After closing its doors in Gilroy five years ago, America’s
first motorcycle maker recently celebrated the resurrection of its
iconic brand.
By Graham Cawthon and Corey Friedman – Gaston Gazette
After closing its doors in Gilroy five years ago, America’s first motorcycle maker recently celebrated the resurrection of its iconic brand.
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gathered a week ago for the grand opening of the Indian Motorcycles flagship store in Lowell, N.C.
Founded in 1901, Indian was the first domestic motorcycle manufacturer. It folded in 1953, and a Gilroy company built and sold Indian motorcycles from 1999 to 2003. The Gilroy factory closed when costs outstripped profits, requiring more capital than the company could convince anyone to invest. The brand was sold to a British firm that specializes in refurbishing distressed, classic bikes in 2004. The current company is the third to use the Indian name, with a production plant in Kings Mountain, N.C., and the first dealership in Lowell.
Hundreds of bikes filled the Indian store parking lot. Owners of the original motorcycles and the more recent “Gilroy Indians” rode from Florida, Connecticut and Oklahoma, among other states. The handmade, high-end Indians feature classic styling and gleaming chrome, with prices starting at slightly less than $31,000.
“It will do an amazing amount for the area,” said Ron Sauder, a Lowell resident, “as long as they don’t go the way the company has twice past.”
But Sauder hopes the company will roll out a lower-priced bike to compete with Harley-Davidson.
“It’s like putting a Mercedes-Benz dealership here,” he said. “There’s no way the people who live in this community can afford to buy a $35,000 motorcycle. It’s not going to happen. If they ever get a motorcycle that can compete in the market with the other motorcycles, I think they’ll do real well.”
A gleaming 1946 black Indian Chief with a sidecar drew admiring eyes at the grand opening, which featured live music and refreshments. Many riders began the day with an 11 a.m. tour of Indian’s Kings Mountain plant, where Stephen Julius, company chairman, spoke proudly about the brand’s heritage and confidently about its future.
Ranlo resident Bruce Clary admired a 2009 Indian Chief Roadmaster in the store’s showroom Saturday. His cousin once owned an original Indian, and Clary said he was impressed with the iconic brand’s new offerings.
“For the quality of the bike you’re getting, I think it’s probably well worth the money,” he said.
Clary said the old Indians have smaller frames and engines, but the new motorcycles are similarly styled. The bikes are as well designed as they are unique, he said.
“I like the fact that the transmission looks like it’s separate from the engine, so if your transmission breaks, they don’t have to tear down the whole deal to work on it,” he said.
Tee “White Boy” White of Lincolnton has four motorcycles, including a 1967 Triumph and a 1969 Yamaha. He said he’s impressed by the new Indians and might consider buying one someday.
“They’ve come a long way, and I hope everything goes good,” White said. “I hope all the best for them.”
Staff writer Sara Suddes contributed to this report.
