History of Indian Motorcycles

In 1897, George M. Hendee, an industry pioneer, founded a bicycle production company called the Hendee Manufacturing Company. In 1901, together with co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Herdstrom, they opened the company's first factory in downtown Springfield. An incredible fifty years of motorcycle production and innovation followed, solidifying their position as leaders in cultivating a true American riding culture. In 1923, the company changed its name to The Indian Motocycle Company, and it's interesting to note that they initially spelled "motocycle" without an 'r' when used with the name Indian. Less than two decades later, the Jackpine Gypsies rider group from Sturgis, South Dakota, held a race known as the Black Hills Classic, which eventually grew into the world's largest motorcycle rally. Throughout its early years, the company displayed remarkable resilience, achieving groundbreaking success in innovation and on the racetrack despite facing challenges like the Great Depression and two world wars. Surprisingly, the brand survived these tumultuous times and made significant contributions to the war efforts during WWI and WWII by providing essential vehicles to American and French troops on the ground.

In 1953, Indian Motorcycle hit the brakes on production, marking the start of a five-decade hiatus in the company's fascinating history. During this time, there were attempts to keep the brand alive, with the 'Indian Motorcycle' name appearing on various imported bikes. However, these years were marked by ownership changes and uncertainty, straying from the successful path laid out by Indian Motorcycle's original trailblazers. In 1998, Indian Motorcycles made a brand-exclusive comeback. A merger of nine companies formed the Indian Motorcycle Company of America (IMCA), and they set up a production facility in Gilroy, CA. The IMCA brought back some modified versions of Indian's successful early models like the Chief and Scout. Unfortunately, the IMCA faced financial challenges and went bankrupt in 2003. However, the story didn't end there. A London-based private equity firm called Stellican Ltd. purchased the Indian Motorcycle assets. They established a manufacturing facility for Indian Motorcycles in King's Mountain, North Carolina, where they produced a modest number of bikes. The turning point came in 2011 when Polaris Industries stepped in and acquired the Indian Motorcycle Company. This move decisively set the stage for a fresh start and brought back the reminiscent success of the company's early days of remarkable growth. 

The 2010s have been an exhilarating decade for Indian Motorcycle, marked by remarkable development and growth. Thanks to Polaris Industries' acquisition in 2011, the company experienced a revitalization that rekindled the spirit of its early pioneers from the 20th century. Today, the Indian Motorcycle Company stands at the forefront of innovation, boasting high-performing technology and forming rewarding partnerships. Their lineup of authentic and iconic bikes continues to expand, capturing the essence of the brand's heritage. Moreover, Indian Motorcycle remains committed to its legacy of supporting the military. In 2015, the company launched a meaningful and long-term partnership with Veteran's Charity Ride (VCR) to Sturgis. VCR, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing healing experiences for wounded, severely injured, and amputee veterans from all military branches. Together, they positively impact and give back to those who have bravely served our country. 

Now that you know the extraordinary history of the Indian Motorcycle company, it is time to realize its greatness by taking a test drive of one! To do so, head down to Dick Scott Auto Group and speak with one of our team members, who will happily set you up! If you enjoy your test drive, our finance team will take it from there, getting you a great deal! You can also view our complete Indian Motorcycle inventory here on our website!