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Indian Motorcycle company hangs on during recession ride
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Indian Motorcycle, located in Kings Mountain, NC (about 40 minutes west from uptown Charlotte) is still hanging on and working hard to stay alive during these difficult economic conditions. Motorcycle sales in general have taken a dive over the past year. Hopefully, both Indian Motorcycle and North Carolina tourism will get a boost from being featured on ABC News as they begin filming on November 9, 2009 for an upcoming story about the comeback of Indian Motorcycle.
The vision of the new Indian Motorcycle company has not been just to bring back the iconic American motorcycle brand, but to actually bring it back in a big way as a premium, and relatively exclusive brand with all the finest attention to detail, highest quality materials and workmanship. With that in mind, these bikes are out of reach for much of the riding public, with a starting cost equal to buying approximately 3 or 4 of the Honda Shadow 750 or the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic.
Keep in mind that the mass-produced motorcycles mentioned are not quite in the same class as Indian, but are examples of popular cruiser-style motorcycles that are considered reliable and affordable. A more fair comparison to Indian would be the similarly equipped Harley-Davidson, such as a Road King Classic which has a starting price equal to approximately half the price of the Indian Chief Roadmaster.
Will Indian Motorcycles find enough well-off buyers that can afford the finest leather, the best chrome, and the exclusivity of riding the newest generation Indian motorcycle? That sure seems like a long shot during these days of double-digit unemployment rates and rapidly spreading foreclosures.
This is not the first time someone tried to bring back a famous American motorcycle brand. Previous failed attempts include Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Company in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and also Indian Motorcycle Company of America in Gilroy, California. Let's hope that both Indian Motorcycle and our economy will both prosper soon!
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