Exclusive. Indian Motorcycle Company Launches The Blackhawk To Celebrate Its 110th Anniversary

In Sturgis Indian Motorcycle is going to display for the 1st time the new 2011 Chief Blackhawk (top picture, MSRP $29,999) and new color options for the Chief Dark Horse (following pictures in Red or Black, MSRP $27,999), with all 2011 Chiefs featuring the 110th anniversary badging and speedometer gauge.

I just told Indian that I absolutely love the new lines and details of the 2011 Blackhawk model. And you?

Indian Motorcycle accessories will also be on display and apparel will be available for purchase. The Indian Motorcycle show truck is located on the corner of 4th and Lazelle Street in downtown Sturgis. Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 in Springfield, MA , and one of the company’s original dealers, Pappy Hoel, is credited as the founder of the Black Hills Rally. To further celebrate this 110th anniversary milestone, Indian Motorcycle is inviting all 1901- 2010 Indian owners to park their motorcycles, VIP-style, beside the Indian Motorcycle event truck. There will also be a special display of vintage Indian Motorcycles during the rally at the 4th & Lazelle location. Indian’s goal this year is to provide a complete look at the past, present and future direction of the company.

All 2011 Indian Motorcycles feature the American built 105 cubic inch PowerPlus V-Twin power train with electronic closed loop sequential port fuel injection, a six-speed Baker transmission, Brembo 4-piston calipers with 11.5” dual rotors up front and a standard 5.5-gallon fuel tank, all-leather seats, etc.

Indian Motorcycle Company is also proud to be associated with Tribal Hope for the second year. A free ride will take place on August 10th from 4th & Lazelle in downtown Sturgis to Bear Butte to benefit the Native American charity. There will be free coffee and doughnuts from 8:30am- 9:30am at the Indian Motorcycle event truck. The ride will begin at 9:30am and end in Bear Butte where a speaker will share the history of Bear Butte, it’s significance to the Plain’s Indian people and information on challenges affecting the Native people today. Everyone is invited to ride for this great cause.

48 Responses to “Exclusive. Indian Motorcycle Company Launches The Blackhawk To Celebrate Its 110th Anniversary”


  1. 1 Chris Zemmer Aug 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 am

    You are right Cyril, the Blackhawk is beautiful. But agan in this ecoomy price is going to be an issue. Only for the rich & beautiful?

  2. 2 Shifter Aug 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 am

    Like the mini fairing and new seat/rear fender combo creating a brand new look. for Indian. But first say thanks to all one-off custom builders.

  3. 3 sammyd Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    Bags look a little out of proportion, Love the rest, been trying to find a seat like that for my 08 e-glide.

  4. 4 Chief Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Just when I had myself thinking I needed the Bomber…along comes the Blackhawk…wow!!! Amazing looking bikes…still a little out of my price range so I’ll keep on holding on to my 03′ Chief Roadmaster

  5. 5 Lyle Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    110th Anniversary?

  6. 6 darryl Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    Lyle: 2011 models = 110th Anniversary. Think twice before you write.

  7. 7 Chief Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    yeah..1901-2011…no one said it was a continuous 110 years!!

  8. 8 Uruz Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    Look at Harley, Victory, Big Dog, and now Indian. When is this industry going to see some real, affordable innovation in style (beyond a paint job). Same old models. Same old prices. I wish them all the best, but this are all ho-hums and blend-ins.

  9. 9 Little Chief Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    All the naysayers are hiding under a rock. Indian still with us. I Remember Cyril’s 1st posts where he said that the new Indian was a very serious business. Above is the proof. Will compete very well with Harley CVO’s. Well done.

  10. 10 Bruce Trez Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Wondering how the Blackhawk would look without the bags. Cyril, can you show a picture?

  11. 11 slider Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    I can’t wait to see these in Sturgis.

  12. 12 tejasandre Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    when I hear Indian, I want to see classic Indian. Guess its progress.

  13. 13 Inder Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    JUSt love It TOOOO Good

  14. 14 Deb L. Aug 3rd, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    It is beautiful! Everytime I think nothing can be topped, you do it again!!

  15. 15 Seymour Aug 3rd, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    None for me, thanks.

  16. 16 TodT Aug 3rd, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Wow, I like what they’re doing and I wish them the best of luck…..

  17. 17 Keith Aug 3rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    The New Indians are Beautiful bikes for sure!

  18. 18 fuji Aug 3rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Hear, Hear for Diversity !

    Competition may dictate that when Harleys are imported from India they may have a badge saying Indian on the side over the Harley Davidson logo similar to AMF .

  19. 19 Sheridan Aug 3rd, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    Cyril, is there any truth to the rumour that Indian will be unveiling a Scout model at Sturgis?

  20. 20 Iron Horse Aug 3rd, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I love my 2003 Chief and wouldn’t mind adding a 2011 Chief to the stable, but it would have to be either a Dark Horse, Bomber or Vintage. In my humble opinion, the Blackhawk is just ugly…but that’s just me.

  21. 21 BRAD Aug 3rd, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    ARE YOU ALL SMOKING CRACK!!!??? 2011 BLACKHAWK?!?!? NO WAY CAN THEY BE SERIOUS BUILDING THAT HIDEOUS MACHINE !! IF YOU THINK INDIAN GOT TROUBLE NOW THAT’LL BE THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR THEM !! PARK THE IDEA OF THAT RADIO ACTIVE MUTATION ON TOP OF A PILE OF YUGOS,PONTIAC AZTEKS AND 4-DOOR AVANTIS !!

  22. 22 Johny Happy Aug 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    Brad. In all societies there are people with the worst taste. You recognize them online by the fact that they write in ALL CAPS! The Blackhawk is a gorgeous bike. Send Cyril your POS so that we can laugh at you.

  23. 23 Johnny Cheapo Aug 3rd, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Brad, pretty arrogant of you to assume you know what everyone else looks for in a bike. Just reading this thread proves you wrong as a number of people like the look and that includes Cyril. It’s nice to see Indian giving the Chief a new look with a few bolt-ons.

    What I would really like to see from them is a new model line at a lower price point. Maybe someting in the high teens.

  24. 24 ROCKSTAR Aug 4th, 2010 at 2:15 am

    $29,999? guess they aren’t trying to sell any.

  25. 25 BRAD Aug 4th, 2010 at 5:34 am

    well ladies……time will tell where the arrogant attitudes and the bad taste come from

  26. 26 MDK Aug 4th, 2010 at 8:06 am

    It’s fugly as hell, well unless your a Son’s of Anarchy fan! I would love to have one of their new bikes but that price is way to steep as my local dealer still has half the bikes of the initial shipment since becoming a dealer almost 2 years ago.

  27. 27 Johny Happy Aug 4th, 2010 at 8:11 am

    MDK. If it’s fugly, why you would want yo owm one of their bikes? It’s fugly only because you don’t have the money to get one.

  28. 28 Grayhawk Aug 4th, 2010 at 9:06 am

    Is the hump/backrest on the rear fender a reflection/reference/look to the past from the original humped tool box compartment bolted to the rear fender of the early singles models?

  29. 29 busfreak Aug 4th, 2010 at 9:43 am

    I would love to have one but not at that price.

  30. 30 MDK Aug 4th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Johny Happy the Blackhawk my friend!

  31. 31 Lyle Aug 4th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    Greyhawk, the old hump back Indians used the hump for the fuel tank, not tool box. To me, these new Indians look more like 10 year old customized Harleys with their Evo inspired Engine and pre unit HD style drivetrain. Ironically, the new Twin Cam Harley’s are evolved with more of an Indian inspired design using two cams and semi unit construction. Both brands have sort of flip flopped on their design. Regarding my earlier question about their 110th anniversary, it’s still a question as I thought an anniversary was for a recurring event and Indian hasn’t been in production for not even close to that length of time. It should be more like the 2nd or 3rd anniversary. I do like the looks of the bikes however and the fit and finish is far better than that of the last “Indian” company.

  32. 32 Steve the producer Johann Aug 4th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    Hey I am so glad to see Indian doing well – see above article. Indian wisely decided to go with high end goods to set themselves apart from all the other mass produced big cruiser class bikes. Indian is an iconic bike that still thrills enough riders out their who are willing to pay for soemthing slightly different than everyone else.

    Good job Indian and keep up the great work – The bike looks sweat.

  33. 33 conrad nicklus Aug 4th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    Actually its not 110 yrs, apparently the people who brought Indian back to life the 5th or 6th time now can’t understand that the Indian name may be that old but in reality it would be about their 50th year if they are lucky.

  34. 34 Grayhawk Aug 4th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    I stand corrected Lyle,thanks

  35. 35 1550tc Aug 4th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    brought Indian back to life the 5th or 6th time now…..good point by younger Nicklas

    By Indian you guys mean Lazarus cycles don’t you lol

    Hey Conrad is that ole geezer dad of yours here in Lead yet??

    This is like a cross between a, SOA fxr with corbin bags and that ugly piece of shit front fender

    Didn’t Kawasaki knock off Indiand and do this bike in 05 as a drifter 1500 with no bags and shocks???

  36. 36 Joyce Remner Aug 4th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    An extremely beautiful motorcycle. It can become an Indian Classic. Great taste all over. Who could appreciate more than Cyril? Deco lines, baby. Understand if you can.

  37. 37 Dave Blevins Aug 4th, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I am glad to see the Indian name back in production, I won’t buy one because… hell I build motorcycles and ride what I build, but still I am happy to see the old big-fendered bitch back on the road.
    An American bike with a lot of history, maybe not for everybody, but what is?
    Best of luck Indian.

  38. 38 Todd8080 Aug 4th, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    an·ni·ver·sa·ry –noun
    1.the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event

    “Yearly recurrence.” You can’t skip half a century and still call it an anniversary.

    Thirty grand for an ugly Harley clone? No thanks. You could buy a nice low-mileage Evo Fat Boy or Heritage and slap reproduction Indian fenders on it for around ten grand.

    Oh, and you’ll need a Doss teardrop nacelle so people who know nothing about motorcycles will be completely fooled into thinking it’s not a Harley.

    http://westcoastdist.com/store/Index.htm?cat34.htm

  39. 39 COON Aug 4th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    I LIKE THE LOOK’S BUT I KNOW THAT MOTOR AND BUILDER’S !! SOME NAME OUT HERE TO MISS ALL FROM THE OLD GILROY FAMILY! WOULDNT HAVE GOTTIN THIS FAR WITH OUT THEM ,WENT TO THE AUCTION WAS A SAD DAY’ COON

  40. 40 martin Aug 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    I owned an Indian Chief 1953 my brother gave it to me when I was old enough to ride it,rode it for twenty two years,and the best I can remember the company went from1901 to 1953,that’s not a hundred and ten years,however there is a couple of copy’s Kiwi and Chris Craft……..

  41. 41 nuno maroco Aug 6th, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    Very refreshing bikes, good luck to the company, the loock is great the engine magnific.

  42. 42 TPEvans Aug 6th, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Looks great. I want one. And, if successful, a bunch of hard working folks in North Carolina get to earn a living making them. As far as those wanting innovation – innovate what? It’s a two wheeled gas powered mode of transportation. One wheel has to be in fornt of the other. Been basically this way for over a hundred years. So Indian should start building racing go-karts or lawn mowers? Maybe a trailer full of rechargeable ni-cads and a Skill-Saw motor?

  43. 43 Conrad Nicklus Aug 6th, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    1550TC,

    Yes sir, we are both here. Got here Wednesday!!! Come swing by The Golden Hills Resort in Lead, you wont miss the Yellow set up!!!

  44. 44 parker Aug 9th, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Give me a break from the morons please. The Chief doesn’t look anything like a Harley. Beautiful looking bikes. I can tell by looking at the bikes that they will do well much to the chagrin of the haters.

  45. 45 Westie Bruce Aug 26th, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    i used to restore the the old 42 indians and prayed the Indians would be reserected …i know its just my opinion ,but the designers of this blackhawk have done miracles …love the rake …..this bike rocks…… pity we wont ever see any in New Zealand at this price though

  46. 46 29 Roadster Aug 29th, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    I am impressed with the Black Hawk and like the modern seat and how the classic fenders blend so well with the modern additions. I’m sure this will appeal to a larger audience. I’m not a big fan of bags; I guess I’m more of a minimalist, although I have installed them on my bikes because they are practical. But I like how they work on this bike. Having said that, I’ll bet the bike looks even better when they’re removed. Thumbs up to IMC.

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