Indian® Motorcycles For Sale near Columbus, OH
Experience exhilaration in its purest form when you ride an Indian® motorcycle. Our lineup will help you reach higher speeds, drive greater distances, and cruise more comfortably. If you want to browse Indian® motorcycle models, visit us near Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio! We're the area's top Indian® motorcycle dealer.The History Of Indian Motorcycle®
For over a century now, Indian Motorcycle® has been crafting American-made motorcycles for all walks of life. Founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee in 1897, Indian Motorcycle® still innovates and impresses today with incredible bikes. To learn more about the history of this incredible company, read on or stop by Motorcycle Maxx in Lewis Center, Ohio. We carry a wide selection of Indian® motorcycles for sale and can help you find exactly what you’re looking for!
First Steps
George Hendee spent years working on motorcycle design, eventually partnering with Oscar Hedstrom. Together, they managed to develop three prototype motorcycles which eventually led to their innovative 1.75 bhp single-cylinder engine. The success their engine design brought them made Hendee’s fledgling company a national contender, and in 1902 the first Indian Motorcycle® production models were sold, offering sleek frames and chain drives. A year later, one of their models set the world motorcycle speed record. Not long after, the first Indian Motorcycle® V-twin factory racer made its debut on the race track, bringing home trophies and setting more records. The V-twin was later utilized in street models and roadsters.
Mid-Century Changes
During the first World War, the US government signed a contract for a large number of Indian Motorcycle® 1917-18 Powerplus models. Because these were utilized exclusively by the government and weren’t available for public sale, many Indian Motorcycle® dealers had too little stock to remain in business. The power vacuum this left allowed competitor companies to make up for the early lead in loyalty and sales that Indian Motorcycle® had created, and they lost many customers to these former underdogs. Their place as the #1 motorcycle manufacturer in the nation was lost soon after.
Post-War
After the end of World War Two, a group led by Ralph B. Rogers bought a controlling share of Indian Motorcycle®. He led the business in a new direction, distancing them from many of the company’s old successful lines and instead focusing on building lightweight bikes. By 1953, all manufacturing of any kind had ceased entirely. The Indian Motorcycle® brand was juggled back and forth between various groups, each of whom gave the company new names and designs.
Finally, in April of 2011, Polaris Industries announced that it was acquiring this historic brand. In 2013 the company expanded its selection to ten models, renewing the Indian Motorcycle® promise of power, speed, agility, and style!
If you want to own a piece of history as well as a versatile machine, stop by Motorcycle Maxx to see our selection of Indian Motorcycle® models today! We proudly serve Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio with their every motorcycle need, and our staff is ready to find the right bike for you today!
