If this is a glimpse of things to come, 2009 may be the first AND last year of the new Indian Motorcycle Company.

I wish then well, but with the current economic situation, and this horrible design, I can't see much success.

They should just keep this reincarnation of Indian small, lean, mean and redesign this ugly pig.

Has American Iron Horse gone into bankruptcy? This economy SUCKS!

Wow, is that thing overpriced. I have a Stratoliner which has much better technology, a bigger V-Twin, and art deco styling. The fully chromed model cost me $13,000. Indian wants an additional $499 for Indian fenders????  It comes in black??? $31,000????

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Wow....LOTS of negativity here. 

I think this is a beautiful looking bike, especially the vintage.  Some folks complain that the style is too old-fashioned and not "innovative".  Personally, I think it would have been huge mistake to come out initially with something other than the "classic" Chief look.  The people who will be buying the first bikes will be people who know the Indian name.  They know what a Chief is supposed to look like.  If you start out with some radical design change you are risking failure from the get-go.  Once the brand gets up and going..THEN start with the innovations on new models.  Besides, not everyone likes sleek, lean, "innovative" styles.  For example, I think Victory's are ugly, along with most jap and Harley cruisers.

The Indian is not for everyone.  It is not meant for the masses, and will never be mass-produced.  They only plan on making 750 the first year.  Will they sell that many?  Probably.  Even though the economy may be a bit sluggish right now, the target market for this bike is usually not affect much, if at all, by economic downturns.  Obviously I'm sure they want to increase that over the years but they will never crank out 8-10,000/yr.

I suspect Stellican want to market the Indian (at least for now) to the 40+ generation with money to spend, who wants a bike that will set them apart from the Harley crowd.  You can't deny that Indian motorcycles are head-turners.

I also think Stellican's strategy has been brilliant.  They have identified their market and done their research.  They are taking it slow and are committed to building a quality machine.  They are NOT a public stock company so they are not beholden to the almighty stockholder.  Does that guarantee they won't fail?  No.  But I'd be willing to bet they'll be around awhile.

Finally....I'm 49 years old.  I started riding in 2004 when my wife bought me my '04 Suzuki Volusia.  Since then I've developed a passion for Indian motorcycles.  I was hoping the new bike would cost about the same as a high end Harley.  Am I disappointed?  Yes.  But I hope one day to own a red, tan leather, Indian Chief Vintage.  I'd like to retire in 6-10 years and as a retirement present to myself, I want a spankin' new Indian.  It is a tall order and I'm not sure I'll be able to save enough by then.  But that doesn't mean I don't think Stellican isn't going about this the right way (I think they are).

I wish them nothing but success.

After reading your post I can't help but think you either work for or have a freind or relative that works for Indian Motorcycle.

Give me a break! Indian is only going to make 750 units because they can't sell more than that or if even that. What is so brilliant about their strategy? They are doing the same thing the last two companies did when they resurected the Indian name and we know what happened to them...bankruptcy

And yes, I can deny the Indian is a head turner. Obviously you must be an Indian Rep. you just called most Jap bikes, Harley bikes, and Victory bikes ugly but find the Indian to be a head turner.

A $31K Indian would be a sad retirement present, considering by the time you retire they will be loooong goooone. But look on the bright side, in 2010 you can buy a new non-current Indian for maybe $10K from one of the last Indian dealers who is about to close his doors.

"Some folks complain that the style is too old-fashioned and not "innovative".  Personally, I think it would have been huge mistake to come out initially with something other than the "classic" Chief look.  The people who will be buying the first bikes will be people who know the Indian name". 

And if "the people" who are buying this bike know the Indian name they would know Indian used innovation to set themselves apart from Harley and the rest of the competition.

P.S. rdawsoniii you have a new join date because Indain paid you to defend their image. I have a new join date because your post was so insincere that I had to call you out.

I'm sorry nodian, but you are totally and completely wrong.  I do not own an Indian.  I live in Iowa, so obviously I have no connection with them WHATSOEVER.  I have no relatives working at Indian.  I don't even know anyone who owns one.  I ride a 2004 Suzuki Volusia.  It is the first and only bike I've ever owned.

Just because you don't agree with Stellican's strategy doesn't mean you are right, or that they will fail.  They have a great track record...how many brands have YOU revived and made a profit at?  I'm sure they know what they are doing.  Look at the people they have on staff.

What the naysayers on this board seem to forget is: THIS IS NOT A BIKE FOR EVERYONE, NOR IS IT EVER GOING TO BE MASS PRODUCED.  It is only being made for a SMALL, select, niche market.  They don't need to make 10,000+ bikes to make a profit.  That is why the strategy is so good.  If they tried to make a bike for everyone, or mass-produce, then they probably will fail.  I have no doubt that, once they add new models, you will start seeing more innovation.  First things first, though.

Yes, I think Victory's and most of the metric cruisers (sorry I used the term jap...I withdraw it) are not attractive.  You think different and that is fine.  You say Indian bikes are not head-turners...well, I'm just going by personal observation.  When I've seen an Indian parked somewhere, there are usually several people around it, looking at it.  I've also seen people turn their heads and look at an Indian when it has gone by, yet ignore a Harley or whatever else drives past.

If Indian wants to pay me to be a shill, then I'd be happy to.  If YOU want to call me a shill because I support the new Indian, then I guess I'm a shill.  I guess I wasn't aware of the rules...meaning, if you say good things about a company or product you are automatically a "shill".  As for my retirement present....who are you to say they won't still be in business then?  That is your opinion.  Maybe they won't be.  I'm betting they will.  Like I said...just because YOU (or others on this board) don't agree with their market strategy, and don't like the looks or the price, doesn't mean Indian will fail.  The people at Stellican know a little bit more about this stuff than we do.  I admit I'm disappointed in their pricing.  I was hoping they would be about the same as Harley.  I may never be able to afford one.  If I can't, fine.  I still want them to succeed. 

Time will tell.

Oh....as for my "joined" date.....I'm sorry, but I didnt' realize you had to be on a site for a minimum period of time before posting.  Next time I'll check with you first. 

Post Edited (rdawsoniii) : 5/16/2008 2:17:42 PM GMT

who are you to say they won't still be in business then"?

Who are you to say they will be in business 10yrs from now?

Just because you do like their bikes does not mean they will still be in business later.

Show me one, just one bike that is for everyone.

If Jap bikes are ugly then why didn't you buy an Indian the first or second time around they were revived, either new or used?

You can find used ones with low miles and cheap.

The Indians you see people standing around looking at are probably the REAL Indians, not the want-a-be.

It is not a matter of me disagreeing with their market strategy; it's a matter of fact that their strategy is tired and old and has a proven track record of failure. The strategy, not Stellican, is stale just ask the previous business owners and now bankrupt dealers that supported Indian the last two times in the past 9 yrs. and don't forget Excelsior-Henderson.

My opinion has nothing to do with anything. My comments are based off fact and history. Your comments are based off personal opinion, which is fine, but don't confuse my facts with your heart-felt opinion. I would love to see an American company like Indian grow and be successful, but it won't happen with $31K bikes in a saturated market segment. Even Harley is having troubles. It will take more than fancy fenders (which are extra) to set this bike apart.

None, that’s how many brands I have rebuilt. How many brands have you rebuilt? Seeing as how that is your criteria of whether or not you can have a discussion about this topic, then if you haven’t revived any brands either I guess your point is rather childish and quite hypocritical.

How much do you want to bet they will be around in say...5 yrs. from now?

Have some news for you from ACEM being News from the m/c industry in Europe #12:  See below about Duke & Indian.

DUCATI enters Indian Market. On May 8th, 2008 Ducati Motor Holding held a press conference to announce its official entry to the Indian motorcycle market - a country with significant potential for growth in the motorcycle sector. Ducati will market motorcyles on the twin platforms of luxury and high performance to a class of consumers comprising successful hyper-enthusiasts, who drive for entertainment, aiming at selling around 50 units in the first year. [read more]