In celebration of its 125th anniversary, Indian Motorcycle on Jan. 7 announced Never Finished, a year-long campaign that pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of founders George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom, while declaring that Indian Motorcycle will never stop challenging limits.
Never Finished is a reflection of the Indian Motorcycle brand, which has been driven by progress and innovation since 1901. “The pursuit of innovation that drove our founders continues to drive us today,” Nate Secor, Director of Marketing for Indian Motorcycle. “Whether through design, engineering, or marketing, we push ourselves every day to honor that legacy. The Never Finished campaign isn’t just a celebration of our 125-year history, it’s a commitment to our riders that we are always innovating, always competing, and will always be pushing forward.”
Following successful careers as bicycle racers in the late 19th century, Hendee and Hedstrom joined forces to engineer gasoline-powered bicycles to pace competitive races. At the time, early motorized pacers were notoriously unreliable, often sputtering to a stop and drawing laughs from spectators as racers pedaled past. Hendee and Hedstrom, however, built machines that performed flawlessly, earning respect and attention. Recognizing the potential, they set out to produce motor-assisted bicycles for mass production.
In 1901, Hendee and Hedstrom introduced America’s first motorcycle, marking the birth of Indian Motorcycle. By 1913, the company had become the market leader, producing 30,000 units annually in what was then the world’s largest motorcycle factory. Indian Motorcycle’s rise was fueled by its reputation for reliability, innovation, and technology.
Throughout 2026, Indian Motorcycle will celebrate its 125th anniversary through a variety of products, programs, and rider promotions. More information will be shared throughout the year.
