Indian was the great rival of Harley-Davidson, and for many years it was just as successful. Original Indians are some of the most sought-after American classics.
The milestones
- 1901. The company was established as the Hendee Manufacturing Company in Springfield, Massachusetts, by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom.
- 1920, the Scout. Designed by Charles B. Franklin. Its gearbox was bolted to the engine and driven by gears rather than a belt or chain.
- 1922, the Chief. It had a 1,000 cc (61 cubic inch) engine based on the Powerplus engine, and a year later the engine was enlarged to 1,200 cc (73 cubic inch).
- 1953. The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was declared bankrupt and original production ended.
- Later. The brand changed hands several times. Polaris Industries acquired Indian in 2011 and began making motorcycles under the name from August 2013. In February 2026 Polaris sold a majority stake to the private equity firm Carolwood LP.
What to know when buying
- Original or modern. Only Indians made until 1953 are classics in the usual sense. Later machines sold under the name are different motorcycles. Check the year in the papers.
- Numbers and papers. American bikes often come with a title rather than a European registration document. See papers and proof of ownership and importing from outside the EU.
- Restoration. Many Indians have been restored, sometimes with reproduction parts. Ask what is original. See originality and patina.
- Inspection. Get an expert to look at an expensive bike. See the pre-purchase inspection.
Parts and community
Specialists and clubs in the United States and Europe support the original Indians. See clubs and federations and finding parts.
