When it comes to motorcycle heritage, few brands carry the weight of history quite like Indian Motorcycle. As America’s first motorcycle company, established even before Harley-Davidson, Indian has long been associated with innovation, craftsmanship, and classic design. But while its legacy is well documented, many riders today want to know: Are Indian motorcycles as reliable as their reputation suggests?
A Brief History of Indian Motorcycles
There is no other motorcycle manufacturer in America that has a history as rich as Indian Motorcycle. They were America’s first motorcycle company, with a history dating back to 1897, before even Harley-Davidson.
The company was originally founded by George M. Hendee and went by the name ‘Hendee Manufacturing Company’. Originally, the company set out to manufacture bicycles. They had several brands, including one called ‘American Indian’. This was then shortened to ‘Indian’ when trying to increase product recognition in export markets.
At the turn of the 20th century, the company began to resemble what we know as Indian Motorcycles today. Oscar Hedstrom joined the company in 1900, and the business began designing and building motorcycles. The first ‘Indian’ motorcycle was built and completed on May 25, 1901, heralding the birth of America’s premier motorcycle manufacturer.
In 1904, the company would then embrace the distinctive deep red colour that became a trademark for all future Indian motorcycles. By 1913, the company had an annual production of 32,000 motorcycles.
It wasn’t until 1923 that the Hendee Manufacturing Company was renamed the Indian Motorcycle Company. Despite many ups and downs, the manufacturer has withstood the test of time, even bankruptcy in 1953, and is still one of the leading global motorcycle manufacturers.
While Indian motorcycles aren’t as common as Harley-Davidsons in Australia, they’re gaining popularity. If you’re considering an Indian motorcycle, this article is for you. It’ll cover the reliability of Indian motorcycles, why they’re good, and the different types available.
Currently, the Indian Motorcycle Company is owned by Polaris Inc. The company bought the motorcycle manufacturer back in 2011. Despite the change of hands, Polaris has kept true to the Indian brand and design with all the new models they’ve designed, engineered, and manufactured.
Why Are Indian Motorcycles Good?
When it comes to the question of Indian motorcycle reliability, riders don’t have to worry. Indian motorcycles have survived for over a century for a reason. The bikes are known for their long-term dependability and power, especially since Polaris acquired them. For example, after Polaris acquired the motorcycle manufacturer in 2011, it significantly invested in the technology and design of Indian bikes. This has led to numerous innovations, including the Thunder Stroke 111 engine.
The Thunder Stroke 111 engine is a 49-degree V-twin engine that was developed entirely in-house. It demonstrated Polaris’s commitment and investment in the Indian Motorcycle Company and reestablished its reputation for smooth power delivery and reliability.
According to Rider’s Share, Indian shared the top spot as the most reliable motorcycle brand alongside BMW and Harley-Davidson. While Indian has always had a strong reputation for reliability, this has only grown since 2011 with Polaris’s strict quality control measures and improved manufacturing processes.
Beyond reliability, Indian motorcycles are also renowned for their striking design. Indian motorcycles draw strongly from their heritage and traditional styling. Because they’re not as common as Harleys in Australia, this also makes them more unique and eye-catching.
Along with Indian motorcycles being generally regarded as reliable, they are also considered cheaper to maintain and repair than most other brands. They also have several entry-level models available for people on a budget.
The Different Types of Indian Motorcycles
Since we’ve delved into Indian motorcycle reliability and what makes them ‘good’, it’s time to delve into the different types of bikes available. Over the years, there have been dozens of different Indian motorcycle models.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact number, as the Indian Motorcycle Company has changed owners several times. There have also been limited and badge-engineered models, and not all models were available outside of North America.
This article will cover the various types of Indian motorcycles available in their 2025 lineup, along with the models within each category. Below, we’ve given a brief overview of the different types and the riding they are suitable for.
Standard Motorcycles
This type of motorcycle, also known as ‘naked bikes’ or ‘roadsters’, is the oldest motorcycle style produced by manufacturers. They feature an upright seating position with a handlebar at a comfortable distance away.
Many modern standard motorcycles feature ‘60s and ‘70s styling combined with new technology for improved performance and comfort. These types of motorcycles are generally considered to be good ‘all-rounders’.
They’re a great choice if you want versatility. They can cover various riding styles and needs, whether you want a bike for commuting or weekend adventures. They’re also usually cost-effective and easily customisable.
The current Indian standard motorcycle models include:
- FTR
- FTR Sport
- FTR R Carbon
- FTR X 100% R Carbon
- FTR X RSD Super Hooligan
Cruisers
Cruisers are a type of motorcycle that is supposed to embrace the ‘spirit of the open road’ and is designed with longer rides in mind. These types of bikes emerged in the 1930s and were built for comfort and style.
Because of this, cruisers are one of the most popular types of motorcycles. They’re popular within all demographics of riders, including women, due to the customisability and lower seat height.
If you plan on regularly doing road trips and day-long leisure rides, cruisers are ideal. The current 2025 lineup of Indian cruisers can be split into two families: the Scout and the Chief models. Below, we’ve outlined the different models available within both.
Scout family:
- Scout Sixty Classic
- Scout Sixty Bobber
- Sport Scout Sixty
- Scout Classic
- Super Scout
- 101 Scout
- Sport Scout
- Scout Bobber
Chief family:
- Chief
- Chief Dark Horse
- Sport Chief
- Sport Chief RT
- Chief Bobber
- Chief Bobber Dark Horse
- Super Chief Dark Horse
- Super Chief Limited
Touring Models
Touring motorcycles are the ideal motorcycle if you’re planning long-haul adventures. They have everything you need for long trips, from a massive carrying capacity, ergonomic design for comfort, and, depending on the manufacturer, advanced features like heated grips and navigation.
If you want the big and best for when you’re on the road, touring motorcycles are perfect. Compared to other types, such as bagger motorcycles and cruisers, they usually offer more performance and storage as well.
The current 2025 lineup of Indian touring models includes:
- Roadmaster
- Roadmaster Dark Horse
- Roadmaster Limited
- Roadmaster Elite
- Roadmaster Powerplus Dark Horse
- Roadmaster Powerplus Limited
- Indian Pursuit Dark Horse
- Indian Pursuit Limited
- Indian Pursuit Elite
Bagger Motorcycles
This type of motorcycle is defined by its blending of the long-distance comfort of a touring bike with a more streamlined design. They are also well-known for their distinctive ‘saddlebags’, which provide extra storage and utility without sacrificing aesthetics.
The biggest difference between a bagger motorcycle and its older sibling, the touring models, is that bagger types are typically lighter and easier to handle. Unlike touring models, which can sometimes be bulky, baggers usually feature more traditional motorcycle designs.
If you plan on doing longer rides, especially across the country, we recommend considering a bagger motorcycle. They’re a great option if you prefer a lighter bike and find touring motorcycles daunting.
There are several bagger Indian motorcycles available. These include:
- Chieftain
- Chieftain Dark Horse
- Chieftain Limited
- Chieftain Powerplus
- Chieftain Powerplus Dark Horse
- Chieftain Powerplus Limited
- Indian Challenger
- Indian Challenger Dark Horse
- Indian Challenger Limited
- Indian Challenger Elite
- Indian Springfield
- Indian Springfield Dark Horse
Elite Motorcycles
Indian also offers an ‘Elite’ range of motorcycles. These are their luxury range of motorcycles, offering bespoke detailing and cutting-edge technology. They offer ‘Elite’ variants for several of their motorcycle models.
Their ‘Elite’ lineup changes depending on the year, but is typically available for their Touring and Bagger models. Currently, they’re offering Elite variants for their Roadmaster, Indian Challenger, and Indian Pursuit bikes.
Get A Quote At Taverner Motorsports Now
Although our history doesn’t span back quite as far as Indian motorcycles, Taverner Motorsports has been in the business since 1975. Our business has been in the industry for five decades, and in that time, we’ve seen every combination of problems for all makes and models, including Indian bikes.
So, whether you need routine servicing or repair work done for your bike, Taverner Motorsports has you covered. We have a team of qualified mechanics who specialise in motorcycle repair work. Our team has a wealth of experience in all repair areas, from engine repairs and replacing electrical components to troubleshooting.
When you bring a bike to us for servicing or repair work, you can also trust that you’ll get complete transparency. From start to finish, our team will keep you informed about any repairs needed, estimated costs, and the timeline for completion.
If you require any repair work or servicing, please don’t hesitate to contact us and request a quote. Our friendly team would love to hear from you and help keep your motorcycle running in top condition.