
Indian Motorcycles
Updated March, 2021
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 the bottom fell out in 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 and Coca-Cola.
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 Indian’s all-new Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin: the 2014 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, and Chieftain were all named after classic Indian models from the Springfield era, and all were designed to go head-to-head with Harley-Davidson.
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.
Speaking of competing with Harley-Davidson, Indian also teamed up with famed engine builder Swissauto to produce a motorcycle specifically for flat-track competition. 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. Harley-Davidson had dominated this uniquely American form of horse-track competition for decades, and the success of Indian’s FTR showcased the company’s performance bent.
Also in 2017, with Indian 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 motorcycle resources behind Indian.
FTR1200S
Naturally, Indian parlayed the FTR750’s racing success into a uniquely American performance street motorcycle asap. The FTR1200 debuted in 2019, with a modern 120-horsepower liquid-cooled 1200 cc V-twin housed in a flat-track/naked-bike chassis, with custom Dunlop street tires mimicking the look of dirt-track racing rubber. Nobody quite knew how to classify the FTR: Part dirt-tracker, part Ducati Monster, and part ADV bike with its upright street-friendly ergonomics and longish-travel suspension, the FTR carves out its own unique, hooliganistic niche as a motorcycle that’s a hoot to ride just about anywhere.
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.
2022 Indian Chief
One century after the original Chief rolled out of the Springfield, Massachusetts works, Indian launches a whole new line of stripped-down Chiefs. The base model pictured gets Indian’s 111-inch Thunderstroke V-twin and not a lot else. Three other models, the Chief Bobber, Super Chief and Chief Dark Horse provide variations on the clean, elemental theme.
2022 Indian FTR1200
You can still get the original adventurous FTR1200 in the form of the Rally, which continues on with the bigger (wire-spoke) wheels and dirty road capabilities. Now, Indian’s brought three new 2022 FTR1200s to bear (FTR, FTR S, and FTR R Carbon), all with 17-inch wheels front and rear shod in proper sportbike rubber, revised suspension to suit, a lower seat, a refined engine tune, advanced electronics, and – Indian hopes – a whole new appeal for people who have no intention of leaving the pavement. I think we all wondered why they didn’t build this one first?
2020 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.
Most Popular Indian Models
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Indian Reviews View all Reviews
The 2022 Indian Pursuits Are Here
2022 Indian Scout Rogue Confirmed by NHTSA
2022 Indian Model Updates Announced
The 2022 Indian Pursuits Are Here
2022 Indian Scout Rogue & Scout Rogue Sixty – First Look
2022 Indian Scout Rogue Confirmed by NHTSA
2022 Indian Model Updates Announced
New Indian Pursuit with PowerPlus Engine for 2022
Indian Files Trademarks for “Scout Rogue”
2022 Indian Chief Review – First Ride
2022 Indian FTR 1200 Review – First Ride
2022 Indian Chief Line First Look
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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Indian Motorcycles Launches New Video Series – Epic Pursuits
Three Epic U.S. Road Trip Experiences Capture the Glory of Crushing Miles, Discovering New Places & Creating Lifelong Memories. more -
Indian Wins Daytona King of the Baggers and American Flat Track Races
Indian Motorcycles completed a successful Daytona Week with a pair of wins in the King of the Baggers, and a win in American Flat Track to open its 2022 racing season. Begin press release Indian Motorcycle Dominates Daytona, Kicking Off 2022 Race Season In Dramatic Fashion With Wins At King Of The Baggers & American […] more -
Heres Your 2022 Jack Daniels Klock Werks Kustoms Indian Challenger
Not the first to be inspired by Tennessee Rye Whiskey more -
2022 Indian Jack Daniels Collaboration Will Be Revealed Oct. 14
Over Klocked Indian more -
Indian Says Its Latest Cool Seat is Vastly Improved
Now for Challenger too more -
Big-Time Builders Will Knock Out Three Custom Indian Chiefs
Hart, Takamine, Cox & Sasaki is not a law firm more -
Indian Motorcycles Now Official Partner Of MotoAmerica
Indian will have support trucks at select MotoAmerica rounds coinciding with the King of the Baggers series. more -
Are You Ready for the 2021 Indian Chieftain ELITE?!
Any color you want long as it's Thunder Black Vivid Crystal over Carbon Crystal more -
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