The History of Indian Motorcycles

Introduction: Why Indian?

A friend of mine, a Harley-Davidson rider, once asked me: “Why did you choose an Indian motorcycle? Harley is legendary—everyone knows it, everyone rides it.”

At that moment, I didn’t have a clear answer. I chose Indian because when I was searching, visiting various dealerships, I simply liked the Indian model I eventually bought. There was also a technical detail: Indian motorcycles have a slightly lower center of gravity, making them easier to handle, especially since these are heavy bikes—over 400 kilograms.

I had vaguely heard that Indian was the first motorcycle brand in America, but I didn’t know the full story. After researching, I discovered a fascinating history of survival, innovation, engineering genius, and—at times—poor management. That is the story I want to share with you today.

Part I: From Bicycles to Motorcycles

To understand Indian’s story, we must first step back to the history of bicycles.

• 1817 – German inventor Karl Drais created a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider’s feet. It became known as the “Draisine.”

• 1866 – The first pedal bicycles appeared. French inventor Pierre Michaux and American Pierre Lallement both developed and patented pedal-powered bicycles. In the U.S., the design became known as the “bone-shaker” because of its rough ride on cobblestone roads.

• Soon after, bicycles evolved into the safety bicycle with chain drive, pioneered by Britain’s Rover Company (which later produced Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles).

Engines on Bicycles

• Within six months of the pedal bicycle, inventors began attaching engines. Some experimented with steam engines, but these were dangerous and impractical.

• In the U.S., Sylvester H. Roper built steam-powered bicycles. He tragically died while riding one, reportedly of a heart attack, ending the steam-bike era.

• The first true motorcycle with an internal combustion engine was built in 1885 by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany.

Early Motorcycle Industry

• Hildebrand & Wolfmüller were the first to mass-produce motorcycles in the 1890s.

• Soon after came iconic European brands: Royal Enfield, Triumph (UK), Wanderer (Germany), and later Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Benelli (Italy), Jawa (Czechoslovakia).

• In the U.S., two brands rose to prominence: Indian and Harley-Davidson.

Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, Ural motorcycles were introduced in 1939, reverse-engineered from BMW’s R71.

Part II: The Birth of Indian (1901)

The story of Indian begins with two men:

• George M. Hendee – a successful bicycle racer and manufacturer who exported bicycles under the brand American Indian.

• Oscar Hedstrom – a Swedish-born engineer and racer who designed reliable engines and carburetors.

In 1901, they founded the Indian Motocycle Company (note: originally spelled without the second “r” in “motorcycle”).

Innovations

• They pioneered automatic oiling systems—previously riders had to manually drip oil into the engine while riding.

• They painted their bikes in deep red (from 1904), a color that became Indian’s signature.

• In 1906, Indian introduced a 640cc V-twin engine, giving the motorcycle a distinctive appearance closer to modern designs.

Racing Success

• 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy: Indian shocked the world by taking first, second, and third place.

• In the same year, Indian set 121 racing records, a feat unmatched to this day.

By 1916, Indian was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

Part III: Management Mistakes and War

When Hendee retired, control passed to his accountant, Frank Walker, and later to investors uninterested in motorcycles.

Instead of focusing on bikes, they diverted money into:

• Boat engines

• Automobile suspension systems

• Refrigerators

This weakened the company just as competition was intensifying.

World War I

During the war, Indian devoted nearly all production to military motorcycles, abandoning its civilian dealers. When peace returned, Harley-Davidson had captured the civilian market.

Indian tried to recover with new models:

• Indian Scout (1920) – a lightweight, sporty bike.

• Indian Chief (1922) – a larger, powerful model.

These became iconic, but management again squandered profits on failed side ventures.

Part IV: The DuPont Rescue and World War II

In 1930, the wealthy DuPont family, already major shareholders, took over. They stabilized the company, focused on quality, and introduced stylistic hallmarks such as valanced fenders (deep, curved fenders covering much of the wheel).

However, during World War II, Harley secured the largest U.S. Army contracts. Indian supplied some motorcycles, often at a loss, but was increasingly sidelined. By 1945, DuPont sold Indian to industrialist Ralph Rogers.

Part V: Postwar Collapse

Rogers believed Americans returning from Europe wanted smaller motorcycles, like British brands (Royal Enfield, BSA, Triumph).

Indian launched lightweight models, but poor quality plagued production. In one infamous case, 2,000 motorcycles left the factory without lubrication, destroying their engines.

By 1953, Indian ceased U.S. production. Royal Enfields were imported and rebadged as Indians until 1960.

Part VI: A Brand Without a Company

For decades, the Indian name drifted:

• 1960s–70s: The trademark was mismanaged; companies sold imported bikes (sometimes mini-bikes or scooters) under the Indian badge.

• 1970s–90s: Various entrepreneurs and fraudsters attempted revivals. One, Philip Zanghi, raised millions, promised factories, but ended in prison for fraud.

The brand became more myth than reality—but enthusiasts and collectors kept the legend alive.

Part VII: Modern Revival

• 1999–2003 – The Indian Motorcycle Company of America produced bikes in Gilroy, California, but went bankrupt.

• 2006–2011 – A new investor group produced limited models in North Carolina.

• 2011 – Polaris Industries purchased Indian.

Polaris Era

Polaris already had success with its Victory Motorcycles brand but lacked heritage. Indian provided that history.

They invested heavily in:

• Honoring classic designs (valanced fenders, V-twin engines, iconic names like Scout and Chief)

• Introducing modern technology (liquid cooling, advanced electronics, touring features)

Racing Return

In the 2010s, Indian re-entered competitive racing. At events like King of the Baggers, Indian has repeatedly challenged and even beaten Harley-Davidson.

Conclusion: Legacy of Indian

From pioneering engineering in 1901, to world records, to near death, fraud, and rebirth—Indian Motorcycles embody resilience.

Today, under Polaris, Indian is once again a strong American brand, competing head-to-head with Harley-Davidson, while honoring its heritage and embracing modern technology.

And this, ultimately, is why Indian riders choose their bikes: not just for looks or handling, but for the living legacy of one of America’s most storied motorcycle brands.