There aren’t many motorcycle brands that can say they helped invent the American V-Twin scene. Indian Motorcycle can. Founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, it predates Harley’s dominance, owned early board tracks, and basically wrote the first few chapters of American motorcycling. Racing success, military contracts, postwar glory. It had it all.
Then it also had bankruptcy. And more bankruptcy. And a few awkward resurrections that felt like tribute bands playing the hits.
Fast forward to the modern era under Polaris, and Indian actually found its footing again. The Thunderstroke engines brought back that classic air-cooled rumble. The liquid-cooled PowerPlus platform proved it could build a serious performance bagger. The Challenger showed up to King of the Baggers and didn’t just participate. It won.
