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[rasmusmi]

Stellican from England bought the intellectual properties, etc, from Indian after their bankrupcy in 2003, which was a shame (the bankruptcy, that is) as they'd just come out with their own proporietray OEM "PowerPlus 100", the largest production V-twin offerred at the time of its introduction, and everything apperaed to be looking up for Indian at that moment....so what the heck happened to them? [smiley=furious.gif]  

I'll cut to the chase....IF Stellican (who also bought Chris-Craft Boats from the dead and resurrected them successfulluy), can also bring back the Indian Motorcycle Company to its rightful spot in the market which it deserves from its history, legendary lore and loyal following, and turns out a high quality product with its own (not a clone) engine, how many current (and future) CVO owners be interested, as I have to believe this would be the market segment Indian would first attempt to compete in, price and style-wise.

Competition for the huge MoCo?? As they say, "how do you eat a 1000 lb. gorilla (Harley Davidson)?...one bite at a time".   Sorry, I'm rambling, but the thought of (OEM, quality) Indians coming back again gets me all worked up (in a good way!).  

Thoughts, observations, prediction, condemnations on Indian's (2nd) resurrection from the dead anyone?.....anyone?  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[hd-dude]

I would love to see Indian come back. Would I buy one? Probably not.

[110tHunDer]

Some competition for H-D would be cool but I think it would take a long time for the Indian brand to become serious compitition given their rocky history.  Guys riding Harleys today have a huge dealer network to rely on, an endless array of H-D and aftermarket parts to choose from for performance upgrades or to accessorize their bikes, and all the image that goes along with owning and riding the brand.

The Motor Company's been around for 100+ years and there's no sign of it slowing down.  As Indian found out a few years ago, it is tough to stop the H-D "machine" and they died trying.  Even if they produced a product I was interested in, I'd have to feel like the company was going to be around for good this time in order to drop money on a new Indian.

[DW6019]

The last bunch of Indians/California Harley clones were just that CLONES. Quality was poor, dealer network small and once they failed (as they always have) those stuck with the pieces of crap were left with no warranty. Would a HD rider buy an Indian/Chris Craft? I doubt it, I know I wouldn't. They were junk before and the new buyers have to completely start over, they only bought the name. They have nothing else. Chris Craft is located in our city, so I hear this crap all the time.

[phattey]

Wouldn't even consider it . As I grown older and more wise (that's negociable) I've learned a lot about the value of brand and resale.

I've thrown so much money away on cars and toys that I've decided for me, to buy only high demand strong resale "stuff". I can only imagine buying an Indian for about the price of a new Harley, then watching it lose 50 - 65% of it's value in the 1st year of ownership. I've done stuff like that before and I'm finally able to resist.

Just MHO...

Phattey

[BLM777]

Sure with you on the resale issue Phattey....lot's of folks got hurt on the last Indian go around.  Another good example is the "bogus" Arlen Ness Victory bikes.  If you check the book on those little devils used it would make you want to give up riding and/or find something tall to jump off of.  Would I buy and Indian?  You bet...used at about .40 cents on the dollar.  Just my take on the issue.

[JCZ]

Here is a link to the original post.........
http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=CVO_SITE;action=display;num=1095532246

Personally, I am with the rest of the guys, I'd not invest in Indian.

[the O`Fender]

My spin on this issue is this:  [smiley=stooge_curly.gif] [smiley=stooge_larry.gif] [smiley=stooge_moe.gif]

Indian is not original, offers nothing innovative, and the engineering is terribly behind the times, just ask someone who has owned one (UHHH!!! pick me pick me) put simply they suck!!!
The "their own proporietray OEM "PowerPlus 100" you make reference to Roadking, was engineering bought from Sputhe . Sputhe had obsolutely no success with the motor so they sold it to Indian. Very orginal!!! If in fact their was some ground shaking engineering their, don't you think people would be talking about it? When indian died back in 1953 it was for the same reasons. For example in that year ('53) they offered an 80 cubic inch flathead (about 45 hp) with a 3 speed transmission and a belt drive 6 volt generator. Compared to MOCO offered 74 cubic inch Panhead (50 hp) 4 speed transmission and gear driven generator not to mention a full line of accessories and 2 tone paint!!! I do have to give them credit though they did invent those really cool indian heads that mount on the front fender!!! All kidding aside if their was no Harleys I'd probably be riding a victory hammer (we don't need no stinkin' radiators)   [smiley=sombrero.gif]

[Twolanerider]

All kidding aside if their was no Harleys I'd probably be riding a victory hammer (we don't need no stinkin' radiators)

[hd-dude]

So, if it couldn't be a Harley then what would it be?

That's a tough one. I have only owned Harley's so I don't know much about the others out there. I will say that I'd have to agree with Twolane on a Goldwing for a touring bike, only because of what others I know that have them say. As far as a cruiser goes its even more difficult. They all seem like they are just copies of the Harley [smiley=confused.gif]

I'm sure there will be alot of interesting opinions on this one!

[rasmusmi]

Keep 'em comin' guys....thanks for the feedback so far.

Looks like the new Indian's going to have a loooong, uphill battle ahead, but you know what...I do hope they make it.  [smiley=beerchug.gif]

I've always been a big fan of Indian motorcycles, but the purpose of my starting this thread was not to promote Indian over Harley, per se...hell, my wife and I own a 2003 SED and SERK2, respectively, and are on the list for a new yellow SEEG2 next Spring (...well, maybe - haven't decided 100% yet  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]).

But...wouldn't it be great to have this old American icon back on board, sharing the highway with us??  Come on, you gotta admit it!   [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[JCZ]

My spin on this issue is this:

[the O`Fender]

Yeah JC definately follow up on that I would like to know if it's BS!! It's hard to believe that it's not true seeing how the motors bear a striking resemblence (that's how it was pointed out to me) but if someone disputes it I will follow up (not that it really matters)
Oh yeah, so what's your view on the Indians? Old (pre '53)? and New (post '99)?
I personnally have owned a '47 bobber (74ci) and '53 antique restore (80ci). They were OK scooters but inferior to HD in all aspects. I have not owned any of the newer stuff however I do have a buddy I ride with frequently that owned one of these chiefs and told me that it was the worst 25k he ever spent (he was lucky enuff to get more than the 40 cents on a dollar on resale)

[Twolanerider]

Several articles I'd read during Indian's engine development effort mentioned the Porsche tie in also.  Of course the writers and editors could have only been repeating what the company told without doing any fact checking so that's not gospel.  But I did see it in several different source articles over a couple of years time.

[BLM777]

Well if it's a Porsche, why isn't the motor in the back? [smiley=laugh.gif]