1902

First Indian Motorcycle®, featuring innovative chain drives & streamlined styling, sold to public. Photo: Oscar Hedstrom with the first prototype of Indian® Source: © Wikipedia

First Indian Motorcycle®, featuring innovative chain drives & streamlined styling, sold to public...

1906

Indian Motorcycle® releases first American production V-Twin after several years of development and testing; 101 years later V-Twin remains most popular cruiser-motorcycle engine design.

Indian Motorcycle® releases first American production V-Twin after several years of development and...

1907

New York Police Department selects Indian Motorcycle® for first motorcycle police unit.

New York Police Department selects Indian Motorcycle® for first motorcycle police unit.

1913

First swingarm and leaf-spring rear suspension in the industry is introduced.

First swingarm and leaf-spring rear suspension in the industry is introduced.

1916

Racing activities are suspended as the company supplies the war effort with 41,000 machines. Photo © US Department of the Interior

Racing activities are suspended as the company supplies the war effort with 41,000 machines. Photo...

1920

It's a decade of growth - First use of semi-unit construction is utilized in the introduction of the Indian® Scout®.

It's a decade of growth - First use of semi-unit construction is utilized in the introduction of t...

1922

Indian Motorcycle® becomes first company in America to use "leakproof" aluminum primary cases.

Indian Motorcycle® becomes first company in America to use "leakproof" aluminum primary cases.

1923

When motorcycles began to appear in the late 19th century, there was some uncertainty about what to call them. Some journalists used "motocycle", some used "motorcycle". The Hendee Manufacturing Company chose "motocycle", changing the name to Indian Motocycle® Company.

When motorcycles began to appear in the late 19th century, there was some uncertainty about what to...

1930

The Art Deco era hits the Indian Motorcycle® adorned in a full range of Duco colors, two-tone designs, pinstriping, and decals.

The Art Deco era hits the Indian Motorcycle® adorned in a full range of Duco colors, two-tone desig...

1940

Indian Motorcycle® pioneers use of "plunger" (spring coupled to an oil-dampened shaft) rear suspension; introduces trademark full-skirt fenders (aka valences). Production during the war years is mainly military and police vehicles.

Indian Motorcycle® pioneers use of "plunger" (spring coupled to an oil-dampened shaft) rear suspens...

1941

Production during the war years is mainly military and police vehicles. Indian Motorcycle® begins production of advanced shaft-drive, four-speed military motorcycle. In 1943, Indian Motorcycle® wins Army-Navy Production Award.

Production during the war years is mainly military and police vehicles. Indian Motorcycle® begins p...

1945

The company is sold and consolidated into the Torque Engineering Company. Later the company is divided with manufacturing going to the Atlas Corporation and distribution to The Indian® Sales Corporation.

The company is sold and consolidated into the Torque Engineering Company. Later the company is divid...

1967

Herbert "Burt" Munro rides his self-modified 1920 Scout® to an under-1000cc land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Forty years later, Munro and his Indian®'s record still stands.

Herbert "Burt" Munro rides his self-modified 1920 Scout® to an under-1000cc land-speed record at th...

1998

A complex web of trademark rights foil numerous attempts to revive the Indian® name until several formerly competing companies merge to become the Indian Motorcycle® Company.

A complex web of trademark rights foil numerous attempts to revive the Indian® name until several f...

2008

Production begins and 2009 Indian® Chief® motorcycles start rolling off the assembly line in Kings Mountain, NC.

Production begins and 2009 Indian® Chief® motorcycles start rolling off the assembly line in Kings...

2011

Indian Motorcycle® will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris®' engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian Motorcycle®'s premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.

Indian Motorcycle® will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combinatio...

2013

A new era of Indian Motorcycle® is born, starting with the reveal of the Thunder Stroke™ 111 engine at Daytona Bike Week in March and the unveiling of the 2014 Indian® Chief® at the Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally in August.

A new era of Indian Motorcycle® is born, starting with the reveal of the Thunder Stroke™ 111 engi...

2014

New 2015 Indian Motorcycle® models feature two-tone paint. Each bike in the 2015 Indian Motorcycle® lineup was designed with a careful nod to the past, yet focused on the open road ahead.

New 2015 Indian Motorcycle® models feature two-tone paint. Each bike in the 2015 Indian Motorcycle® li...

2015

The all-new 2015 Indian® Scout® revives and honors a legendary Indian® model name. With dynamic, integrated styling, a 69 cu in liquid-cooled engine, and superior ride-ability, this bike is like nothing else.

The all-new 2015 Indian® Scout® revives and honors a legendary Indian® model name. With dynamic, integr...