Country of Origin:
United States
Founder:
George M. Hendee & Oscar Hedstrom
Best Known For:
America’s oldest motorcycle marque; Scout/Chief cruisers, flat-track legends, and modern performance cruisers
Company History
Founded in 1901, Indian set early speed and endurance benchmarks, from Hedstrom’s meticulous engines to Burt Munro’s land-speed lore. The Scout and Chief became archetypes—low seat heights, tractable torque, and elegant fenders—while factory racers dominated board tracks and later flat track with the FTR lineage. Mid-century closures and brand purgatory ended with a modern rebirth under Polaris in 2011, pairing American style with robust engineering and electronics. Thunderstroke and PowerPlus engines brought credible shove; aluminum frames, quality brakes, and ride-by-wire/IMU suites made the bikes feel contemporary. The FTR street tracker expanded identity beyond cruisers, while Challenger’s liquid-cooled platform pushed touring performance. Historically, Indian is the twin to Harley in the American myth—but with its own cadence: a mix of racing bona fides and sculptural design. Today’s Indians ride like resolved machines, honoring silhouettes without being trapped by them, reminding riders that heritage can propel innovation when backed by serious resources.
