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Indian Motorcycle Factory & Experience Center

Spirit lake, iowa.

• Continued Craftsmanship
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Honoring our Past and Building our Future

In 1901 Oscar Hedstrom and George Hendee created America’s First Motorcycle Company ® , establishing Indian Motorcycle's reputation for outstanding performance by building powerful and reliable motorcycles. Today, the tradition of premium craftsmanship in American manufacturing lives on at the Indian Motorcycle factory in Spirit Lake, IA; the home of Indian Motorcycle and the birthplace of each new bike we make. The factory employs approximately 550 skilled professionals who take great pride in each detail of the assembly process. Their dedication and commitment to excellence continues the Indian Motorcycle legacy for future generations of motorcycle riders to come.

Tour the Indian Motorcycle Factory

Guided tours are available on a limited schedule basis. The Indian Motorcycle Experience Center is open with video tours available anytime Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm(CST) with the exception of holidays. 

Indian Motorcycle offers complementary factory tours that take visitors behind the scenes to experience the bike assembly process, beginning with only an engine and ending with a completely assembled, fully operational bike coming right off the line. Guests will see our skilled staff in action, learn interesting details of the manufacturing process, and observe many of the technology features of the world-class facility.

Visit the Experience Center

The Indian Motorcycle Experience Center showcases current and historic Indian motorcycles, displays vintage artifacts and memorabilia, and offers visitors the opportunity to purchase exclusive factory merchandise. Guests are also able to view a short video tour of the manufacturing facility during times when guided tours are unavailable.

Guests are welcome to visit the Indian Motorcycle Experience Center anytime Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm(CST) with the exception of holidays. 

Hours & Availability

Tour Details

Tours last approximately 30 minutes and will allow visitors to observe the factory while lines are in operation. No photography or cell phone usage is allowed during the tour. This is a walking/standing tour. Canes, walkers, and crutches will not be allowed. You must have tennis shoes or work boots on. Open toe, sandals, clogs, or crocs will not be allowed. Visiting tourists must be 10 years or older. 

Schedule Your Tour

Guided tour schedule is limited to select dates and by APPOINTMENT ONLY. To check tour availability, please call 712-336-6767 or email [email protected] 

When tours are not available the Indian Motorcycle Experience Center is available for visits and brief video tours anytime Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm(CST) with the exception of holidays. 

Indian Motorcycle Experience Center & Factory Tours

712-336-3797

Open Year Round

The Indian Motorcycle Experience Center showcases current and historic Indian motorcycles, displays vintage artifacts and memorabilia, and offers visitors the opportunity to purchase exclusive factory merchandise. Guests are also able to view a short video tour of the manufacturing facility during times when guided tours are unavailable.

Guests are welcome to visit the Indian Motorcycle Experience Center anytime Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm(CST) with the exception of holidays.

Indian Motorcycle offers complementary factory tours that take visitors behind the scenes to experience the bike assembly process, beginning with only an engine and ending with a completely assembled, fully operational bike coming right off the line. Guests will see our skilled staff in action, learn interesting details of the manufacturing process, and observe many of the technology features of the world-class facility.

Guided tour availability is limited to select dates and by APPOINTMENT ONLY. To check for tour availability, please call 712-336-3797 and choose option 4, or email  [email protected]

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Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour, Spirit Lake, IA

The Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour in Spirit Lake, IA offers a unique, up close and personal look at how one of the most storied motorcycle brands in the world is made.

Polaris Industries, the owner of Indian Motorcycles, assembles each motorcycle, along with their Victory brand of motorcycles, at their facility in Spirit Lake. The engines, frames, and other components are assembled in other Polaris factories, then shipped to Spirit Lake.

Factory tours are available Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week, and only by appointment, but they’re free. Tour guides insist that photographs are prohibited. We were able to find photos previously published by Polaris for use in this article.

When taking the Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour, expect no air conditioning. The day Sash and I took the tour, outside temperatures were expected in the mid-90s. Inside the factory, it gets hotter. As a result, all Indian manufacturing was halted for the day. Meanwhile, Victory assembly continued.

For the most part, each Indian and Victory motorcycle is assembled by hand, along an assembly line very much like the one used by Henry Ford with the Model A.

But instead of a guy pulling a platform to each station, each motorcycle frame is mounted to a robotic platform. The robotic platform reads a strip of yellow tape on the floor and drives itself to each station. Project managers can simply pull up the tape, and lay it back down in a different direction if need be.

The Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour takes you right up to each station, close enough to bump and brush up against each worker, watching them bolt on each piece, and move each platform on to its next station.

At any moment, someone at a station can halt the assembly process, and everything comes to a stop as project managers investigate the problem.

Once assembled, a motorcycle is taken into a dyno testing room where its run through several tests. If it passes, it goes to into a specialized crate, and shipped to a dealer.  The tour guide allowed us to gather around the window of the testing room as we watched a guy take a Victory 8-Ball up to its limits.

There’s also a woman who randomly pulls out crated motorcycles, and does a quality check going through hundreds of items.

All painting is done in the same facility.  The tour takes you through there too.

At the time we did the Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour, Polaris was building Indians for customer orders only.  They weren’t building any units for general dealer inventory. That may have changed by now.

All Indian and Victory motorcycles are assembled by non-union workers. Every worker in the factory is employed by  Doherty Staffing Solutions . To get a job at the Spirit Lake facility, you apply through Doherty, who has an office at the facility, and you become a temporary. If Polaris determines you’re a good fit, they bring you on full time, though you remain an employee of Doherty. The result is lower staffing costs for Polaris, and easier elimination of problem workers.

2014 is also the first model year where Indian motorcycles were designed by Polaris.  With the 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years, Polaris built Indians based on the Stellican, Ltd design.

The Indian Motorcycle Factor Tour runs about one hour. There’s no food and no souvenirs aside from copies of their brochures.

Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour 1900 Hwy. 71 Spirit Lake, IA 51360 Phone: 712-336-3797

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/

Steve Johnson

Having first started riding in 1985 on a Kawasaki KZ400, Steve has ridden all across the United States and Canada. He currently travels full time on his Honda ST1300, living wherever he can find a friendly roof. Follow him on, " Motorcycle Philosophy ".

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10 comments.

we are headed to Algona Iowa for there rally and would like to make an appointment to tour the Indian Factory for Thursday 7-2-15 or Friday 7-3-15. PLEASE let me know.. phone # 605-216-0276..Thank you..Hope to see you soon… We sure enjoy our 2014 Indian Cheifton with a sidecar…

can I buy part of a bike, bing iam going to switch it to a three wheeler , like a CSC

Is it possible to order a bike and watch be built like the Euro delivery of German and Swiss cars?

Great question. I’d like to know the same!

I would like to schedule a tour for 7/27/2018 if possible. I am bringing a motor coach bus tour to the area for two days and would like to stop by on 7/27 around 11:15am.

Is this something we can arrange at this time?

Full-time employees are employed by Polaris directly.

Tried to make an appointment for tour 3 times. Girl was not at desk. Least someone could have done is give me the courtesy of a call back.

Hi Customer Service Team

Is it possible to arrange an appointment for the Factory Tour where the Indian Motorcycles are made as we are coming over next year around Mid April to late May 2019.

We have purchased a Indian Springfield in late December 2017 and quite keen how they were made as we come from Australia, an opportunity for us to see in our lifetime!

How much time do we need to notify/advise for an arranged appointment? We are in the middle of arranging our flights to Iowa & transport to visit your Factory Site as we are not sure how to get there?? Appreciate your earliest reply. Cheers David & Margaret Magor

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Indian Motorcycle introduces a new Experience Centre at its Spirit Lake factory

Spirit Lake factory to offer current and historic Indian Motorcycle displays and  Factory Tours featuring robotics assembly processes

SPIRIT LAKE, IA (August 17, 2017) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company founded in 1901, today announced the opening of an Experience Centre at its Spirit Lake manufacturing facility.

Based in America’s heartland, the Spirit Lake Experience Centre is a free for motorcyclists looking to connect with the iconic American Indian Motorcycle brand.

The Indian Motorcycle Spirit Lake Experience Centre will showcase current and historic Indian motorcycles and offer complementary behind-the-scenes tours of its world-class production facility.

Visitors will observe the assembly process that’s conducted from start-to-finish with robotic machinery and witness new Indian bikes come right off the line.

The Spirit Lake Experience Centre will also serve as a venue for private events.

“As America’s first motorcycle company, we have a rich history and a loyal following of motorcyclists,” said Steve Menneto, President – Indian Motorcycle. “Right in America’s heartland, the Experience Centre not only serves as a unique destination for motorcyclists to engage with the brand, but also showcases our outstanding people who build premium motorcycles.”

Steve Menneto opened the new Experience Centre with Spirit Lake employees, friends and family members during an honorary ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Motorcyclists attending the Boji Bike Rally will have the opportunity to visit the Spirit Lake Experience Centre on Friday and Saturday, August 18 and 19, from 9am-2pm.

The Experience Centre will be open for complementary tours on Mondays and Fridays from August 21 through to November 3, 2017.

Tours will then reopen in 2018 and will be conducted through appointments only, which can be made by calling Indian Motorcycle Spirit Lake at 712-336-6955.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE Indian Motorcycle Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivalled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.eu

MEDIA CONTACT Dan Tye PR Manager EMEA Follow us on Twitter @IndianEMEA_PR +44 (0) 1525 270100 [email protected]

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Tour Spirit Lake’s Indian Motorcycle Factory This Summer

Indian’s Complimentary Tours Resume for 2022

If you’re anywhere near Iowa, you’ll be glad to hear that Spirit Lake Indian’s factory tours are slotted to resume this summer, just in time for the heat! 

Never been? it’s a neat experience; visitors are taken through the manufactury plant where the complete process of an Indian bike ’s birth takes place (though RideApart adds that the paint shop is off-limits to keep the finished product top-notch). 

After that, the world’s your oyster with additional options of hitting up the Indian Motorcycle Experience Center (which was open for video tours during the lockdowns) and the gift shop with Indian Motorcycle merch and a slew of trinkets to round up the day’s festivities.

We’ve yet to know when the tours will resume, though they’re still the 40-60 minute units that they were pre-pandemic. 

“Although they’re free, [the tours] do require attendees to sign up in advance by either calling ahead or sending an email to [email protected] ,” reminds the report.

Want to bring the fam-jam? You’re in luck – kids can also attend, though “Children aged five and over…must be watched closely by parents or guardians, so they do not get hurt.”

wBW Weekly News Round-Up: June 1 to June 7 Edition

“Also, for safety reasons, anyone going on a factory tour must wear close-toed shoes. Photos and video are not allowed to be taken while you’re on tour.”

Want to register? Give the factory a heads up of how many are coming at [email protected] and let us know what you thought of the experience!

Drop a comment below, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from Indian Motorcycles , Road Pickle , and the Sioux City Journal *

I was at the plant in 2017 just after the Victory demise was announced. The only way I could tell it was the right place, was Indian demo semi trailers were parked out back. I think they were doing some updating at the time. I was on my Cross Roads at the time, what a great touring bike it was too. I did 10 states in 2 weeks for 44000 miles.

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Factory Tours

If you're ever in the area and would like to see what it takes to build our ATVs, side by sides, motorcycles and snowmobiles, stop by one of our factory locations and take a free tour of the facilities. Be sure to call beforehand, as hours are subject to change.  

Roseau, MN: Experience Center   Suite #2 205 5th Ave SW Roseau, MN 56751 Call:  218-463-4999  or  218-463-3218 Email:  Polaris Experience Center

Experience Center Store Hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 11-6 Friday, 11-7 Saturday, 11-5 Sunday, Closed  

Roseau, MN: Manufacturing & Assembly (Snowmobiles and Select Models of Off Road Vehicles) 301 5th Ave SW Roseau, MN 56751 Call:  218-463-4999  and select 5. Tours are as follows: Monday-Friday at 2 p.m. during regular production. Call ahead for availability at 218-463-4999 and select option one. 

• Advance appointments are required for large groups (6 and over).
• Must be 6 years of age or older.
• No cell phones or cameras past the lobby.
• Must have closed toe shoes. No sandals or flip-flops.
• Please call ahead to find out if the facility is under normal production (no tours if there is pilot production).

Spirit Lake, IA: Manufacturing & Assembly (Indian Motorcycle ) - Not Currently Accepting Tours 1900 Highway 71 Spirit Lake, IA 51360 Indian Motorcycle offers complimentary factory tours that take visitors behind the scenes to experience the bike assembly process — beginning with only an engine and ending with a completely assembled, fully operational bike coming right off the line. Guests will see our skilled staff in action, learn interesting details of the manufacturing process and observe many of the technology features of the world-class facility.

Guided tour availability is limited and by appointment only. To schedule a tour, please call  712-336-3797  and choose option 4, or email us .

• No photography or cell phone usage is allowed during the tour.
• Closed toe, flat shoes are required — no sandals allowed.
• Must be age 5 or older.

If guided tours are unavailable during your visit, the Indian Motorcycle Experience Center is open with video tours available anytime Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (CST) with the exception of holidays.

Spirit Lake, IA: Experience Center 1900 Highway 71 Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Visit the all new Indian Motorcycle Experience Center, featuring unique and vintage Indian Motorcycles, engine displays, and factory exclusive merchandise. Open hours are Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (CST) with the exception of holidays. Additional information about the Indian Motorcycle Factory and Experience Center can be found here .

Osceola, WI: Manufacturing & Assembly (Engines) 805 Seminole Ave Osceola, WI 54020 Call:  715-294-5205  and ask for Shelly Sedivy. Tours are by appointment only.

• Advance appointments are required for large groups (eight and over).
• Must be 18 years of age or older. 
• Must have closed toe shoes. No sandals or flip-flops.

Currently, there are no tours being held at the following facilities:

• Medina, MN: Corporate Headquarters 
• Plymouth, MN: Service/Support
• Wyoming, MN: Product Development Facility
• Vermillion, SD: PGA Warehouse
• Wilmington, OH: PGA Warehouse
• Winnipeg, MB, CAN: Distribution/Warehouse
• Monterrey, MX: Manufacturing & Assembly (Select Off-Road Vehicles and Engines)
• Hunstville, AL: Manufacturing & Assembly (Slingshot and Off-Road Vehicles)

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Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Polaris Industries Inc. © 2022 Polaris Industries Inc.

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Indian Motorcycles Spirit Lake Factory Tours Set To Resume

Tours of the factory open to the whole family

After a two year hiatus due to you-know-what, the Indian Motorcycle Factory Tours are set to restart in time for summer at the Spirit Lake, Iowa location.

Indian Factory Tours To Restart

Motorcycle factories these days are more like operating theatres populated by robots and people in equal numbers than the dark and noisy production lines of old, but that doesn't mean they're any less interesting to visit. In fact, they're more accessible nowadays because they are so clean and organized.

If Indian Motorcycle is your brand - and even if its not! - you'll be pleased to hear that the factory tours at Indian's Spirit Lake facility in Iowa are to re-commence this summer. While they kept virtual tours of the Indian Motorcycle Experience Centre going and they were brilliant, it's not the same as actually being there.

No firm date has been given but Sioux City Journal reports that guided factory tours should return sometime in summer, 2022, if all goes according to plan. The tours last between 40 minutes to an hour and are free!

If you are interested, then you must still register to attend, the easiest way of doing that being to email them at [email protected]. What's even better is that children over 5 are allowed to take the tour, although parents must keep a close eye on them. Closed shoes are mandatory and no photos or videos may be taken.

The tours take in various stages of the assembly process of Indian bikes, with the exception of the paint shop. You'll get to watch Indian staff assembling bikes from start to finish.

You'll learn a lot about Indian history in the Indian Motorcycle Experience Centre, which tells the story from the beginning in 1901 to the present day, through displays and examples of Indians both modern and historic. Of course, there's also a shop where you can load up on everything Indian merchandise.

Even when the factory tours aren't running, you can visit the Experience Centre between 8a.m. and 3p.m., Monday through Friday and watch the video tour of the factory.

For more details and to make a booking, click here