One of the longest-standing rivalries in the motorcycle world is Harley Davidson vs. Indian motorcycles. Which company creates the better bike? What company is the original motorcycle? As well, who is superior?
Although both companies have pros and cons, people who live, eat, and breathe motorcycles distinctly have chosen a side. Whether you think the Indian motorcycle is the original bike since it was made in 1901 versus Harley in 1903, or that Harley Davidson is superior in all aspects due to their marketing presence. In this article, we’ll identify critical characteristics of each company, ultimately letting you choose Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycles.
Harley Davidson Motorcycles
When you hear the words, Harley Davidson, what do you think of? I think of a big, burley biker in a leather vest with a long beard. The typical biker, riding his hog with his hair in the wind.
Harley Davidson has made a name for itself through the years. Originally there were four men. Three brothers with the last name Davidson and one man with the last name Harley. These gentlemen created one of the biggest names in motorcycle history. In 1903 the company was founded but wouldn’t be officially incorporated until 1907.
These four men created an iconic brand out of their backyards.
A notable achievement for Harley Davidson was that they were the largest supplier of motorcycles to the US Army in World War 2.
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Currently, Harley-Davidson is still one of the most successful brands in the motorcycle industry. They’re built to last, they’re reliable, and they’re everywhere. But, as always, our toys need maintenance, and Harley-Davidson pioneered easy maintenance bikes. So, with some time and love, your bike is tuned up and ready to live a long life.
There are five different types of Harley-Davidsons, cruiser, touring, trike, street, and in late 2020 came electric. Advertising to almost every kind of rider out there, they’re genuinely branching into new worlds. The original was the cruiser, a classic and the first laid-back cruising bike. Then the most recent, the electric motorcycle, is taking the world head-on to help battle climate change while still riding a Harley.
Harley-Davidson is staying relevant and known, with just under 200,000 motorcycle sales in 2021. Another known part of Harley-Davidson is its Sportster model, which started in 1957 and is still the number one-selling model today.
Indian Motorcycles
The iconic red Indian motorcycle was first founded in 1897 in parts of making bicycles. Selling its first motorcycle in 1901, the company officially stopped selling bicycles. Taking the world by storm with the land speed record at 56 MPH, everyone wanted one of the Indians’ bikes. In 1913 the United States Army had a contract with Indian and made masses of military motorcycles. Once more, during World War 2, Indian stepped up and led the industry in military motorcycle production.
The Indian is remembered as the first American motorcycle company and had lost sales over the wars. Indian prioritized military vehicles and, in return, lost almost all retail sales. Some questions will forever remain unanswered. If Indian did support the war, would they have more customers today? With this information, you must keep indian, but most will side with Harley.
Between 1953-2010 Indian had to fight for survival. During these years, they wouldn’t make a production bike, except for being featured on imported bikes.
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The year 2011 will forever remember in Indian motorcycle history. Polaris Industries revamped them, and it became a year of revival. They would then go forward and release four new models. The Indian Scout would be similar to the original bikes, whereas the Indian FTR 1200 would be their furthest reach.
The year 2022 is also a big year for the company. They released a new line that included three updated Challenger models and a new chief model. With only 36,000 sales in 2021, they have some work to catch up to Harley Davidson. But from almost nothing for 60 years, they’re doing ok.
The Indian Challenger Dark Horse is the most sought-after bike of the modern Indian. This 2022 model is sleek, fast, and reliable.
Harley Davidson Vs Indian Motorcycles
With this information on both companies, we must compare and contrast them. Although both companies create high-class bikes, each has its flaws and upsides. But comparing the two, we need to look at numbers. Currently, Harley-Davidson is the leader in sales by almost 175,000 bikes. But reviewing the history of the Indians, we know they didn’t have a lineup for nearly 60 years. This was due to the constant support from Indian towards the US Army.
But what do the people prefer? Overall it’s all about personal preference. Harley has a better variety of motorcycles, but Indian isn’t too far behind.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re looking for a compact quick bike like the Harley Davidson Sportster or you’re looking for a beefy cruiser like the Indian Scout, both companies are great quality rides. It’s about the wind in your hair and the open road. Depending on the way your parents grew up is what your preference is. I prefer the look of an Indian, but I would rather ride some options Harley Davidson has. Both are incredibly versatile and good at what they do.
Before making your next purchase, consider both pros and cons while maintaining the history.
2 Comments
“beefy cruiser like the Indian Scout” either it’s a massive typo or you need to do your homework.
Some people may prefer Harley Davidson motorcycles because of their classic look and feel. Others might prefer Indian motorcycles because of their high performance and reliability. If you’re looking for a bike with a lot of power and torque, Harley Davidson motorcycle is best for you. It has a longer lifespan and is less expensive to maintain than the Indian motorcycle.