There's nothing better than riding the open roads of Florida on your favorite classic motorcycle. For many, that vision is all about the motorcycle—an Indian Motorcycle. One hundred years ago, The Hendee Manufacturing Company renamed itself The Indian Motocycle Company (yes, originally with no 'r') in 1923. Since then, the company has designed some of the most iconic motorcycles in history. At Riva Motorsports Miami, we're proud to be able to bring that legacy to our local customers with a wide selection of Indian Motorcycles. Take a quick ride through history to learn more about America's first motorcycle company before seeing the bikes for yourself at our location.

Who Owns Indian Motorcycle?

Indian Motorcycle was first known as The Hendee Manufacturing Company, a bicycle manufacturing company that opened its doors in 1897. Over the next 127 years, the company would grow by supplying racers with top-of-the-line motorcycles, providing vehicles to American troops through World War One and World War Two, and contributing to other world-shaping events. But who owns Indian Motorcycle now? Today, Indian Motorcycle is owned by Polaris, Inc., a Minnesota-based company that was founded in 1954 and today has 16,000 employees.

When Was the First Indian Motorcycle Made?

Company co-founder George M. Hendee created a factory in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, first producing bicycles. In 1906, the company built the first V-twin factory race bike, and the bike was available to the public just a year later. Then, when co-founder Oscar Hedstrom created a design for a motorized pacing bicycle in 1913, they kept making history. To answer the question of when was the Indian motorcycle made, the iconic Indian Scout was released in 1920, and the company kept producing more and more motorcycles in the years that followed. The timeline for Indian Motorcycles' four most iconic motorcycles at the start of their history is:

  • 1906: The production of the first V-Twin Factory Race Bike
  • 1920: The Indian Scout made motorcycles more popular among the public
  • 1922: The Indian Chief was produced, surpassing the Indian Scout in terms of sturdiness and power
  • 1927: Indian Motorcycles built the Indian Ace. This is one of the company's most popular early motorcycles

Are Indian Motorcycles Still Around?

Indian Motorcycles designs and produces motorcycles today, providing bikes for everything from casual recreation to competitive motorsports. The top six Indian Motorcycles that bike enthusiasts will love from their modern collections are:

  • FTR Series: The new FTR R Carbon is a carbon frame bike with 120 HP.
  • Scout Series: These bikes feature a rugged design and deliver on performance for offroading and adventures.
  • Sport Chief Series: Enjoy the classic experience of Indian Motorcycles with the modern incarnation of their 1920 motorcycle.
  • Indian Springfield Series: Go on long drives in complete comfort.
  • Chieftain Series: With more storage and bigger saddlebags, this series is built for longer rides.
  • Indian Challenger Series: Another bagger option, these bikes are big, bold, and customizable.
  • Roadmaster Series: These bikes are built with all the premium features and options for a long ride up and down Florida's highways.
  • Indian Pursuit Series: These bikes offer a lot of performance for touring, with powerful audio options, lots of storage, and plenty of room for two.
  • Electric Bikes: These lighter-weight e-bikes tie back to Indian Motorcycles's origins as a bike manufacturer with a sleek design. 

At Riva Motorsports Miami, we can help you find your next new or used Indian motorcycle.

Indian Motorcycles in South Florida

If an Indian motorcycle sounds like the ticket to freedom as you explore the roadways and parks around South Florida, the team of bike enthusiasts at Riva Motorsports Miami is here to help. We have a large selection of new and used Indian Motorcycle models in stock, and we're here to help answer your questions. Visit us today to take one for a test drive and walk out with your dream Indian motorcycle.