Indian Motorcycles launch scheduled in January

Its glad tiding for fans of the iconic Indian Motorcycle as news has come in that the iconic American two-wheeler manufacturer will be making its debut in our two-wheeler market in by the third week of next month. The Indian brand would be launched in New Delhi by Polaris, which is the parent company of Indian Motorcycle and is already present in our country through its range of ATVs. The models which are scheduled to be brought to our market include the Indian Chief Classic, Indian Chief Vintage and Indian Chieftain. The 2014 Indian Chief range is powered by the newly developed Thunderstroke 1,819cc, V-twin engine pumping out an astonishing 161Nm of torque.

Though many may know of the Indian Motorcycle brand thanks to the movie “The Fastest Indian,” but the company boasts a rich history and legacy that precedes the movie. In fact, Indian was the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world during the period after 1910 and was even ahead of the most well-known American motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson. The most prolific models for Indian were the Scout and Chief which were drenched in the trademark shade of deep red. But the two-wheeler manufacturer wasn’t able to hold its sales post World War II and owing to poor quality and lack of development, sales of motorcycles slid and in 1953 the company eventually became bankrupt.

In 2011, the brand got a new lease of life when Polaris Industries renowned manufacturer for off-road/ leisure vehicles and also the parent company for Victory Motorcycles took over the brand. It will be a relatively easy task for the American motorcycle brand to enter our market as Polaris, the parent company of Indian is already present in our country through its range of ATVs. So all you bikers looking to add a cruiser to your garage now you finally have a proper option other than Harley-Davidson but unlike its American rival it seems Indian Motorcycle would enter our market via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route so expect to shell out a premium to own them.