Indian motorcycles are made by Indian Motorcycle Company, a brand owned by Polaris Inc., an American publicly traded company headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, with all Indian motorcycles assembled at a factory in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Indian Motorcycle is known as the oldest American motorcycle brand, founded in 1901, with a heritage that includes legendary models like the Chief, the Scout, and a racing legacy that defined American motorcycling before Harley-Davidson.
Indian Motorcycle is owned by Polaris Inc., which acquired the brand in 2011 and relaunched it as a serious alternative to Harley-Davidson, reviving a name that had been dormant for over 40 years after the original Indian company went bankrupt in 1953.
Knowing who makes Indian motorcycles helps buyers understand Polaris’s ownership, the Iowa manufacturing base, and the revival story behind one of the most storied names in motorcycling.
This article covers Indian’s ownership history, manufacturing location, current lineup, and how Indian compares to Harley-Davidson.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Indian Motorcycle?
Indian Motorcycle is owned by Polaris Inc., a publicly traded American company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker PII and headquartered in Medina, Minnesota.
Polaris acquired Indian Motorcycle in April 2011 from a private equity group that had been attempting to revive the brand with limited success. Polaris invested significantly in new facilities, new engine development, and a fully redesigned model lineup to relaunch Indian as a credible, premium American motorcycle brand.
Polaris is a broader powersports conglomerate that also makes Polaris ATVs, Polaris snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, and the Slingshot three-wheeled roadster. Indian Motorcycle represents its flagship two-wheel brand.
What Is the History of Indian Motorcycle?
Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by George Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom, making it the oldest American motorcycle manufacturer and one of the oldest anywhere in the world.
Indian dominated early American motorcycle racing and was a dominant force in motorcycling through the 1930s and 1940s. The brand went bankrupt in 1953 after years of financial struggles and intense competition from Harley-Davidson.
Multiple attempts to revive the Indian name over the following decades failed. When Polaris acquired the brand in 2011, it was the most credible revival attempt to date, backed by real investment, engineering resources, and a serious long-term commitment.
Where Are Indian Motorcycles Made?
All Indian motorcycles are assembled at the Indian Motorcycle manufacturing facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The Spirit Lake plant is where Polaris chose to establish Indian’s production base when it revived the brand.
Spirit Lake is also home to Polaris’s broader powersports manufacturing operations, making it a significant employment center for Northwest Iowa.
Indian’s engines are designed and developed by Polaris’s engineering team. The Thunder Stroke family of V-twin engines and the FTR series are central to the brand’s performance identity. Indian’s full lineup is at Indian Motorcycle’s official website.
What Motorcycles Does Indian Currently Make?
Indian’s lineup covers cruisers, touring bikes, and the FTR sport-track inspired platform. The Scout family includes the Scout and Scout Bobber, mid-size V-twin cruisers that serve as the entry point into the lineup.
The Chief and Super Chief are the heritage-inspired cruisers drawing on the brand’s most iconic historical model. The Chieftain and Roadmaster are Indian’s full-dress touring motorcycles loaded with electronics, comfort, and luggage capacity.
The FTR is the flat-track-inspired street motorcycle that brought a new, younger design language to Indian and helped expand the brand beyond its traditional cruiser and touring customer base.
Indian Motorcycle vs Harley-Davidson: Who Makes Each?
Both are American motorcycle brands made in the USA, but from completely different companies. Indian is owned by Polaris Inc. Harley-Davidson is an independent publicly traded American company listed on the NYSE, with its primary manufacturing in Menomonee Falls and Pilgrim Road in Wisconsin.
Harley-Davidson is the larger company by far, selling approximately 190,000 motorcycles annually compared to Indian’s much smaller volumes. But Indian has grown consistently since the 2011 relaunch and has taken market share from Harley in the premium cruiser segment.
Indian typically prices its bikes slightly below comparable Harley models, using value as a competitive tool alongside its heritage and American-made positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Indian Motorcycles Are Made
Are Indian motorcycles made in the USA?
Yes. All Indian motorcycles are assembled at the Spirit Lake, Iowa facility. Indian Motorcycle is one of the few major motorcycle brands that manufactures its bikes entirely in the United States.
Is Indian older than Harley-Davidson?
Yes. Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901, while Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903. This makes Indian the oldest American motorcycle manufacturer, though Harley has been in continuous production and Indian went through a long bankruptcy and revival period between 1953 and 2011.
Who owns Indian Motorcycle now?
Indian Motorcycle is owned by Polaris Inc., the American powersports company headquartered in Medina, Minnesota. Polaris acquired Indian in 2011 and has invested significantly in reviving and expanding the brand since that acquisition.
What happened to the original Indian Motorcycle Company?
The original Indian Motorcycle Company went bankrupt in 1953 after decades of financial decline and intense competition from Harley-Davidson. Multiple groups attempted to revive the Indian name between 1953 and 2011 with varying levels of success. Polaris acquired the brand in 2011 and launched the most sustained and credible revival of the Indian name in its modern history.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.