At the turn of the 20th century, the motorcycle was born. In 1901, two men built a brand and claimed rights to “America’s First Motorcycle Company,” Indian Motorcycles.
What began as a bicycle builder in the 1890s shifted to motorized production in the early 1900s and never looked back. In 1913, the US Army sourced Indian Motorcycles for military use during World War I and again in the 1940s during World War II.
Historically and today, the company’s claim to fame is the racing bike. Indian has sponsored racing teams and stuntmen throughout its history and continues to do so today.
Indian Motorcycle is owned by Polaris Industries, an American automotive manufacturer that also owns Aixam, Kolpin, and Kilm International.
Today, Indian Motorcycle is headquartered in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Let’s find out how deep those American roots go by exploring the company’s manufacturing practices.
Verdict: Are Indian Motorcycles Made in the USA?
Yes and no. All Indian Motorcycles sold in America are assembled in the US using parts sourced globally.
American facilities for Indian Motorcycle include:
- Spirit Lake, IA: Manufacturing & Assembly for Motorcycles
- Osceola, WI: Manufacturing & Assembly for Engines
- Roseau, MN: Manufacturing & Assembly for Snowmobiles and some Off Road Vehicles
There are also company-owned factories in Monterrey, Mexico (Manufacturing & Assembly for Off Road Vehicles and Engines),
Indian Motorcycle hosts tread marks across the globe, from the US to Australia, Tunisia, Lebanon, and beyond. The vast majority of these sites are dealerships. Assembly for all motorbikes occurs on US soil.
At their headquarters in Spirit Lake, Iowa, is also an assembly plant that employs over 550 workers. The company hosts factory tours and behind-the-scenes videos of its manufacturing process.
In early company history, there used to be a manufacturing plant in Springfield, Massachusetts. This was the original site of production, which occurred from 1901 until its closing in 1953. Another factory existed in Gilroy, California, in the 1990s but again closed in the early 2000s when Indian Motorcycle declared bankruptcy.
According to the company, engines are also manufactured in the US in either Wisconsin or Minnesota.
Although we found that bikes and engines are made in the US, there are many other components that make up a motorcycle. The chance that all of these parts are manufactured in America is slim. Small parts for Indian Motorcycles are indeed manufactured globally.
There are also some custom-built bikes under the Indian Motorcycle that are made purely abroad. Two such models are the Hundred and the Red Wings, both produced by the French dealership Indian Motorcycle Metz.
All in all, Indian Motorcycles sold in the US are manufactured here as well. However, the builds will include parts that are sourced globally.
Popular American Made Indian Motorcycles
American assembled with global parts:
- Indian Motorcycle FTR
- 2025 Scout Classic
- Indian Motorcycle Chief
Popular Indian Motorcycles Not Made in the USA
- Indian Motorcycle Hundred
- Indian Motorcycle Red Wings
