The Indian: The history of the Indian Motorcycle

By JC Reardon

The Indian Motorcycle Company is one of the most iconic and oldest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycles has had a long and fascinating history filled with innovation, racing success, and multiple revivals. Here's a detailed look at its journey:

Early Years and Founding (1901-1953)Founded: 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom.First Production Model: 1902 - a single-cylinder motorcycle with a 1.75-horsepower engine.Rapid Growth: By 1910, Indian became the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer.First V-Twin Engine: Introduced in 1907, it became a signature of the brand.Racing Success: In 1911, Indian motorcycles dominated the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT), taking the top three positions.WWI Contribution: Supplied thousands of motorcycles to the U.S. military.

Golden Era (1920s-1930s)Indian Scout (1920): One of the most famous models, known for durability and performance.Indian Chief (1922): Introduced as a larger, more powerful motorcycle.Merger and Expansion: Indian merged with DuPont Motors in 1930, bringing financial stability and a new color scheme (Indian Red).WWII Production: Like Harley-Davidson, Indian provided motorcycles for the military, including the Indian 741B.

Decline and Closure (1953)Post-War Challenges: After WWII, Indian struggled with financial and production issues.Last Springfield Production: The company officially ceased production in 1953, marking the end of the original Indian Motorcycle era.

Attempts at Revival (1953-2011)Various Ownerships: The Indian name passed through multiple hands, with limited production runs in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s.Gilroy Indian Era (1999-2003): A company based in Gilroy, California, attempted to bring back Indian but went bankrupt.Kings Mountain Indian (2006-2011): Another attempt with limited success, producing motorcycles in North Carolina.

Polaris Industries Revival (2011-Present)Polaris Acquisition (2011): Polaris Industries, known for off-road vehicles, acquired Indian and invested heavily in its revival.Modern Indian Motorcycles: The brand reemerged with high-quality motorcycles like the Indian Chief, Chieftain, Scout, and FTR1200.Cutting-Edge Technology: Modern models combine classic Indian styling with advanced engineering.Racing Comeback: Indian returned to flat track racing, competing successfully against Harley-Davidson.

Indian vs. Harley-Davidson RivalryThe competition between Indian and Harley-Davidson has been legendary since the early 1900s.Indian was Harley's biggest competitor before its 1953 closure.Since its revival, Indian has aggressively challenged Harley-Davidson in the cruiser and touring market.

Current Status and FutureIndian continues to expand, offering a range of bikes from classic cruisers to modern sport bikes.The Indian Challenger (launched in 2019) is a direct rival to the Harley-Davidson Road Glide.The company is focusing on performance, technology, and heritage, attracting both new and old riders.
In Conclusion
Indian Motorcycle Company has one of the most storied legacies in motorcycling history. From dominating early motorcycle racing to its rivalry with Harley-Davidson and multiple revivals, Indian has remained a beloved and legendary brand. Under Polaris Industries, Indian is once again a powerful force in the motorcycle world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F1KSXTXH
• ISBN13: 9798314183441
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"