Indian Bike: A History of Innovation and Style

The Early Years

The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom in Springfield, Massachusetts. The company's first motorcycle, the Indian Single, was a single-cylinder machine with a 1.75-horsepower engine.

In 1903, Indian introduced the Indian Twin, a twin-cylinder machine with a 2.75-horsepower engine. The Indian Twin was a huge success, and it helped to establish Indian as a major player in the motorcycle industry.

The Golden Age of Indian Motorcycles

The 1910s and 1920s were the golden age of Indian motorcycles. During this time, Indian produced some of its most iconic motorcycles, including the Powerplus, the Scout, and the Chief.

The Indian Powerplus was a high-performance motorcycle with a 4-horsepower engine. The Indian Scout was a smaller, more affordable motorcycle that was popular with both riders and racers. The Indian Chief was a large, luxurious motorcycle that was the flagship of the Indian lineup.

The Decline of Indian Motorcycles

The Great Depression hit the motorcycle industry hard, and Indian was no exception. In 1930, the company was forced to file for bankruptcy. Indian was purchased by E. Paul du Pont in 1931, and he helped to revive the company.

However, Indian continued to struggle in the post-World War II years. The company faced competition from both domestic and foreign manufacturers, and it was unable to keep up with the changing market. In 1953, Indian was forced to close its doors.

The Revival of Indian Motorcycles

In 1999, a group of investors purchased the Indian Motorcycle Company and began to produce motorcycles again. The new Indian motorcycles were based on the classic designs of the past, but they were updated with modern technology.

The revival of Indian motorcycles has been a success, and the company is once again a major player in the motorcycle industry. Indian motorcycles are known for their quality, style, and performance, and they are ridden by riders all over the world.