Topic: Well, For Better Or Worse, Indian Is In Aug Cycle World Magazine!

[bill440cars]

      Calling it THE BIKE THAT WON'T DIE!! Sure hope so.

      Only showing the main model at this time. Different strokes for different folks, but I (for one) am hoping they make it, then there will be more models (and hopefully better prices).

                                   Later on, Bill    

[markjenn]

The bikes look nice enough (for clown bike cruisers), but I was frankly creeped out by the Indian guys' whole approach to marketing and pricing.  The basically said their going after the Rolex-bling guys with small production runs of overpriced products for folks who have excess money to make a statement.  I know there's a little of this in all marketing, but with these folks, it was the total focus.

- Mark

[nickjtc]

The basically said their going after the Rolex-bling guys with small production runs of overpriced products for folks who have excess money to make a statement.  I know there's a little of this in all marketing, but with these folks, it was the total focus.
- Mark

Isn't that the raison d'etre of a certain other US motorcycle manufacturer?

[bill440cars]

      I believe that the idea is to get the bikes out there, so they will be seen and heard about. No way I could afford one, but with time and exposure, hopefully the desire to have one of the bikes, will help to be able to bring the price down to a reachable level. Kinda odd, Mark, that you'd even be getting into a discussion about this anyway since we are talking about " Clown Bike Cruisers". Surely you wouldn't lower yourself to even think about checking one out. Understand, I'm not complaining about your comments, I'm really wondering why you are going into the fact of who the bikes are aimed at? I think Lambos and Vipers are tough, but I certainly can't afford one. I think it was a waste of time and effort to build a "Civilian" Hummer, but they did and I just accept it and go ahead on.   
Life goes on.

[ColinMc]

Screw Indian...I want my new Norton. All I got was a t-shirt a nice letter and my deposit back lol. Then again, I never expected to get my deposit back heh.

[nickjtc]

For the same price as a new (Indian/Norton et al) you could get an original and make it into a reliable daily rider.... Just my 44 cents worth (4 cents + inflation).

Of course, I am a tad biased!!

[ColinMc]

For the same price as a new (Indian/Norton et al) you could get an original and make it into a reliable daily rider.... Just my 44 cents worth (4 cents + inflation).

Of course, I am a tad biased!!

Lol, what if you already have an old Norton that's reliable? The new Nortons weren't going to be too outrageous pricewise though, not anywhere near where they are supposedly pricing the new Indians.  I wonder if the whole Indian thing is gonna fall through just as badly though heh.

[bill440cars]

         I can't afford an old one either (Indian or Norton). You can go to Kiwi-Indian and get all it takes to build your own Indian, but you'd best have LOTS of bucks when you do. Check out this 51' Chief on ebay now (wants to start bidding at $28,000):

       

       


        http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___1951-Indian-Chief-With-Matching-Motor-And-Frame_W0QQitemZ330249016872QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330249016872&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318



        I have seen baskets cases now and then and the cheapest one of those was about $5,000

        The new Chief (besides all of the other improvements) has a 6sp trans and that's gotta help. Also, the Stuff from Kiwi has a 5sp w/od available. Kiwi has the stuff that could make me dream, but they have the price tags that blows my dream out the window! Closest I could possibly come, would be to pick a Japanese V-twin bike and try to make a reasonable facsimile.   

[nickjtc]

Closest I could possibly come, would be to pick a Japanese V-twin bike and try to make a reasonable facsimile.   

I think that would apply to most of us, Bill. Repeat after me, everyone:

Kawasaki Drifter  (with the solo saddle, of course)

[bill440cars]

Closest I could possibly come, would be to pick a Japanese V-twin bike and try to make a reasonable facsimile.   

I think that would apply to most of us, Bill. Repeat after me, everyone:

Kawasaki Drifter  (with the solo saddle, of course)

          A few years ago (while they were still making them), I priced a 1500 for $11,000. Wonder what you could pick one up for nowdays? Get some Indian script decals for the gas tank, (as Nick said) get the solo seat version, do some silver stripes on the sides of the fenders (to simulate the chrome trim the originals had), I've got one of those Indian head fender pieces that they used on the front fender of the Trailblazer, a round taillight and a decent exhaust system for starters. I've seen some fixed up to look something like the Indians and they weren't bad. I had thought of those off and on before.

           http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Motorcycles__?_rkw=Kawasaki%20Drifter     

[bill440cars]

              Here's another version, but there's no way I'd give $4399 plus S & H!


               http://www.corbin.com/furniture/ic.shtml

[markjenn]

Understand, I'm not complaining about your comments, I'm really wondering why you are going into the fact of who the bikes are aimed at?

I was just surprised how open and upfront these guys were about their approach to marketing this bike.  They didn't seem to have any desire to create a functionally better cruiser, they just talked about creating an object of desire for wealthy people to wear as jewelery.  Certainly there is some of this in the Harley marketing (and all bike marketing for that matter), but this was way over the top in my book.  I like some Harleys, some are pretty good bikes for the money, and may even own one some day.

I just found it interesting how overt they were about it.

And there was absolutely nothing in their game plan about building downward into lower-priced markets or to take significant market share of the cruiser market.  They basically said their goal is to avoid debt, maintain high profit margins, and accept the small market share that results.

- Mark

[Buber]

hey, stop bickering and get ordering! Didn't you heard? the new Honda CB1100F WILL BE on sale in 2009! That's the bike to go for.... But I don't have the money. I have wife and kids instead....

Of course this is off topic, that being the Honda forum...

[DarkRider]

Now this aint a bad bike at all...a Drifter 800

Starting bid of $2500..my eyes may be playing tricks but is that an indian front fender light i spy? Looks like the owner had the same idea with the bike looking simular to an Indian.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-vulcan-800-drifter_W0QQitemZ290242826304QQihZ019QQcategoryZ50020QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[bill440cars]

Understand, I'm not complaining about your comments, I'm really wondering why you are going into the fact of who the bikes are aimed at?

I was just surprised how open and upfront these guys were about their approach to marketing this bike.  They didn't seem to have any desire to create a functionally better cruiser, they just talked about creating an object of desire for wealthy people to wear as jewelery.  Certainly there is some of this in the Harley marketing (and all bike marketing for that matter), but this was way over the top in my book.  I like some Harleys, some are pretty good bikes for the money, and may even own one some day.

I just found it interesting how overt they were about it.

And there was absolutely nothing in their game plan about building downward into lower-priced markets or to take significant market share of the cruiser market.  They basically said their goal is to avoid debt, maintain high profit margins, and accept the small market share that results.

- Mark

         Nothing was said in the Cycle World article, but I've kept up with this from the start and they said they were trying to initially get the name out here on a bike and were looking at doing several models, eventually. In fact there are a few variations for now and I don't know why they didn't go into this in the article. If you have the "want to", check out the site, here's the link.

      http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/

[bill440cars]

hey, stop bickering and get ordering! Didn't you heard? the new Honda CB1100F WILL BE on sale in 2009! That's the bike to go for.... But I don't have the money. I have wife and kids instead....

Of course this is off topic, that being the Honda forum...

         Yeah, it's a good thing that I'm not loaded with money, cause I'd be getting me some prime stuff like that CB1100F also.

[bill440cars]

Now this aint a bad bike at all...a Drifter 800

Starting bid of $2500..my eyes may be playing tricks but is that an indian front fender light i spy? Looks like the owner had the same idea with the bike looking simular to an Indian.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-vulcan-800-drifter_W0QQitemZ290242826304QQihZ019QQcategoryZ50020QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

           Yeah, but just a bit too loaded for me and I agree with Nick about the seat. Best I can tell, that IS an Indian head light on the fender. You can get those from several places that sell reproduction Indian parts.

[markjenn]

Nothing was said in the Cycle World article, but I've kept up with this from the start and they said they were trying to initially get the name out here on a bike and were looking at doing several models, eventually.

Here's the key section in the CW article about growth prospects:

"The concept behind such small-scale methods is 'slow, organic growth', the idea being that to build at a scale that allows profitability at low production numbers.  If the machines find an expanding market, production can be scaled up by adding build teams, as the former paper warehouse is roomy.  If demand is steady but modest, Stellican [the firm that bought the Indian name] would have what's knows as 'a nice little business', and that would be fine too."

And combine this with:

"Money has moved upstairs in a rapid concentration of wealth at the top, causing specialist motorcycle brands to aim expensive products at older persons who have money but seek especially interesting ways to spend it.  This is therefore a luxury-goods business, not simply manufacturing....Specialist firms are ready with rare and distinguished treats.  Ducati with the 1098R, Chris-Craft with the Roamer 40 Express Cruiser, and Indian Motorcycles with a tasteful counterpoint to your executive Harley collection."

As the article notes, the firm that bought Indian also has bought and is reviving Chris-Craft and Cantieri Riva, both high-end yacht builders.

This all says boutique cruiser manufacturer to me that will keep prices high and volume low.  Nothing wrong with this, but I think folks should realize that they're buying more into the bling than the motorcycle.  And I'd much rather see this motorcycle be successful as a niche product than have another firm take the Indian name, spend a ton of investor money, and go down in flames, ala Excelsior Henderson.  I wish them luck.

- Mark

[bill440cars]

        Hey Mark.   I was trying to say (maybe not too clearly) that nothing was said in the CW article about the fact that there are variations of the Chief and that they were looking to make some other models as well, later on. It won't make any difference if they make it or not cause I can't afford one anyway, but (because of my feeling of a connection to the Indian Motorcycles) I'd like to see them on the road with a selection of bikes that a variety of folks could and would want to buy (NOT to replace our Hondas, understand). I wish they hadn't of been so blunt in the article, cause some folks will only know that particular version. Hope you have a good 4th.

                                   Take care, Bill
 

[markjenn]

I'd like to see them on the road with a selection of bikes that a variety of folks could and would want to buy (NOT to replace our Hondas, understand). I wish they hadn't of been so blunt in the article, cause some folks will only know that particular version.

No problem.  I have no issue with their business model from a business standpoint and think it is better to do things this way than risk a huge flameout.  It makes their current bikes absolutely of no interest to me, but perhaps they'll expand later on to lower-priced, less-boutique segments.  But I'm not hopeful as they've set their path.  If they're successful, it would be tremendously risky to undercut their current market by going cheaper.  It's the reason you don't see $50K Ferraris.

The new Euro-only Harley is a lot more what I think we need in this segment, and looks to be reasonably priced, alas unavailable in the colonies.

Happy 4th too.

- Mark

[754]

sounds like.. "Return of the Fender..Version 5"

 or is it Version 4 or 6..??