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125 Years of Indian Motorcycle

First Then. First Now. Never Finished.

Since 1901, Indian Motorcycle has been chasing the only standard we know: our own.

Over 125 years, we've won races, set records and earned countless trophies, but we’re still hungry. Because we’re always pushing to build better and ride farther. We're proud of where we've been, but we're more excited about the road ahead.

Our First 125 Indian Motorcycle Flag.
Side profile of a 2026 Indian Challenger 125th Anniversary Edition motorcycle.

125TH MODELS

4 2026 Indian 125th Anniversary Edition motorcycles in a lineup.
Man walking away from a parked Chief Indian Motorcycle parked in the desert.
Rider crusing on highway on a Chief Indian Motorcycle.

Chief Vintage

Our First 125 Indian Motorcycle Flag.
Indian Motorcycle founder George M. Hendee posing next to early Indian model.

Never Finished
Making History

In 1901, founders George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom fired up the first factory in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. But Hedstrom wasn't just building bikes: he was pushing their limits, too. In 1903, he hit 56 miles per hour on a run from New York City to Springfield and back, a record at the time. By 1923, The Hendee Manufacturing Company became The Indian Motorcycle Company. Same grit. New name.

Indian Motorcycle founder Oscar Hedstrom riding on early Indian model.
Overhead view of Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew member racing on motorcycle racing track.

Never Finished
Breaking Records

Indian Motorcycle has always been first to the line.

In 1909, we won the first motorcycle race ever held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1937, Ed Kretz took the first Daytona 200 on an Indian Sport Scout. The original Wrecking Crew owned the post-war racing scene, and today's riders are doing the same at the MotoAmerica King of The Baggers series. Different eras. Same result.

Close-up detail of a Powerplus 112 engine on an Indian Motorcycle.

Never Finished
Innovating

We built our first V-twin factory racer in 1906 and we were the first American manufacturer to put a version in production by 1907. In 1913, we rolled out the first production motorcycle with full front and rear suspension. A year later, we added an electric starter and integrated electric lighting when most bikes still needed a kick. Fast forward to 2019: the liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine in the Indian Challenger raised the bar for American V-twin baggers all over again. Since the beginning we’ve been pushing the limits.

United States Army men standing next to an Indian Motorcycle.

Never Finished
Serving

The U.S. Army started riding Indian Motorcycles in 1913. When World War I broke out, we shifted most production to the war effort, building close to 50,000 motorcycles between 1917 and 1919. Two decades later, we did it again for World War II. From 1940 to 1945, nearly everything we built went to the Allied cause. Over 35,000 bikes and $24 million in parts went to troops overseas. Today, we still honor those who serve with special benefits for military, police, firefighters, and first responders.

United States Army men sitting behind an Indian Motorcycle.

Explore our 125th Anniversary Apparel Collection with a limited range of collectible, one-of-a-kind apparel styles available only in your dealership.

Indian Motorcycle Our First 125 Flag.

2026 Models

Explore
Indian Motorcycle

IMRG

Ride with people who get it. Local chapters, shared miles, and a nationwide community of riders who are Never Finished riding.

Events

From demo days to rider rallies, Indian Motorcycle events bring the culture to life, on the road and in dealerships.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We support the rides, events, and people that keep American motorcycling moving forward on their own terms.

First Movers

Stories of riders who go first, choose differently, and keep pushing forward, because the road rewards those who push the limits.

First Then. First Now. Never Finished.