Polaris Indians. Are they related to the Pesky Indians?
Posted on 06/30/2018 12:20:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Edited on 06/30/2018 12:57:16 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Shortly following the dramatic announcement that Harley-Davidson is shifting some of its production overseas, its top domestic competitor is reminding us that its engines are built with American hands in the Heartland. Granted, Harley-Davidson builds engines in the U.S. too, but it seems like the timing of this video from Indian is hardly a coincidence.
The video below shows factory workers proudly doing their jobs at the Osceola, Wisconsin engine assembly plant. The plant recently built its 100,000th Indian Motorcycle engine and one worker expresses the “pride, craftsmanship, and honor” that goes into building every engine. Along with some testimonials, we get some cool footage of Indian bikes in action.
As we’ve clarified a few times now, Harley-Davidson motorcycles sold in the U.S. will still all be built in the U.S. The overseas manufacturing H-D is doing is only for bikes sold in foreign markets. That being said, Indian builds all of its bikes here at home with the bikes themselves being assembled in Spirit Lake, Iowa which gives many of its riders and employees a sense of pride.
However, Indian Motorcycle can get away with having all of its manufacturing here because it’s still a much smaller brand than Harley-Davidson and has less of an international presence.
H-D is still a very American brand, but with the recent news of outsourcing rubbing many of the bikemaker's loyalists the wrong way, Indian Motorcycle decided to give riders a friendly reminder of the brand’s commitment to American manufacturing. Die-hard Harley-Davidson fans might be looking at other options for American motorcycles and Indian will gladly sell them an alternative that riders might end up liking even more.
Cue the butt hurt SJWs demanding a name change.
I like Indians. They are some sweet looking bikes.
Smart marketing. Many people buy Harley’s because they are/ were? Made In USA. Now some will buy Indians instead.
Polaris makes Indian Motorcycles-
I read an article saying that Harley’s customer base was no longer in the US as much as foreign countries and that this was part of the reason for moving off shore. An aging American public and a general shift in feelings on safety and desire to ride motorcycles had reduced American demand. When I see people riding Harleys they do all appear to be much older people. According to the article, tariffs, currency exchange rates and local foreign protectionism drove Harley to move off shore. They started this move five years ago.
I don’t ride but if I did, Indian would get a fresh look before any purchase.
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Polaris Indians. Are they related to the Pesky Indians?
My Dad was born in 1904, and raced an Indian, probably in the 1920's or 1930's. Wish I'd asked him more about those times.
Makes sense Harley would be trying something different to entice the younger crowd as its older customers quit riding from old age.
Polaris Indian better be doing the same thing in their own way too.
I do find it interesting Harley sales are up in Europe. I knew they were down in the USA.
I'm adding the Scout to the stable. Was going to go with the super sweet, FTR750 for a general, lightweight, backroad knockabout, but those nut burner pipes. Still, I'm betting that someone already has an aftermarket kit to correct that, and may change my mind before next March.
Three of the most American build brands of motorcycles:
(1) Indian.
(2) Victory.
The next one will surprise a lot of people.
(3) Honda. Seriously. Mostly made with US manufactured parts and mostly assembled in Marysville, Ohio and Lincoln, Alabama by American workers — who incidentally rejected the UAW’s attempt to unionize them.
Not sure about Harley — have seen conflicting reports.
This is based on the last time I looked into this. If I’m wrong, welcome a Freeper correction, but please be nice. I’m a sensitive guy. LOL
But can you make the Indian sound as obnoxious as a Harley?
Not sure but probably. Punch a couple holes in the “tail pipe”??
Lots of better bikes out there for half the money now days plus when I ride, everyone is looking at their damn phone and not the road.
Still not ready to sell my Springer Softtail yet though.
Note re Honda: that’s for bikes sold in the US. Not sure about bikes sold outside of the US.
I know you can’t make a Honda sound as obnoxious as a Harley. Used to ride a VTX 1300. It purred like a kitten. Almost too quiet. But it got up to (stupid speed) really fast, so I didn’t care...
:)
I thought Harley Davidson had been bought out by the employees. Why would an employee owned company shut down, and move out of the country?
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