ the Crossroads at Sturgis Buffalo Chip, August 2 – August 9, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Riders can also explore the new Indian Motorcycle display at the Crossroads to learn about the model year 2015 lineup, the brand’s heritage and sign up to win a 2015 Indian motorcycle. Admission to the Crossroads is free.
Indian Motorcycle Night @ the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Sunday, August 3, 8:30 p.m.
Indian Motorcycle will host a party on Sunday, August 3 at Sturgis’ famous Buffalo Chip, known as the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling™. In addition to southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd performing live on the Chip’s main stage, Indian Motorcycle will take the stage to celebrate and showcase its all-new 2015 Indian motorcycles. All are invited; check the Indian Motorcycle website for special details for Indian Motorcycle owners. For details and ticket information, visit Buffalo Chip or Indian Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle Owner Activities Owners of new and heritage Indian motorcycles will receive VIP treatment throughout the rally week starting with the Indian Motorcycle Owner Event on Sunday, August 3. Owners are encouraged to stop at the newly opened Indian Motorcycle Sturgis dealership from noon-2 p.m. for a complimentary lunch, followed by the opportunity to participate in any of a number of exciting planned rides. All owners are also invited to take part in Indian Motorcycle Night at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for dinner and an evening of live music and enjoyment. Throughout the weeklong rally, Indian Motorcycle owners can present their key to receive a special complementary gift at the Lazelle St. display, sign up for the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, and much more. Owners should watch their email for further details.
So, Cyril. Is the new one the Scout? know that you will not answer. 🙁
Where is the Indian party for the new models launch? No theatrical light show?
Not expecting to see an all new Indian model this year but would be cool to see a full tour variation of the Chieftain.
I think that a brand new Indian is in the cards, or bikers are going to lose interest in the brand.
The big party this year will be Indian motorcycle night at the Buffalo Chip on Sunday the 3rd – there will be plenty of interesting things associated with Indian all over Sturgis this summer.
We hope to see you guys and gals out there – 2014 is a great time to be a fan of American Motorcycles!
Robert Pandya
External Relations Manager
Indian Motorcycle
Indian is going to own Sturgis again this year, Daytona cops riding Victorys, what is the world coming to?
It’s senses!!!!
This year Indian will be adding three brand new models to their lineup! The Indian Chief Classic Deluxe, the Indian Chief Vintage Deluxe, and the Indian Chieftain Deluxe…all three brand new models will feature two-tone paint.
Of course BobS knows nothing about what Indian is going to reveal in Sturgis. Maybe it’s a good time to buy Polaris stock (PII)
Go Indian. I hope they give HD a run for their money.
Why are they charging vintage Indian dealers a license fee for products they dont have anything to do with and why do they advertise that they have been making Indian s since 1901. What a joke.
Reefmonger. Polaris doesn’t say they make Indians since 1901. They say that Indian was produced for the 1st time in 1901. What’s your problem?
Joshua-Check out their “since 1901” advertising. It infers that they have been building it since then and thanks to them we have to pay more for our vintage Indian parts because they bought the name and are now sending their lawyers after the Vintage dealers.
1- False. They don’t say they make Indians since 1901. Nowhere. 2- They protect their trademark, exactly like Harley-Davidson. Vintage dealers use a brand name legally belonging to Polaris. They sell parts BECAUSE of the Indian name. They have to pay for it and not sell non-genuine Indian parts. Fair to me. It’s business.
I agree. Nobody can use a brand name without agreement of brand owner and paying some kind of licensing fee. Free use of brand name doesn’t exist.
Harley has owned their trademark since 1903. Polaris just bought the Indian name.
Im waiting to see if the native americans start screaming about the name “Indian”.
reefmonger. So what? If you own, you own. Doesn’t matter when you acquired it. Polaris paid to own the name. Why do you think you can use it for free to make money with it? You have enjoyed years without paying anything to anyone. Please, stop it.
Joshua-Polaris is just another imposter from a long line since 1953 when the real Indian Motocycle Company closed their doors. Look at their Facebook site where they show it going back to 1901 like they made it. Give me a break
Ronnie-Free use of trademark by license does exist. They dont have to charge for it.
I agree with reefmonger that the new Placebo Indians are imposters. The last real Indian was built in 1953! Charging license fees to suppliers of vintage Indian parts that Polaris doesn’t produce is just corporate “GREED”. They have already put one long time Indian dealer out of business and are screwing with the old time Indian movement. If it wasn’t for the “old timers” the Indian name would be worth nothing. They have kept it alive for over 60 years and now Polaris jumps on the band wagon and screws everything up.
Reefmonger. You must be socialist. What belong to others (the trademark) belongs to you! Polaris doesn’t have to charge for the license? Yeah, right. You don’t have to charge your client for your services and parts. Start the free thing first. Looks to me you are close to be out of business and are spitting your bitterness.
Joshua-Name calling doesn’t justify your argument. Maybe Mr. Pandya from Polaris will give us his point of view.
Mr. Monger,
It’s important for parent companies to protect the brands they own. Certainly our friends in Milwaukee would protect names like Aermacchi, Buell, and MV as much as American Machine and Foundry would have protected the brand names they owned between 1967 and 1981.
We have a license program for companies who agree to terms (quite reasonable terms) and create quality heritage parts. As an owner of an antique truck I buy proper quality parts on a regular basis, and I get that relationship. The program offers protections to those business owners and the customers who buy from them.
It is crazy to infer that we position ourselves to have owned the brand since 1901. That is the heritage of the brand – that is the power of its tenacity and that is the value for which it is our responsibility to protect. Countless brand have been bought and sold. Jeep, Baseball teams, Magazine titles – the change in ownership does not reset the heritage of the brand to zero.
Polaris Industries is based in Medina, MN – motorcycle engines made in Osceola WI, and final assembly in Spirit Lake IA. All fantastic places full of great people. It’s clear that there will be detractors who say that we are not “real” – but I challenge you to state that inside the plants where we make Indian and Victory Motorcycles and meeting these great men and women.
We know we will have our detractors – that is fine. We also know that many many riders are choosing to add an Indian or Victory to their garages. And many more are purchased every season. So that is where we hope to see you – riding what you like where you like and appreciating the choice that we have earned in this country. We will see you on the road – perhaps in our mirrors – but on the road.
Everybody have a smooth weekend -whatever you are riding.
Robert Pandya
(Proudly) External Relations Manager
Indian Motorcycle
The best part about this is that Robert Pandya addressed him as “Mr. Monger”.
HD has been bullshitting everyone forever with the 1903 line. Glenn Curtiss came out with the first American V Twin 50 miles south of me in Hammondsport NY. HD came out with a twin when? 1909. Their advertising would lead one to believe that they have been making V Twins since the jump. Why don’t they mention that they were only making singles until around 1909? Because they aren’t idiots.
Sucks for old Indian parts dealers but as other’s mentioned, it won’t be long until the Commie PC dribble that has overwhelmed the USA demands that the name be changed.
Now why on Earth haven’t I seen an article on here about the spy shot of the new liquid cooled Victory that is making the rounds on the net?
Justaguy. There are no spy shots of the water-cooled Victory. What you saw are drawings from the US Patent Registration Office in the USA and its equivalent in Europe. All these drawings are free public access from the second they are registered. Hardly spy shots, like you wrote. All manufacturers register tons of designs that will be produced or not, modified or abandoned. Liquid-cooled motorcycles are in the future of many mc manufacturers, so hardly a scoop. I am pretty sure that Cyril Huze was one of the first to have the drawings and must have his reasons not to publish them as being the new Victory. Maybe he will reply directly to you,
I’ve ridden the Indians and can assure anyone that not only are they real, they are real cool. But much like Harley, not quite cool enough to get me off my Vics. For me it’s still about the ride. I do wish Victory did some of the things that Harley and Indian do well, like fit, finish, quality of switches, wire management…but in the quality of ride Victory still wins.
Love my bike and admire wonderful marketing !
1) I noticed that Indian will be selling merchandise in Sturgis. I sure hope that this will be a dealer selling the product and not the company itself. That would be a huge disservice to indian dealers who pay franchise fees, plus stock clothing and parts in hopes of selling these items.
2) Harley is the king of marketing and we would be lying to ourselves if we didnt agree. They dont claim to have made vtwins since 1903. In fact…I bought an H-D shirt because it said vtwins since 1909. They are, however, the only American motorcycle company to not go out of business since their inception.
3) Quit whining. I welcome Indian back to the motorcycle industry with open arms. While they may not be the “real” thing, I bet they are at least here to stay.
Cory – indeed there is a new dealer in Sturgis proper (on Lazelle) who will be stocking and selling the apparel. For the record we do not direct sell, we abide by the dealer agreements signed by both parties. Not all dealers choose to participate in our National events – but from what I hear, the Sturgis Dealership is very engaged and it will again be a great year to hang out with Indian Motorcycle and ride with the brand!
I encourage you to ride the bike – it’s quite real. It may not be your flavor, but it’s no blow-up doll.
Robert Pandya
External Relations Manager
Indian Motorcycle
Hey Robert. I understand Polaris has to protect their names, but it seems they could have found a better way to handle the “vintage” Indian motorcycle market. Putting long time Indian dealers out of business doesn’t seem the way to handle this. For some of these small dealers it is more a passion than a money making venture. A large corp like Polaris would find this hard to believe, since they are only in it for the money. I notice on the net and other media a large back lash from the “vintage” Indian mc community. In the old days there was a lot of talk about the Harley – Indian rivalry. I think Polaris Indian might be starting a new one, between the owners of original and new Indians. I notice on your new Indian website how they keep mentioning the word “heritage”. Using many pics of old Indians, stories, racing etc. They are basing their new bike on this heritage. Since there is a 50 year gap between the new and old Indian I don’t see where Polaris has this right just because they bought a name. Maybe in 50 years the new Polaris Indian can claim their own “heritage” status, but riding on the coat tails of the original Indian comes across as pure infringement. The original Indian mc community has a fierce loyalty to their brand and have looked after it for the last 60 years. They live it 365 days of the year. They are not weekenders. They don’t appreciate the heavy handed tactics of Polaris. One last thing. Robert, you mention about all the “great people” that work for Polaris, no doubting they are. See you in my mirror!
Guinness. I don’t work in the motorcycle industry. Just own a new Indian Chief. You claim the right to sell Indian parts and services without legal right to do so? Because you are the heritage? How so? You have the right to use Indian’s heritage but not Polaris? Really? It’s complete hypocrisy. The heritage is not you. It’s the Indian brand. Stop the BS.
In the 90’s Harley went after all those using their name/logo/colors. They stopped all those using Harley heritage without being an official dealer. They were right to act this way because Harley-Davidson was risking its image, risking lawsuits from clients pretending that the MoCo was responsible for these independent dealers. Guinness, do you want to be legally and financially responsible for other businesses using your name? Now you want free use of the Indian name and heritage? You already lost.
Hey Paulie. I never said I am the “heritage”. The people that kept the Indian brand alive for the last 60 years have more right than a huge corp that just bought a name. It seems that Polaris agrees, if you go to their website they are using these same people to their advantage to sell their new bikes. Lets say for instance that a rich Arab prince in Quatar, who has never seen a football game, bought a Viking Superbowl ring at an auction, by your understanding, he now holds all the same bragging rights of the Viking team, fans, etc. just because he bought a ring. I don’t think this would go down to well in Minnesota, the home of Polaris. It looks like you are the hypocrite. You state you don’t work in the motorcycle industry, but you get on here like you know everything. It is time that you stop the bs-ing. You have a lot to learn. Polaris is a $4 billion a year company. They are going after small, long time Indian dealers for license fees and percentage of sales. One long time Indian enthusiast that makes a few Indian items has been forced to close down because he couldn’t afford to pay these fees on his small inventory. He would work all year and give all his money to Polaris. At one time these small mom and pop businesses were the back bone of America. These businesses actually cared about their customers, not like these huge corporations. They have been run out of business by Walmart, Monsanto, and other large corps just like Indian Polaris is doing now. Polaris has handled this situation all wrong. Instead of using a large law firm to send out decease orders, why didn’t they handle this like in the real world – talk face to face. The vintage car guys did this years ago. Polaris is “pissing on their own shoes” and don’t even realize it.
Guinness. Your example is quite dumb.
You wrote: “if a rich Arab prince in Quatar, who has never seen a football game, bought a Viking Superbowl ring at an auction, by your understanding, he now holds all the same bragging rights of the Viking team, fans?”
Really? Polaris didn’t know about motorcycles before buying Indian? They didn’t buy one Indian motorcycle and claim to own Indian’s history. They bought the brand, its tangible & intangible assets (brand good will, history) By the way, in your example you are also wrong about bragging rights. They belong to the team, not to the fans.
If the shop you mention can’t pay its licensing fee (a percentage) for using a rich brand name for business purpose, it means this shop should have been closed since a long time. If you can’t pay your dues, your vendors, your rent, your employees, etc you should not be in business. This shop was shaky before Polaris. Polaris is not responsible.
You also wrote “instead of sending deceased letters”. Ha, ha, It’s a funny one. I think it’s “cease and desist letters.” In addition, “cease & desist letters” are very much the real world. Ask those who receive one if a lawyer letter feels real to them.
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
Bottom line, some small businessmen have been freeloading off the Indian brand’s heritage. If Polaris was sending Hendee and Hedstrom a cease and desist letter that would be one thing. Everyone else, including Polaris, is riding on Hendee and Hedstrom’s coat tails. The difference is Polaris has the legal right to, no one else does.
Hey Paulie. Just back from a nice ride on my vintage Indian while you sit behind a keyboard. Must be a slow day at the law firm. I suspect you and a few others posting here might be the same person. All your replies are what a lawyer would say. Also, you like twisting my words and inventing statements that I did not say. You claimed I said I was “heritage” – false. Now you say that I said that Polaris didn’t know anything about motorcycles before buying Indian – where did I say that? Typical of a lawyer. Then you said “that small business should have closed up a long time ago”. To correct you, it is a license fee AND a percentage. Anyone can pay the percentage but how many small shops can pay a $20,000 license fee per year. When you only make a few parts that is impossible. Most of them do this because they are passionite about the old bikes. It is not all about money, but you would probably find that hard to believe because you would not know anything about that. The “vintage” Indian community rely on these small suppliers to keep their bikes on the road. By putting them out of business is bad for business for everyone. (You jump all over me for my “typo”. And guess what – you come back with a lot of legal jargon – what else could I expect.) Anyway, Polaris owns the Indian name and they should sit down with these small dealers and figure out a way to keep them in business instead of shutting them down – and leave the lawyers at home – they just screw everything up!
You say change is the law of life – now it is my turn to say that is “quite dumb”. I would rather live in the past driving my old cars and motorcyles with like minded friends that don’t give a care about Wall Street and the all mighty dollar. Yes Paulie, there is people like that out there. If the future is full of people like you, I am not interested!
Mr Pandya I thank you for your reply and I understand your legal requirement to protect the trademark but there is no reason the vintage Indian dealers should be asked to pay any more than one dollar for a license. The trademark you own has no continuity to it either. It has been public domain for 60 years. It hasnt been tested in trademark court. Look at all the eBay merchants hawking Indian motorcycle items. Maybe you should spend your legal funds issuing cease and desist orders instead of charging my suppliers a license fee. We haven’t need your protection for the last 60 years and we dont need it now.
The proud owner of a real Indian motocycle
Mr. Monger
Hey BobS. Another legal jumbo post – hey guys get real! I noticed on a previous post you a ride a Victory. So far Paulie is the only one that has posted that said he owned a new Indian – he didn’t mention if he actually rode it. What are all you other lawyers riding beside your desk at work? You mention these small Indian dealers are “free loaders”. Coming across like a lawyer you should know this is “free enterprise”. The Indian name was in public domain for 50 years till Gilroy, Stellican and Polaris screwed it up. Maybe you should phone up S&S, Andrews, STD, James and dozens of other companies and call them “free loaders”. You will get a reply you will not like. You said that you like your Victory over the new Indian – so Bob get out there and have a good ride and have some fun. See you down the road. Guinness.
Hey Reefmonger. Gilroy tried the license fee. After checking with the real Indian dealers they settled on a $1. fee. I hear they got $2 and all the rest of the dealers told them to piss off!
I am not an attorney, no do I play one on TV.
The argument is not about protecting the Polaris/Indian copyrights. The issue is the original company went bankrupt and their intellectual property fell into the public domain.
H-D rights have never gone to the public domain, so they had every right to hunt down people for using their logo. The older Indian intellectual property has a broken chain of ownership.
The ownership was taken to court several times over the decades as various groups worked on the rights. Polaris is now the current owner. However, the laws in the 1950 to 1980’s affect the public domain rights for the vintage parts dealers.
Even the court case in the 1990’s involved the court granting rights to several vintage shops to continue using the name and logo if my understanding of the case is correct. This is based on some quick research and not on being a part of the case.
One path forward is to take on the small vintage players and extract the $20K fees and licensing rights one at at time. As stated, most of these people do this for passion on these historic bikes and not to be millionaires.
If this path is continued Polaris will end up in court. The courts will be asked to give clarification on the public rights issues. This may nullify all rights, a big risk for Polaris. However this will be David vs Goliath and the court of public opinion will be against Polaris.
Another path forward is to move the historic brand into an agreement whereby the older bike parts are branded under an open body. Think open source software like BSD. Have the original Indian Motorcycle historic groups register the makers and keep track of them.
Drop the fees. Build a non-profit to manage the old IP. Put the money into the Indian motorcycle museums to save the history and heritage. There are only a handful of them. Divide the cash among them with a body set up to keep it going for another 100 years. These museum bikes and/or clubs need cash to maintain their operations.
Polaris keeps their new bikes branding, the Chief logo, sells the t-shirts, etc. The small vintage bike suppliers have a clear separation from the Polaris/Indian IP.
Remember Polaris is not in the historic parts business. Most of these molds are gone. The small makers usually hand make the parts or redesign them using modern materials. There isn’t a huge amount of money in this.
For every dollar the Polaris team pulls in from historic parts makers, they will spend more in marketing to try and convince the public that they are not evil.
Hopefully they can leverage this into a public win by bringing people together instead of listening to their attorneys. $20k for parts is nothing when you look at the ill will being generated on the web.
I wish the new company and their team a happy future.
Kind Regards,
William
1946 Indian Chief Bobber