When the Indian brand was brought back I thought they would take at least some of HD's market share. But they don't seem to have done very well. Why?
2006-10-03 19:05:38 · 9 answers · asked by michinoku2001 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
They just made harley clones with indian fenders. The other bidder for the indian name had its own design of motors and also had a sportbike they were gonna market unfortunately the other company won the rights and then squandered it.
2006-10-04 11:06:10 · answer #1 · answered by rashmaster13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To Keyman: He did "clarify" his question "in detail." He's talking about Indian motorcycles and Harely-Davidson motorcycles.
But to answer your question...I don't think I can. I have often wondered this myself. The *** bikes seem to be doing well due to "quality." However Indian and HD are legends and their quality seems to me just as superb as foreigns, so I really don't know.
**You can't simply state that a mc brand isn't doing well because it vibrates. Those are things some peole LOVE in a motorcycle. They love the raw power; the vintage style performance. I mean just like cars some people LOVE the old bouncy, shakey classics due to the way the look, feel, and sound. I suppose maybe the market for those types of bikes is dwindling. Nowadays folks want a smoothe cruiser.
I myself like Harleys and Indians. Even though they are two totally different worlds, there is nothing like them and IMO NOTHING today could match them in the areas that I enjoy in a motorcycle.
2006-10-03 19:16:42 · answer #2 · answered by Frank P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well hang on to your head dresses folks... It was recently announced that the parent company of Chris Craft boats has bought all rights and intellectual properties to the Indian name and brand.
The company has stated that they will be building a brand new manufacturing plant in the Kings Mountain, NC area, south of Charlotte in the very near future.
What's this, the forth time around for the brand?
2006-10-04 00:27:32 · answer #3 · answered by Nomad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it cost too much and didn't work very well....not a great formula for success....of course harley costs too much and doesn't work too well either , but it's not nearly as bad as the "new" Indian...the new Indians were pretty awful to own. My nephew owned one and liked it but it leaked, stalled, broke...he could hardly go 25 miles without a breakdown. And getting service and parts was no relief.
2006-10-04 08:52:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The financial backers pulled their financial backing.
Why they did it? It could be that despite its great looks, the Indian vibrated, leaked oil and handled like a barge. Rider Mag's revue soft pedaled the weaknesses, as it does Harley's, but the truth was out.
2006-10-03 19:21:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To quote Bob Hogan, who worked for (the original) Indian Motocycle Company (and yes, that's spelled correctly).
"If it didn't come from Springfield (Mass.), it ain't an Indian!"
2006-10-04 01:53:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of sufficient capital. Poor management. Low quality product due to limited resources available for r&d etc. Limited market due to all of the aforementioned.
2006-10-03 22:53:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably failed for the same reason the original Indian failed. High cost and inferior product.
2006-10-04 10:23:24 · answer #8 · answered by goolinbursti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which brand ru talking about ? Please clarify your question in detail
2006-10-03 19:09:07 · answer #9 · answered by Keyman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋