Tag Archives: Indian Motorcycle

Motorcycle News, News

Indian riders attempt parade record

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Australian Indian Motorcycle owners will next year attempt to set a world parade record for the most Indian motorbikes.

Registrations recently opened for the event on 9 May 2020 and already there are 150 riders who have signed up, says event organiser Christine Keeble.

Christine says there will be “a special offer for extra goodies for the first 300 to register”.

Parade record

“Currently the record is set at 274,” she says.

“We are eagerly watching the US as they have another attempt October 2019, so we may have a new number to chase.”

The “Most Indian Motorcycles on Parade” event will be held at Silverton in NSW where the original Mad Max movie was filmed.

“While this is such a big country, the location was chosen because of its iconic outback backdrop and a major town and infrastructure only a short 15 minutes away in Broken Hill,” Christine says.

“This will be a great opportunity to meet up with Indian riders from all parts of Australia.”

Christine says she started planning the event 12 months ago and it is “gaining interest every day”.

“This is not a bike festival as such, but a focused gathering on Indian motorbike enthusiasts who will have a go at breaking a world record.

“And if that is not achieved it will definitely be the first in the Southern Hemisphere. So records will be set.”

The event will also help raise awareness for the Gift of Life organ donation service.

Click here for more information, running times, guidelines, registration, merchandise and more. 

Cooly Rocks OnIndian riders celebrate the first anniversary Indian Motorcycle Parade record

Meanwhile, the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group will gather at the Cooly Rocks On event in Coolangatta from June 7-9.

Tickets are now available online at $130 for IMRG members or $260 with a pillion and $150 for non-members and $300 with a pillion.

The gathering kicks off on the Friday with a VIP Lounge party with exclusive apparel gift packs.

On Saturday, there will be a group ride around the Gold Coast Hinterland with lunch at the Iron & Resin Garage, a Show ‘N’ Shine and dinner and entertainment.

The highlight will be the riders leading the Sunday Cooly Rocks On Parade.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian planning VVT Thunderstroke?

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Indian Motorcycle is not only building a new engine, but also seems to be updating its current Thunderstroke 111 with variable valve timing or VVT.

Last month, images surfaced of a heavily disguised Indian tourer, possibly called the Raptor, with a fixed fairing and a different engine, believed to be quad-valved and water-cooled.

2020 Indian Raptor Apollo VVT
Is this the upcoming Indian Raptor? (Image from a leaked brochure) 

It is thought the engine was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 engine before Polaris axed the brand.

So what’s happening with the current air/oil-cooled Thunderstroke in the Chief, Roadmaster and Springfield models?

According to the latest patent filings in the US, the Thunderstroke will be updated with variable valve timing, most likely to meet stringent Euro 5 emissions targets being introduced from January 2020.

Indian VVT
Indian VVT engine patent drawings

VVT spreads

Variable valve timing has been around for ages in cars and is known as VVT-i and VVTL-i in Toyota, MIVEC in Mitsubishi, VVL in Nissan and VANOS by Ford, BMW, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Honda was the first to introduce it to motorcycles and it is now being progressively introduced to other Japanese and European motorcycles such as BMW, Ducati, Suzuki and Yamaha.

BMW R 1250 GS and RT VVT
BMW’s 1250cc Shiftcam Boxer engine with variable valve timing

We expect many others to follow suit to try to meet the tough Euro 5 emissions regulations.

Already many of our popular motorcycle models have been axed because they can’t meet the Euro 4 requirements and more are likely to be axed next year under Euro 5.

One of the solutions to the tighter emissions laws could be variable valve timing which makes the engine more flexible in different conditions, resulting in increased fuel economy, lower emissions and improved performance, particularly torque.

If Indian is planning on VVT, we can also expect compatriot Harley-Davidson to be developing something similar.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Roadshow boosts Indian FTR 1200 deposits

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A national roadshow of pre-production Indian FTR 1200 models has been deemed a success with “a number of $1000 deposits” being taken.

The pre-production models have been on show at various Indian dealers over the past month.

Indian Motorcycle marketing boss Christopher Gale says the roadshow was a success with “showrooms full of people at each event”.

The FTR 1200 will come to Australia in a basic black model for $20,995 ride away and the FTR 1200 S in red and grey or titanium and black for $22,995.

Indian FTR 1200 base and S model deposits
FTR 1200 base and S model

It will also be available in a Race-Replica paint scheme with red frame matching the FTR750 race bike starting at $23,995 ride away in Australia.

FTR 1200 Indian buyers deposits
FTR 1200 and FTR 750 flat-track racer

“We have received deposits for all models but the Race Replica has been the most popular as it most closely represents the FTR750 (race bike),” Christopher says.

There will also be several factory accessory packs available to turn the bike into a tourer, tracker, sports bike or an off-roader rally bike as shown in this video.

Refundable deposits

The FTR 1200 was deemed Motorbike Writer readers’ most anticipated 2019 model, according to last year’s readership figures.

We spoke with one enthusiastic Brisbane rider who has paid his $1000 deposit and has been told to expect to pick up his bike somewhere between July and September, “subject to a test ride”.

Christopher says all deposits are fully refundable.

Despite a recent fire in the factory’s paint department, there have been no holdups with production, he says.

More FTR models could also be on the way with a leaked brochure showing a Tracker, Street, Adventure under the name Apollo which is apparently an internal name given to the FTR family.

2020 Indian Raptor Apollo deposits
Part of the leaked Indian brochure

According to the leaked brochure, the Tracker will be released this year, followed by the Street in 2020 and the Adventure in 2021.

Indian sales

Meanwhile, Polaris has released its first quarter results showing a 10% decrease in motorcycle sales, although that also includes the three-wheeler Slingshot.

Polaris Slingshot in all-black deposits
Polaris Slingshot

They say Indian sales held firm and gained some market share.

The company claimed results were affected by “challenging weather, continued weak market trends, and increased competitive promotional spending”.

International sales were down 4% on, but up about 3% excluding the impact of currency exchange.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian to launch FTR 1200 Apollo models

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Indian Motorcycle looks set to surprise with several new Apollo variants of its popular FTR 1200 (pictured above), as well as a new Raptor tourer and dark versions of its Scout range.

Two images have been sent to Motorbike Writer that seem to come from brochures that show the FTR 1200 Apollo Tracker, Street and Adventure models, the Raptor tourer and a MiniBall version of the Scout.

We can’t reveal who sent the images to us.

2020 Indian Raptor Apollo
Part of the Indian brochure

Indian Apollo

The big surprise is the Apollo model line-up which appears to be more variants of the FTR 1200 with its 90kW (120hp) 1203cc liquid-cooled V-twin.

The Apollo range includes a Tracker to be released this year, followed by the Street in 2020 and the Adventure in 2021.

Currently the FTR 1200 range consists of the basic model in black for $20,995 ride away and the FTR 1200 S in red and grey or titanium and black for $22,995 in June. A Race-Replica paint scheme with red frame will follow at $23,995.

Indian has also released a variety of accessories packs called Tracker, Rally, Sport, and Tour.

Indian FTR 1200 adds accessories
Indian FTR 1200 with accessories pack

Now it seems the Tracker pack will become the Tracker model this year, the Rally will become the Adventure and probably the Sport will be the Street.

What we can’t work out is why the new FTR 1200 models are called Apollo.

Indian Raptor

Indian apollo raptor
Spy photo

Last week we posted the above spy photo of the front half of a fixed-fairing Indian tourer which seems to suggest they would challenge the Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

Indian Motorcycle asked many websites to remove the spy photos of the then-unnamed tourer which only gave more credence to the rumour.

Now a full-length photo of the bike has been supplied.

2020 Indian Raptor Apollo
New spy photo from brochure

We thought the tourer could be named after one of the trademarks Indian’s recently for: “Indian Renegade”, “Indian Raven” and “Indian Challenger”.

However, the new brochure images seems to show that it will be called Raptor and will be powered by a 90kW (120hp) liquid-cooled 1770cc engine.

It is believed the quad-valve engine was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 before Polaris axed the brand in 2017.

According to the images, the bike will be released in August this year.

Scout MiniBall

2020 Indian Raptor Apollo
Part of the Indian brochure

The brochure image is cut off and doesn’t provide full info on the Scout MiniBall, so we can only surmise.

We can see the word “Ball” which appears to be part of a bigger name, plus “MiniBall”.

Victory used to have 8-Ball models which were black versions, like a black eight ball in pool.

So we may assume these are blacked-out versions of the Scout.

We suspect there is an 8Ball version of the 1133cc Scout and the MiniBall is the blacked-out version of the 999cc Scout Sixty which we don’t get in Australia anymore.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian to challenge Harley’s Road Glide?

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Indian Motorcycle looks like it could be throwing down a challenge to Harley-Davidson’s popular Road Glide tourer with a fixed-fairing model.

Paul from the Australian Indian Motorcycle Forum provided us with these spy photos showing a heavily disguised Indian.

The fairing is quite obviously fixed to the frame, rather than the forks.

On the Road Glide it makes the steering lighter and provides more highway stability with less turbulence-induced weave.

It’s also quite big and ugly!

“I think this is the HD Road Glide killer,” says Paul.

New engine?Indian Challenge

The images also show what looks like a different engine to the current 111ci Thunderstroke.

Paul believes it’s a quad-valve water-cooled engine which was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 engine before Polaris axed the brand.

“I believe the engine capacity is less than 111ci but has more power/torque,” he says.

“There is a rumour that this bike is smaller and lighter than the Thunderstroke bikes.”

The images also show twin Brembo brakes and an adjustable windshield.

Challenge

The bike to challenge the Road Glide could be called the Challenger which is a name Indian recently trademarked.

The company also trademarked Raven in December and Renegade in January.

The spate of trademark filings in the US and Europe have got the industry buzzing about a possible model assault from a company which has been fairly steady in its lineup for a few years.

This is in stark contrast to their American colleagues, Harley-Davidson, who are on a plan to release 100 new models in 10 years, including electric bikes and an adventure bike.

Could Indian also be considering an electric or something totally out of the box like Harley’s Pan America adventure bike?

2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 clutch challenger
Harley Pan America

The trademarks are for the names Indian Raven, Indian Renegade and Indian Challenger for use on “motorcycles and structural parts therefor” plus “clothing namely shirts, jackets, hats and gloves”.

The use of the name “Indian Challenger” is probably to avoid any trademark infringement on the Dodge Challenger pony car.

Dodge Challenger
Dodge Challenger

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian trademarks Challenger name

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Challenger is the third new model name Indian Motorcycle has trademarked since last December when they trademarked Raven and January when they added Renegade.

The trademark filings in the US and Europe have got the industry buzzing about a possible model assault from a company which has been fairly steady in its lineup for a few years.

This is in stark contrast to their American colleagues, Harley-Davidson, who are on a plan to release 100 new models in 10 years, including electric bikes and an adventure bike.

All of which begs the question, could the Raven, Renegade or Challenger be electric or something totally out of the box like Harley’s Pan America adventure bike?

2020 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 clutch challenger
Harley Pan America

The trademarks are for the names Indian raven, Indian Renegade and Indian Challenger for use on “motorcycles and structural parts therefor” plus “clothing namely shirts, jackets, hats and gloves”.

The use of the name “Indian Challenger” is probably to avoid any trademark infringement on the Dodge Challenger pony car.

Dodge Challenger
Dodge Challenger

Challenger name

With absolutely nothing else to go on, we have made a few stabs at what we think these models could be.

Apart from the reference to the Dodge muscle car, the name Challenger still has unfortunate ties to the 1986 space shuttle disaster.

Challenger space shuttle explodes 76 seconds after lift off
Challenger space shuttle explodes 76 seconds after lift off

We’re not sure how Americans would take to a motorcycle with the same name.

That disaster aside, the name has two connotations for us: a drag-race and an obstacle course.

So they could be producing a drag-style bike like Harley’s V-Rod or the new Softail FXDR, which seems to have been a bit of a sales flop.

Or they could be doing an adventure bike like Harley.

But all that assumes they would follow Harley’s lead. That’s not a wise thing given the current sales troubles of the Milwaukee icon.

Renegade name

A Renegade is “a person who deserts and betrays an organisation, country, or set of principles”, so it could be a whole new model.

Jeep has a Renegade model, so maybe the Indian Renegade will be their adventure bike, or even a trendy scrambler.

Or perhaps it’s a smaller capacity bike for young rebels.

That would fit into our Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) and be a huge leg up for Indian Motorcycle Australia as the learner sector continues to thrive in a slow market.

Renegade could also be a variation of the FTR 1200 which arrives in the next couple of months.

Indian FTR 1200 adds accessories renegade
Indian FTR 1200

However, they already have the base model, S and S Race-Replica.

Ride away prices for the FTR 1200 are:

  • FTR 1200 (Thunder Black) from $20,995;
  • FTR 1200 S (Indian Motorcycle Red over Steel Gray, Titanium Metallic over Thunder Black Pearl) from $22,995;
  • FTR 1200 S Race-Replica from $23,995.

Raven name

Raven would be a useful designation for blacked-out models.

However, Indian already uses “Dark Horse” for blacked-out versions of their Chief, Springfield and Roadmaster models.

2018 Indian Springfield Dark Horse - scout bobber pricing halogen machine renegade
2018 Indian Springfield Dark Horse

So maybe, Raven could be used to differentiate blacked-out versions of their FTR 1200 street tracker and Scout models from their cruisers/tourers.

Either way, it looks like being another big year for Indian Motorcycle which last year recorded 8.7% sales growth.

This was the highest growth rate of any motorcycle companies in Australia and one of only three to record any growth.

Click here for the full 2018 sales results.

2018 Motorcycle Slump renegade
Total motorcycle, scooter, and ATV sales

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian FTR 1200 Aussie roadshow

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Indian Motorcycle Australia has acquired several pre-production Indian FTR 1200 models for a roadshow of eastern Australia ahead of their arrival in July.

The flat-track-inspired bike is in Melbourne until March 23, then Canberra Motorcycle Centre (March 25-26), Steel City Motorcycles, Wollongong (March 27-28), Sydney (March 29-April 1), Brisbane (April 10-14 and Brisan Motorcycles, Newcastle (April 17-20) with more dates to come.

Spokesman Christopher Gale says customers will be the first to get to ride the Indian FTR 1200 with demo models available in “July sometime”.

Meanwhile, potential buyers can check out for themselves what they think of the bike.

Top of the pops

Indian FTR 1200 adds accessories
Indian FTR 1200 with accessories

The Indian FTR 1200 is the motorcycle that most excited our readers in 2018, according to readership data.

It also topped our poll of the 2019 models you and we would most like to ride this year.

Late last year the company said their FTR 1200 website and social media announcement had more than 80 million hits.

Since October, this video has been watched more than 170,00 times.

FTR 1200 prices

The FTR 1200 will come to Australia in a basic model in black for $19,995 ride away and the FTR 1200 S in red and grey or titanium and black for $22,995.

It will also be available in a Race-Replica paint scheme with red frame matching the FTR750 race bike starting at $23,995 ride away in Australia.

FTR 1200 Indian buyers
FTR 1200 and FTR 750 flat-track racer

There was some concern when the production model was finally unveiled that the exhaust did not match the high-side exhaust of the prototype.

However, we reckon the lower exhaust will be a lot cooler (literally) than the high pipe!

Indian Motorcycle FTR1200 big-bore flat tracker rod ftr 1200 buyers
FTR1200 prototype

While S&S Cycle has made an aftermarket exhaust, Indian has announced that the Akrapovic Exhaust will now be standard on FTR1200 S Race Replica.

S&S Cycle prototype exhaust for Indian FTR 1200 buyers
S&S Cycle prototype exhaust

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Indian Springfield Dark Horse got Jack!

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Throttle and bottle may not usually mix, but it does when Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s get together to produce yet another gorgeous limited-edition motorcycle like this Springfield Dark Horse.

For the fifth year, the two American icons have collaborated with Klock Werks Kustom Cycles.

In the US and Canada the bike will cost $36,999 (about $US52,600) and will only available in those countries via a lottery.

Indian Motorcycle Australia brand manager Peter Harvey says he is not sure how many will be allocated to Australia, but will have pricing and availability details in the next couple of days.

The “standard” Springfield Dark Horse costs $35,995 ride away, but this bike adds a ton of customisation.

Plus buyers will get a Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel bottle display and have their name engraved on the bike together with the limited-edition number and VIN.

Dark Horse sellout2020 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse.

Since these bikes usually sell out in just a few minutes of their release, it is advisable to get in early and register your interest with your closest Indian dealership.

There will only be 177 bikes produced to signify the Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Brand trademark. They will be delivered in September.

The 2020 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse features Heavy Metal Crystal and Thunder Black Vivid Crystal paint inspired by the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select packaging.

Indian’s craftsmen have hand-painted the graphics and custom Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select badging. There are also Single Barrel Select wood-grain finishes on the saddlebag hinges and tank badge.

Other styling features include:

  • Premium leather gunfighter seat and tank strap with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select logo;
  • Rider and passenger floorboards with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select engraving;
  • Numbered Montana Silversmiths badge;
  • 12-inch mid-rise ape-hanger handlebars;
  • Slammed saddlebags;
  • Custom machined wheels;
  • LED lighting; and
  • Quick-release tinted flare windscreen.2020 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse.

Charity auction

There will also be a charity auction for the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse #001, it will through Richie Bros Auction Company in Arizona.

All proceeds go to the Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home, a military-related charity that reunites service member families during the holidays.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Gold makes Indian Roadmaster an elite bike

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As if the Indian Roadmaster isn’t special enough, the company has released an Elite version with a 600-watt stereo system and gold-leaf paint that took more than 30 hours to paint by hand.

Indian Australia spokesman Christopher Gale says they have already sold one of the $52,995 (ride-away) limited-edition bikes to a Perth customer. 

He says they do not yet know when they will be delivered or how many will be available in Australia.

The company has been releasing these special Elite models for the past few years and they have all sold out rapidly.

Last year Indian Motorcycle released a limited-edition Chieftain Elite in a hand-painted and “marbled” silver paint job at $47,995 ride away which was the same price as the 2017 hand-painted Chieftain Elite in Fireglow Red Candy with Marble Accents.

Indian Roadmaster Elite2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite

This range-topping costs $10,000 more than the “standard” Roadmaster and for that you get a whole lot more bike as well as exclusivity which is priceless.

The bike already features a host of features including rider modes, rear-cylinder deactivation, Ride Command infotainment system, heated grips and seat, electronic windscreen and more.

The Elite is hand painted in Wildfire Red and Black Crystal livery with real 24-karat gold-leaf badging that takes about 30 hours.2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite

If the paintwork doesn’t take your breath away, the 600-watt audio system with speakers in the fairing, top box, and saddlebags will.

It also features billet mirrors and passenger floorboards, full leather upholstery right down to the pillion armrests.

Indian will make only 200 of the Roadmaster Elite models.

2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite

Meanwhile, Indian Motorcycle Australia is running a promotion on 2018 model bikes, offering a 116ci big-bore kit for free. The kit costs $5250 fitted.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Harley and Indian announce 2018 sales results

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Electric bicycles in the snow, bikes made in Thailand and Europe, lower prices, higher costs, tariff wars and removable batteries are all part of the Harley-Davidson and Polaris 2018 sales and revenue results.

Snow business

Harley-Davidson spent the weekend showing off its new electric bicycle and scooter to young thrill-seekers at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado, before announcing their 2018 results.

2018 sales results

No wonder they are seeking a new and younger audience as the company report their motorcycles sales results were down 6.1% in 2018 to to 228,051.

The big problem is in the US where sales were down 10.2% to 132,868, while international sales were actually up 0.4% to 95,183. Australia, however, was down 21.2% to 7019.

It’s not just Harley feeling the domestic pinch. Indian Motorcycle was also down “low-double digits” percentages last year in North America, but up “single-digit” percentages worldwide. (Unlike Harley, Indian’s parent company, Polaris, does not give actual figures, but vague percentages.)

Also, unlike Harley, Indian Motorcycle was up 8.7% to 836 in Australia, one of only four companies to register growth in the market which was down 9.6%.

Tariff war

Both Harley and Polaris have blamed the tariff war for higher costs and lower motorcycle revenues.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs on international steel and aluminium plus retaliatory tariffs in Europe and China have cost Polaris more than $30m. Harley hasn’t specified the cost.

Harley-Davidson execs meet President Trump copycat cow debate waiving tariffs electric production berlin boycott results
Trump meets with Harley execs in February 2017

As a response, both companies are building more motorcycles overseas.

Harley kept a lid on prices in Europe despite the tariff rises, but say their new Thailand plant will lower pricing in “certain international markets”.

Given Australia’s free trade agreement with Thailand and our proximity to South East Asia, we could expect motorcycles and/or parts to come from there. Could we also expect lower prices?

Polaris increased prices in “some markets”, mainly Europe, not in Australia. They are also “accelerating European motorcycle production in Poland”.

2019 and beyond

While Indian has the FTR 1200 coming in the next month or so, plus possibly Renegade and Raven models later this year, Harley is banking on new customers for electric bikes.

The LiveWire electric sports bike launches in the USA and Europe in August this year at almost $US30,000. When it arrives in Australia in 20120, it may cost more than $A40,000.

Harley electric LiveWire Harley and Indian announce 2018 sales results
LiveWire

If that is any indication, their electric bicycle and scooter will also be quite expensive.

New ridersHarley and Indian announce 2018 sales results

Harley say their goal with these electric vehicles is to attract new riders.

They also point out that these products will not require a motorcycle licence. That’s important because the increasing and prolonged process of obtaining a motorcycle licence is one of the main reasons millennials are not riding.

Harley have been on a big push over the past year to teach more people to ride through their Riding Academy and claim to have licensed more than 52,000 new riders in the USA.

Removable batteryHarley and Indian announce 2018 sales results

Over the weekend, Harley also unveiled some more details about their electric bicycle and scooter which are coming in the next couple of years.

Interestingly, the battery design is intended to be removable.

It will enable owners to carry the battery in one hand “to an apartment or office space to charge using a charging dock that plugs into any standard household power outlet”.

This is not a feature of the upcoming LiveWire. However, it may be a feature in other electric motorcycles from the Milwaukee brand.

Harley plans adventure, streetfighters and electric bicycles first last small results
Official Harley artist’s impression a small electric bike

Harley boldly proclaimed they will “lead the electrification of motorcycling”.

“These two new concepts are manifestations of that vision, and alongside the production 2020 LiveWire motorcycle, point to a broad portfolio of electric two-wheelers designed to establish the company as the leader in the electrification of mobility over the next several years and inspire new riders with new ways to ride,” the company says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com