Indian Motorcycles

About indian

Indian is an American brand of motorcycles.

The "Indian Motocycle Co." was originally founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee in 1897 to manufacture bicycles. These were initially badged as "Silver King" and "Silver Queen" brands but the name "American Indian", very quickly reduced to simply "Indian", was adopted by Hendee from 1898 onwards because it gave better product recognition in export markets.

Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company in 1928.

In 1901, a prototype and two production units of the diamond framed Indian Single were successfully designed, built and tested. The first Indian motorcycles, featuring chain drives and streamlined styling, were sold to the public in 1902. In 1903, Indian's co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedstrom set the world motorcycle speed record (56 mph).

The Indian factory team took the first three places in the 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. During the 1910s Indian became the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world.

Indian introduced the 221 cc single cylinder two-stroke Model K "Featherweight" in 1916. The Model K had an open cradle frame with the engine as a stressed member and a pivoting front fork that had been used earlier on single-cylinder motorcycles but had mostly been replaced on other Indian motorcycles by a leaf-sprung trailing link fork.

The Model K was manufactured for one year and was replaced in 1917 by the Model O. The Model O had a four-stroke flat-twin engine and a new frame, but retained the pivoting fork at the front. The Model O was manufactured until 1919.

Indian's most popular models were the Scout, made from 1920 to 1946, and the Chief, made from 1922 to 1953.

The Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company went bankrupt in 1953. A number of successor organizations have perpetuated the name in subsequent years, with limited success. In 2011 Polaris Industries purchased Indian Motorcycles and relocated operations from North Carolina, merging them into existing facilities in Minnesota and Iowa. Since August of 2013, three motorcycle models that capitalize on Indian's traditional styling have been built under the Indian name.

Moto blog

Polaris Reports Q4 2013 Sales Results – Motorcycle Sales Up 94%!

Polaris Industries a record fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013, with sales revenue of $1.08 billion and a net income of $108.7 million. While off-road vehicles represent the bulk of Polaris’ business, its motorcycle operations saw a 94% increase in fourth quarter sales, thanks to strong demand for Victory Motorcycles and the addition of new Indian Motorcycles models.

Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage Auction Raises $30,000 for Operation Ride Home

A customized 2014 Indian Chief Vintage was auctioned for $30,000, raising money to support Operation Ride Home, a partnership program between Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Forces YMCA that supports military service members. The funds will help junior-enlisted members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families return home during the holiday season.

Collection Of Rare Indian Motorcycles Up For Auction, March 8

On March 8, four rare Indian motorcycles, some of which date back over a century, will be up for auction at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Now in its 16th year, the single-day sale includes a stunning roster of more than 80 investment-quality vehicles including a stellar group of early Indian motorcycles. The oldest of the collection is a 1909 Indian 5HP Light Twin. This model is significant as it marks Indian’s departure from using modified bicycle frames to incorporating loop frames, previously only seen on the company’s racing motorcycles. A new, streamlined torpedo-type gas tank was fitted between the upper and lower tank rails, and oil was carried in a large capacity half-gallon tank that was fixed to the frame beneath the seat.

Indian Announces ‘Honoring Heroes’ Incentive Program

Today, Indian Motorcycle announced the Honoring Heroes incentive program which supports North American military personnel. Furthering a “nearly 100 year commitment to Armed Forces,” Indian will give any active, reserve, National Guard, and retired military personnel a $1,000 incentive towards the purchase of any new Indian Chief models. Those who follow Indian Motorcycle news most likely know that the Honoring Heroes program for all U.S.

Indian Motorcycle Weekends at Washington IMS

Indian Motorcycle will be in Washington, DC starting this Friday at 3 p.m. as part of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS). Riders who attend the IMS at the Washington Convention Center will be treated to a variety of events throughout the weekend – many of which honor the US service personnel stationed in the DC area.

Steve McQueen’s Von Dutch Customized Bikes to be Auctioned Tomorrow

Here’s an opportunity to own motorcycles associated with Steve McQueen and Von Dutch - need we say more? Get your credit cards out because tomorrow, January 9, 2014, will see a 1923 Indian Big Chief with Princess Sidecar owned by McQueen and fully restored by Von Dutch put on the auction block at the Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. Previously sold at the Steve McQueen Estate Sale in Las Vegas in 1984, the 74cu (1200cc) Indian is “capable of reaching speeds of 90mph.” If McQueen’s coolness factor isn’t enough, having the notoriety of Von Dutch’s restoration is the icing on the cake.

Polaris Announces Internal Restructuring

Although the changes will not affect the Indian and Victory sales teams, Polaris Industries announced today that it had merged its sales, sales operations, service, corporate marketing and interactive team to form the Global Customer Excellence team. The new organizational structure will be lead by VP of Global Customer Excellence, Tim Larson. Vice President of Global Customer Excellence, Tim Larson.

Autographed Indian Chieftain Tank to be Auctioned in January

Are you a fan of Indian Motorcycles? Think the Chieftain is a great motorcycle? Have you ever wanted to own a one-of-a-kind piece of motorcycle memorabilia?

Indian Motorcycles Heading to … Um … India

Polaris Industries announced it will launch its Indian Motorcycles brand in India on January 22, 2014. The inherently awkward naming aside, Indian Motorcycles India will begin operations about two months after the launch of its Polaris cousins Victory Motorcycles as the latest brand to seek out a chunk of the world’s second largest motorcycle market. Indian Motorcycles India will offer the company’s complete lineup, which includes the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage and Chieftain.

2014 Indian Big Chief Custom Revealed in New York City

The rebirth of the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company continues with the unveiling of the first new custom model under Polaris Industries ownership at the New York City International Motorcycle Show. Dubbed the Indian Big Chief Custom, the one-off special is a showcase for the brand’s Genuine Indian Accessories, offering a glimpse of the possibilities for customization. The Indian Big Chief Custom was created by a crew led by the head of Polaris’s Industrial Design team Greg Brew from a 2014 Chief Classic.