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Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/OurCompany/News/PressRelease...
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I know one guy from VA whose wheels are really spinning now..... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 118
Spfld, IL but temp Bay area, CA | It will be very interesting to see what Polaris has in store for Indian--who's going to start the first rumor? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Unless Polaris acquired the entire 2004 Boston Red Sox line up as part of the deal, to act as curse busters, I 'll bet there are some guys in Milwaukee who are buying the first round of drinks tonight.
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-04-19 5:28 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | GURNZ - 2011-04-19 3:20 PM
It will be very interesting to see what Polaris has in store for Indian--who's going to start the first rumor?
Perhaps I should have said it this way...
"I heard that Polaris just signed the entire 2004 Red Sox lineup......."
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-04-19 5:33 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | All I know is that past performance says that Polaris has never gone very far out on a limb. They must have some sure plans or this would be about as big a risk, just looking Indian's history, that a company could take. I think we just may be surprised...... and if it flies, HD management could be wringing their collective hands on this one. After all Polaris would be the owner/producer of the real original american motorcycle brand. And if the engines are produced like a Freedom 106, than the most nostalgic american brand would sport an extremely reliable and powerful engine to boot. ;-o |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | HHHmmmmm.....a classic Indian Chief.....powered by a Freedom engine.........man............The Vision needs a mate.......and that would do it!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I owned a Gilroy Indian. Absolutely worst product I ever purchased! When it ran it had the potential to 'sound' good though. That was the extent of its good qualities. When they started production and were up and running for awhile I called and asked if they did tours of their facility and they asked if I owned a Indian. I said not at this time and said if the problems were solved as in my Indian Chief Vintage I would consider it. They refused a visit unless I bought a North Carolina Indian--no wonder they couldn't make it. Now with the Vision I rest comfortable in knowing I have the best--at least for me. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | SongFan - 2011-04-19 5:19 PM
I know one guy from VA whose wheels are really spinning now.....
Stoked....
I shared this before, but when I visited the Charlotte Indian and sat on the Chief and had a long conversation with Mark Moses, he shared with me the new Indian had folks working on it from Polaris who helped engineer the Victory's. The new Indians are a work of art and solid. I was impressed with how it sat, very roomy great pull-back, easy off the kick and the same seat height as the Vision, go figure.
I think this is a great move, owning a first, and owning the newest American motorcycle....
Sweet...... |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Since it's first downfall, Indian has never had the backing of a company as diverse and established as Polaris. If anything HD would look at this as a very serious branding threat, that has the potential to steal products sales that they presently have a monopoly on. This goes far beyond the sale of motorcycles, and could rocket Polaris into world of brand names.
Edited by sgiacci 2011-04-19 8:28 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 249
Montreal, QC Canada | SongFan - 2011-04-19 6:19 PM
I know one guy from VA whose wheels are really spinning now.....
Tom, you always make me laugh.
Take care and stay awake at work! |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Cometman - 2011-04-19 6:13 PM http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/OurCompany/News/PressRelease... Anybody else notice this from the article? Gotta love it! “We are excited to be part of the revitalization of a quintessentially American brand,” said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc. “Indian built America’s first motorcycle. With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.”
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=6125&pos...
a blast from the past |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Chandler, AZ | Could get interesting here in my area. Closest Vic dealer just had Big Dog line shut down, so maybe they will get Indian; BUT, the H-D dealer only a couple hundred yards down the street now has the Indian franchise; wonder how that's going to pan out! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | That is very interesting news. I love the look of the new Indians and have drooled about owning one...maybe someday. I had to check the date to make sure it did not come out on April 1st! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| So all of "old" timers have wanted the CC to come back and now it might.  As long as Polaris can bring the new prices of the Indian down to range that fits most buyers. So this should mean the retirement of the Kingpin, don't need 2 big fender bikes.... Mass postings now.
I would like to see 2 engines, one for Vic and one for Indian. It would be interesting to see if the Indian engine starts toward water cooling with new EPA regs coming out each year. I still hope the oil cooled Vic engine meets them.
This should help the dealers. They could meet their buying requirements by selecting from each group as long as Polaris doesn't make them buy $X from Vic and $X from Indian.
I have my '99 and my Anny. I don't see another Victory in the stable but an Indian Scout might look good?
I raise my glass to Polaris and wish them the best. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Great news for Polaris & Indian. I love it! |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | Three thoughts: 1) Indian motorcycles the company and the bikes have been shit since the original Springfield plant closed the doors in 1953. 2) Everyone who has touched the Indian brand since then has contracted leprosy and died with them. 3) I can only hope either Victory bought them to vastly improve them, IE: a new engine and a "real" Chief that is modern bagger with cruise control, big bags, stereo and closed loop fuel injection, OR just kill it off. ( Nice chrome and good paint jobs do not make a kit bike with a evo engine and a Indian decal a real player in the motorcycle maufacturer world ) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | steve - find your nearest Indian dealership and pay them a visit, or ride to Charlotte to the one right outside the plant. I will assure you the new Indian has the improvements and has a work of art fit and finish. And to say there are decals on the new Indian is an insult, as each emblem is hand painted. We, Victory owners will whine and cry over fit and finish for a $24,000 bike that is superb in handling, the Indian at $39,000 is immaculent in fit and finish, but we'll complain about the price. I've not ridden one yet, but I believe Indian has what it takes at this time. And to repeat what I've said before VICTORY ENGINEERS HELPED WITH THE LASTEST INDIAN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING BEFORE THE '09'S ROLLED OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was foreplay, this is consumation.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-04-20 9:00 AM
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | Time will tell, and I have been by the Indian dealership in Gastonia. Like I said fine paint and chrome don't make a player in the top of the line touring bike world. A Chief is supposed to be a leader like a Goldwing, Vision, ElectraGlide and BMW 1600. The Chiefs I saw were "pretty" but not a class competetive touring bike. I sincerely hope Victory can make it work, but it'll need a new "modern" engine and alot of upgrade features to be competitive in the upscale Touring Bike world. I know my comments were harsh up above but my history lesson was right on target.......... Now about the future, we'll all wait and see. And if you disassemble the engine it is a marginally refined Harley Evo right down to the four lobe single cam driven off a pinion gear and the caged roller bearing male and female rods..............I'll even bet the number of fins on the cylinders are the same as a late model evo................ |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | Okay - understand where you are coming from. What I see of Indian, which makes it a safe acquistion for Polaris from a Victory standpoint, it has it's own audience. Very few folks, and I mean very few, are the market for Indian, I would venture to say the percent of the Indian market that rides Victory today is about 2%. Just like anyone else, looking at the Indian just as a motorcycle and a world class touring, it is not what you want at all. It is not your modified RK, Gold Wing or Vision. Talking with Mark Moses the owner of the Charlotte dealership in Gastonia, he says that Indian has the market and they are selling very well. You'll not find any of those here on this forum. He says an incrediable sales took place overseas where executives wanted American Heritage in the garage. Most don't even ride alot, they just wanted the icon.
Currently, the motor is modern as it will get, state of the art fuel injection and so on, but they are preserving the iconic look as much as they can. I am totally impressed on how they sit and the pull-back, fit me to a T like the Vision. The seat is much firmer because it is genuine leather, as all premium motorcycles should have.
So, in my opinion, change all that stuff that folks says need to be modernized, you won't have an Indian, you'll just have a modern bike with an Indian name. That in of itself is not so bad, Indian was a moped for a very long time, legally, and if I'm not mistaken, still is in a foriegn country.
Just as there is Harley die-hards, Victory die-hards, and Gold Wing die-hards, there are Indian die-hards that say, I love it just the way you are. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
guelph ontario | I have seen the new Indians in person and just sat on them-will test ride later in spring. Ergonomics were great for a large person-both in height and girth and the fit and finish were great as was the paint. I was told by the salesperson that the engine was hard mounted and not counterbalanced. I had read this before and this makes it a shaker. It does indeed need a proper crusie for touring however I think that I would not like to tour on it because of the shaking. After a day or two in it my old body would want to give up. I have none of these problems with the very smooth Vision. Perhaps in a few more years when touring distance becomes not viable I can see this as a "bar hopper". With rubber mount and counterbalance and cruise I could however be lured away from the Vision. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Perhaps if this partnership does blossom, as I hope it will, could we please get some more Dealers in DFW? I still think that DFW is a largely untouched market for Victory. 3-ish Dealers in this vast area.. |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | I know I've slammed Indian before, I just hope Indian and their always "in trouble" financial position dosen't hurt Polaris's bottom line............ |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | I've tried to find a sales figure for Indian Motorcycles on the web but can't locate a site that states such company figures. I found there are 23 dealers in the USA and 2 in Canada. That's about it. Anyone know how many units Indian moved over the past few model years? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | How about this for a rumor----- Victory will put the Freedom motor and the new transmission in the Indians, BUT will change the covers on every thing to look like they currently do to appease the old schoolers. Modern drivetrain, rubber mounting, modern ammenities, old school looks and fit and finish that Indians are known for. How could they lose???
Wayne |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| A couple of things to not, for those not knowing, Indian was not "in trouble" when they sold to Polaris. When ggilroy went out of business, they were bought by Stellican, which is pretty much an investment company that specialize in buying iconic brands and bringing them back to life...See chris-Craft yachts. although they never admitted it, it was pretty much their goal to get Indian on their feet and sell it, and that's what they did...and I have to admit, i'm personally THRILLED Polaris is the one that bought them, as they had a few offers (including BMW). the King's Mountian Indian as they are called, are pretty quality bikes...the Power Plus engine was competely redesigned while keeping the good looking "bottle cap" heads. The are superior to my Gilroy Chief. I am hoping that Polaris can put Indian back in the forefront of Motorcycles like they used to be, and if I was a betting man, they'll offer some vintage looking models for the purists, but also offer some new advanced Indians for the motorcycle enthusiasts.
either way, long live Indian...Long Live Victory! |
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Posts: 373
Lansing, MI | WOW!
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Posts: 537
, FL United States | DannyB - 2011-04-19 6:42....The Vision needs a mate..... My wife had alway wanted an Indian, but after hearing about this last night she really wants one now. |
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Lindale, TX | Very cool news. |
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Puddle Jumper
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Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada | XRsteve - 2011-04-20 12:30 PM
I've tried to find a sales figure for Indian Motorcycles on the web but can't locate a site that states such company figures. I found there are 23 dealers in the USA and 2 in Canada. That's about it. Anyone know how many units Indian moved over the past few model years?
From what I've read they made 1000 bikes a year since the last launch. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I think they made around 750 bikes per year....they were definitely expensive because they were handbuilt...that will be one of the Polaris advantages...to make Indian what it should be, an american bike that anyone can afford...this is pissing off the Rabid Indian Community as they prefer Indian to stay "iconic" and exclusive, but I think the idea is good...to get the Indian Name out and priced cometitively is smart....mostly because I'm sick of Harley. |
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | Here's what MotorcycleUSA wrote about the acquisition:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/744/9776/Motorcycle-Article/Polaris-C... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I had a two hour conversation with Mark Moses last year about our passion, riding. Personally, I think the iconic approach is the best way for Indian, otherwise they may as well just become another Victory, or Harley, or who knows what else. A key element of Indian's history has been failure, for many reasons, but never for being iconic, that is what keeps it alive. Even Mark admits that the Gilroy's was a bad bike, but it is still Indian. He embraces the new Indians are very impressive. It is hard to deny in this day and age that iconic doesn't work by looking at Harley, and even the car industry with Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers,...etc that is hitting the streets. Mark talked very highly of Victory, not just because I was riding a Vision, but he also stated the fact in the motorcycle world they are different. I was talking to him about Indian being a 30,000 mile a year bike with lots of long distance riding. He didn't hesitate to say I had the bike for that. The Indian, though capable, does not have that in mind, but it would have to be up to the individual rider. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | Interesting write up.
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Iron Butt
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| Not that the deal is done perhaps Polaris will transfer production of the Vision to Indian and thus have the model named Indian Vision........ LOL, but that name combination WOULD sell I'm sure of it! |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | This is gonna get good one way or the other.................... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I have plenty of friends that have ridden their Indians coast to coast a few times...I'm not one of them, and I wouldn't wanna do it. I live in California and rode to bransom Missouri and back and at my age it was not an easy ride...I Do love the Vision and would like to get one in my stable soon...but now that Polaris Owns Indian...maybe they will produce an Indian touring bike?  and Mark Moses is a VERY cool dude and lead the way with dealerships. |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta |
The Indian Motorcycle manufacturing plant in Kings Mountain will close in a few months following this week's announcement the motorcycle company has been sold to Medina, Minn-based Polaris Industries.
Polaris spokeswoman Marlys Knutson said the operation will move to Spirit Lake, Iowa, but no timetable has been confirmed. She said about 24 employees currently work at the Kings Mountain plant.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/21/2240365/kings-mountain-... |
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Cruiser
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Eyota, MN | Victory + Indian = Victorian. LoL |
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | Polaris executives said they hope to relaunch Indian in 18 to 24 months, which includes moving the manufacturing from Kings Mountain, N.C., to Spirit Lake, Minn.
Indian and Victory engines will be made at a Polaris plant in Osceola, in northwestern Wisconsin. That plant was scheduled to close but now will remain open with about 60 jobs, far fewer than what it once had.
Indian had about $11 million in sales in 2010, barely a rounding error to Harley-Davidson's $4.2 billion. The bikes, priced between $26,000 and $36,000, will get a thorough review before the relaunch, according to Polaris.
"We have no intention of living in the past, but the heritage and style that Indian brings to Polaris significantly expands our target customer base," Polaris CEO Scott Wine said in a conference call with analysts.
"We are not going to try and push Indian into all of our dealerships, but we are going to make a concerted effort to leverage the brand, along with Victory, in the top U.S. markets," said Michael Malone, Polaris' chief financial officer.
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New Bohemia, Va | that puts a twist to things, not that I didn't expect changes. I hope they can bring cost down without cheapening the brand. If the machine is worth $30,000, so be it. If we want a cheap Indian look-a-like, then get a roadstar with the fenders. But since I don't work for Polaris I guess I'll have to leave it to them to make the right decisions. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | double post joke time.
A biker was rollin' down the highway at quite a clip when this big beautiful colorful bird came at him and hit him right in the chest. Feathers flew everywhere and the bird flopped around on the road for a bit. The biker feeling sorry for the creature and thinking it must belong to someone when back and got him. He picked him up and realized it was still alive so he took him home in hopes of nursing it back to health.
When he got home he put him in an old bird cage he had in case he came too. He didn't want to have it flying around and hurting itself anymore. He went on to bed and got a good nights sleep.
The next morning he got and went to check on the bird. Being a big beautiful colorful bird he hoped to nurse to health and perhaps he would keep it. Just as he was about to go into the room where the bird was, it woke up. Seeing that it was in a cage it said, "Dang! I must have killed another biker and it landed me in jail again!"
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-04-23 7:50 PM
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | Marlys Knutson, spokeswoman for Polaris, said it's too early to say when Indian production will begin in Iowa. The company will move machinery and equipment from North Carolina, where 25 employees worked, to Iowa over the next two to three months.
The Spirit Lake plant employs about 600 workers, said Kathy Evert, who leads the area's economic development efforts. "We're very excited about Indian being made in Iowa. We think it will be a great fit."
Scott Wine, Polaris' CEO, said in a conference call that the Indian will enable Polaris to capture a bigger piece of the $11 billion heavyweight cruiser market.
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | The addition of Indian Motorcyles adds to the product mix at the Spirit Lake plant, which will continue to assemble Polaris own motrocycle brand, Victory, as well as Ranger and RZR side-by-side vehicles, Knutson said. In addition, the Lakes area plant does some contract work for the U.S. military and for Bobcat, maker of a popular steer-steer loader line.
Edited by XRsteve 2011-04-23 10:50 PM
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | With 18-24 months breathing room I hope Polaris is gonna do away with that PowerPlus 105 ( Harley evo clone engine ). If it's gonna be a real player it needs a modern engine, The freedom 106 would do with re badged covers but better yet for it own identity, maybe a larger displacement water cooled V twin or if it can get by with EPA a 116" version of the Freedom engine, or Maybe a large V-4 that just blows everything out of the water. Like I said before, whichever way this goes it will be interesting and I'm sure some people will be happy and some pissed........... |
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Tourer
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Mount Vernon, WA United States | I was reading some posts on the Indian Forums and I agree with the majority of the sentiment that Polaris would be wise to build the Indians just as they are, just build them better. I also agree with the general sentiment to not let anyone with the last name of Ness anywhere near them. Indian is not just another motorcycle. It was the First American bike. The bragging right of being the company that makes "The New American Motorcycle" and "The Original American Motorcycle" is something that Should just not be messed with. I also wouldn't expect the price to change much either. The kind of quality they should attain, should be worth at least what they are selling for now. I am guessing they will be amazing works of art, and amazing rides, worthy of the Indian badge. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | Miles - 2011-04-25 10:17 AM
I was reading some posts on the Indian Forums and I agree with the majority of the sentiment that Polaris would be wise to build the Indians just as they are, just build them better. I also agree with the general sentiment to not let anyone with the last name of Ness anywhere near them. Indian is not just another motorcycle. It was the First American bike. The bragging right of being the company that makes "The New American Motorcycle" and "The Original American Motorcycle" is something that Should just not be messed with. I also wouldn't expect the price to change much either. The kind of quality they should attain, should be worth at least what they are selling for now. I am guessing they will be amazing works of art, and amazing rides, worthy of the Indian badge.
Thank you Miles! I see it this way, if Polaris changes stuff to make a "more affordable" Indian, it wouldn't be an Indian.
I appreciate what Chrysler has done with Jeep by keeping it as its own line, but it shares a lot of similarities with the other lines. But to new age jeep enthuiasts, it is still a jeep, though it is not an original jeep.
Indian will do well under Polaris if they preserve the uniquely Indian format, yet share off of each other with technology. By the way, they already share somethings since there were Polaris engineers working in the rebirth. They also use nickel lined cylinders like the freedom, may not be such a big deal, but I understand that was an idea they got from Victory motors.
[picture: camera phones aren't always the best, but the model is wearing an Indian Motorcycle T-shirt and Hat. Motorcycle is the Indian Vision hybrid, or half-breed as some might call it.]
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-04-25 10:53 AM
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Visionary
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| They said Indian will move to Iowa |
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | We are excited to be part of the revitalization of a quintessentially American brand, said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc. Indian built America?s first motorcycle. With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.
With this acquisition, Polaris adds one of motorcycling's legendary brands to its strong stable of Victory cruiser and touring bikes. Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian's premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.
We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Polaris. Polaris will utilize its well-known strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and distribution to complete the mission we undertook upon re-launching the brand in 2006: harness the enormous potential of the Indian brand, said Stephen Julius, chairman of Indian and managing director of Stellican. Polaris is the most logical owner of Indian Motorcycle. Indian's heritage brand will allow Polaris to aggressively compete across an expanded spectrum of the motorcycle market.
Edited by XRsteve 2011-04-25 5:37 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 523
seattle, wa | Article from Cycle World with Mark Blackwell.
http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_news/industry_news_articles/11... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Well like I said before, should be interesting what they come up with in the next 18 months............... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | http://www.motorcycleshows.com/media/retracing-cannon-ball-baker-ru...
?????????
No Indian /Polaris involvement? What gives?
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Visionary
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Georgia, west of Atlanta | Hahahahaha.............. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | https://prod.fadvhms.com/polaris/jobboard/ListJobs.aspx?&__VT=ExtCan...
All you engineer types who are looking for that dream job on the ground floor of a NEW american motorcycle company. Looks like INDIAN is hiring. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | They would never hire me.....I would not be able to keep my mouth shut about what I was working on. I would be on Vision-Riders.com every day writing....
Man you should see the new _________________ that we are working on!!!! It is _______________ that it will blow you mind and it makes ___________ torque and _________ horsepower!!!! Then there is the Indian we are working on with the new ____________!!!!
Ride safe and keep your mouth shut....to keep the bugs out. |
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