When did they stop making Indian motorcycles?
Indian Motorcycle (or Indian) is an American brand of motorcycles owned and produced by American automotive manufacturer Polaris Inc. Independent operations ended in 1953; resumed operations in 1999 in Gilroy, CA. Purchased by Polaris Industries in 2011.
The Gilroy, California company announced it would shut its doors on Friday, September 19, 2003, after failing to obtain necessary financing to continue operations. The announcement comes 50 years after the first Indian Motorcycle company ceased operations and five years after the current entity was created.
Very few bikes were built for consumers during this time. Unfortunately, Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company ceased operations and discontinued production of all models in 1953.
An American Motorcycle Rematch
Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901, and Harley-Davidson two years later. Both companies built groundbreaking bikes, delivering motorcycles to police forces, racing them on the dirt track, providing a simple alternative to the automobile, and serving in both world wars.
With routine maintenance and regular service, Indian motorcycles are reliable and hold their value.
In terms of raw performance, Indian often has the advantage over Harley, but typically by what are negligible amounts, though H-D does produce models with spec sheets that best their Indian-made direct competitor.
Over a century later, Indian Motorcycle joined the Polaris family in 2011. The Indian Motorcycle lineup includes cruiser, bagger and touring models, as well as the Scout and FTR 1200.
The American company Harley-Davidson started producing motorcycles in 1903. During this period, experimentation and innovation were driven by the popular new sport of motorcycle racing, with its powerful incentive to produce tough, fast, reliable machines.
Rebirth in King's Mountain 2006-2011
In 2006 Indian Motorcycle® as a brand was purchased by an equity firm based in London-Stellican Limited. The decision was made to start reproducing the Chief motorcycle-but this time in very limited quantities. Indian Motorcycle® made its new home in King's Mountain, North Carolina.
Today, the tradition of premium craftsmanship in American manufacturing lives on at the Indian Motorcycle factory in Spirit Lake, IA; the home of Indian Motorcycle and the birthplace of each new bike we make.
What year did Polaris take over Indian?
When Steve Menneto, vice president of motorcycles at Polaris Industries, unveiled Indian's all-new Thunder Stroke 111 engine at Daytona Bike Week in March, motorcycle enthusiasts were giddy with anticipation. Polaris bought the nearly dormant Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011.
If riding a Harley is an OMC's idea of patriotism, then even an Indian should be right up their alley – they are also as American as the HDs. While Harleys are revered more than the Indians, most MCs save a few like HAMC will let you ride an Indian motorcycle, as long as the engine is more than 1,000ccs.
Indian Enfield
Indian of America had a factory in Gilroy, California, and produced a viable machine, a big Twin styled like the old Chief and powered by a version of a Harley clone. But the funding wasn't enough, sales did not meet hopes and the firm went bankrupt in 2003.
- 8 SACHS: 1905.
- 7 Husqvarna: 1903.
- 6 Harley-Davidson: 1903.
- 5 Triumph: 1902.
- 4 Norton: 1902.
- 3 Royal Enfield: 1901.
- 2 Indian: 1901.
- 1 Peugeot: 1898.
| Brand | Model | Average Mileage |
|---|---|---|
| Honda | Shine | 65 kmpl |
| Hero | Glamour | 69.5 kmpl |
| TVS | Star City Plus | 86 kmpl |
| Bajaj | Pulsar 150 | 65 kmpl |
The world's fastest Indian. Since its creation more than a century ago, the legendary Scout has been an icon of America's first motorcycle company.
By brand, according to data compiled by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles retained an average of 84% of their value over a five-year period. BMW was not far behind, at 81%, with Indian, Ducati and Triumph trailing slightly at 77%, 73% and 72%.
Newer models vibrate too, although not as severely as the older ones. The vibration of Harleys is mostly because of the V-Twin motors that power them. By nature, V-Twins have higher vibrations than other engine types. However, Harley's V-Twin's vibration is even worse than other V-Twin engines.
- 10/10 2019 Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer: $9,900.
- 9/10 2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200: $10,000.
- 8/10 2021 Honda Rebel 1100: $9,000.
- 7/10 2019 Indian Scout Sixty: $9,500.
- 6/10 2015 Triumph Thunderbird Commander: $10,700.
- 5/10 2015 Suzuki M109R Boulevard: $9,500.
The Indian Scout is one of the most reliable American cruisers on the motorcycle market. These bikes are well-built, high-quality machines and owners typically experience few problems providing they don't ride too aggressively and stay on top of maintenance and routine oil changes.
What engines do Indian Motorcycles use?
| Engine Displacement: | 108ci (1,769cc) |
| Architecture: | 60-degree V-twin, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Bore x Stroke: | 108.0mm x 96.5mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 11.0:1 |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 122 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
Indian Motorcycles are not from India; they're named after the American Indian, a racing bicycle model made by the founder of Indian Motorcycles before he switched to motorcycles. Indian Motorcycles are now owned by Polaris and are assembled in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in the U.S.
All Indian Motorcycles are currently made in the USA at the Spirit Lake, Iowa plant. However, like all other bike manufacturers several components are sourced elsewhere before being shipped to Spirit Lake for assembly.
| Make & model | Model years | Top speed |
|---|---|---|
| BMW S 1000 RR (second generation) | 2019-present | 193 mph (310 km/h) |
| BMW S 1000 RR (first generation) | 2009-2018 | 188 mph (303 km/h) |
| MV Agusta F4 R 312 | 2007-08 | 185–193 mph (298–311 km/h) |
| Kawasaki ZX-14 | 2006– | 186 mph (300 km/h) |
The first 'motorcycles' were bicycles, with motors attached: motor-cycles. Bike, of course, is a shortened form of 'bicycle'. Therefore, Americans DO call a motorbike a 'motorbike'.
In announcing the winding down of Victory, Polaris said that the brand struggled to establish the market share needed to be profitable, with competitive pressures increasing headwinds for the brand.
Honda is currently the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the Big Red Wing gained massive popularity with the release of the Super Cub in 1958 and carries on the tradition today with the CBR, Gold Wing, and CRF models.
Harley-Davidson is the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the United States.
One of the first V-twin engines was built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1889. It was used as a stationary engine, for boats and in the Daimler Stahlradwagen ("steel-wheeled car"), Daimler's second car. The engine was also manufactured under licence in France by Panhard et Levassor.
Over a century later, Indian Motorcycle joined the Polaris family in 2011. The Indian Motorcycle lineup includes cruiser, bagger and touring models, as well as the Scout and FTR 1200.
Are Indian Motorcycles 100% American made?
All Indian Motorcycles are currently made in the USA at the Spirit Lake, Iowa plant. However, like all other bike manufacturers several components are sourced elsewhere before being shipped to Spirit Lake for assembly.
Peugeot Motocycles remains the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. In the early period of motorcycle history, many producers of bicycles adapted their designs to accommodate the new internal-combustion engine.
Indian Enfield
Indian of America had a factory in Gilroy, California, and produced a viable machine, a big Twin styled like the old Chief and powered by a version of a Harley clone. But the funding wasn't enough, sales did not meet hopes and the firm went bankrupt in 2003.
| Engine Displacement: | 108ci (1,769cc) |
| Architecture: | 60-degree V-twin, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Bore x Stroke: | 108.0mm x 96.5mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 11.0:1 |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 122 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
Indian Motorcycles are not from India; they're named after the American Indian, a racing bicycle model made by the founder of Indian Motorcycles before he switched to motorcycles. Indian Motorcycles are now owned by Polaris and are assembled in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in the U.S.
| Make & model | Model years | Top speed |
|---|---|---|
| BMW S 1000 RR (second generation) | 2019-present | 193 mph (310 km/h) |
| BMW S 1000 RR (first generation) | 2009-2018 | 188 mph (303 km/h) |
| MV Agusta F4 R 312 | 2007-08 | 185–193 mph (298–311 km/h) |
| Kawasaki ZX-14 | 2006– | 186 mph (300 km/h) |
America's first motorcycle company was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1901. The company was originally called Hendee Manufacturing Company and was created by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom.
In the U.S., Indian Motorcycles are assembled in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with engines assembled in Osceola, Wis. There is a painting facility in Spearfish, S.D., that is also used on some models.
- Ducati. Founded in 1926, Ducati is an Italian company that produces motorcycles, engines, and other vehicle parts. ...
- Harley Davidson. There's a reason Harley Davidson is one of the most reliable motorcycle brands in the world. ...
- Honda. ...
- Kawasaki. ...
- Suzuki. ...
- Yamaha. ...
- Triumph. ...
- BMW.
From its humble beginnings, Honda has grown to be the biggest motorcycle company in the world. Since its inception, Honda has sold over 300 million motorcycles.
Which is the best motorcycle company in the world?
- Kawasaki is a Japanese manufacturer founded in 1939. ...
- Honda is a Japanese company as Well. ...
- BMW is a company with the most extended history in the German motorcycle business. ...
- Yamaha is another Japanese motorcycle manufacturer, founded in 1955. ...
- Ducati is the most famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer.
| Company | Annual Est. Revenue | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Polaris Industries, Inc. | $6.78 Billion |
| 2. | Harley-Davidson | $5.36 Billion |
| 3. | Zero Motorcycles | $68.17 Million |
| 4. | MSI Defense Solutions | $11.39 Million |
The first 'motorcycles' were bicycles, with motors attached: motor-cycles. Bike, of course, is a shortened form of 'bicycle'. Therefore, Americans DO call a motorbike a 'motorbike'.
In announcing the winding down of Victory, Polaris said that the brand struggled to establish the market share needed to be profitable, with competitive pressures increasing headwinds for the brand.
