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[naitram]

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle. The business was acquired from Indian Motorcycle Limited (“IML”), a company advised by Stellican Limited and Novator Partners LLP, U.K. Private Equity firms. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“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.”

Novator Partners LLP is a London based alternative investment firm founded and led by the investor Mr. Thor Bjorgolfsson. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, Mr. Bjorgolfsson said “After a troubled past, our goal was to bring the legendary Indian bikes back on the roads. The initial phase of that project is done and now our great partners at Polaris will carry on the work to realize the full potential of this classic American brand.”

[SBB]

Interesting.

Wonder if the factory will stay in the same location?
Wonder if there will be a touring bike coming?

SBB

[iski]

Indian water bikes next?

[Twolanerider]

Interesting.

Indeed it is.  That's the most interesting news to come about Indian in a long time.  The name has stumbled through underfunded ownerships and problematic management for several reincarnations.  Now to come up again with a big name behind it with both large manufacturing experience and motorcycle experience is good news.  Personally I'd love to see a full blown American cruiser competitor come along to shake Harley's tree.  Some of the Victory bikes may be a little funny looking by my relative standards of what is funny looking.  But they are at least legitimate bikes.  Get that kind of wherewithal behind something as good looking as a big Indian and it could easily be enough to get even old farts like me pay attention.

[Half_Crazy]

If anyone can make a go of the Indian brand it's Polaris. They have deep enough pockets (2010 sales of $1.991 billion) to endure the start-up. They started making Victory motorcycles 12 years ago and the bikes have gotten better and better every year. The aftermarket is getting better too. Love or hate the styling, you must admit that they innovate not just imitate. If they can make something more than a novelty bike out of Indian and get the costs down some, I might own one some day.








 

[murphy]

Too bad they didn't take over HD!

[2harleys]

Too bad they didn't take over HD!

Could happen if they don't get a clue

[duranh]

Getting the pricing down is going to be a real big requirement, I like the looks and seating position of the indians but I do not think that they are worth the asking price. While they are at it they could move the oil filter away from the exhaust.

[mrmagloo]

Hopefully, this will bring the refinement that the Indians sorely lacked.

[Buy early]

Very interesting! The local Indian shop opened up here about 3 months before the economy collapsed. They are 1 block from St. Paul HD. I always feel sorry for them as I drive by and see the empty parking lot. I do stop in from time to time as Indian always does cool things with brown leather. Hope this keeps them on heir feet!

[Gecko]

I hope by autonomous they mean we aren't going to see that ugly Victory engine in an Indian frame.  Otherwise what's the point? 

[tazmun]

I hope by autonomous they mean we aren't going to see that ugly Victory engine in an Indian frame.  Otherwise what's the point? 

Looks, depend on your eyesight! I see nothing wrong with the look, just different.

[grandpadoc]

I ride with a guy on Wednesdays who has a Victory Cross Country and that bike is has it all for about 18K. After seeing the new Indians at Sturgis last summer I'm not impressed with their product, but am glad to see their future is insured and can't wait to see what happens. Doc

[Half_Crazy]

I ride with a guy on Wednesdays who has a Victory Cross Country and that bike is has it all for about 18K. After seeing the new Indians at Sturgis last summer I'm not impressed with their product, but am glad to see their future is insured and can't wait to see what happens. Doc

So far, Victory hasn't offered an ABS brakes option on their 'Cross-Dressers' (only the Vision) but they do have standard cruise control, a 106"/6-speed drive train with 85/102 for stock HP/TQ to the tire, and the trick sand cast "core" chassis.

This is basically a commercial, but they show the chassis:

Indian water bikes next?

I hope by autonomous they mean we aren't going to see that ugly Victory engine in an Indian frame.  Otherwise what's the point? 

More about that ugly motor (which is not water cooled by the way):

[grandpadoc]

So far, Victory hasn't offered an ABS brakes option on their 'Cross-Dressers' (only the Vision) but they do have standard cruise control, a 106"/6-speed drive train with 85/102 for stock HP/TQ to the tire, and the trick sand cast "core" chassis.

This is basically a commercial, but they show the chassis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CefevDiTo

...plus rebates and low financing rates. I don't know for sure, but I think the Victory is air and oil cooled. I imagine Harley will go this route soon.  Doc

[grc]

Too bad they didn't take over HD!

We can always hope.  Hell, I'd be happy if the Indians in India took them over, at least it wouldn't be the same ol' same ol'.


Jerry

[skreminegul07]

Interesting.

Wonder if the factory will stay in the same location?
Wonder if there will be a touring bike coming?

SBB

Nope

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Officials of a North Carolina motorcycle manufacturer say they will cease operations in the state after the company was recently sold.

The Gaston Gazette reports that Indian Motorcycle officials announced Thursday that the company will cease manufacturing in Cleveland County after its sale to Polaris Industries Inc., which will relocate the operation to Iowa.

The Kings Mountain plant has 25 employees and has been open less than three years. Nearly 800 jobs were expected when Indian and sister company Chris-Craft announced plans in 2006 to set up manufacturing operations in the county.

Cleveland County paid more than $1 million toward the plant purchase and the city promised reimbursement of property taxes for a decade.

Chris-Craft closed in 2009 after one year of operation.

[canucktm]

Hope once all the dust settles Polaris will address the vibration issues of the Power Plus 105. Still think the vintage is a beautiful looking bike .

[Beemer]

I test rode one a year ago and was blown away by the shear beauty of the bike.  It has IMHO the most beautiful motors ever made.  It drips character in every area...especially the long fenders (with caliper covers) and the leather tooling on seat and saddlebags. 

However, its handling left a lot for improvement (similar but not as good as a HD Softail) and power was severely lacking for 105" motor.  I said as much when we got back and the salesman said he should have given me the one with the "stage one" upgrade...WTFO?

Not worth the asking price of a CVO Tourer but if they can get the price down to around 18K like a HD Softail, I'll have one in my garage!

[2harleys]

X2   

[Spiderman]

Getting the pricing down is going to be a real big requirement, I like the looks and seating position of the indians but I do not think that they are worth the asking price. While they are at it they could move the oil filter away from the exhaust.

I think the key to success is in the type of comment being made above. Essentially what this amounts to is reverse engineering. The Japanese are the acknowledged masters of the universe at it. Take a known design and remove the flaws, market it properly with an acceptable price point and you've got a success story. Nobody gave Victory a real chance but they've beaten the odds. I am hoping they put an Indian on the market that shakes the MoCo to it's roots.

B B

[grandpadoc]

I think the key to success is in the type of comment being made above. Essentially what this amounts to is reverse engineering. The Japanese are the acknowledged masters of the universe at it. Take a known design and remove the flaws, market it properly with an acceptable price point and you've got a success story. Nobody gave Victory a real chance but they've beaten the odds. I am hoping they put an Indian on the market that shakes the MoCo to it's roots.

B B

...remember this one from Japan ?

[SBB]

...remember this one from Japan ?

Just another wanna be from Japan.
Bike might bring a grand in good condition.

 

SBB

[sadunbar]

I think the key to success is in the type of comment being made above. Essentially what this amounts to is reverse engineering. The Japanese are the acknowledged masters of the universe at it. Take a known design and remove the flaws, market it properly with an acceptable price point and you've got a success story. Nobody gave Victory a real chance but they've beaten the odds. I am hoping they put an Indian on the market that shakes the MoCo to it's roots.

B B

Unlike the Chinese, who copy a known design and add a few flaws, pay there workers a nickel a day and then sell it back to us at Wally World......   

[Spiderman]

...remember this one from Japan ?

Actually I saw a lot of these when they were in production. I think the issue was that the Japanese are bound to change model designs yearly or semi-yearly and there wasn't much they could do with this I don't believe Kawasaki produced this model for more than one or two years. Also, the market for it was limited in that you had folks (at least out here) that wanted the Indian look without the issues but there were not enough of them to sustain the model. A few that I happened to see regularly took this a bit further installing bits and pieces of old Indians where they could. One old fellow would wear the johdpurs from back in the day with a kidney belt and old Cycle Champ leather.

B B

[StevesCVO]

I hope Polaris does great with Indian. Every Polaris product I have ever owned was great with no issues ever. I'm sure they will do the same with Indian.

[Mikey]

Just another wanna be from Japan.
Bike might bring a grand in good condition.

 

SBB

I am not so sure about that low value. I have a shop full of 70's Jap bikes that are worth 4 times their new value.

[Twolanerider]

I am not so sure about that low value. I have a shop full of 70's Jap bikes that are worth 4 times their new value.

Asking this because I really don't have a clue what the answer is.  Anything I was riding in the 70s wasn't new, hadn't been new for a long time and was more often than not two or three bikes rolled in to one.

So...  Is saying a 70s era Japanese bike is now worth 400% its new value saying they've appreciated to actually be worth something or that they just didn't cost much to begin with?

[StevesCVO]

Just check EBay for what people are paying for KZ900s and CB750s. It's crazy what they're paying for original KZ exhausts to restore these bikes. I must have thrown away $10k worth of KZ pipes over the years changing them out with Kerker megs or V&H Sideinders lol.

[grandpadoc]

Drifters (Indian Clone) seem to be going for 5-8K which is about half thier original selling price. From some of the original road tests on the web, it looked like a very together bike with a tried and true frame and power train. Doc


                                                    http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/reviews/review9_00.htm

[Spiderman]

Just check EBay for what people are paying for KZ900s and CB750s. It's crazy what they're paying for original KZ exhausts to restore these bikes. I must have thrown away $10k worth of KZ pipes over the years changing them out with Kerker megs or V&H Sideinders lol.

And we argue with each other whether or not our CVO's will be worth money - - - - some day 


B B

[StevesCVO]

And we argue with each other whether or not our CVO's will be worth money - - - - some day 


B B

30-40 yrs from now when our kids sell them 

[spada84]

I hope they do well - just to see American Manufacturing being successful.

I test road a Victory (Crossroads?) in Daytona.  Handled well and was very smooth with ample power.  But, it felt a little cheap to me.  Even though it handled well, my SEUC is better at low speeds.

Perhaps Indian will fill thier premium line out, if they can address the fit/finish and power issues.

[Mikey]

Asking this because I really don't have a clue what the answer is.  Anything I was riding in the 70s wasn't new, hadn't been new for a long time and was more often than not two or three bikes rolled in to one.

So...  Is saying a 70s era Japanese bike is now worth 400% its new value saying they've appreciated to actually be worth something or that they just didn't cost much to begin with?

Twolanerider,
Yes to both! Motorcycle collecting is an all time high thanks to eBay and forums liken this that cover every bike you have ever owned. A lot of the car guys have began buying and collecting motorcycles speculating they will be like the muscle cars of the 70's.
They also didn't cost that much in the 70's. Harley did not get the tariff of 45% on all imported bikes over 700 cc's until 1983.
I could post some examples of bikes but that might be high jacking the thread.