The History of Indian Motorcycles (The Fall and Rise of Indian)
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- čas přidán 7. 03. 2024
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Thanks you for your comments! I do my best to keep up with them for the first few days after a video comes out, but due to the volume of comments on all of my videos, and to the general hustle and bustle of life, I must give up the fight after a while. If you are leaving a question four or more days after a video comes out I can't guarantee I'll see it, but perhaps one of my other viewers knows the answer and can help out. Thanks in advance to those who contribute and share their knowledge. Cheers and stay safe everyone!
#differentspokestv - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Gotta say, the new Indians look pretty good, and the company isn't trying to become a boutique brand like you-know-who.
Their bikes are just as expensive
Yes they are....
It's definitely a different vibe in the dealerships and that's probably because they don't take their customers for granted.
I presume you're referring to Triumph with "you-know-who"?
For 21 years I owned only BMWs. 3 years ago I bought a Chief Vintage and 20k miles later, couldn't be happier!
I wish they would actually use that original Indian Red. It’s beautiful.
Harley guys who deride (see what I did there?) Indians as Polariseses seem to have selective amnesia about HD’s glorious AMF debacle. I’m awestruck, not to mention thunderstruck, every time I fire up my Springfield.
AMF brought to the company modern CNC equipment and began the development of the EVO.
Yeah, considering the AMF buyout, can you really say that Harley is the same company that started in 1903?
AMF didn't make Harley-Davidson, they brought money. Polaris changed the Victory motorcycles into Indian motorcycles. To suggest they are equivalent is a smooth brain idea. It's like having Yamaha start making a Pontiac firebird based off the Camaro to compete with a Mustang. It doesn't pass the sniff test.
Coming from a rider for last 49 years, Ive had all sorts of bikes in my very long riding "career" from 15cc to 50 cc at age of 6 and all the way up to numerous Harley heavy dnd models, however owning an Indian has always been my dream and now that I'm finally a proud Indian Springfield owner, I can honestly tell - this is the pinnacle of a motorcycle for me! Never mind that there's no immediate lineage between 1901 and 2024 or isn't there? It is just a best bike for me from absolutely every angle I look at it - style, quality, rideability, an all rounder and best in both words kinda bike. I LOVE INDIAN and as Jay Leno said, this time around they had both - heart and money in right place so long live Indian brand!
LONG LIVE INDIAN!!
I've owned all kind of bikes throughout my life and now I just purchased my first Indian and truly love it
I just bought a Challenger, even after seeing the new Road glide. It's STILL better equipped and better performing than even the new Road Glide.
After about 26 happy years of Suzuki Intruder I bought a Scout one year ago. The bike is beautiful and easy to drive. It's just a little bit heavy when you drive slow, but if you take care there's no problem. I kept the legacy of my father, because one century ago he owned an Indian Scout of the 1927 with the sidecar. Bye father, the tradition in our family continues...running where the streets have no name...
I own a Harley-Davidson Sportster. I love to ride it. I like other Harleys and wouldn’t mind a new Street Bob. However , I am not an H-D loyalist. I checked out a few Indian motorcycles at the local dealer. They are gorgeous bikes and they seem to be well built. I would like to take one for a spin.
most offer test rides. my dealer will let me walk in, show id, and ride whatever, whenever.
Yes. I'm checking out some of those chiefs this spring. Maybe I'll make a video about them.
Once you ride an Indian, it is hard to go back to HD
@@Slayer_syndicate I'll have to go back and ask. I figured they wouldn't let you test ride a motorcycle unless you showed them you could afford it.
@@GLHS592 mine just needs an ID for insurance purposes. They know once you ride it, you won't stop thinking about it even if you don't buy that day. Also lots of them have demo days where they bring and entire fleet of bikes you can ride all day for free. I'm in Tennessee and we have one in April. So much fun. And it let's you get an idea of what you want and compare all the models!
Been riding most of my life and had many bikes. Got my first Indian in 2020. Hands down the best bike I have ever ridden. Something very special about the Indian.
The last line if the Indian deriding HD ad was, "There's never been a better time to join the tribe." I love the irony and couldn't agree more.
This is why im subscribed, Keep up the great content🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you! Greatly appreciated.
My father-in-law had '51 Chief, beauty of a bike that, according to him, was the fastest bike in Winnipeg at the time.
I've ridden HD since 1978 and still have a 49 Pan and 84 FXR. I went to buy a new HD for my retirement. I'm riding a Roadmaster for my main bike now. What a superior machine! Oh yeah, I did have a 1924 Big Chief for a while but try getting parts for that!
I've been binge watching your videos. It's a good way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. Thank you 👍
Love my Springfield. 65k miles.
Brought home my new 2023 Indian Challenger Dark Horse two weeks ago.
Test road it and the Road Glide.
Hands down the Indian won, with more power, riding comfort, ease of maintenance (along with free lifetime oil changes), modern technology (smooth bike/rider interface), and fun maneuverability! Very Happy with my choice!
Good stuff.
When is baby day?
Remember sleep now, after you won't..
Thanks for the tip. It's going to be in late May sometime so there might be a bit of break in the videos around that time.
Love your videos
Thanks!
I was H-D only. Now I've got an Indian FTR and Pursuit. I like 'em.
Harley needed competition from another American manufacturer. For a while they had gotten lazy. My brothers ride Harley, and while they stick with H-D, they think my Indians are cool.
The Indian is the better buy. Plain and simple.
Indian's Chieftain has been left to rot since the Challenger came out. However Harley's revised Street Glide and Road Glide show where Harley runs circles around Indian, fit and finish. They are also starting at a MSRP far less than the Limited and Dark Horse trims. My issue was when riding either the Chieftain or Challenger is the Polaris navigation system is horribly integrated. The work done on the inner fairing does nothing to make it look like was considered when designing the rest of the controls.
Yes, the both the Chieftain and the Springfield need updates. That's the cool thing about competition, it keeps bringing us better bikes.
My dad had two friends who cane home from WW2, they both had Indians. They swore by them. I have remembered that since I was young. I bought a 2014 Chieftain and rode it 52 thousand miles. I am currently on a 2022 Challenger and have 27 thousand on this bike. Bullet proof. Love the warbonnet!!
I have owned Harleys for the past 44 years. Roadtested a 2024 Indian Roadmaster yesterday. The dealership had me sign the usual insurance waiver and said, "Go ride it! Now, one of my two present Harleys is a 2018 CVO Limited with a 117 cubic engine. Needless to say, I was very impressed. The Indian 116 Thunderstroke was quick and rolled on in high gear nicely. The handling was very nimble. After 30 minutes of riding, I ordered a 2024 Indian Roadmaster Elite. I must say, I should have listened to friends and made the move earlier. The fit, design, and finish are very nice. Can't get over its ergonomics and light handling. No more full body workouts riding a bagger Harley with a passenger!
I seriously consider Indian every time I'm in the market. If they put out an adventure tourer, I would buy it in a hot second.
I'm shocked they haven't made one. They've had that engine for a while.
@@DifferentSpokesTV maybe they're just doing their research and hoping to put out something that is the best in the class?
Would love to try one but, honestly, I can’t see replacing my Goldwing DCT Tour. The automatic transmission has been revolutionary.
My dad has a 15’ chieftain dark red with the 111 thunderstroke, his first bike in two decades l, when I asked him “why Indian?” He said it simply, the Indian is all new with bold classic styling, and the Harley looks like the same bike they sold since the early 00’s.
I bought an FTR (17" wheels). What a gorgeous muscle bike it is and a delight to ride.
I like Indians, I have a ‘23 Chief Bobber and it’s a great machine. Checks the boxes and then some- well constructed and everything feels premium
I Love my Scout!!! (after suspension upgrades)
I just got into riding but I've always thought Indians were better to look at than Harleys, got my first scout almost a year ago and I LOVE IT
Wow. I try to watch all your videos when you post them but this is the first time in a long time perhaps even first ever it actually popped up in my feed with out me having to search. You make great videos. Rock on.
Another high quality, thoughtful video. Thanks! I would consider an Indian for sure if I was wanting such a bike. I've appreciated them ever since going to my first flat track race in Sacramento in 2018.
The California model was called the “Gilroy” models, as they were built in Gilroy California.
After they were bought out by entrepreneurs and the factory was moved to Kings Mountain, North Carolina,
They are known as the “Kings Mountain” models.
Yes, I agree, The Indian Motorcycle brand is an American company that employs American workers.
And it’s true, Harley can thank Indian/Polaris, for putting the pressure on them, forcing then to make an improved and better motorcycle. Not better engineered than Indian, just a better Harley-Davidson.
The V-rod came out in 1999. Polaris was still building garbage Victory's then. You can thank the customer of Harley-Davidson for keeping them old school, that had nothing to do with Polaris. Harley-Davidson should have had a liquid cooled bagger way before Polaris ditched the Victory brand for an Indian brand name change. People are generally not very intelligent. People who say, Polaris motorcycles with Indian brands are related to the Indian motorcycle company that died are willfully stupid. If I bought one I'd rebadge it Victory because that's what they are.
You admitted that Harley is “old School.”
True. They’re still using 20th century technology in a 21st century world on their big V-twins.
Whether you like it or not, It wasn’t until the battle of the baggers, when Indian, kept whooping up on Harley, beating HD on every race especially on dirt track racing!
The rules were even changed in favor of Harley, to give them the edge over Indian, because not only was Harley loosing every race on the dirt, they were loosing 1,2,and 3.
That’s why Harley has come out with their 117,121 and 131 engines, just to try and beat Indian.
At a cost to the consumer.
@@michaelschmitzerle2587 your bias has blocked your ability to read. Harley-Davidson has moved on just fine without Indian. Harley-Davidson also doesn't "need" Polaris. Harley-Davidson has for the most part been held back by its customer. I'm glad the Harley haters have another American company to buy motorcycles from, but it is by far the least competitor pushing innovation. It did probably help the price. The Victory is now the expensive choice.
Great video very informative and awesome points! Much respect for you digging in to the HD vs Indian history. Indian has improved and keeps improving through the years! Dont believe me? Look back when HD was selling 96 and what Indian was giving out! Hasta luego!
I have a 2015 Indian Chief. Love that bike, no issues. Highly recommend owning one. The one thing I would like Indian to do is make a dual sport bike, like a Suzuki DRZ-400. Even if it was under the Polaris name. An off road company that doesn’t make off road bikes. What’s up with that!?
A friend of my Dad's had a 1954 Indian Chief-didn't like Harleys. He could pick it up. (It was bigger than the ElectraGlide!)
Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.
Thanks!
Super video. You always make great history videos! ☺️
Thanks! Got that playlist on my channel :)
Love Harley's, had several and was looking for a new bike and didn't like the new Harley's and now proud owner of a 2023 Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse
I just bout an Indian FTR Carbon R, and I absolutely love it!
Love to see the Indian name come back, regardless of the ownership. The management is what makes the difference. Good attractive bike, made in America! Go Polaris!
My ‘15 Indian Scout was voted Motorcycle of the Year and Cruiser of the Year. Turns heads everywhere. It’s a keeper !
They are beautiful bikes and the performance is modern as well.
9:35 Yes, Harley, tell us about that Cagiva 125 (2 stroke...) bearing your name back in the Eighties 😜
I Was in the market for a NEW Bike 2 years ago. I shopped in at H.D. as well as Indian. To round it out Honda too. What did not impress me was the exorbitant prices & the unnecessary surcharge. Discussed, I shopped on line for used & found endless numbers of good bikes available for a price conscious consumer. I wasn't looking for a little putt putt puddle jumper. I was searching for a proper sized bike suitable for hiway & local roads. I kept hunting & located one, a 2014 Indian Vintage. At the age of 7 & 1/2 decades I figure I can ballance this machine for many more months & years ahead. Sure I do wish there were more Indian dealers to choose from, but am content to know there are plenty of independent motorcycle shops that will gladly take my $$$ for timely & reasonable rates. Am I going to ever buy new? Not unless my rich uncle leaves me his wealth. Since I have no rich Uncle, I guess the answer is obvious. I like my Indian Vintage. One last thing I am not too olde, I can still flat foot it at stops, I don't choose to go with a trike, .... And kudos to all the other old tyme riders.
I was comparing the sport chief and low rider s last year. The chief just fit me better out of the box. It's an amazing machine.
I have a 2020 Scout 60 and love it.
I love seeing a true underdog story unfolding infront of us. The resurrection of the first American motorcycle company rising from the ashes to reclaim its rightful place.
Thank you for making a good video of the struggles of icon Indian motorcycles.
Yes, I ride chief dark horse. 😂
Well done mr Spokes. I had Harley's for 20 years. Nice time. But after a testride on a Triumph America back in 2007 that was the end of that. And looking back, I really wasn't the "feet-forward-rider".
Gynecologist moped, we called them.
Saw the HD lineup at the mc exhibition in Copenhagen last week and nothing tempted. Even the Street Glide with the midpegs were strange. The feet so far apart! Sitting on a small lunchbox with the arms in the air. Strange indeed! And the new Sportster...so ugly! Hoses and cables all over the place. Attempts to hide with plastic covers. Yak!
I like light, powerfull, wellhandling bikes and would love to see an Indian Flattracker.
But instead of my lovely KTM 790 Duke? Hardly.
Keep these films coming, you're good at it!
I love my 2019 Indian FTR1200S.
Anything you don't like about it? I heard the slow fueling can get on owners nerves. A beautiful bike I'm definitely going to get at some point.
I dont mind the slow fueling. I take my time fueling anyway. @@Jack908r
Bought my Springfield Dark Horse last November and still love the bike (nearly 12K miles now)! Once I rode it, I was sold. It handles better and rides smoother!
I love my FTR! Could we see an Excelsior revival in the future?👀
They market the bikes like they have been making them since 1901. Just seems a little misleading. Nice bikes though.
I would think if a company was proud of their product they would put Polaris/Indian badges on them , like AMF did on HD's. So I agree, they seem to be deceptive.
Harley do the same thing even though AMF owned them for years.
Shouldn’t Harley Davidson say “ established in 1981” after AMF sold the company?
Yes, they do. But this is true with any company that buys another one, or the right to it. The reason Polaris dropped Victory for Indian was because of the name. Victory just didn't evoke that nostalgia.
@donaldelder540 sort of, but the company never went out of business, and the original people bought it back
I just got a 2019 chief and I love it. Looks good nest to my triumph Bonneville. Now I just need to add a moto guzzi
A bold move . . trying to tell the history of Indian in an 11 minute video. There's been books written on the subject. At 77 years old I've owned them all. Europeans, Americans and rice burners. My 21 Chieftain Limited has been the best of them all.
Nice, interesting piece of motorcycle nhistory, thank you. 👍
Thanks!
I’ve had 2 Indians they’re awesome
Love My 21 Scout Bobber in White Smoke 😍👍
I have two bikes, a Harley Tourer and a Dual Sport. I have almost everything covered. If I ever get another bike, it won't be an Indian. A BMWGS or a KTM Super Adventure. But honestly, I am 60 is August and both bikes should last me the rest of my riding life. Until I really want one of those other two.
Yep, those are all the bikes you need to go anywhere. No point in upgrading what's not broken.
I owned an Indian 125 in the early 80's. It wasn't the best bike I ever owned, but it was probably the most fun. It was a time when I didn't ride on the road any more and only rode dirt, such as dirt roads and railroad tracks. My understanding was HD had bought the Indian name and wanted to bring in a line of smaller cc bikes. Didn't matter to me, I'm a Honda man and the Indian was the only bike I ever owned that was not a Honda. I didn't really buy it, some guy needed some money and gave me the bike as collateral. I just rode the devil out of it until he repaid me.
Yes, some of those mini bikes look like the current Monkey and that's a fun bike. They didn't bear much resemblance to pre 1953 Indians though.
Love my 2023 Roadmaster, had a 2000 Vic SC, then a 2016 Vic Magnum. Polaris knows what their doing.
The 50cc Italian Indian mini bikes are prett cool though.
Great video! I hope Indian continues to make cool stuff. Not sure about an ADV bike, that market is very difficult to enter with so many good models and well established brands. What they really need to make is a lightweight hooligan bike, like a 400 super moto :)
Yes, or an FTR 750 based on their flat tracker race bike.
Quite like some Indian models. The ftr and bobber come to mind. Definitely want an ftr. Where as I look at hd and there's just nothing. Indian has cleaner designs and their engines look better than hd's. So I can see why the sales are increasing.
Could you link that date you had about reliability you showed that compared the brands?
My dream bike is a Indian chieftain elite love the Indian motorcycle
Indian, definitely an interesting come back and as you said Finally Polaris came along and actually made it truly its own bike worthy of the Indian name rather than mostly off the shelf parts such as S&S Engines/ Harley repops. In 2012 I bought a 1999 Kawi Drifter 800, awesome bike loved it , wife and I did trip to Nova Scotia on it, wife and I also did many Ice cream runs on it as well, I only sold the bike about 2 weeks ago and honestly it was hard to sell. I also owned a 2015 Indian Scout a really really nice bike but it was with that bike I decided that feet forward style is not for me. I would take Indian over Harley any time. As for GPZ bikes, I live up the road and about 2 months ago I walked in after all the reno's were done and imagine my surprise to find out about they are lic. to sell Harley, Indian, BMW wow as well as the Lic they already had . GasGas, Ducati, KTM, Triumph there are probably more. Great Review on the Indian, Thanks buddy.
I have both brands. I used to scoff at people who said the dealer network was the reason to stick HD. But I have had multiple issues with my Challenger and the dealers suck. They don’t really know the bike, or have things like spare parts.
I want to see both in the market. Makes for better choices for us riders.
Agree with your Indian dealership experience. I bought a new 2020 Challenger and rode it for 3 years putting just shy of 30k miles on it. Spent more time in the dealership for repairs than all other bikes I have owned combined. I was constantly having electronic issues and weird codes popping up and the dealership was never able to find the problem. Made it difficult to have confidence in the bike even though it was comfortable for long trips and very fast.
@@NWF_Rider electronics issues plague the platform. My navigation works maybe 70% of the time, CarPlay maybe 30% of the time. I will not be buying another one of these for sure.
I love the looks of the brand, and I am glad that they are growing.
I don't have the coin to have a stable of bikes, but if I did, I would look at the Indian for sure.
I love my Tiger, but your video on the Super Tenere peaked my interest in looking elsewhere. If Indian were to make a shaft drive. ADV bike, I know that I would check it out.
Thanks for another great video!
TC.
Ps. I think that you and Brooke should consider a motorcycle inspired name for your baby. I think that Tiger works better than Scout and is less obvious than Harley.😂
A FTR 750 would be a wet dream.
Yes. I've been calling for both Harley and Indian to make a 750 flat tracker style bike but nothing yet.
The only reason i bought a HD was ... the nearest dealer is 3 hours away, on a good day.
Bought a new '23 Chieftain. Bought it over a new '23 street glide. The Indians ride, power, and price (base models) are quite a bit better. I always wanted a Harley but brand loyalty goes only so far..., and I've got Polaris sleds I'm happy with so there's that...
I think that there were some two stroke motorcycles in the 125-175 cc range labeled as Indian in the 1970's. Does anyone know who made them?
Thanks
Competition is good.
I'll keep riding my Victory's thanks.
Unfortunately Polaris will stop supplying parts in 2027. A lot of Victory riders are pretty pissed about that.
@@DifferentSpokesTV Yes but, Polaris didn't reinvent the wheel here. Several components easily cross over, several are generic, tires are tires, electronics are adaptable, drive belts are drive belts, after market will continue. Even the Polaris semi-synthetic oil argument runs flat.
A lot of guy's were pissed off when Ford discontinued the 1934 V8 Coupe. Funnyman mine is purring along just fine 90 years later.
Treat your Victory like a Collector bike, stock some important components don't ride it like a moron and given their indestructible nature I'm certain they'll keep running
At the 11:30 approx did you notice the Indian engine just start smoking?
I would say that the Royal Enfield is a serious rival to Harly Davidson. I love cruisers and when I went looking for a brand new one I went with the Royal Enfield Supper Meteor 650 over the Indians and Harly's for two major reason price and center stand.
My next bike will be an Indian motorcycle.
Name on bike manufacturer that is the same company today as it was in 1903.
I did grow up wanting a Harley. Although, I'm glad I bought an Indian instead. They just look way better in my humble opinion.
2023 scout bobber here, modified of course
I have boxes of titles for them 💯 facts and I have 12 buried in my backyard too
I would love to have an ftr but its engine is too big resulting in costing too much in fuel and its a bit out of my price range.
I hope Both brands go bk and the someone buys them and make decently priced bikes, indiand are
Ok but would buy one over the harley the fact they dont have a primary engines and trans separately to me it seems am buying a japanese bike for thr price of the harley also dont dig the looks. The victory on the other hand i almost
Bought lol
Great bikes! Its good to see Harley get pushed into making better bikes! However until Indian gets a lot used parts. 3rd party parts, accessories easily available, I'll stay with my HD Road Kind.
I love my scout...I also love my street glide. you shouldn't be brand loyal. ride what makes tou happy
Will definitely drop by GP Bikes to check out BMWs (esp. the new R12 due to be released soon) and Indians. Bought my used Sportster 1200 there a few years ago and would definitely buy from them again. Can't say the same for H-D - worst customer experiences (that's plural) I've ever had anywhere.
I like the look of the FTR & Pan America, so I'm obviously not a big cruiser fan. And I'm not from North Amarica, so made in the USA doesn't resonate with me so much.
Personally, I'd love to see a true XR-750 remake with a stripped down bike using the 975 engine. Until then I've got the x350 as an option with XR styling.
I have 2018 Scott 60 and love it and am glad Polaris was the one to revive the name!!!! Don’t get me wrong though have always liked Harley my problem is I want on true ones 60s on back. And as far as that goes on who just remember they sold out to AMF who really didn’t care about quality just crank out and if not for Reagan in the 80s putting high terrorist on over seas bikes and help bail Harley out they might have bit the bullet too.
I like the current Indian motorcycle brand, but am unlikely to buy one. I don't care for large displacement heavyweight bikes or their prices when new. The Scout and the FTR look good to me, but by the time they depreciate sufficiently to be within my price range, I may have aged out of two wheeled transport.
Nice, accurate info, but fail in the editing of the video, talking of 1950's but showing modern bikes, and it goes for the whole video 🙄
I do like Indian,I have wet dreams about them,,I love the look of them an there character,,an also cos im hot on the Indian bagger..but Indian has had too many owners..variables an sketchy history..thanks il stay with my big hog an admire Indian from a distance
Remember, Harley was owned by the bowling ball company for quite a while.
The management at Indian realizes that they must offer lower cost bikes to attract younger folks. They've started addressing this issue with the Scout. I expect smaller displacement Indian offerings in the near future. I don't think Harley will catch up or want to. Their loss is Indian's gain! Poor management is obvious at Harley these days! Their C.E.O. has got to go!
Indian all the way
I'd buy an Indian before I bought a Harley. I have two BMWs ('83 R80RT, 2012 R1200R Classic) and a Kawasaki (2012 Versys 650).
A good and impartial assesment of a company that would have found a lot more followers had it concentrated on Victory...! I mean, who wants a bike that looks like no more than a copy of a Harley. I certainly don't. Victory were taking the Touring bikes into the next century with a new and innovative look, and I was gettin all excited about this NEW American brand..... and then they disappeared ! Such a pity, as Victory could have won over the new and youger generation of bikers, had they stood their ground. Plus, if reviving the much handed around name of Indian was really necessary, then they should have stuck to just the FTRs and the Scout as the only Indian models..., that being an excellent way of inticing new wanna be riders onto the bike scene, who might eventually upsize to a Victory, having both names being sold under one roof. I'm sure we'd then not still be quarreling over who has the better bikes, the older brand name etc., had Polaris gone down this route. We would instead, now all be living in perfect harmony and content with what we are riding, all calling ourselves a part of a peaceful and fun and free loving Biker Community, Amen.
Everything Polaris makes is nearly indestructible .
🙋🏽♂️ I like motorcycles!
I ride a 2020 Harley Street Bob, and not interested in trading it any time soon. That being said, I think Indian is making Harley step up their game. I like no windshields, or crazy electronics, but I am the minority. The so called "Old School" Harley riders like my wife (she rides) and I are a dying breed. The majority of up amd coming riders are going to want more technology and I believe the younger generations don't dream about getting a Harley like I did, back in the day.
I miss Victory.