Indian Motorcycle Comes to Chennai

CHENNAI:  After over a 100 years of existence, one of the world’s most iconic motorcycle brands has finally come to Chennai. Indian Motorcycle, founded in 1901 and one of the earliest rivals of Harley Davidson, opened its third showroom in the country at Chetpet in the city on Friday.

The brand, however, is a bit out of reach for everyday budgets, with the cheapest version — Indian Scout, retailing at just under `12 lakh. But for those motorcycle enthusiasts with the moolah, the arrival is set to make some deeply buried but dearly held wishes come true.

Indian Motorcycle traces its history back to 1901 when motorcycles were new, and riding one was the mark of an adventurer. The brand was the first in America to begin producing motorcycles for mass consumer use in 1902. A year later, it began its checkered journey through early automotive history, even setting the world speed record for motorcycles in 1903.

The brand went on to set several other records and clock up several competitive racing successes — a fact that Polaris Industries, which bought the brand in 2011, has made sure to emphasise. “Chennai’s motorcycle enthusiasts have a treat on their hands,” said Pankaj Dubey, managing director of Polaris India, during the launch of the dealership. He might well be right, with the dealership showcasing the entire range of the brand’s current products — from The Indian Scout, whose history goes back all the way to 1920, to the newest addition to the line, The Indian Dark Horse, which was launched a mere five months earlier. 

“The showroom will showcase the entire range of products available on the Indian market, along with exclusive Indian merchandise,” said Dubey.  The Chennai dealership, located in Chetpet, comes after the launch of dealerships in Delhi and Bengaluru with three other dealerships planned in the next few months - in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

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The New Indian Express
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