Maybe HD should buy'em out .... just to make their bikes look inexpensive.

I was thinking about this a little more. H-D pretty much has the top end of what people are willing to tolerate, as far as pricing goes, sewn up. Indian's pricing will actually help H-D, since H-D won't be known as "The Most Expensive Motorcycle" anymore. I don't see how this price schedule will help Indian in the least.

Also, the diehard Indian riders, (the originals) are pushing into their late sixties and early seventies, now. Indian vanished from the marketplace for so long, that they don't have a loyal client base like H-D does. I don't see any retiree deciding to shell out $37K (actually closer to $47K, with taxes, etc.) for an Indian.

Where they came up with their pricing structure, I don't know. Is this what they need to sell them for in order to turn a profit? If so, that's pretty sad. If not, then the Board of Directors must be smoking the Whacky-Tobaccy.

I don't know if any of you know how Harley-Davidson got to be the American leading motorcycle over Indian( well this is what I was told to me by a buddy of mine who was the head Inspacter for Indian in Gilroy CA.) During World War II. Harley-Davidson and Indian were both fighting to get the military contract . They both had a 500 cc flathead twins and when it came down to bargaining table Harley announced there new 750cc flathead twins and the military went with the bigger cc from 1940 through 1945, Harley-Davidson built over 60,000 750cc and Indian built over 30,000 of their 500cc flathead V-twins for other allied forces.
My dad was a Indian rider and to this day he still talks about how he used kick the Harley's riders on the oval track

Other than the clean looking motors, can't really say that they are all to my liking. To be honest, the Roadie is probably my favorite looking Cruiser. And, you can make it almost anything you want. I'm not biased cause I have one. Have wanted one since 99 and finally had the opportunity this year

That is a ridiculous price. I can't see anyone shelling out that kind of money when they can have a top of the line HD for half that price, not to mention the R* that is even less. I don't see them making it happen. My brother bought an Indian Chief when they started making them again this last time but he didn't pay that for it.

I just went to their web site and checked them out. I think the R* looks tons better. They also have the cheesy fork swing arm instead of the hard tail looking swing arm. Looks like they tried to make the rocker covers look like the ole HD Panhead.

I watched "The World's Fastest Indian," last night. What a great movie... Of course, I would expect no less from Sir Anthony Hopkins.

ultrastar wrote:
I don't know if any of you know how Harley-Davidson got to be the American leading motorcycle over Indian( well this is what I was told to me by a buddy of mine who was the head Inspacter for Indian in Gilroy CA.) During World War II. Harley-Davidson and Indian were both fighting to get the military contract . They both had a 500 cc flathead twins and when it came down to bargaining table Harley announced there new 750cc flathead twins and the military went with the bigger cc from 1940 through 1945, Harley-Davidson built over 60,000 750cc and Indian built over 30,000 of their 500cc flathead V-twins for other allied forces.
My dad was a Indian rider and to this day he still talks about how he used kick the Harley's riders on the oval track
That would be after Indian went out of business. Sammy Pierce bought out a lot of the dealers across the country and got as many of the molds and other stuff he could from the Indian Factory in Springfield Mass. and started making them in Gilroy. I still have his 2 page catalog around here somewhere.
The story your friend told you is the beginning of the end of Indian, or the first of many business mistakes they made before they closed the doors in 1953.
Being an old Indian rider (53 Chief) and still knowing and riding with many old Indian riders I think it is safe to say they have no or very little support from that group.
In the early 70's 3 Indian rallies where held in Springfield.
At the third one the first 'new owners' unvailed their new Indian. It was electric start, foot shift, with a panhead looking v-twin. Everyone there told them that at the very least it had to have a Flat Head motor and a hand shift, left hand throttle, and optional or additional foot starter. It was the flat head motor that set Indian apart, and I'll tell you I would still love to have a flat head today.
Mine was 80 cu. in. about half the hp the * has, but with the right sprockets you could cruise at 80 in third all day long barely cracking the throttle.

ultrastar ask your father if he ever heard of Brownie Betar I bought almost all my parts from him.
He built a totally chromed Indian Scout with 2 Mikuni carbs for his hill climber. Sweet bike.

Me thinkums, bikes cost too much Wampum!!!

I knew they were going high-end of the market.
The investers also own a Boat company they brought back
from the brink,but a brain fart keeps me from remembering
thier name.How was the fit and finish tommyt?Should
be perfect at that price.

Bikes look GRAT, however the leather lace on the seat and saddlebags will likely look pritty ruff after about 20k miles in the wind.....They look good but no better than a Roadstar.... and I just can't imagine paying nearly 40K for a motorcycle.
tt