The History of Indian Motorcycles (The Fall and Rise of Indian) 

Gotta say, the new Indians look pretty good, and the company isn't trying to become a boutique brand like 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.

I had an old uncle that owned a 1920's scout and a 1946 chief. I have always loved looking at those old pictures of him on his bikes. I very nearly inherited the chief, but missed it because some scrap iron guys got to it first and recycled it. Not to be discouraged, I finally bought a brand new scout in 2022. Awesome bike, a memorial to the old Indians and my Uncle George.

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!

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.

LONG LIVE INDIAN!!

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 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.

I’ve owned 6 different Indian motorcycles. My current bike is the 2023 Pursuit Darkhorse Icon. I absolutely LOVE this bike. Indian bikes are fantastic.

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.

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.

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!

The Indian is the better buy. Plain and simple.

This is why im subscribed, Keep up the great content🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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!

Love my Springfield. 65k miles.

I Love my Scout!!! (after suspension upgrades)

Good stuff. When is baby day? Remember sleep now, after you won't..

I've been binge watching your videos. It's a good way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. Thank you 👍

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.

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.

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 love my FTR! Could we see an Excelsior revival in the future?👀

Great video. I love my Scout!

I absolutely love Indian. Polaris is doing a great job with them.

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!

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.

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. 😂

A FTR 750 would be a wet dream.

My ‘15 Indian Scout was voted Motorcycle of the Year and Cruiser of the Year. Turns heads everywhere. It’s a keeper !

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!!

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!

The original company may be gone, but the brand lives on. And that’s okay. Many brands have been revived and no one talks about those like they do Indian. Like it or not, the Indian brand lives on and it’s here to stay.

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

FTR1200 is so good, going to get me one of those

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 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.

I just bout an Indian FTR Carbon R, and I absolutely love it!

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!

Would love to try one but, honestly, I can’t see replacing my Goldwing DCT Tour. The automatic transmission has been revolutionary.

They market the bikes like they have been making them since 1901. Just seems a little misleading. Nice bikes though.

There is not much to complain about with the Indian range but there is one major flaw that holds them back from being a serious contender and that’s after sales, getting anything from cables to clutches from exhaust to aftermarket there is nearly nothing there. I have a friend who needed to rebuild his clutch , the parts took 4 months to arrive.

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

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.

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.

Traded up from Victory Gunner to Indian Cheiftain, to Roadmaster to Pursuit. Every bike made by Polaris is a dream machine compared to clunker Harley’s

I have a 2020 Scout 60 and love it.

9:35 Yes, Harley, tell us about that Cagiva 125 (2 stroke...) bearing your name back in the Eighties 😜

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

Love my 2023 Roadmaster, had a 2000 Vic SC, then a 2016 Vic Magnum. Polaris knows what their doing.

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 a 2024 springfield darkhorse love it

The only reason i bought a HD was ... the nearest dealer is 3 hours away, on a good day.

I like it: "How many Springfields could there be in the United States?" Sixty-seven. That's right, 67. So maybe it's OK to specify Sprinfield, Massachusetts...

Indian all the way

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.

When Indian closed up, a Dump by the company was filled with new parts still in their boxes.

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

Could you link that date you had about reliability you showed that compared the brands?

I’m from Springfield Illinois and there a Springfield in Missouri too so I’m glad u specified 😂 I just looked it up there’s one in Ohio Tennessee and Kentucky as well and Florida and arizona and Nebraska and Minnesota and Virginia and Colorado and Michigan and Indiana and Oregon and Louisiana. Just looked it up 34 of the 50 state have a Springfield so to answer ur question yes it was a good thing to specify 😭😂

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 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

I love my scout...I also love my street glide. you shouldn't be brand loyal. ride what makes tou happy

My dream bike is a Indian chieftain elite love the Indian motorcycle

At the 11:30 approx did you notice the Indian engine just start smoking?

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.

2023 scout bobber here, modified of course

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 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 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.

Everything Polaris makes is nearly indestructible .

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

Just got an Indian 🇺🇸 Chief Bobber ABS Black Metallic.. Love Indian Brand...left Harley for Indian 🇺🇸 Made in the USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Hire American 🇺🇸 Remember that in November 2024 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 MAGA

🙋🏽‍♂️ I like motorcycles!

Every Harley owner who's tried and Indian wishes they hadn't bought a Harley

Never been a fan of harley Davidson I owned many yamahas since 1965 rode a few Harleys the ride feels clunky to me I think I will give indian a try like the style and looks

I want to see a modern inline 4 can bet that bike got LEGS!!!

I miss Victory.

The only thing I don’t like about Indian Motorcycles is their name. Reminds me of an era when you could be more, ehem, racist, and call things whatever you wanted. The brand wasn’t founded by native Americans nor it has any relationship with them.

Just for reference there are 67 some municipalities named Springfield in the USA.

I think Indians are great bikes. I ride an old honda VTX 1800. But I think if I were going to get an American bike it would probably be an Indian.

Very nice video as usual. I think Indian is a great alternative for people who like classic-styled cruisers but also dislike the typical Harley-scene. In addition I personally think the FTR 1200 is one of the best-looking motorcycles out there (and I too hope for a FTR 850 one day). My only reservation is my own (Canadian) 'woke-ness': I do not want to 'own an Indian', a name that is taken from the term was given by colonizers to the aboriginal people of this continent and as such is now considered a derogatory term in Canada. Of course I understand that this is not an issue at all for most people and that is perfectly fine with me.

I like Kiwi Indian

Ummm polaris va amc...??? Lolol Indians are sharp :-)

I've compared the two plenty.... in no way shape or form are Indians "cheaper" than harley 😂😂 but sure..

I'd get a Royal Engield before I buy another Harley. I have no opinion on Indian at all...

I will stick with my Triumphs 😎😎 paying top dollar to be surrounded by fat overweight short inside leg old men in leather vest gets boring fast….

The Indian name is not a plus in my book. It evokes memories of archaic hard-tails, obsolete flatheads and silly revivals made by cheap Far Eastern brands that never made it in America. I'd be more interested in looking at the Indian line-up if it were branded Polaris. That's a company with a solid reputation. But then I'm from Alaska where Polairs built a huge reputation or inovation and reliability in the '60s, '70s and '80s. Aside from the nameplate I hate, I'm also put off by the fake flathead engine design on their cruisers ( I also do not like the fake carborators on my 2020 Triumph Bonneville T120, but I overlook that because the bike has truely modern fule injected performance and weighs in at under 500 pounds). The Indian retro look is simple too over-the-top for my taste and the brand-name has only negative connotations. Indian has one or two decent bikes on the market, which would be more appealing to me if they were branded as Polaris. Polaris would be well advised to forget the Harley market and start going after the KTM market.😎

Indian makes poor bikes and they stole a solution from HD, patented it and caused HD to almost go bankrupt. Watch "Harley and the Davidssons" for details. I read a long term test of a FTR. It was a long list of problems. Coldstart issues and it generally run poorly. Plus a number of other fails. Looks good though. But... Second hand value is low. For a good reason. HD holds its value much better.

I clicked thinking bikes made in India 🙄🤣

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've owned all kind of bikes throughout my life and now I just purchased my first Indian and truly love it

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.

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.

Love your videos

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.

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!?

My next bike will be an Indian motorcycle.