Indian sold by Polaris

[chuckthebeatertruck]

First they started then killed Victory. . .to build up Indian.

https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/polaris-selling-indian-motorcycle-majority-stake/

Any bets on how long carolwood will operate Indian before selling it?

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Truer words were never spoken.


image_47055.jpg

[HarleyCreation]

This development sure surprised me. Almost like the modern Indian brand is cursed. However, it actually matches American motorcycle history going back to the earliest years when a plethora of brands existed, to 32 advertised brands by 1912, to 23 in 1914, dropping to 11 in 1916, to seven by 1922, to three (edit, actually four) by (after) 1927, to two after 1931, and to just one single solitary brand after 1953. I wish Carolwood success, but even mighty Harley-Davidson is reeling at the moment. Polaris must have consulted its Medicine Man oracle and determined as Bob Dylan might say which way the wind is blowing.

[Steve Slocombe]

Sorry to nitpick, but weren't Cleveland still going 1927-29, to make four domestic motorcycle manufacturers alongside Harley-Davidson, Indian and Excelsior-Henderson?

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Motorcycles seem to consume fortunes, but rarely produce them.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

So, how many times has Indian been revived since 1953?

six?

It is partially why I find their current advertising about a century of experience to be a wee bit misleading. Then again, truth in motircycle advertising has never been very truthy.

[Skirted]

This development sure surprised me. Almost like the modern Indian brand is cursed. However, it actually matches American motorcycle history going back to the earliest years when a plethora of brands existed, to 32 advertised brands by 1912, to 23 in 1914, dropping to 11 in 1916, to seven by 1922, to three by 1927, to two after 1931, and to just one single solitary brand after 1953. I wish Carolwood success, but even mighty Harley-Davidson is reeling at the moment. Polaris must have consulted its Medicine Man oracle and determined as Bob Dylan might say which way the wind is blowing.

I thought same thing. History repeating itself. For Indians sake, all we can do is hope it continues to thrive in years ahead. It always did seem like an odd relationship with Polaris but they stepped up to the plate and served the brand far better than previous attempts by a huge margin in years following 1953. Only time will tell in years ahead

[joe fxs fxr]

A typical corporate cash flow curve goes like this: 1st put in a lot of cash to create the product and establish the company. 2. Cash flow increases as the company grows. 3. Company becomes successful and turns into a 'cash cow'. 4. Investors buy the company and suck the cash dry. Where do you think Polaris and Carolwood think Indian is now?

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Joe, that describes the process to a "T". My wife lost her job 3 separate times in the aerospace industry to that exact process. Manufacturing will NEVER happen again in the US.

[otis71]

Carolwood is an equity firm, probably with their only interest being money and no loyalty to motorcycles.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Joe, that describes the process to a "T". My wife lost her job 3 separate times in the aerospace industry to that exact process. Manufacturing will NEVER happen again in the US.

Which is also why nearly all the recently "revived" brands such as Benelli, BSA, etc have been purchased by companies based in China or India; with production shifting to nations where they can easily and cheaply produce bikes. Harley was on the same path with their Thailand plant and purchase of India made bikes. . . but they couldn't find the market.

The other big thing we all keep overlooking is that whole factories were disassembled and sent overseas in the past decade. Lots and lots of machine tools are gone -- and there are precious few US manufacturers of machine tools that could pick up the slack if demand skyrocketed tomorrow.

Then, there's the environmental cost, insurances, work forces that don't want to show up to work . . .

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Yes. And unfortunately that math adds up to zero.

[micmac]

I own the second Chief Vintage Polaris built in 2012. Serial number #00000002, maybe my grandsons can show it sometime in the future (In 9 years the Gilroy Indians will be 35 years old). I also purchased a 2014 Chieftain as I was selected by the Dealership in Charlotte to participate in the design of this bike. IWe had to sign NDA's and gather at the Charlotte dealership and give input to the design engineers.. I really felt that they had a feeling for the history and a deep respect for the legacy of the name. I felt compelled to own one. The current lineup they have is practically identical to the new Harly's and to be honest neither hold any allure to me.I have taken a lot of heat over the years from guys's who probably bought Springfields 30 years after I owned them. I have ridden and owned Indians since I was 16 years old and I'm 72 now. I wanted something modern to ride distances and couldn't imagine riding anything but an Indian. Your mileage may vary.

[HarleyCreation]

Sorry to nitpick, but weren't Cleveland still going 1927-29, to make four domestic motorcycle manufacturers alongside Harley-Davidson, Indian and Excelsior-Henderson?

Hey, nitpicking is part of the fun. You're right. I myself recently wrote that Cleveland lasted until 1929, so four is the correct number. Thanks!

[HarleyCreation]

Motorcycles seem to consume fortunes, but rarely produce them.

Truer words were never spoken.