As Forbes Staff Writer Joann Mueller has reported, Indian Motorcycle recently released details about its new 2014 Indian Chief family of motorcycles. When Indian unveiled its new engine earlier this year, I interviewed Gary Gray, Indian Motorcycle’s Product Director. The details were tantalizing, part of what I described as “another in a long line of teases.” At this year’s Sturgis Rally and Races, Indian finally consummated their relationship with the media, as a group of journalists were invited to actually ride examples of the new Chief Classic, Chief Vintage and Chieftain to relaunch the Indian Motorcycle brand. Riding impressions have been published, and the reviews have been mostly positive. I have been promised some time on a production bike in October, and I’ll be certain to report my impressions here.
After the bikes were revealed at Sturgis, I had a phone conversation with Steven D. Menneto, Vice President -Motorcycles for Polaris Industries, the parent company of Indian and Victory brand motorcycles. Mr. Menneto has been with Polaris since 1997, and is a genuine motorcycle enthusiast. He earned his Iron Butt patch in 2011, completing a 1,000-mile ride on a Victory in 24 hours. That’s some serious riding for an executive.
