Riding the modern Indian motorcycles, the revival of an American original

Harley-Davidson doesn’t have any competition. This is a matter of faith among motorcycle aficionados. Harleys have the iconic rumble, the history and the made-in-America bone fides. Japanese bikes can ape the Sportster and custom shops can build you a sweet chopper, but Harley has a lock on mass-market two-wheeled Americana. Or at least, it did until Indian showed up. Thanks to Polaris, Harley people now have something else they might want to ride to Sturgis this year.

Indian was founded in 1901 and went out of business in the early '50s. The name, though, carries such resonance that there have been multiple stabs at reviving the company. None of them had Harley overly worried. These new bikes, though, maybe should. To make a car–business analogy, Polaris taking over Indian recalls Volkswagen’s purchase of Lamborghini: finally, the revered brand is under the wing of a properly capitalized parent company that has relevant experience (Polaris has built all manner of motorized toys since 1954).

If you’re going to assume the responsibility of reviving a legend, the hardware better be pretty choice stuff. And the new Indians meet the high expectations you might assign a bike that costs $20,999 (Chief Vintage) or $22,999 (Chieftain). Both bikes embrace traditional styling while serving up modern electronic amenities. The keyless ignition is nice, as is the automatic engine cutoff when you flip down the kickstand. The massive, 1,819-cc air- and oil-cooled Thunder Stroke V-twin recalls classic Indian designs but is a clean-sheet motor, the first all-new Indian powerplant in more than 70 years. There’s the importance of Polaris R&D money.

Both bikes are set up for long-distance cruising (there’s also a third variant, the $18,999 Classic, that’s relatively minimalist, with no windshield or fairing). Ditch the tassels and the Vintage’s leather saddlebags look like the kind of carefully distressed luggage you’d see in the window of some Italian boutique. You’d feel bad to get caught out in the rain.