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Military & Police
"The Police"
Three
"mounted" Massachusetts State Police, 1925 |
In
1904, the New York City police department dismounted its horses
and mounted the Indian motorcycle. The move from horse and wagons
to motorcycles revolutionized police work. New York City was
just the first in what would
A
Massachusetts State Policeman stops a "lady speeder,"
1924 |
become
a large group of Indian-only police departments. Police business
became big business for Indian and its competitors. The company
actively touted its unique features, such as the left handed
throttle that made the Indian better for police work. This feature
supposedly allowed police to keep up a chase while still being
free to shoot (right handed) at a fleeing suspect.
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New
York City Policeman, 1904
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New
York City's Finest show off their Indian motorcycles, c. 1946
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"The Military"
This
Army dispatch rider graced the cover of the Company's magazine,
Indian News, June 1943 |
In
the days before reliable radio communication, motorcycles proved
a crucial means of conveying messages among the armed forces.
During WW1, Indian supplied over 40,000 motorcycles to the US
government.
Signal
Corps riders during exercises, 1942 |
But
the Indian Motocycle Company made a near fatal mistake: they
committed their entire production to military business, leaving
their dealers with nothing to sell for 18 months. During that
time, many Indian dealers went out of business or switched to
other brands such as Harley Davidson. The Company had set the
stage for its own rival to become the premiere American motorcycle
producer.
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Dispatch
rider, France, 1918
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Indian's
announcement that it may have little to supply to dealers
during WWI was a harbinger of impending financial
difficulties
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A
U.S. Army medical motorcycle, France, 1918
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Indian
also supplied many Allied forces with motorcycles including these
Canadian troops
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