Indian is Back (Again)!
Indian is an iconic name among motorcycle enthusiasts, but the owners of that name have long struggled. Considered to be the first American motorcycle company, Indian went bankrupt after World War II when it switched to smaller motorcycles that the public rejected. That began a revolving door of companies who bought and tried to implement the Indian brand. California Motorcycle Co. was the latest such company, and it came out with a new version of the Chief in 1999. It lasted four years before taking its own trip to bankruptcy court.
Now, Polaris has become the latest owner of the name, purchasing the brand in 2011. Polaris just might have the clout to make it work. Polaris has successfully manufactured and sold motorcycles under the Victory brand since 1998. Although I’ve never owned an Indian, I really like the brand and history, and I am pulling for this latest owner. Here is the press release:
STURGIS, SD- August 5, 2013 – Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced the highly anticipated details for the all-new 2014 Indian Chief family of motorcycles. Before thousands of motorcycling fans at the site of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in downtown Sturgis at 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, Indian Motorcycle unveiled the three models that comprise the Indian Chief line up. The reveal ceremony and party signaled an inflection point in motorcycling history with the renewal of America’s oldest and most legendary brand.
2014 Indian Chief Classic (starting MSRP: $18,999)
The new Indian Chief Classic is a pure, powerful cruiser forged from key heritage design elements yet wrapped in advanced design, engineering and technology. It features iconic styling like valanced fenders, rich genuine leather saddle, classic tank-mounted instrumentation, tear-drop fuel tank design, and sculpted and lighted front fender war bonnet. The 2014 Indian Chief Classic comes standard with a host of premium features including endless chrome, keyless ignition, ABS, cruise control, throttle-by-wire, true dual exhaust, high quality chrome laced spoke wheels, brake caliper covers, cast aluminum frame with integrated air intake, and much more.
The Indian Chief Classic, like all 2014 Indian Chief models, is powered by the all-new, clean sheet design Thunder Stroke 111 engine. Offering 111 cubic inches of pavement pounding power and 119 ft-lbs of torque, this class-leading power plant draws powerful design cues from heritage Indian Motorcycle engines merged with brilliant engineering and advanced technologies. The Thunder Stroke 111 is a 49-degree, air-cooled V-twin with 6-speed overdrive transmission, and features unmatched premium exterior finishes and touches. It offers owners the peace-of-mind that comes from over two million miles of on-road and test-lab verification and Polaris Industries’ sixty years of engineering prowess.
2014 Indian Chief Vintage (starting MSRP: $20,999)
The new Indian Chief Vintage is a soft bagger that takes iconic Indian Motorcycle styling to a whole new level with handcrafted detail and a signature heritage aesthetic. The Indian Chief Vintage offers top-quality quick release soft-sided leather bags, leather fringe, chrome fender tips, vintage chrome badging on the front fender and a quick-release windshield for easy installation or removal. It includes the same premium standard features as the Indian Chief Classic, and sports the same iconic design elements like valanced fenders, laced wheels, whitewall tires, tank-mounted instrument cluster and extensive chrome finishes throughout. It is also powered by the new Thunder Stroke 111 engine.
2014 Indian Chieftain (starting MSRP: $22,999)
The first Indian Motorcycle of its kind, the 2014 Indian Chieftain maintains the legendary Indian Chief styling, while taking this progressive machine to new heights with advanced features and premium comfort. Unlike any Indian Motorcycle ever made, the Chieftain features a fairing with integrated driving lights, and its power windshield is an industry-first for a fork-mounted fairing. Standard features include hard saddlebags featuring remote locks and quick-release anchors, a high-output audio system featuring integrated Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Posted on August 7th, 2013 by Aaron Morris
Filed under: Motorcycles, News
Isn’t Polaris a Canadian company? Hmmmmm
Polaris Industries Inc. is headquartered just outside of Minneapolis in Medina, Minnesota. Polaris engineering, manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in Roseau, Minnesota; Osceola, Wisconsin; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Vermillion South Dakota. But most importantly, the bikes are built in the U.S. of A., at the Spirit Lake, Iowa plant. So that they would not be accused of just slapping the Indian name on their Victory motorcycles, which are manufactured at the same plant, they added a second, independent production line just for the Indians.