Comments on: New Indian Motorcycle Dealers Announced

By: TJ

TJ — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:18:57 +0000

In my opinion anybody buying a bike for 15-20k; hell even 10k is out of their mind. If you have a garage and can work on your bike or customize your own 1k- 4k bike then thats American spirit and ingenuity. Your also still supporting the dealers by buying parts.

I about threw up at the dmv the other day watching this guy practice his test to get his first license on a 40k bike. Could not even keep it from wobbling.

Get your hands dirty and your knuckles bloody and build your bike. Harley and Indian are both overrated and over priced. Hey look Im a BIker cause I bought a new Harley. Maybe I should buy some shiny Harley boots to go with my new ride.

I do hope Indian can stay around this time, but give me a classic anytime and chop and rock.

Ride on and ride what you want. Bigger the bike smaller the banana.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:06:34 +0000

Hey, don’t know what all the arguing is about, this is a company trying to bring back a bit of nostalgia to the motorcycling world. I say good for them and I wish them well in their endevor. next, what is all the fuss about what they want to charge for their bikes, it’s up to the consumer wether or not they want to buy one. Guy’s will go out and spend a fortune on cloned automobiles( e.g. Shelby’s,Chargers, Z-28’s ect. ) so why not a bike. I personally could not afford one but if I could, the vintage Chief looks pretty damn good to me. So in my opinion, in today’s world the way the economy is anything that keeps people employed aqnd happy is O.K. in my book.

Ken Withers
Guelph, Ontario.
Canada.

By: bikeguy

bikeguy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:50:15 +0000

Indian is opening two Fl dealers this year and three or four in Cali. I have no problem paying the $$$ for a hand assembled bike….unlike the CVO stuff from HD that’s put together by a bunch of $8/hr former McDonalds workers. Dealers in the metro areas won’t have any trouble selling 50+ units….there won’t be a dealer every 500 yards like the “other” American bike manufacturer. I rode the ‘09 at the opening in Charlotte…..great product and looked fabulous. I wish Indian all the best…and put me on the list to buy one.

By: jons

jons — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:53:51 +0000

I looked at opening an Indian Franchise. 10,000 sq. ft. required and over $1.5 Million plus parts and inventory financing. You have to sell 5O units per year to break even. If you want a better chance at making money, give it to Madoff.
Good Luck Indian Dealers. You will need it.

By: John

John — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:38:44 +0000

For the past few years, Indian Motorcycle’s engineering staff, led by VP of Engineering Nick Glaja, have logged thousands of hours developing, evaluating and refining each and every engineering detail. Rigorous testing continues until each component has proven its durability and performance. There will be no rush to market. Mr. Glaja, also a motorcycling industry veteran, was Principal Engineer of Powertrain Technology at Harley-Davidson before joining Indian.

By: ZRacing

ZRacing — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:28:30 +0000

Crazy, definitely. Cowboy………doubt it. Obviously 35 years in the “business” and you didn’t learn a thing except how to display your lack of respect and intelligence to other people in this forum. The truth is you were probably canned, but why the h*** do I care.

Did you ever think that HD can sell a bike for 18k because they make more money on merchandise than they do bikes? C’mon now I don’t have a preference for ANY “mainstream production” bike, and I’m not raggin on HD, but let’s be honest here HD sells more freakin T-Shirts in a day than they’ve sold bikes since 1905.

I am looking for the day that a TRUE AMERICAN designed, manufactured, and assembled motorcycle with technology and innovation that is “off the chart” and not some overpriced 100 year designs that are still being marketed as something unique.

I think Indian needs to follow HD’s success plan with selling “the lifestyle” and HD needs to focus more on up to date designs. Neither are perfect and neither are junk. Both NEED improvement.
With this economy, it comes down to who is better at selling the merchandise(image). Besides cowpolk, whatta you ride, or do you……

Cowboy you stick to the farm and let us “real bikers” worry about what Indian is doing/not doing.

By: Nicker

Nicker — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:19:17 +0000

Oooops…..!

RE:
“…I could be mistaken (but i doubt it)…”

Sorry, looks like i WAS mistaken….

see:….http://www.gwrramassw.org/trike_history.pdf
“… Although a gentleman named Pennington built some machines around 1895 (it’s uncertain whether any of them actually ran), the first US production motorcycle was the Orient-Aster, built by the Metz Company in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1898. It used an Aster engine that was a French-built copy of the DeDion-Buton, and predated Indian (1901) by three years, and Harley-Davidson (1902) by four…”

-nicker-

By: Lyle

Lyle — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:35:04 +0000

My point is there were other producers of motorcycles in 1901 that far exceeded Indians production. What is Indian’s definition of “mass production?” I think they made 2 bikes in 1901. By then each of those other companies were producing hundreds in the US. Indian didn’t’ get into that level until 1904 or so. Even the original factory literature never said “America’s First Motorcycle.” I have some old ads that say “America’s Pioneer Motorcycle,” but that means something entirely different as you can be a pioneer (one of the first) without being the “first.” I don’t have anything against Indian, and those that know me know I’m probably one of the biggest Indian enthusiests out there, but if I hear BS, I’ll call em on it. And that’s what it is: BS. Indian’s early claim to fame had more to do with racing than production. I wish them well, but they have nothing to do with the original company. There does seem to be enough hype over the new ones so maybe they can sell enough to stay afloat (no pun intended for Chris Craft, another good old brand that they own too). I really hope so. We all love the brand which is why we’re all passionate about the subject.

By: Frank338

Frank338 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:00:41 +0000

I agree with J that leaving Florida and Calif off the list of dealers is not a wise move, but it’s there $$. I don’t agree that just because the bikes are $35k that is a sign they are going to make it….yes the rich will still buy toys in a recession, but do the rich want to throw their easy earned monies at another Indian?
We’ll see.

Frank

And on a side note…..geez guys, grow up and quit yer bitchin’, I can’t believe all the sniping going on here!! Whaddya all married to each other?

Lyle, your facts seem correct, but Indian is still considered the First Production m/c because of the mass production Hendee and Hendstrom did in Springfield.

By: just my opinion

just my opinion — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:16:35 +0000

MADE BY AMERICANS IN AMERICA …………..ENOUGH SAID
GOOD LUCK AND MUCH SUCESS TO INDIAN

By: Lyle

Lyle — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:45:24 +0000

OK, I wanted to make sure I was correct. America’s first commercially mass produced and advertized motorcycle was the Orient in 1898. They were also the first to use the word “Motorcycle” in their advertising that same year. So I guess you could say they were America’s First Motorcycle. Prior to this, they had been making motorized pacer bikes since about 1895. There was also the Marsh which was advertised and mass produced in 1900 but Mr. Marsh had been experimenting with motorized bicycles long before this. These were both well known brands in their day. This is bona fide, not like Harley which produced a few castings in 1903 and didn’t market a motorcycle until 1905 but that’s another story….

By: Lyle

Lyle — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:49:33 +0000

I believe the first production motorcycle in the USA was built in 1898 and by 1901 there were several manufacturers. I could be wrong. None of these early manufacturers lasted more than a few years which may lead some to think Indian was the first. I guess my point is the “hype” the new company claims which sorta implies they were in constant production and are tied to the original company. I ride the old ones and I own several Harleys as well, but all these “claims” are a real turn off. If I were to spend that kind of money on a bike, I’d buy an original and have money left over. I’m not saying the new ones aren’t worth it as I haven’t seen them in person. Just that I wouldn’t buy one. I do wish the company well and hope they last this time but I think the jury’s still out….

By: keith

keith — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:30:06 +0000

If I must be succinct, they were America’s first PRODUCTION motorcycle, thus Americas first. My ” first cloned in 1903″ statement is a tongue-in cheek,light-hearted jab at Harley and not meant as an exact reference.
I love Indian motorcycles and I’m thrilled they are making a serious go. I do worry about this terrible economy, and the fact that our government thinks throwing gasoline on the flames via socialist corporate bailouts is gonna fix things when in fact will only throw us inot a depression, but I hope Indian builds a quality bike and it’s reputation is restored.

By: Nicker

Nicker — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:24:07 +0000

RE:
“… Indian was not America’s original motorcycle …”

Hmmmm…..??
Lets see now.
At the turn of the last century the bicycle racers were using powered bicycles to draft behind.
At first these things were so slow and unreliable that the racers could sometimes peddle past them.

But as motorized bikes were improved they became commercially viable as a commodity.
Certainly, there were many “garage” builders in that era.
However, as an advertised commercial venture, as i understand it, Indian was the first in the US.

I could be mistaken (but i doubt it)
-nicker-

By: JT

JT — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:21:49 +0000

Oh goody, their gonna open another Indian dealership in Dallas. Let’s see, the first one in Dallas went bankrupt, so did the second one, so did the third one, but the 4th one, oh yeah, it went bankrupt as well. Let me guess, it’s a car dealership guy….so were 2 of the last 4. Those guys will never learn. Good luck.

By: burnout

burnout — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:55:06 +0000

Yeah, great BIG balls! I wish success to all the dealers. Also, J, someone might put a satellite dealership in CA and FL? It could happen! I kid. peace

By: WILLIE

WILLIE — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:33:02 +0000

I wish them the best i really liked the 99-2000 Chiefs with the S&S motors they where real nice rides .and i think they where going for twentys back then .When ever somebody builds something in the USA that”s great for us all .GOOD LUCK

By: Brad Brown

Brad Brown — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:06:52 +0000

Crazy Cow Boy comments are worth nothing. He is a well known basher of Indian all over the net because of professional jealousy. I wish a lot of success to the new Indian company.

By: Jeff Nicklus

Jeff Nicklus — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:32:33 +0000

Whether you love or hate the Indian Motorcycle is totally immaterial here ….. I am just glad to see someone with the balls to open any new dealership and risk the financial exposure in today’s motorcycle environment. I say “Good Luck” to them.

Over & Out,

Jeff

By: Lyle

Lyle — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:35:34 +0000

Indian was not America’s original motorcycle and they quit making them in 1953. However I do wish the New Indian Motorcycle company well. But they should’nt be making claims as “America’s First”
or “Since 1901″ as they weren’t, and there was more time between then and now when they were out of production. But maybe they will vindicate themselves this time by staying alive and everyone will be eating their words. On the same note, they weren’t first cloned in 1903 either. If the reference is being made to Harley, their first motorcycle (first marketed in 1905) didn’t look at all like Indian’s early “Camelback” style bikes.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:04:06 +0000

Oh, for the record…I would be willing to bet that crazy cowboy is part of the pathetic crazy horse crew.
sad dudes for sure.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:02:19 +0000

Sweet!
Long Live America’s Original Motorcycle.
First cloned in 1903.

By: Tmanmaui

Tmanmaui — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:55:29 +0000

Been watching the Indian fiasco for the last 20 years–who has the marks? Or are they still scattered across the planet? Remember the past attempts? What happened? Do we learn EVER? I hope it is successful this time, but the customer service area is the major area for sure! There are people out there with money-remember RUBS??? They are still there! It’s not like the old days where service was the thing-now it’s all money-no knowledge! Know how to change your oil? How about CHECK the level? hahahahahahahaha I’ve had to deal with the idiots that call themselves “bikers” since Harley went Corporate-think about it-now Indian? please Tmanmaui

By: Dan Broder

Dan Broder — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:17:42 +0000

Cowboy. 1- I don’t believe one second that you are retired from the industry. 2- Any company is in business to make money. 3- An Indian Chief, the way the new company built it, can’t be sold for 20 K. or they wouyld sell it at this price. 4- You can’t afford a 35K motorcycle. 5- They will not need a bailout, buy you need to be intellectually rescued because you don’t sound very bright when expressing your comments. Rescuing a brand is to keep it alive, not pleasing idiots like you who have no clue about business and would bankrupt any company in less than 3 months. I agree with one of the comments above. To support Indian is to support the motorcycle industry. We all know that cowboys don’t like Indians. Indian Motorcycle doesn’t need you.

By: harry

harry — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:19:28 +0000

Do I want to see Indian succeed? Yes, but it seems like the way they are doing it is all backasswards. There is a place for the high-dollar flagship bikes but at the same time they need a weapon to go after their competitors (H-D & Victory) and build a bike in the $12,000-$17,500 catergory that will appeal to a bigger majority of the bike riders out there. Dunno about you all out there but I’m not rich but if the time ever came for a new motorcycle I could afford a bike that was in the $12,000-$17,500 price range as opposed to $30,000+ for a bike. Just my opinion…

By: crazycowboy

crazycowboy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:51:28 +0000

Professor “Lugnut” spare us with the intellectual jargon……….

Truthfully, the only “nut” here is you……..I take it that you are also part of the Indian rescue crew???!!!……….Please Professor……..I think that you are a day late and a dollar short…..I seriously don’t think that Indian will be included in the bailout package……..what do you think Professor???…Please tell us….we are all dying to know how such a sophisticated mind like your thinks……..

Let me guess Professor…………you won the Nobel Prize??……am I right??

Get a life…..dude….

Crazy Cowboy out.

By: Lugnut

Lugnut — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:06:19 +0000

Thank you CrazyCowboy. I think I now have a better understanding of the illogical mind. Medicare, Social Security, bailing out GM – it all is stating to make some sort of twisted sense.

I know you must be relieved that there is no law requiring anyone to buy an Indian. Therefore, – and this is really important – only people that want to spend $33,000 on an Indian will do so. I may not – but I do wish all those who do so well. I will admire the bike, and be thankful for the jobs their purchases support.

To be fair and logical, I am thankful for the jobs you support in the psychiatric field.

By: madpuppy

madpuppy — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:37:13 +0000

Quit fighting kids ! I`m trying to take a nap .

By: Chief53

Chief53 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:37:07 +0000

Long live Indian!

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:36:00 +0000

Support the motorcycle industry. Support Indian.