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[70_GTX]

Low production but the name goes on. See if this works. www.motorcycledaily.com/20january09_newindians.htm

[Hoist!]

Low production but the name goes on. See if this works. www.motorcycledaily.com/20january09_newindians.htm

If this is all they got, they're nuts doing it in this economy. 4 spruced up softails w/105's! WooHoo!!! Big friggin deal! How are they even getting dealers? Who'd spring for what it takes to open one with that limited product line? Man, I don't think this is even gonna last as long as the last Indian attempt!

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/TheMotorcycles/tabid/218/Default.aspx

Hoist!

[MontyB]

Pretty, but there are going to be parts 'orphans' in a couple of years when this latest reincarnation goes under.  And the price - ouch!
The Classic costs as much as a full dress FLHTCUSE4.

Well, I wish them luck with that business model.....

cheers
Bruce

[sadunbar]

Looks like there is a dealer in Paducah.  Hogbreath??  Go take a look and tell us all about them!   

[HogBreath]

Looks like there is a dealer in Paducah.  Hogbreath??  Go take a look and tell us all about them!   

I stopped and looked. A friend had told me one of the first Indian dealers was here. It actually shocked me.

Good looking bikes. The fit and finish was great. But...in my humble opinion, too expensive for what you get. I think it's going to be a nitch market. There is going to be people who want an Indian just because it's an Indian. Maybe it brings back old memories?? Maybe they just want an Indian. And...in that nitch market that I'd see....Money don't matter...They want it, and can afford it.

We'll see how they sale..

 

[PHAZE]

Doesn't a motorcycle being called an Indian offend someone?  Is that PC?  Arkansas State Univ. in Jonesboro, AR had to change their mascot name to Red Wolves (and they were the Indians).

[hard10]

I stopped and looked. A friend had told me one of the first Indian dealers was here. It actually shocked me.
Good looking bikes...

According to their website, there are Dealers open in Wichita, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Phoenix, and St. Petersburg as well as the first one in Charlotte.

[AXIL]

    will thay be closeing in the same order?

[hdhog1]

    will thay be closeing in the same order?

  Now thats just plain funny Axil.  I like that.

[Gone Fishin']

At least they know how to take great pictures of their bikes. Not every company can do that, as we all know and get confirmed each July.

Ride safely,
Louis

[spydglide]

What bad 'timing' they had.. ....I'm sure this world-wide economic recession blind-sided them just as most of the rest of us.  Or they wouldn't have made this business blunder...... )    spyder

[dlaws01]

Doesn't a motorcycle being called an Indian offend someone?  Is that PC?  Arkansas State Univ. in Jonesboro, AR had to change their mascot name to Red Wolves (and they were the Indians).


What would you call it?  The Native American Motorcycle Company?

[hard10]

What bad 'timing' they had.. ....I'm sure this world-wide economic recession blind-sided them just as most of the rest of us.  Or they wouldn't have made this business blunder...... )    spyder

Not really sure what you mean by "business blunder"? As you said, the economic recession blindsided most of us. Their marketing strategy is pretty solid. Indian is a privately owned company that does not have to answer to stockholders. They are marketing to a small niche market and are only producing 750 units for 2009. The FlHRSE⁴ production was 3150.

[spydglide]

Not really sure what you mean by "business blunder"? As you said, the economic recession blindsided most of us. Their marketing strategy is pretty solid. Indian is a privately owned company that does not have to answer to stockholders. They are marketing to a small niche market and are only producing 750 units for 2009. The FlHRSE⁴ production was 3150.

I guess I'm just assuming that it's going to be pretty much impossible to make a go of it introducing rather 'expensive' motorcycles in this environment when the likes of a well established MoCo is having such a hard time.  Maybe I'm wrong, but time will surely tell.  I wish them well.  spyder

[powercorp]

The bikes are nice, but the price is not right....

I also hope they do well, and will buy one off ebay in 3 years for 12

EP

[Muley]

I guess I should get down to Charlotte and get me an Indian T-Shirt. Might be a great investment in the current economy. Years from now I'll be able to sell it on e-bay for enough money to buy myself a burger and fries and possibly a beer.

Muley

[miker]

Its good to be a dreamer Muley!

[hogasm]

So who is the money man

[hard10]

So who is the money man

Indian's Management team.

[sadunbar]

Not really sure what you mean by "business blunder"? As you said, the economic recession blindsided most of us. Their marketing strategy is pretty solid. Indian is a privately owned company that does not have to answer to stockholders. They are marketing to a small niche market and are only producing 750 units for 2009. The FlHRSE⁴ production was 3150.

The ownership of the company has a fairly successful track record, and the market for their 750 bikes is a fairly affluent crowd - so the downturn in the economy may not effect the sale of the bikes as much as it effects other manufacturers that depend on a much broader market in much larger numbers.  The question I would have is whether 750 bikes is adequate to support the number of dealers....

I wouldn't put my money into a dealership, but it may not be the craziest way for to someone to use their money...   

[hogasm]

Indian's Management team.

Won't download for me AJ

[hard10]

Won't download for me AJ

Try this:
http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/Accessories/tabid/428/Default.aspx

[hard10]

Won't download for me AJ

Really the wrong one!  Try this one:

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/AboutIndian/AboutIndianHome/TheExecutiveTeam/tabid/59/Default.aspx

[hogasm]

Hopefully Jacobs can revive Indian like he did with Christ Craft.

When OMC owned CC their downturn was not having attention to detail, Jacobs business plan changed that and made CC a top company in the marine industry.

Watch his right hand man....he is the one with the hands on operations.

[BMF-110]

Dont get me wrong,I love to watch a dead horse get beat some more but in this economy I think they should try taking cover and saving what little they have until the storm passes and then give her hell!!   Indian is an old Icon that deserves a real try instead of a half assed attempt, again!

[dirtyoldman]

well one aussie scoot WAS the fastest Indian

damn! 145 bucks for a "worlds fastest" t-shirt?!?!,,  seems the only reasonably priced stuff 4 sale are the toys of the OLD scoots. and the new ones look kinda weird with the odd fender flares and frame sculpting.  look more like an import knock-off than an American Classic.
For 3 years I did their trailer / truck graphics, and working in their warehouse used to be a mix of emotion. Those bikes were beautiful, more reminicent of the original ones, but I couldn't get over the S&S motors,,  I've still got boxes of dealer banners. really sucked my best trailers went to their last Bike week.

they really ought to leave this dead 'iron' horse to the buzzards and come up with something NEW!


Indian's Legacy -->    <-- Investors

[RedDevil]

According to their website, there are Dealers open in Wichita, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Phoenix, and St. Petersburg as well as the first one in Charlotte.

When I was down in Phoenix/Mesa last week, one of the dealerships I went to was Chester's HD in Mesa.  He had a brand new building built right outside the HD dealership and through the plate-glass windows I saw about 15 Indians sitting there.  That may be the Phoenix dealership.  I didn't go in and look at them up close but what I saw through the window was impressive, but not $30K impressive. 

 

[Capo]

I enjoyed the looks, handling and comments.....the reliability due to unproven poor engineering was the real issue in the failure IMHO. They are dam nice looking this was $24K in 2002 and I had another 5K in goodies, chrome, lowering kit. By the way they hired boo-coo engineers and a couple X H-D execs to create some reality this time. The management has ahad success with 2 other icons- Chris Craft and I believe Riva the Italian boat maker.

I wish them skill because you have to make your own luck!

[icybay]

By the way they hired boo-coo engineers and a couple X H-D execs to create some reality this time.
I wish them skill because you have to make your own luck!

 

[1abastarsmda]

Too much money for what you are getting and then you are taking a big chance if the company doesn't make it again.

[resqdoc]

As far as the name being offensive for the PC crowd, I doubt it. I work for the "Indian Health Service." We have hospitals with names like Gallup Indian Medical Center and Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Any whining or complaining seems to come from well intentioned caucasians concerned that someone "might" consider that offensive, or maybe some guy living in an urban center that clains to be 1/32 Cherokee.

[veech]

As far as the name being offensive for the PC crowd, I doubt it. I work for the "Indian Health Service." We have hospitals with names like Gallup Indian Medical Center and Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Any whining or complaining seems to come from well intentioned caucasians concerned that someone "might" consider that offensive, or maybe some guy living in an urban center that clains to be 1/32 Cherokee.

I for one am absolutely fed up with the PC bull that has permeated our collective consciousness in America.  What ever happened to freedom of speech?  I personally think we should shut up the PC police by stuffing their mouths with kielbasa.

I enjoyed the looks, handling and comments.....the reliability due to unproven poor engineering was the real issue in the failure IMHO. They are dam nice looking this was $24K in 2002 and I had another 5K in goodies, chrome, lowering kit. By the way they hired boo-coo engineers and a couple X H-D execs to create some reality this time. The management has ahad success with 2 other icons- Chris Craft and I believe Riva the Italian boat maker.

I wish them skill because you have to make your own luck!

I too hope they do well, but also have my doubts.  The last incarnation was actually on the right road.  The reliability issues they faced somewhat comes with the territory when tooling up a new product line, much less a whole new company.  Hell, HD has been around a 100 years and still doesn't usually get it right the first time.

A little known but main contributing factor to the last failure of Indian had to do with financing.  Their original business plan budgeted 100 million dollars for the company's development.  After about 50 million into the project (right after they FINALLY came out with their own 'bottlecap' motor) the investors decided to pull out due to cold feet.  Hopefully the new company's experience with Chris-Craft will give them a wiser/better perspective.

[jettjocky]

I really would like to see this brand come back, price by the way will NOT be an issue for the customers they are targeting,  again I hope they make it.