Grand Opening of Indian Dealership on Beach Street, Daytona Beach

Biketoberfest 2014 - There will be a Grand Opening of Indian Motorcycle of Daytona Beach at 402 N. Beach Street on Oct. 16th, opening day of Bikeweek. The Indian dealership has moved into the 20-year old building that formerly housed a Harley-Davidson dealership store and museum. 

The Indian Motorcycle demo truck will be on location for Biketoberfest: Long pants, closed-toe shoes, DOT approved helmet & valid motorcycle endorsement required for demo rides. 

Contact the dealership for more details and to sign up for a demo ride: Indian Motorcycle - Daytona Beach 

2014 Indian Chief Sturgis Launch - Factory Tour Ride

view the video - click here

Polaris launched the new Indian Chief Motorcycle at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and today, riders are heading to Spirit Lake, Iowa for the first-ever Indian Motorcycle factory tour.

 "The new Thunder Stroke engines are manufactured in Osceola, Wisconsin and then shipped down to our facility in Spirit Lake, where the bikes are put together," said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris in an Aug. 5th interview with Bloomberg. "I think Polaris is the rightful owner of the Indian brand. We started with the snow mobiles in 1954, the first American manufacturer and now we are the first manufacturer of motorcycles." The iconic brand became America's first motoryclce company in 1901 and enjoyed a storied 40-year run before being sold in 1945. Nearly 60 years after the last authentic Indian rolled off the line in Springfield, Massachusetts, Polaris Industries was able to rescue the beloved brand.

The 2014 Indian Chieftain and the old motor that inspired the new one -- photos courtesy Walt Lumpkin.




Polaris launched Victory Motorcycles, a new brand 15 years ago and purchased the Indian brand in 2011. They launched the new Indian Chief with the new Thunder Stroke engine a few days ago at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The more economical, but extremely reliable and stylish bikes are certain to be top competitors for Harley-Davidson.

The Indian Chief is priced at $19,000 - The Indian Vintage at $21,000 and the Indian Touring bike at $23,000.



One of the biggest dealership in the midwest is Indian-Triump of the Twin Cities that is hosting the first-ever factory tour ride today from St. Paul, Minnesota to Indian Motorcycle facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa.








"We are hosting the first-ever Indian Factory Tour as part of a weekend of events," said Art Welch, co-owner of the dealership. "There is really a lot of interest in the new Indian Chief. We gave 143 demo rides on the new Indian from noon to 6 pm on August 14, the day the new Indians were launched."

"The Price Is Right," said Jamie Elvidge in a review for CycleWorld. " Someone looking at a Heritage Softail -- the same buyer the Chief Vintage is vying for -- might see a price tag swinging from the H-D that's $3,500 less, but to make the bike compatable, he'd have to pony up for the Twin Cam 110 ($5,000), ABS ($1,200) and chrome for the fork, hand and foot controls ($1,259.) Plus, the Harley's seat will be vinyl instead of leather, and internal handlebar wiring, cruise control and keyless ignition aren't event optional.

Biker Chick's Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge-Raiser

Biker Diva Dawn Santucci hopes to raise $5,000 for a sick little boy named Aidan in Brooklyn, New York by offering to plunge into the icy waters of Coney Island wearing nothing but a thong and tassles at noon on New Year's Day 2012, during the annual Polar Bear Club event.

Aidan Jack Seeger is the beautiful 7-year-old son of Bobby and Elisa Seeger of Indian Larry Motorcycles. Aidan was diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in June of 2011 and he is currently in Duke University Children’s Hospital.

ALD is a rare, inherited disorder that untreated leads to progressive brain damage, failure of the adrenal glands and eventually death. Learn more at:

AidanHasAPosse.org

To show your support and make a difference for Aidan and his family over the holidays, donate $1, $5, $10, $50 or more at the event:

Diva Dawn’s “PLUNGE 4 AIDAN”

New Year's Day - Coney Island, NYC

On any given New Year's Day off of Coney Island, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean average 25-35 degrees. Given Diva Dawn’s aversion to being frigid ANY time of year, this promises to be quite an event... and here's the deal:

$300 raised gets DIVA to plunge in a thermal DRY SUIT.

$500 raised gets DIVA to plunge in a FULL PIECE Bathing Suit.

$1,000 raised gets DIVA to plunge in a sexy (barely there) Tarzan/Jane COSTUME.

$5,000 raised gets DIVA to plunge in TASSELS and a THONG!

IT’S NOW UP TO YOU!!!! 

** UPDATE DECEMBER 11, 2011: Donations now top one thousand dollars at $1,658.

100% of ALL DONATIONS WILL GO TO AIDAN!

(minus the 3.5% fee that GoFundMe.com takes to maintain this website)

NOTE: The Official Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge raises money for Camp Sunshine, which helps ill children and their families. 

"Indian Larry" Desmedt (1949-2004) was an active member of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club!!! 

THIS “PLUNGE-RAISER” has been created for AIDAN and his FAMILY and is in addition to the donations we hope everyone also makes to Camp Sunshine.

TO FOLLOW THIS EVENT - Diva Dawn’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diva-Dawn/180213115406872

Twin City Indian's 3-Day Event & Charity Ride Follows Sturgis

Indian Motorcycles of the Twin Cities in Saint Paul, Minnesota stages an annual 3-day national event the weekend after the Sturgis, SD rally and this year, the 9th charity ride for children's school supplies will include $10,000 in cash and prizes and a free T-shirt for all who pay the $20 ride registration by August 7th.

You must be present to collect the prizes, but the T-shirt will support the fundraiser and can be sent to you for an additional $4.98 shipping fee.


Details and online registration at Indian Motorcycles of the Twin Cities  - 2967 Hudson Road, Saint Paul, MN - or by calling 651-765-4272. Click the flyer to enlarge for details. The event begins Friday, Aug. 19th and the 9th Annual Ride For Children's School Supplies is on Sunday, Aug. 21st.


The Sioux Indian Council is putting up $3,000 in cash to be awarded to some lucky riders. There are also movie and IMAX theater tickets, gift certificates to visit popular restaraunts and the Minnesota Zoo, custom riding helmets, heated motorcycle grips, and $400 in gift certificates from Indian Motorcycle Corp.

The American Motor Drome Company will be there with their Wall of Death for the 3-day event, and this is also your opportunity to take pictures with vintage pin-up models and some beautiful vintage Indian Motorcycles.


 http://www.indiantwincities.com/











Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

2011 Riding Into History Images by Jim Dohms

One of America's best Concours motorcycles events is held annually in May at World Golf Village in St Augustine, Florida.

For two days, the large picturesque resort grounds are filled with the sights and sounds of Vintage motorcycles... Riding Into History.

The 12th Riding Into History, May 20 & 21 began with a Friday lunch ride with Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz. Later in the evening, there was a Grand Marshal Dinner for 150 guests on the World Golf Village grounds. 

Images in this news feature are used by permission from photographer Jim Dohms. Click images to enlarge.

Click here to view a slideshow of Jim Dohm's Riding Into History gallery.

The 2-day gala event raises money for the Wounded Warriors Project that helps combat veterans re-establish their lives.

The Concours on Saturday spotlighted the "Best of Europe" as well as many other rare and special interest vintage bikes.

Artist Don Bradley creates a fine art poster every year for the event.


This magical gathering of vintage bike enthusiasts was started by Billy Aldrich, who began organizing the event as something "good and right to do" soon after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.




"Out of desperation 14 years ago, wanting to do something that would make a difference, I decided to work on this and pledge all the money to help in the fight against breast cancer," he said. He worked on the event through her surgery and cancer treatments, and the long healing process. "We raised a ton of money, and sponsored an early-detection program and now today my wife is fine."

 

Two years ago, the women's program was picked up by another sponsor and Riding Into History decided to take on fundraising for the Wounded Warriors Project.


 "We know how much this help is needed. These kids come home all torn up and beat up, and the Wounded Warriors Project does what it takes to get them going again,” said Aldrich.


“We raised $25,000 last year, and hopefully we raised that amount or more this year.”


More information at: RidingIntoHistory.com



Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

Indian Motorcycles: 110 Year Anniversary Today

Indian Motorcycle, America's oldest motorcycle founded in 1901, is celebrating its 110th Anniversary today (Saturday, May 14, 2011) at the company's exclusive Southern California Dealership, Indian Motorcycle Los Angeles in Harbor City.

Festivities include a concert, an antique Indian Motorcycle show, food trucks, surprise guests, and displays of the full line of 2011 Indian Motorcycles, including the Classic, Dark Horse, Bomber, Roadmaster, and Vintage.  Hours are from 10am to 5pm.  Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Indian Motorcycle - LA is located under the same roof as California Harley-Davidson at 1521 Pacific Coast Highway in Harbor City, one mile west of the 110 Freeway and 5 miles from Redondo Beach.

Indian Motorcycle of the Twin Cities, Minnesota celebrated the 110th Anniversary with the new dealership's first ride.

Indian was a major competitor of Harley-Davidson during its 52-year production run from 1901 to 1953.  After a brief return from 1999-2003, the Indian brand returned in 2006 and was recently acquired by Polaris Industries Inc.

Polaris Industries has been very successful with Victory Motorcycles and the Freedom V-twin engine that are now both manufactured at it's "Victory Motorcycle Center for Excellence" in Spirt Lake, Iowa. Polaris also manufactures ATV's and an off-road Ranger vehicle at Spirit Lake.

Polaris Industries Inc. announced its purchase of Indian Motorcycles on April 19th 2011 and also announced extremely strong first-quarter earnings. Analysts were expecting first-quarter sales of $421 million, according to Thomson Reuters. But Polaris reported revenue of $537 million, beating the earnings estimates by 64%! Let's hope they can do as well with Indian Motorcycles, which the company vows to operate completely separate from Victory.

Cannonball Run 2010 from Kitty Hawk to Santa Montica

Cannon Ball Run 2010 is underway from Kitty Hawk, NC to Santa Monica, CA. (Sept. 10 - 26) ...3,300 miles in 16 days, running bikes built before 1916. Photos: Cannon Ball 2010.

Buzz Kanter with a fan, next to Selma, his 1915 Harley at Wheels Through Time Museum on Sunday in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Buzz Kanter reports: Day three of the Motorcycle Cannonball is in the history book. Most of us made it over the mountain and the number of riders with a perfect score has dropped to 17 of the 45 that started. I feel honored that my partner in this Dave Fusiak and I are among them. Spent some time at Wheels Through Time which I always enjoy.

Wheels Through Time Museum curator and founder, Dale Walksler, is also competing in the run aboard his 1915 Harley-Davidson, with teammate Wayne Stanfield of Tustin, CA. "We've done all we can to prepare each machine for the cross-country trek, but realize that its going to be an enormous challenge, regardless of how much effort has gone into getting these machines ready for the road," said Walksler. "There are very few that have ridden motorcycles for such a long distance," said Walksler. "And there are even fewer who've done it on a 95 year old machine. Completing this run will be a true test of endurance, stamina, and grit, but it will also take an experienced hand when it comes to the mechanics of a motorcycle this old!"

Day Four - The rouged mountain ride out of North Carolina into Tennessee was one of only two parts of the trip, where vintage riders/crew could choose to "opt out" and not be penalized. 

The steep mountain roads "tax the bike incredibly going up, and are, well, scarey coming down," reported Laura Klock of Team Effie. "Remember, these bikes didn't even have a front brake stock, and the rear brake leaves alot to be desired, compared to what we are used to with our modern bikes. It's hard on the clutch and the motor, and we decided not to push old Effie too hard."

Team Effie decided to play it safe coming over the mountains in order to "stay strong" for California.

Cris Sommer-Simmons, Pilot

Laura Klock, Crew

Toast Boyd, Crew/video/photos

Athena Ransom, Crew/Mechanic

Cris Sommer-Simmons' ride pays tribute to Effie Hotchkiss, a woman who road cross-country with her mother in the sidecar on a new 3-speed V-Twin Harley-Davidson in 1915 from Brooklyn, NY to the World's Fair in San Francisco.

Pre-race - video, entrant Shinya Kimura does a final check on his 1915 Indian Motorcycle. In 1914, Erwin “Cannonball” Baker made the ride in 11 days riding an Indian motorcycle.

Indian Motorcycles, 1901 to 1953

Indian Motorcycles, 1901 to 1953...


Do you like the new Indians? Or do you think "1901-1953. End of story."
Is the new Indian a good bike? What do you think? Did you ever own an Indian?

Harley Rendezvous Classic 2010

Harley Rendezvous Classic 2010

June 25, 26, 27 - Indian Lookout Country Club
1142 Batter Street, Pattersonville, NY, 12137

This annual event is staged on 200 acres, with 80 acres designated for camping in the beautiful Hamlet of Mariaville.

 The large gambrel roof at the right in this picture is the barn, where the
 antique Harley and Indian collection is displayed at: harleyrendezvous.com

Indian Motorcycle's LA Grand Opening

Iconic American manufacturer, Indian Motorcycle, is set to open up its first dealership on the West Coast with a big grand opening party slated for April 17-18. 

Indian Motorcycle Los Angeles is located under the same roof as California Harley-Davidson at 1521 Pacific Coast Highway in Harbor City.

The grand opening event is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. For more info, phone 310-539-3366.

Daytona Bike Week 2010 Main Street Wedding Ride

"I finally married my bunny, thank you all for coming to my wedding, and joining my ride with my beautiful bride," Dennis Araya told friends on Facebook.

"Chief" Dennis Araya builds and rents Indian Motorcycle bikes and trikes, and does guided tours from his homes in Miami, Florida and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Daytona Bike Week 2010 was the backdrop for an Indian Motorcycle-style wedding. The bride and groom rode into the Daytona Hilton lobby together on an Indian motorcycle to kick off their wedding reception. Then lead friends in a wedding parade ride down Main Street to the Indian Dealership for some post-wedding shopping. Check out the video!

CHIEF TRIKE RENTALS & TRIKE BUILDS WWW.CHIEFTRIKERENTALS..COM

The blushing bride - Tammy Araya joined her husband and friends for a wedding ride on Main Street to the Indian Motorcycle dealership, topped off by a ride on the World's Most Famous Beach - Daytona Bike Week 2010.