I hope they get there **** together this time. HD needs some more competion. I will just step back and watch. My dad use to ride a Indian back in the ole days.

 

I actually demoed a Henderson at the Laughlin River Run on year. Pretty nice bike but it just didn't have what it took. Those big springy front suspensions just didn't get it done in my opinion.

If Indian comes back I will be very surprised. Several attempts have been made at this, and people are so gun shy at this point that I don't think it will happen.

Regards,

Bill

 

Well I guess it could be successful with the right talent.
Does anyone remember why the Co. closed the last time?I think one reason was the production was to low to supply the dealers.
Also,will they continue with a proprietary engine?

 

Would be nice to see them back. I think there were sales/production/cash flow issues last time (late 90's ealy 00's).
The corporate headquarters of the new resurection are in the Sarasota/Bradenton, FL area (my home). First thoughts were to build 'em here but latest word is that it will be in NC as that state is making seriuos concessions to get industry and landed a new Chris Craft plant recently.
Last go round of Indians had S&S motors I believe. Would be a good thing if they had their own like HD & Victory.

 

I would like to see Indian back as a stable bike in the market. I would also like to see them get a little more agressive in design and get away from the old dated retro look. Make the retro look an option verses being the only design. They also need to come out with a bagger design.

 

I have 3 of their limited edition bikes.

Sad thing is if it weren't for the ego of one Hanlon EH would still be around. Bombardier wanted to buy them out, but Hanlon wanted to still run the place, which of course they said no f'n way. So they let it be stolen by a judge and known business criminal (who then sold the inventory and bankrupted his own company).

 

Well.. hopefully NC will do the trick for them... I know this place has been good for me. =)

And look at it this way... couple of weeks ago we had the threads about dream jobs... a lot of people said they would like to do Custom Motorcycle work or work in the Motorcycle industry in general... Well... There are worse places to live than NC and I think it would be awesome to be a part of bringing Indian back from the grave.

 

I personally was looking at an Indian last year... just gun shy with the history of the company. I think that they had some great bikes and offered some really nice features over a stock HD, as they already appeared more "custom" than a stock bike. I too would love to see them make a solid go and bring back to life a great bike to compete.

 

I thought that the main problem with the Hanlon's and EH was that they tried to make it a big start instead of growing the company slowly and by doing that "big time" they lacked the much needed money....

I've never seen one in real life but I was often reading everything that came out about them and the company and honestly I was hoping that they could succeed.

I know this is not the place to ask that....but what's your opinion on the product they made?

 

EH was the most successful IPO (of that time). They had $160M to play with, and thanks to some poor spending, blew it before the second year's bikes were ready. Although I agree w/this expense, they spent $20M on the paint booth process alone (It's real nice paint). But their museum plans and expensive offices (to look like they were not newbies) ate too much. Plus they wanted a HD-like collectibles line from day1. They did hurry a std fork model to get the people not into the springer front, and were making a hard-bagger too. But those needed lots of money, and they spent all $160M already (in 5 years).

The stock tanked when this was found out, so they went looking for 'partners'. And deep pocket Bombardier wanted an in on their other offerings. Rather like Polaris. But (rumor) was none of the Hanlons would be much more than figurehead consultants. So they chaptered, and 'EH Partners' swooped in promising to keep the entire company intact and producing (stipulation on the award). What they DID was strip out the completed bikes (taken to FLA), and when caught they declared bankruptcy.

AFA the product it is both great and sucky. The tranny is a Yammy design that they altered - narrower gear thickness - but they kept the same bushings. Result: complete trans failure at speed around 8000 miles. Weak lifter springs that make a sewing machine racket. Early chrome plating (IPS series) that flaked off the first year). I basically costs about $1400 to fix the factory mess ups yourself or $2500 to have one of 3 people do it for ya.

But it rides sweet, lots of top end power and lots of hop-up potential (prototype 'hot' engines were putting out 150hp on 85in). And the remaining wrenchers came up with a sweet 'SERT' tool that allows everything to be adjusted. Read and set air/fuel, advance, and more. I have not picked any up but will get one for all 3. And the guy in CA even offers a blower. It being a springer, the front end does not dive, and those huge springs hypnotically vibrate on the road. Looks even cooler w/the light kit.

I have seen some as low as $5500. And would recommend anyone wanting another bike to get one and fix it up (if it was not already).