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Ooooooooh, I like it. Indian Motorcycles is going to have their rebirth, and it is just over the state line from me. Maybe they can make it stick this time. Check the news story out:

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site...amp;newsLang=en

July 20, 2006 03:00 PM US Eastern Timezone
Indian(R) Motorcycle Company Announces New Home
KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2006--Indian(R) Motorcycle Company is pleased to announce that it will be revving up its engine in a new home. After carefully reviewing location options throughout the United States, Indian(R) has selected a factory in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where it will place its world headquarters. The site, located in Cleveland County, 37 miles west of downtown Charlotte, includes 11 acres of property and a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility which is expandable to 125,000 square feet.

"We believe Cleveland County and the greater Charlotte area are a perfect fit for Indian(R) Motorcycle Company and we're proud to call this area home," said Indian Chairman, Stephen Julius. "We are in the heart of our nation's powersports industry, with access to design, engineering and mechanical talent, world-class suppliers, motorsport education centers and year-round motorcycle riding weather. In addition, this area provides us with economic advantages, including a low overall cost of doing business, which was aided by a strong incentive package provided by Cleveland County and by the State of North Carolina."

The announcement of the factory site marks the official re-launch of Indian(R) Motorcycle Company, America's oldest and most iconic motorcycle brand, founded in 1901. In preparation for Indian's re-launch, management has spent considerable time over the last two years researching the American motorcycle market and learning from the successes and failures of other market entrants. In particular, Indian has studied the tremendous growth of Harley-Davidson from near-bankruptcy in the early 1980's to a multi-billion dollar success story today. However, Indian is intent on slowly carving out its own niche in the large and growing heavyweight cruiser motorcycle market. There is a considerable consumer base for a premium line of motorcycles under the Indian Motorcycle brand, which has an almost cult-like status amongst many consumers. The company will focus on supplying genuine, American made, motorcycles which are beautifully designed, made of the highest quality materials, reliable and supported by a qualified dealer network.

Over the next 12 months, Indian will focus on design, engineering and testing activities, with the objective of introducing the famed Indian(R) Chief(R) motorcycle in the second half of 2007. To head up its product development team, Indian has hired Geoffrey Burgess, a world-renowned motorcycle engineer and product development expert. Geoff was most recently the Chief Technology Officer at Global Motorsports Group ("GMG"), owner of Custom Chrome, a provider of parts and accessories to the American V-twin motorcycle market. Prior to GMG, Geoff was head of product development at S&S Cycle, Inc., a leading V-twin engine manufacturing company, where he drove product innovation and process improvement to new levels. Prior to joining S&S, Geoff was the first employee and Chief Engineer at the Victory Motorcycle division of Polaris Industries, Inc., in Roseau, Minnesota. Geoff has also served in various senior engineering capacities at General Motors, Bombardier Recreational Products (Valcourt, Quebec), BSA-Triumph Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers Motorcycle Group. "Having Geoff on our team is a big win for Indian(R)," commented Indian President, David Wright. "His breadth and depth of knowledge of the American motorcycle market is impressive and his technical capabilities unsurpassed. He has outstanding powertrain and chassis design and development experience which we will put to good use. He is the perfect person for this role."

Mr. Burgess commented, "I know that the executive management of Indian(R) understand the importance of product development, engineering and testing to current industry OEM standards. I have been very impressed with their thoughtful and long-term approach to this exciting opportunity."

Indian is presently seeking to expand its team of engine and chassis engineers, technicians and CAD designers. "Our team will focus on design, quality, craftsmanship and service," commented Mr. Wright. "Indian remains among the most powerful brands in the U.S. motorcycle market, and our team is committed to re-building the extraordinary legend of Indian(R)." In the first half of 2007, Indian(R) will begin the process of developing a small but highly qualified network of motorcycle dealers who understand and appreciate the heritage of Indian(R) and recognize the growth potential of this opportunity.

The controlling shareholder of Indian(R) Motorcycle Company is London based Stellican Limited which has an impressive track record of resurrecting classic brands, including, most recently, the successful re-launch of Chris-Craft(R) boats, which was founded in 1874 and is among the oldest boat brands in the United States. "We will apply the same practical and long-term approach to Indian as we have employed successfully at Chris-Craft," commented Stephen Julius, Chairman of both Indian Motorcycle and Chris-Craft. "We are confident we will repeat our success with Indian(R) by remaining true to the rich heritage of this incredible brand and doing things slowly and thoroughly. We are certain that there is an important role for Indian(R) in the future of the American motorcycle market," added Mr. Julius.

Always liked the Indians. Scout and Spirit especially. If I were ever to add a non-Triumph to my garage (and I had a spare $20K).....

This is great news for motorcyclists, NC and the USA. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Not that far away, maybe they need an old guy test driver.....

I hope they make a go of it, for the industry as well as the region. There have been many good folks/tradesmen that had too many jobs lost to furniture and textile plants going bye-bye. Beautiful part of the Country would make a factory tour a fun destination point on a ride/tour.

BobW.

It was sad that they didn't make last time around. I really
hope this time is the charm. I think they need to keep the
price competitive, but hope they can sell a bunch. Nice to
see them on the "right" coast, too.

I have my doubts, but the same company did revive Criss-craft boats, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Soren

Only other bike I would have in my garage would be an Indian. I really hope they come up with a drop dead beautiful heavy cruiser.

Indian Motorcycle Story


I grew up in Lexington, MA. our next door neighbor owned an old Indian I remember it because it had a suicide shifter right next to the tank, and had an Indian in full headdress painted on the tank. They did not have any kids and his wife was always bitc*hing at him about something.

He would spend hours tinkering and cleaning that bike and would take me and my little brother for a ride if we washed his car for him. I guess the bike was his escape from his miserable wife.

Like all small towns we had septic tanks and every couple of years you would have to have them pumped out. When your neighbor finally had theirs done she was not home and he being a tinker had to watch. Well lo and behold the thing was full of rubbers and I remember him asking the guy (what’s those) the guy says french ballons you know rubbers and he yells we are Catholic we do not use those things

Two days later he leaves for work and hides in our back yard and when the boyfriend shows up he lays into him with a bat beat him up pretty good. Before the cops got there he jumped on that old Indian and rode away never to be seen or heard from again. My mom and dad still live in our house and the bi*ch is still there next door. I use to ask my dad if they every caught him and he told me years later that Art called him once to see if the boyfriend survived the beaten and he was out west and doing ok. Never did catch him.

I always liked Art and know he is out there somewhere just riding That Big Old Indian Motorcycle.

If they only go the luxury path ( as the announcement seems to say ), they limit their appeal and the customer pool is much smaller. The previous Indian was upscale some, I would think these guys would learn from that and have a plan to target a larger customer base, then move upscale as you grow.

Art is the man

Every one has a Harley which is what attracted me to Triumph.Now if Indian comes back(and does not turn south like that Norton tease)my next bike WILL be an Indian.Don't get me wrong I do like a few of Harley's bikes.

Art has the REAL World's Fastest Indian...

If they develope their own engines and stay away from S&S powerplants then they will have something original, which is better than some of those other clone builders. Plus it would be good if they make a lessr price bike for those of us that don't have 20 grand to throw around......By the way, Art shouldn't blame the boyfriend. If the wife didn't want to have an affair, then she wouldn't let it happen......Angelis

their chief engineer was product development chief for S&S so its a pretty strong assumption S&S will do the motors regardless of how they badge them.

I really liked this one line going back to another unrelated thread about another company it caught my attention.

"The company will focus on supplying genuine, American made, motorcycles which are beautifully designed, made of the highest quality materials, reliable and supported by a qualified dealer network"

If they are not genuine and American made they will never compete with Harley or Victory. For the cult members of Indian, it is better not to have one than to have one not made in America.

As a former Chris Craft boat owner I studied these guys over the years. I truly believe they mean exactly what they say. They are not in any way undercapitolized so lets hope it takes off. Like Triumph from England, Indian from America is cool.

This is what, the fifth try at reviving Indian? What's the betting line on this? I'll give it 12 months to burn through
the start-up money, 8 months for the second batch of investor's money, another 6 months for bankruptcy proceedings, and in two-and-a-half years you'll be able to buy their former assets for a song. I think Hendee's ghost is cursing all the neo-Indians.

I'd love to see the brand revived, and have dreamed of an original parked in my driveway for years. Extreme pricing could hinder their efforts at success.

Hey Satxron, Before they went under the last time, Indian had developed their own engine independent of the S&S motors. They were called the PowerPlus motors. Hopefully they will have them tested and ready to install by the time they go to the dealers.......Angelis