Indian’s Strategy Makes No Damn Sense to Me

Look—for some people, a motorcycle brand is like a religion or a political party. It’s not just a product—it’s a belief system. You’re loyal. You’re passionate. And no amount of stats, charts, or influencer reviews is going to change your mind. You believe what you believe.

And when you see someone riding a different brand? It’s not hate. It’s not malice. You just don’t get it. That’s exactly where I’m at with Indian. I’m not here to start a fight—I just genuinely don’t understand the appeal. I’ve never gotten it. Not once. Not for a second.

You’re telling me a few extra ponies and a slightly lower price tag are enough to walk away from Harley’s massive dealer network and a legacy forged over 120 years? What went wrong for you at the dealership—did the free coffee run out?

I get it. Some folks had a bad experience. Others just want to be different. But let’s not pretend Indian is some kind of rugged outsider. It’s Polaris.

Yeah—Polaris. The same folks behind ATVs and snowmobiles slapped a vintage-sounding badge on a line of bikes back in 2011 and called it a comeback. Real Indians haven’t been built in over 70 years. What’s on the road now is a corporate resurrection soaked in nostalgia.

So if you’re like me and still scratching your head, here’s what ChatGPT had to say:

Why Some Riders Choose Indian

(Even If It Baffles the Rest of Us)

1. “More for Less” Mentality
   They see the spec sheet—slightly more horsepower, slightly lower price—and think they’re gaming the system. What they don’t realize is they’re buying stats, not soul. The ride isn’t just about numbers—it’s about legacy, culture, and connection. You can’t engineer that with torque curves and glossy marketing.

2. They Don’t Know the Culture
   A lot of Indian riders are new to the scene. They didn’t grow up wrenching with their old man or hearing stories about what it means to ride American steel. To them, it’s just a bike—not a lifestyle, not a lineage. They don’t see the tribal, brotherhood side of Harley because they’ve never been part of it.

3. Internet Influence + Paid Reviews
   Indian dominates the influencer game. Paid YouTubers, moto vloggers, review sites—they flood the zone with “Indian is better” content, and a lot of new riders buy in because it sounds smart and informed. But most of those guys are just reading a press sheet and cashing a check.

4. Trying to Be “Different” Without Earning It
   Some folks buy Indian to “stand out” or “not follow the crowd.” But instead of forging their own path, they just join a different one. They want outlaw vibes without living the outlaw grit. You can’t fake that shit.

5. No Real Connection to the Brand
   When you throw a leg over a Harley, you’re continuing a story. You’re riding what your dad rode. What your grandad drooled over. What survived wars, recessions, AMF, and everything in between. It’s blood, grease, rebellion, and redline. When someone throws a leg over an Indian? They’re riding a brand resurrected by a powersports conglomerate in Minnesota. That’s not hate—it’s fact.

So… did ChatGPT help me understand Indian loyalty better?

Not really. Like I said, this is more emotional than rational for me—just like politics or religion.  Some things are hardwired.

And those emotions got even more sour with King of the Baggers.

Polaris saw what Wyman and Harley were doing and got nervous. So they hired Troy Herfoss—an elite racer from overseas with zero brand loyalty—to snatch the crown. When Harley countered with Bradley Smith, Polaris pulled another big-money move and brought in Loris Baz. Sensing a theme yet?

This isn’t about building culture. It’s about writing bigger checks.

And yeah—I get it. That’s racing. But it still stinks when a company with no real American motorcycle heritage brings in international ringers to win an American bagger championship… on a bike that, let’s be honest, looks a whole lot like a Road Glide.

I’ll give ’em credit for trying. But what I still don’t understand is why their whole strategy seems so unoriginal. If you’re gonna be the alternative to Harley, be the alternative—not a shadow version.

If you ride an Indian, cool—seriously. I’m glad you ride. I’ll happily buy you a beer at the bar. But I still won’t understand your bike choice. And that’s okay.

Just don’t be surprised when I’m cheering for Wyman over Herfoss—ALL DAY LONG.

– Bagger Shawn
Founder, Steel Rippers