Bikernet takes a quick look at Indian Motorcycle's historical timeline for iconic moments from 1901 through the present. Today we give you the first decade.
1901 — Prototype and two production units successfully designed, built and tested.
1902 — First Indian Motorcycle, featuring innovative chain drives and streamlined styling, sold to public.
1903 — Indian co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedstrom sets world motorcycle speed record (56mph).
1904 — Crimson Steed of Steel paint scheme introduced; Indian wins Gold Medal for Mechanical Excellence at St. Louis Exposition.
1906 — Indian releases first American production V-Twin after several years of development and testing; 101 years later V-Twin remains most popular cruiser-motorcycle engine design.
1906 — George Holden and Luis Muellr ride an Indian from San Francisco to New York City in 31 trouble-free days, breaking the existing record by over 18 days.
1907 — An Indian Twin wins the first English 1000-mile reliability trial. The New York City Police Department buys two Indian Twins to chase down runaway horses.
1907 — New York Police Department selects Indians for first motorcycle police unit.
1908 — Indian "loop frame" positions gas tank on front horizontal frame member, other makers eventually follow suit; basic configuration still used by virtually all motorcycles.
