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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:07 pm
by CentralOzzy
OK RED it is!

The It would be a proper RED Indian right? :wink:

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:54 pm
by Gadjet
Like Mike, I would love to try out the new Scout. I like the looks of it much more than the Spirit or Chief. Sad to say, but I'm not really a big fan of the huge valanced fenders and all the other fiddly bits. I like a nice simple bike with clean lines.

And if I ever do manage to get one, I swear I won't try to farkle it out like I have my KLR. I'll try to keep it as stock as possible. :smoke:

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:24 am
by Scoutmedic
I sent an email off to the new Indian inquiring about engine sizes. I received an attachment of their May press release so, there's more information HERE. Way to go Mike!

At least they replied to me I guess.

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:45 am
by totalmotorcycle
Scoutmedic wrote:I sent an email off to the new Indian inquiring about engine sizes. I received an attachment of their May press release so, there's more information HERE. Way to go Mike!

At least they replied to me I guess.
I aim to please. :D When I find out more Indian motorcycle information I'll post it up on Total Motorcycle as soon as I know it.

Mike.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:02 am
by totalmotorcycle
More information on Indian Motorcycle Released:




Indian cycles to ride again
July 25, 2006 - By KEVIN MCQUAID - Herald Tribune - heraldtribune.com




Lost amid the hoopla last week over Chris-Craft Corp.'s plan to expand in North Carolina was parent Stellican Ltd.'s other bombshell: The revival of the Indian Motorcycle Co.

For the investment firm and cycling enthusiasts worldwide alike, Indian's move to start production in Kings Mountain, N.C., was a momentous breakthrough.

For London-based Stellican, the announcement capped a two-year quest to resurrect the dormant motorcycle brand, America's oldest.

For cycling aficionados, it sparked a renewed interest in one of the industry's most storied names.

"With Indian, there's a sense of the nostalgic, and people identify with an icon being reborn," said Mike Clifford, owner of Helmet-stickers.com, a Hagerstown, Md.-based motorcycle accessory company.

Indian intends to invest roughly $23 million in a 40,000-square-foot, former International Paper plant to begin production.

The nine-year-old plant, about 40 miles outside Charlotte, can be expanded to 125,000 square feet. State and county officials provided Indian with $5.2 million in incentives.

There, it will manufacture several versions of a resurrected "Chief" cycle beginning in the second half of 2007.

"We believe the Chief will be the flagship for Indian, and that's our reason for focusing on it," said David Wright, Indian Motorcycle's president. "The Chief is a full-sized, heavy cruising bike and a premium product."

Wright added the company is in the process of developing a 1,638-cc, fuel-injected engine measuring 100 cubic inches.

In its first year, Indian plans to produce a limited number of motorcycles, likely numbering about 1,000. Beginning in the 2009 model year, Indian may reintroduce "Scout" and "Spirit" models.

He declined to say how much the revamped Chief would sell for, though it wouldn't be unrealistic for it to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000 in stores.

"We'll have relatively low volume and they'll be relatively higher priced as a result," said Wright, who owns a 2004 Chief.

For Florida, Indian's shift from Manatee County -- where it has been based since Stellican's acquisition in July 2004 -- represents another lost opportunity.

In addition to the 167 manufacturing jobs paying $47,000 annually that Indian expects to create initially, the company also intends to relocate its world headquarters.

Wright believes Indian's biggest challenges now are to find good employees, create a solid distribution and dealer network and, most importantly, to build a quality motorcycle.

"Ultimately we'll be judged by the quality of the product we make," Wright said. "We plan to introduce a product that's bulletproof from an engineering standpoint, that's beautiful and a good value, no matter the cost."

Indian will also have to overcome cynics who doubt whether the famed brand, which rivaled Harley-Davidson in sales and prestige until World War II, can truly make a comeback.

Indian, which stopped production in 1953, was last manufactured in California from 1998 to 2003.

"Indian continues to have a large cult following," Clifford said. "It's like Ford and Chevy. But they are going to have to show the world they'll be around awhile."

Clifford contends, however, that Indian could make inroads into Harley-Davidson, because the cycle giant hasn't updated its basic engine technology in more than three decades. Most of the 350,000 bikes Harley-Davidson produces annually, for instance, don't have fuel-injected engines.

Wright thinks interest in premium motorcycles is high enough that both Indian and Harley-Davidson can co-exist.

"I think the market is big enough for us to capture 10 percent of what Harley does," Wright said. "And that would be a $500 million-a-year business."

"Obviously, we're competing in the same arena as Harley-Davidson is, but we think with our heritage and exclusivity, together with our focus on engineering, that we'll have a better product."

========================================


Indian Motorcycle President David Wright sits on a 2004 Indian Chief. "We believe the Chief will be the flagship for Indian, and that's our reason for focusing on it."


London-based Stellican plans to bring back the Indian Chief motorcycle. A 2004 model is seen above. As a result, Manatee County-based Indian Motorcycle will move its headquarters to North Carolina.


The third incarnation of America's oldest motorcycle line -- it was originally founded in 1901 -- is being designed right now by the same people who brought the Chris-Craft line of boats back to life. Indian plans to start selling motorcycles in the 2007 model year.

First style: a revamped "Chief"

Price: $30,000-plus

Models: four or five eventually, each customizable in four or five ways, such as different seats or handlebars or leather accents

Available: second half of 2007

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:08 pm
by High_Side
I give 'em 18 months tops. :twisted:

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:12 am
by totalmotorcycle
"Beginning in the 2009 model year, Indian may reintroduce "Scout" and "Spirit" models. "
Booo! They should consider making their entry level models and price point models first to gain market share and get as many Indian motorcycles on the road IMO.

Mike.

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:07 pm
by TechTMW
Wow. More of the same cruisers. I'm floored by their creativity. :|

Actually, I shouldn't blame them for trying to make a buck. Good luck to Indian (The 3rd time's a charm, right?)

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:25 am
by Lunchbox
Indian (Gilroy, CA) started up late in 1998 and shutdown on Sept 19, 2003.
They shut their doors just as the 2004 line was coming off the line. They "finished" about 70 of the 2004 bikes.

I run a forum that is based on Indians.

When the new bikes come out of Kings Mountain they will be done right. These guys are taking their time and making sure the product is ready to be sold and not just trying to get product on the floor as Gilroy did.

In 2004 all models of Indian were to have Indian engines. The Chief had the PowerPlus100 as it had since the 2002 model year and the Scout & Spirit lines were to have a 92ci PowerPlus engine. The 92ci engine was being manufactured for Indian by S&S.

Image

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:29 am
by Lunchbox
High_Side wrote:I give 'em 18 months tops. :twisted:
Do some research on the people behind this go around. They have a great track record of bring back companys that mismanagement drove out of business. Plus this time they are playing with THEIR OWN MONEY!! Stellican is Stephen Julies advisory group for the investing of his families trust fun. He is not going to take chances with his own money. In Gilroy they were playing with investors money ... why would they worry.