Which Brand Is Right For You: Indian Motorcycle vs. Harley-Davidson

If you’re trying to settle on a motorcycle brand, chances are two of your finalists are going to be Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. Both of these companies are titans in the industry, so it can be hard to know which of them builds the best bike for you. We here at Road Track & Trail want to help you narrow down your choices, so we’ve put together some information comparing the two brands. To learn more, or to see the Indian® motorcycles and Harley-Davidson® motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Big Bend, Wisconsin, today!

Backgrounds

When you buy a motorcycle, you’re also buying the company. It can help to know a bit about their histories before you invest.

Indian® Motorcycles

America’s first motorcycle company was founded in 1901 by George Hendee. Indian Motorcycle saw success for decades, but was forced to shut down operations in 1953. Some of their early bikes are sturdy enough to still take to the road, however! 

The popularity of the brand caused a few revival attempts. When Polaris acquired them in 2011, the Indian Motorcycle came back to life! With three instant crowd-favorites released in 2014, Indian Motorcycle is back on top.

Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles

Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson isn’t the first American motorcycle company, but they are the oldest continuously-operating motorcycle company in the nation! Having contributed 20,000 motorcycles to the US Military in World War I and over 90,000 in World War II, Harley-Davidson has spent the past century honing their craft for civilian and government use alike. They remain an American classic and are a huge part of motorcycle culture today.

Rivalry

Both companies started around the same time and still compete in the same markets, leading to a staunch rivalry, which resumed when Indian Motorcycle was resurrected. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally pits the two last large American motorcycle companies against one another in a flat-race track and demo rides.

Today’s Market

Given Harley-Davidson’s continuous operation, they’ve managed to take a hefty lead against their old rival in terms of market share. They’ve also spent time honing their product, image, and reputation, and are now seen as synonymous with American motorcycles. A Harley-Davidson® chopper is the image most people conjure when they think of a motorcycle, and their style is iconic.
That said, Indian® motorcycles tend to out-perform many Harley-Davidson bikes. They’re bigger, often faster, especially in their entry-level motorcycles. When you want power and speed, an Indian motorcycle might be your best bet.

In the end, though, both companies have enough variety and customization to get you the motorcycle you need. If none of the above information compels you one way or the other, then you’ll do just fine with either. 

To learn more about their differences and strengths, or to see the Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles we have for sale, contact us at Road Track & Trail. We proudly serve people of Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin, and of Chicago, Illinois—let us serve you today!