Exactly six months after they were unveiled at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Polaris Industries cannot keep up with the demand for Indian motorcycles. The iconic brand is produced exclusively in Spirit Lake. Part one of a two part story.
Indian Motorcycles: Made in Iowa
1 of
A 2014 Indian moves through the Polaris assembly line in Spirit Lake.
Rick Fredericksen / Iowa Public Radio
2 of
Starting with the engine and frame, more than 900 parts go into an Indian.
Rick Fredericksen / Iowa Public Radio
3 of
The skirted fenders are one of the motorcycle's iconic features.
Rick Fredericksen / Iowa Public Radio
4 of
Indians were deployed in both world wars.
Museum of Springfield History
5 of
An early Indian.
6 of
The road simulator is the last stop on the production line.
Rick Fredericksen / Iowa Public Radio
7 of
The finished product; a 2014 Indian.
Rick Fredericksen / Iowa Public Radio