A real Man's motorcycle

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Despite all of the noise, I doubt that old Indian engine was making much more than ten to fifteen h.p. What would keep you from cooking your right leg? Neat bike just the same.
 
That Indian (well, it's almost-identical siblings) won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the 1911 Isle of Man TT. Indian's history is a lot like Honda's. They entered the world and took any challenge any time. They were founded in 1901 and started racing in 1902. The big difference is they did it 50 years before Honda. Too bad they don't get the same respect.
 
Miss-management and honesty did them in.
The WW II Army wanted a smaller lighter cycle for curiour duty.
Indian offered one. Harley offered the 45 c.i. boxer; did a little arm twisting and got the contract.
Late 40s, with slow sales and incompetent managers and lack of improvement (like OHV engines in he V twins) sank them.
 
Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Miss-management and honesty did them in.
The WW II Army wanted a smaller lighter cycle for curiour duty.
Indian offered one. Harley offered the 45 c.i. boxer; did a little arm twisting and got the contract.
Late 40s, with slow sales and incompetent managers and lack of improvement (like OHV engines in he V twins) sank them.


The Harley boxer was the XA, Harley only built a few and most of them never saw service. Harley sold a bazillion V-twins to the Army.
 
Those are all cute little bikes.

giantmotorcycle.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: FLHRGator
That Indian (well, it's almost-identical siblings) won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the 1911 Isle of Man TT. Indian's history is a lot like Honda's. They entered the world and took any challenge any time. They were founded in 1901 and started racing in 1902. The big difference is they did it 50 years before Honda. Too bad they don't get the same respect.


They don't get the respect of Honda 'cause they didn't modernize and adopt new technology like Honda did. They also didn't push the envelope of engine technology like Honda. They didn't deserve the respect they got 'cause they faded away like some distant memory.

Honda has never lost the fire to build the best motorcycles in the world and they never rest on their laurels or reputation like some American motorcycle companies. They constantly compete, innovate and sell the most techologically advanced machines in the world and they do it for a price anyone can afford.

You think Indian (or Harley) could ever build an oval-piston V-4/8 engine? Or a 20,000 rpm Formula 1 racing engine? Respect is earned, not marketed or bought.

Indian.....indeed
 
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