Do we
really need another air-cooled pushrod v-twin dinosaur? Are there really enough people out there so enamoured with the Indian marque they think they have a chance? The one dealer in Herndon, VA was quite disgusted with his experience, and had the one last Indian bike taking up floor space for a LONG time... I wouldn't be surprised if it's not STILL there.
How many of these 'parties' giving this 'overwhelming response' are experienced motorcycle dealers? I'll bet none of the previous dealers would touch this with a ten foot totem pole (sorry).
"The company faces some time pressure because, starting at the beginning of 2008, it will have to build its bikes to meet the tougher new emissions requirements (already imposed on bigger companies' motorcycles), which may mean significant revisions to the line of bikes, which it is largely picking up from the previous owner of the brand with some refinements."
I saw and sat on one of the previous Indians at a dealer last year, and was totally underwhelmed. To me, it was a collection of everything I don't like about Harleys with none of their redeeming qualities. The
only thing they had going for them then, and again this time, is the Indian name. Sorry, not enough. Massive, top-to-bottom refinements might make three models they're planning sellable, but even then, they'd need some new interesting models really quick to get anywhere this time.
I've never liked the signature fender styling.
Victory would be a good company to model Indian after if they want to last more than a year or so. Of course then, they have to find a big parent like Polaris to give them breathing room, lots of money, and have decent engineers and designers pop out a string of winners.
I hate to ***** on anyone's parade, but I'm thinking that even if they perfectly correct every single mistake made in the last resurrection, their chances are still less than even.
Regardless, best of luck to them.