Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
Indian motorcycles trace their history all the way back to 1901, but the company's signature model, the Scout, first introduced in 1920, remains an icon in two-wheel motoring design.
Indian went under in 1953, and there have been several failed attempts at reviving the brand. Then, three years ago, Polaris, best known for snowmobiles, purchased the rights to the marque.
They've created a new Scout, which according to our auto and motorcycle critic, Susan Carpenter, incorporates modern mechanical elements while retaining the iconic design of the original.
Along with the Scout, the new Polaris-owned Indian has introduced a big, fat touring bike, The Roadmaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a-kTUmFBMo
Carpenter rode one in to the studio, and say she loves it. At more than 900 pounds it's a lot to handle, but she says it's so well-balanced, you quickly forget you are riding on a monster. Plus, there is tons of room for luggage and she says the brown leather saddle is a joy to sit in, and just to ponder.
Susan Carpenter is auto and motorcycle critic for the OC Register. She joins us each week on Thursday for The Wheel Thing.