A Brief History of Indian Motorcycle®
One of the most popular American motorcycle brands for well over a century has been Indian Motorcycle®. These iconic bikes have broken records and overcome hardships over the decades, and they’re still going strong in the 21st century.
Curious to know more about the history of Indian® motorcycles? Gina's Motorsports of Monee is your official Indian Motorcycle® dealer here in Will County, so we’ve drawn up this brief history of this all-American manufacturer so you can learn more about the legacy of these popular bikes!
Hendee Manufacturing Company
Way back in 1897, George M. Hendee established his Hendee Manufacturing Company in Springfield, Massachusetts, in order to produce motorcycles, with names like Silver Queen and Silver King. Hendee altered the name to American Indian, which was subsequently shortened to Indian®. He hoped that this name would stand out in export markets in particular. Hendee took on a collaborator in 1900 named Carl Oscar Hedström in order to produce some new prototypes at the Worcester Cycle Manufacturing Company.
Growth & Expansion
As the company grew and released more bikes, the founders committed themselves to constantly refining their designs to improve their style and performance. In 1902, Indian® motorcycles boasted new features like chain drives. The very next year, Hedström broke world records by achieving a speed of 56 miles per hour on one of their bikes.
The company took its bikes to the racing circuit following this success, with their V-Twin factory racer becoming especially renowned for its record-breaking speeds. Indian Motorcycle® took elements from this bike’s design to incorporate them into their other models. And in 1904, the company began using its iconic bright red color scheme that’s become part of their legacy.
World War I
Indian Motorcycle® eagerly joined the war effort when the United States entered the fray. The company sold several of its 1917 and 1918 Powerplus motorcycles to the United States military for use on the battlefields of Europe. Many dealerships had to shut down as a result of the lost revenue, unfortunately, since the use of bikes for the war meant there were fewer for civilians.
World War II
Once again, when the United States Army needed motorcycles, Indian® provided them with bikes from their Scout, Junior Scout and Chief families. The most popular model that they used, though, was the 841, which saw extensive usage in northern Africa for desert riding.
Becoming a Household Name
Following the end of World War II in 1945, investor Ralph B. Rogers led a holding group to obtain controlling interest in Indian Motorcycle®. He soon gained control over the operations of the company, and several lines were discontinued. Lightweight motorcycles became the primary focus of production, and some new innovations appeared, like the Indian Head fender light and more chrome parts.
Fall & Rise
In 1953, however, production stopped as the company was shuffled between investors. After many changes of hands, the company went bankrupt in 1977 and the rights to the brand name passed through more owners until 1999, when the Indian Motorcycle® Company of America was formed through a merger, and production resumed.
After a few more false starts, Polaris Industries, the Minnesota-based manufacturer of highly sought-after powersports vehicles, acquired Indian® and resumed production of several classic models with updated designs. Today, customers can enjoy more powerful engines and more efficient performance on several different bikes, including the beloved Scout and Chief lineups.
Come by our Monee, Illinois, dealership to take a tour of our full stock of new and used motorcycles for sale, including Indian Motorcycle® models. Gina’s Motorsports of Monee welcomes all of our customers in Kankakee County and greater Chicago to pay us a visit for all their motorcycle needs!