Indian Motorcycle® vs. Harley-Davidson®

For decades now, the American muscle bike market has been led by two rivals: Indian Motorcycle® and Harley-Davidson®. These companies have vied for a top position in the market and the chance at pioneering the industry into new frontiers. You’ll find both come with interesting histories, but only one can call themselves top dog. We bet you can guess which company it is. To learn more about the differences between the companies, and their bikes, stop by Barnes Harley-Davidson, serving British Columbia.

History

Both companies are among some of the oldest in the industry, and their rivalry is nearly as old as they are. Sometimes, a little historical background helps when learning more about the companies you’re looking at.

Indian Motorcycle®

Indian Motorcycle® was first founded in 1901 by George Hendee, which technically gave them claim to producing the first American motorcycle. Early bikes were made to be sturdy. So much so, that some of these early models will still run today. However, while they saw decades of success, the original company folded in 1953.

The brand’s popularity made reviving the company a hot topic among manufacturers. It wasn’t until 2011 when Polaris® acquired them that a revival actually worked. The knowledge and resources available to Polaris® helped them release three new motorcycles in 2014 that brought the Indian® legend back to life.

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson was founded just two short years after Indian Motorcycle®. While Indian® can claim the first American motorcycle, Harley-Davidson is the oldest continuously running motorcycle manufacturer in the world. They managed to survive the Great Depression and other economic slumps by producing some of the best, most iconic American muscle bikes on the market. Harley-Davidson has the experience needed to back up their bikes.

The Rivalry

The rivalry between the two companies was natural and inevitable. Just looking at their motorcycles will clue you in on why they were vying for the same customers. For half a century, the competition was quiet, but now that Indian Motorcycle® is up and running again, it’s resumed. In fact, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in America, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, has racing events between these two companies specifically.

Indian® vs. Harley-Davidson Today

Which brings us to today. If you do some market research, you’ll find that break from the industry left Indian Motorcycle® at a serious disadvantage. Harley-Davidson is the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in America and takes up about 50% of the market share.

But it’s not just because Indian Motorcycle® was away from the market for too long. Harley-Davidson is simply an American classic. They’re constantly improving their products and providing the best motorcycles they can, with engines that can reach over 1800cc. Their engines are also known for their impressive torque, so when you want to make a statement while also traveling with a more comfortable and controllable ride, there’s no better bikes to turn to. 

The superior bikes have lead to an unmatched customer base with unprecedented loyalty to Harley-Davidson. Once you get a Harley motorcycle, you’ll never go back. Harley-Davidson prides itself on the community it’s created, which is why you can also join the Harley Owners Group (HOG). This way, you can connect to fellow enthusiasts and get tips and ideas from them on how to create a better riding lifestyle. The entire ownership experience simply can’t be touched by Indian, or any other powersports manufacturer.

So, at this point, you’re probably ready to check out some of the Harley-Davidson bikes for sale here at Barnes Harley-Davidson. If that’s the case, then visit one of our locations in Langley, Victoria, or Kamloops, British Columbia and let our experienced staff know where you’d like to start your tour.