Indian Motorcycles
Updated March, 2020
Indian Motorcycles is of course one of America’s oldest and most storied manufacturers. The original Indian produced bikes in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1901 until 1953, after which the Indian name was acquired for use by a series of would-be manufacturers. Some slapped the name on imported bikes, others built their own Indians with limited success, but all ultimately failed to thrive in the marketplace for one reason or another. The Indian brand, though, is one of those classic American marques that’s so far proved impossible to kill, right up there with Harley-Davidson.
In 2011, Indian was acquired by the huge American manufacturer Polaris Industries Inc., makers of snowmobiles, ATVs, side-by-sides, personal watercraft – and also Victory Motorcycles, since 1998. Upon acquiring Indian, Polaris immediately moved production to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and only two years later debuted three new motorcycles, all powered by the all-new Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin, all designed to go head-to-head with Harley-Davidson – the 2014 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, and Chieftain – and all named after classic Indian models from the Springfield era.
In 2015, Indian launched its new Scout, a smaller cruiser with Harley’s ever-popular Sportster in its sights. The Scout is powered by an 1133 cc liquid-cooled DOHC V-twin, and the bike promptly won Motorcycle.com’s Motorcycle of the Year award. The following year Indian produced the Scout 60, a smaller-engined Scout (60-cubic inch engine) with a lower price tag to compete with Harley’s 883 Sportster.
Not fooling around at all, Indian also teamed up with famed engine builder Swissauto to produce a motorcycle for flat-track competition, and ever since its FTR750 debuted for the 2017 racing season, Indian has won every AFT Championship and probably 90% of the races, if not more. This was a real kick in the groin to Harley-Davidson, who previously dominated this uniquely American form of horse-track competition.
Also in 2017, with Indian apparently doing well and Victory Motorcycles never having really taken off in the marketplace, Polaris made the decision to discontinue Victory production and put all its resources behind Indian. What’s in a name? Apparently a lot to buyers of “classic”-styled American motorcycles, the Motorcycle.com crew among them. Here are a couple of our favorite current Indians.
Indian FTR1200S
In an attempt to parlay its flat-track racing success into a streetbike, Indian released the FTR1200 in 2019. Nobody quite knew how to classify it: Part dirt-tracker on its purpose-built knobbyish Dunlop tires, part Ducati Monster with its torque-laden 1200 cc V-twin engine, and part ADV bike with its upright street-friendly ergonomics and longish-travel suspension, the FTR doesn’t slot nicely into any pre-existing category, but carves out its own unique, hooliganistic niche as a motorcycle that’s a hoot to ride just about anywhere.
Indian Challenger
All new for 2020, Indian’s latest bagger is powered by a 108-cubic inch liquid-cooled V-twin that puts out a claimed 122 horsepower and 128 foot-pounds of torque, and lets you twist the tachometer needle past 6000 rpm whenever you feel the need. That kind of performance is unprecedented in an American bike that wants to take on the H-D Road Glide, and the rest of the Challenger has all the latest high-tech equipment to carry the day, including a big TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, awesome stereo that goes to 11, and a great ride with 4.5 inches of rear suspension travel.
Scout Bobber 60
The original Scout 60 has segued into the Bobber 60, which is basically the same 60-cubic inch (999 cc) liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin packed into a long, low frame as the first Scout. Painting it black, removing the passenger accommodations, chopping the fenders and a few other mods renders it “Bobber.” What remains is the best part, an $8,999 price tag. He travels coolest who travels alone.
Most Popular Indian Models
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Indian Reviews View all Reviews
Indian FTR750 is Going Hill-Climbing
Indian Files EFTR Trademark for an Electric Motorcycle UPDATE
Indian Pursuit and Indian Guardian Trademarks
2020 Indian FTR Carbon Announced for International Markets
The 2020 Indian Roadmaster Elite Gets More Power, Better Audio, And Custom Paint
2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Confirmed in Certification Documents
Most Read Articles Of 2019
2020 Indian Challenger Review – First Ride
Indian PowerPlus is Here
2010 Indian Chief Vintage Review
Indian Comparisons
2020 Indian FTR1200 Rally vs. Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC
2020 Baggers Spec Chart Comparison
Bagger Battle: Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special vs. Indian Challenger Limited
Big Dam Tour: Seven Baggers for Seven Brosephuses
Baggers Brawl
find Indian Motorcycles Specs
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Find A Used Indian MotorcycleView all Used Indian Motorcycles
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Find A Indian Dealer View all Indian Dealers
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Indian Motorcycle News View all Indian News
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King Of The Baggers Expands To 5 Rounds In 2021
Love it or hate it, the MotoAmerica is growing the Bagger class in 2021 more -
Indian eFTR Hand It Down Campaign Ep.2 Features Robbie Madison
Indian's eFTR Hand It Down video series continues with Robbie Madison and his two kids, Kruz and Jagger more -
Indian Launches eFTR Jr Hand It Down Campaign To Bring In New Riders
Indian's Hand It Down campaign aims to get kids (and their parents) excited about motorcycling more -
Baggers at 50 Paces
You deserve a break today more -
Roland Sands and SS Build a Bagger
A 3-minute video interlude more -
Indian Motorcycle Reveals 5th Annual Jack Daniels Limited Edition Motorcycle
Indian debuts it's annual Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Motorcycle. more -
Indian Motorcycle Announces Apple CarPlay Integration
At last, Apple CarPlay is now supported on select Indian models more -
Indian Motorcycle x Roland Sands Design Deliver FTR 1200 Accessory Lineup
After watching the RSD hooligan FTRs ripping around the flat track, we're stoked to see the FTR 1200 Accessory line from Roland Sands come available. more -
11th Annual One Motorcycle Show is This Weekend
Indian returns as presenting sponsor more -
Indian Announces Ride Of A Lifetime Challenger Test Ride Sweepstakes
If you’re even remotely interested in the Indian Challenger, then you should dash on over to Indian’s website to enter the Challenger Ride of a Lifetime Sweepstakes. One lucky motorcyclist will have the opportunity to set out on one of five scenic routes set out by Indian Motorcycle: Cherohala Skyway – TN and NC North […] more -
Indian Partners with Veterans Charity Ride Motorcycle Therapy Adventure to Sturgis
Indian reaffirmed its support for the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis. The non-profit Veterans Charity Ride seeks to help vets readjust to civilian life through “Motorcycle Therapy.” The fifth annual ride begins July 25 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and travels via the Pikes Peak kmountain range in Colorado towards the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in […] more -
Indian FTR 1200 Artist Series Tank Covers Unveiled in France
Wheels and Waves and Berets more -
Randy Mamola To Race IndianxWorkhorse Sprint Racer
Randy Mamola is going racing again! This time aboard the Indian Workhorse Sprint Racer more -
Indian Motorcycle Launches Companys First Ever Rental Program
At select dealers, Indian Motorcycle Rentals provides locals and travelers the opportunity to rent an Indian motorcycle more -
When, O when, will the Indian FTR1200 be in Dealers?
We’re glad you asked. This just in from Indian: “Indian Motorcycle is excited to announce the FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S will begin arriving in dealers in the U.S. and Canada in mid-May. All factory accessories, including the Tracker, Sport, Rally and Tour Collections, will also be available as motorcycles arrive in dealerships.” For […] more -
The 2019 Annual Flood Run is April 20
Sponsored again by Indian more -
Indian Announces Fourth Annual Jack Daniels Limited Edition Bike
For the fourth year in a row, Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s have joined together to produce an extremely limited edition Indian that is unique enough to wear the Jack Daniel’s logo. MOron and whiskey aficionado, John Burns, wrote about the Klock Werks Jack Daniel’s First Responders Limited Edition Scout Bobber last year and had […] more -
Your 2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Awaits, Chief
Indian says it’s only going to build 200 of these top-o-the-line tourers, each hand-encrusted in Wildfire Red Candy over Thunder Black Crystal paint and bejeweled with 24K gold trim. Packing a new, 600-watt sound system, 7-inch Ride Command touch screen, rear cylinder deactivation and an entire plethora of optional equipment including three stages of engine upgrades […] more -
Indian Motorcycle Therapy
Through a Horse Darkly more -
Indian and American Flat Track Renew Partnership for 2019
Big money and a new wrecking crew more -
6th Annual Beautiful Bikers Conference Announce Indian And Polaris As Title Sponsors
Indian and Polaris are stepping up in a big way for the Beautiful Bikers Conference & Awards more -
Indian Will Sponsor the 2019 One Moto Show
Portland, Oregon Territory, Feb. 8-10 more -
Indian on Warpath vis-a-vis AFT Rule Change
All about the throttle bodies more -
New Indian FTR Will Be Revealed October 1!
Indian's latest ripped-off veil consists of Jared Mees tearing around a dirt oval on his championship-winning Indian FTR750 somewhere in the desert, then backin' er in to the garage. more -
Indian Clinches Second Consecutive AFT Twins Manufacturer’s Championship
Indian just keeps steamrolling the competition in American Flat Track. When will another brand have something to knock Indian off the top spot? Not only are Indian’s factory riders crushing it on the FTR750, but other racers jumping on it for the first time are performing well, too. AFT: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – American Flat […] more -
Brad the Bullet Baker Could Use a Little Help
BB Will be OK, His Bank Account Will Not more -
Rinehart Racing Joins the 2018 Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis + Video
We owe it all to our nation’s veterans, and the 2018 Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis from Las Vegas helps provide a little throttle therapy for veterans to help improve their lives through motorcycling. Rinehart Racing has joined to help support the cause this year. Rinehart Racing: ARDEN, NC – July 24, 2018 – Rinehart […] more -
Rinehart Racing Revs Up for Return to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Harley-Davidson and Indian owners, Rinehart Racing will be in Sturgis all week, so if you’re looking to upgrade your bike’s performance and/or sound, make sure to stop by and check out their rig. Rinehart Racing: ARDEN, NC – July 18, 2018 – Rinehart Racing® is bringing the rumble back to South Dakota for the 78th […] more -
2017-2018 Indian Scout, Scout Bobber and Scout Sixty Recalled for Air in ABS
Indian is recalling all ABS-equipped Scout models (including the Scout Bobber and Scout Sixty) from model years 2017 and 2018 because air may have been left in the braking system during assembly. Air in the brake hydraulics may degrade brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall affects 4,185 units. Non-ABS models or […] more -
Indian FTR750 Sweeps Podium for 7th Consecutive Race at AFT Lima Half-Mile
Indian keeps steamrolling the competition with another all-FTR750 podium sweep making it seven in a row, as well as fourth and fifth positions, too. Who has what it takes to rain on Indian’s parade? Indian: Reigning Champion Jared Mees Wins Eighth Race of Season – Indian Motorcycle Privateers Jeffrey Carver Jr. & Henry Wiles Complete […] more -
Travis Pastrana To Attempt Evel Knievels Iconic Jumps On History Channels Evel Live
During three-hour TV special, Travis Pastrana will attempt three of Evel Knievel's most famous jumps back-to-back-to-back more -
Jared Mees and Dan Bromley Better than OK at American Flat Track’s OKC Mile
And another all-Indian FTR750 podium sweep. Actually, all of the top 8 finishers were aboard FTR750s at the American Flat Track OKC Mile. AFT: DAYTONA BEACH, FL – June 17, 2018 – Defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing SDI Scout FTR750) was at his level best on Saturday night […] more