Comments on: First Official Pictures Of The New 2009 Indian Motorcycle Chief

By: Chris Christiansen

Chris Christiansen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:27:14 +0000

I have to agree with the person who asked if Stellican will offer a somewhat smaller/lighter framed model closer to the original and to the KIWI replicas. With S&S flathead division ready to release their large c.i. HD kunckleheads and a 45 c.i. authentic Indian engine…it’s time to start putting our “real” updated indians with combo hand/foot and tank/foot clutch 4 and 5 speed transmissions. KIWI has a low pricepoint Sport Scout in the works…yes. Reduce the massive weight of these KM mega cruisers and make them more rider friendly with a viable price point and LOOK OUT H-D!!!! As Bill O’Reilly would opine………..”What say you?”

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:26:06 +0000

If you are complaining about the price the bikes are obviously not intended for you.

Now I am not saying that I think they are worth $30k
but to build a quality, American built bike this may just be a fair price.

If you want a Fatboy go buy one.

I bet these guys sell EVERY DAMN ONE they build.

By: John Kalathas

John Kalathas — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:37:04 +0000

Looking forward to seeing them in Europe, soon.

By: ray c wheeler

ray c wheeler — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:10:14 +0000

I really hope this will work out for Indian. God knows that they have tried for years. However I would of worked with the public to see what they would like to see in an opening model. I’m not really excited about this design and the cost of it as well.

By: Hondo Cat

Hondo Cat — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:53:13 +0000

The only way I can see Indian making a profit is to be unique and capitalize on their full figured fenders. Something in the way of Cyril’s Miami NIce would be nice…….

By: Lyle

Lyle — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:38:28 +0000

Yeah, but it’s easier to build 750 bikes for more money each than 5000 for alot less. Hopefully some of the proceeds fromt eh first 750 bikes will enable the company to streamline their production which will enable them to eventually build 5000 bikes a year. I don’t think selling the 750 bikes is the problem, I would think building them is.

By: Jack Carter

Jack Carter — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:21:27 +0000

Genodeluxe. Do you know that in this very sluggish economy, upscale and high end items continue to have sales records? Reason? People with money are imune to a recession and make more money when things get tough for others.. Are you sure that in this economy it’s easier to sell 5000 bikes at $11,000 than 750 bikes at $30,000? Not me. I agree that the next Indian bike model should be a Scout. I bet for a Scout success at $19,000.

By: Genodeluxe

Genodeluxe — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:06:41 +0000

Snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
And Gee isnt this just the greatest way to
get the young back on bikes and interested in the hobby again
and only $30,000 and they are only building 750 bikes
why not only build 75 bikes and sell them for $300,000
or just one bike for 2.25 million. Such typical out of touch 2008 money manager mentality.

How about a 750 Scout “Bonniville” styled minimal Indian for $11,000.
And build 5000 bikes.

Doubt if they will be around next year at this time

By: Randy

Randy — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:03:18 +0000

Nice to read something intelligent from Pop.

By: pop

pop — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:05:23 +0000

OK. I own a Gilroy Chief. To the Hendee purists this. I have the title. It says Indian on it. It is what it is. End of story. Entertain fantasies of Indian dying in ‘53 and being left to rot in the grave so you can get some kind of Joan of Arc martyr rush about preserving the heritage or whatever floats your boat. It was reborn umpteen times and this is another rebirth. The heritage continues with or without you or me.
Stellican is no more my Indian than Gilroy was a Hendee Indian but they are all Indian. Let it go. You sound like my grandkids. It’s mine… no it isn’t… yes it is… no it isn’t. For crying out loud.
I didn’t like the pricepoint either and it was clear as day to me a year ago that thirty would be a lowball. If these guys have done their homework, they have a strategic plan for either a drop in the motorsports market or a growth. Either way 30 to 40k is the number. 750 is the model run and if it makes it’s numbers next year will see something give. Lower base price? Another model? Higher unit production?
As has been stated repeatedly, Stellican made their money restoring troubled iconic brands. It’s what they do and they have a track record. It’s not what I do. Do any of you?
These guys made it a point to finance this adventure with their own money , I assume by not accepting capital from investors they avoid becoming beholden to investors and speculators that could force them to conduct business by committee. It’s their money and they chose to grow it at a pace they decided was appropriate. Unless any of us know better how to spend their money restoring an icon, we might be better served taking a wait and see position.
My concern is that they don’t embarass the name. At first blush it doesn’t look like they will. It’s a good looking machine and the factory has proceeded cautiously. Time will tell if they fail or succeed.

By: Brett

Brett — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:30:07 +0000

Let’s see. I am not even close to hoping for Indian to fail. I just see a flaw in making a bike targeted at the rich. If I run a business, then I want as many people as possible to own my product. I guess I am not of the crowd that feels you buy a bike to put on display.

Also, say what you like, but this is not a Real Indian no matter how you want to slice it. Stellican bought the Indian name from the last group that failed after they made a mass marketing attempt to get their bike in the Terminator 3 movie.

Sorry, I just know for a fact the Novelty of motorcycles is over. I hope the rich collectors are still around to keep the company running.

By: J

Fri, 09 May 2008 19:50:48 +0000

Hmm… Yeah, if your target is 750 well-heeled consumers per year, if anything, Indian needs to bump UP the price a bit; Even if their per-unit cost basis is $20K, they’re looking at clearing just $7.5M net on the bikes, less whatever backend (warranty and misc) expenses they incur;

I doubt that’s enough of a ramp-up to remain around very long.

However, if this is just an excuse support the t-shirt and jacket business, as I suspected from the beginning, then this structure could work for Indian.

It would be nice to see more differentiation from the previous generation model, which can be found on e-Bay for between $10-15K no problem- it seems to me as is, there will be an awkward conversation, trying to explain to friends that you have the new, NEW, Indian, not the new Indian- lol.

Still a sweet looking bike, tho; Hope it works out for Indian.

By: Lyle

Lyle — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:34:27 +0000

I guess my biggest problem as an owner of an original is there’s been so many revivals of the name which have all been substandard bikes resulting in a cheapened reputation. I cringe everytime I hear another start up. My second concern is all the hype about being “America’s First Motorcycle” and other claims which it wasn’t. And the latest decade of new startups have based their bikes upon HD’s design. Separate tranny and engine resulting in an long powerplant and HD style primary covers. single cam engine based on an Evo. Oil tank not inside gas tank, Etc. funny thing is, Harley is starting to go to Indian’s old design: two cams, tranny bolted to the back of the engine etc. Having built both motorcycles and boats from scratch I know it’s harder to build a motorcycle with a proprietary engine but nontheless, they should use an Indian type design in my book. I realize much of the engineering has been worked out with their powerplant already but it’ll never be “Indian” in my way of thinking. Yeah, I wish them well as I’d rather have this company survive than to see yet another start up sometime in the future but I do have some concerns. Who knows, maybe if they are around when I retire and have a qualified dealer network, I’ll buy one…

By: Gomez

Gomez — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:15:08 +0000

Roy,
I do not make my living restoring or rebuiding vintage Indians, I however do own one. For my 2 cents, I’ve posted that I hope they make t, but fear they won’t, also, at $30K dealer markup, options, etc that is a lot to pay for a production m/c, period. Yep, I am not KMs target market, and yes, fools with money will step up to buy it because they can. Gilroy did the same marketing in the begining, selling the bikes at then an unheard price of $26k to Hollywood types. It sure worked for them, right?….

By: Lyle

Lyle — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:09:08 +0000

Uh, Sorry but Indian was not “America’s First Motorcycle.” I do wish the company well but I will stick to the old flatheads. The new one is obviously developed from a Harley Davidson/S&S/Evo design and isn’t what Indian would be building if they had been continuously producing since 1953. I’m not sure what the reference to AMF was in the earlier post unless it refers to HD being owned by them during the 70’s. The same thing could be said about Indian being owned by DuPont in the 30’s. Both DuPont and AMF kept their companies afloat during hard times and developed new innovations for their brands. This is a good thing not a negative. Again, I wish the new company well but untill I see running bikes and dealerships, I’ll be a skeptic. Building bikes is different than building boats. However they have come a long way. Good work!

By: Roy Soto

Roy Soto — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:03:52 +0000

I would like somebody to explain why some Indian lovers are so negative about the return of Indian with the Stellican company. The only reason I see is that these people are professionals making a living building replicas, fixing and restoring Indian bikes and are afraid to lose part of their business. To use Gilroy to bash Kings Point is childish. There are 2 different companies and as far as I understand what Cyril wrote the new company is very pro in its approach at returning new Indians on the road. Indian Motorcycle never died in the mind of many. The new Indian i’s a just a continuation, 2008 style, and I think the new Chief is beautiful.

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:46:15 +0000

Christopher. Like you I observe that those who were stating that Stellican was making empty promises and that the company would not release a bike before christmas have disappeared and don’t comment anymore!. I am thinking about buying one but I will not give a deposit until I see the Chief on a dealer’s floor and test ride it. Do we know about warranty?

By: Sid

Sid — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:59:48 +0000

Slag - if you want to criticize another person’s spelling within a blog comment, consider checking your own grammar as well:

“….If I didn’t agree then I would not be reading his blogs on here.”

By: Seymour

Seymour — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:59:17 +0000

Ha!

By: jspfc

jspfc — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:12:36 +0000

Here you go buddy. All you have to do is scroll up to your previous entry.

“If I didn’t agree then I would not be reading his blogs on here.”

Now go join the rest of the herd.

By: Slag

Slag — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:01:04 +0000

jspfc ,
This is my final reply to you. Where did I say I agreed with everything Cyril said on here ? I just agreed on the Indian issue. Now get back to your spelling class and I won’t disturb you anymore.

By: jspfc

jspfc — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:56:26 +0000

Sorry didn’t use spell check, my bad. But hey, at least you’re original. What a joke.

By: Slag

Slag — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:04:40 +0000

jspfc GET A CLUE and learn how to spell first.