Indian Riders Groups News

 

The Story of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG)

Heritage, Brotherhood, Struggle, and Resilience — 2011–2024

1. 2011 – The Polaris Acquisition: A New Chapter Begins

In April 2011, Polaris Industries purchased the historic Indian Motorcycle brand, pledging to restore its former glory.
Polaris already had a strong foundation through Victory Motorcycles, whose engineering and community culture directly influenced Indian’s revival.

The newly developed Thunder Stroke 111 engine became the mechanical and symbolic heart of this rebirth — a perfect blend of modern performance and traditional craftsmanship.
Polaris’s approach was clear: rebuild Indian as both a motorcycle brand and a community built on heritage, brotherhood, and pride.

2. 2013 – “A New Era Begins” at Sturgis

At the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Polaris unveiled the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, and Chieftain, marking Indian’s official return to production.
The launch slogan “A New Era Begins” captured not only the rebirth of the machines but the revival of an entire riding culture.

Behind the scenes, Polaris was already laying the groundwork for an official owners’ network — the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) — to unite new Indian owners and channel the enthusiasm surrounding the relaunch.
By late 2013, dealers were invited to apply to host chapters, setting the foundation for a community that would officially begin the following year.

3. 2014 – The Official Launch of IMRG

The Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) officially launched in 2014, alongside the first full year of deliveries for the modern Indian lineup.
That same year, the now-iconic South Dakota-shaped red patch, marked “Indian Motorcycle Riders Group – 2014,” was issued, symbolizing the birth of the movement and paying homage to Sturgis — the spiritual home of Indian’s revival.

Polaris UK confirmed 2014 as the foundation year for the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region, aligning with North America.
Founding chapter leaders, including Vincent Alexander Maisonneuve (IMRG 1904, Edmonton AB) and Noel E. Weston (IMRG 1992, Illinois), verified that chapters became fully active that year.

The structure was simple: each IMRG chapter was sponsored by a dealership, providing funding, insurance, and community organization.
It was a model that thrived while sales were strong and the dealer network was expanding.

4. 2014–2016 – The Continuation of Brotherhood

Although new in name, the IMRG inherited its spirit from a long lineage of independent Indian clubs that had kept the brand alive during decades of uncertainty — including the Indian Riders, Indian Arrowhead Riders, Indian Iron Horse, and the Indian Motocycle Club of Great Britain.

These earlier communities embodied brotherhood, camaraderie, and mutual respect — the very values that Polaris sought to carry forward through IMRG.

Indian’s design and branding — the headdress profile, 1901 insignia, and deep red and cream palette — were more than stylistic choices. They were deliberate acts of homage to Indian’s heritage and the riders who represented its enduring spirit.
For many owners, this imagery was a key reason for choosing the brand — a symbol of honour, history, and belonging.

5. 2015–2019 – Global Growth and Celebration

From 2015 to 2019, IMRG flourished and became a core part of Indian’s identity around the world:

  • 2015: IMRG launched officially across EMEA with free memberships and events such as Faak am See (Austria).
  • 2017: Indian promoted “Four IMRG Rides & Parties” across Europe, encouraging inclusion and participation from riders of all brands.
  • 2018: A major IMRG owners’ event was held at the Faro Motorcycle Rally in Portugal.
  • 2019: The First Official French IMRG Rally brought together over 300 motorcycles, and the Indian Riders Fest (IRF) was announced as the annual international IMRG meeting point in the Czech Republic.

By 2019, IMRG was one of the most successful manufacturer-backed rider organizations in motorcycling — uniting thousands of riders through shared pride, friendship, and loyalty to the Indian name.

6. Parallel Modern Clubs and Global Expansion

As Indian’s modern revival grew, a wave of independent Indian communities began forming in parallel with the IMRG. Each added its own regional perspective while maintaining deep respect for the brand’s heritage and culture:

  • Indian Owners Group (IOG) – a worldwide community focused on social connection and ride networking.
  • Indian Owners Group Italia – a national club celebrating Indian’s legacy through organized rides and cultural events.
  • Indian Motocycle Riders Global (IMRGlobal) – an international digital network linking Indian riders and coordinating global online initiatives.
  • Indian Motorcycle Owners Germany – promoting friendship, mutual respect, and brand passion under the motto:
    “Talk Indian, Love Indian, Live Indian — Because We are the Future of Indian.”

These groups share the IMRG’s core values of honour, friendship, and passion for the Indian brand, yet operate independently of corporate oversight.
Together, they form a wider ecosystem of Indian riders, echoing the early days of Indian’s pre-Polaris clubs, where community and mutual respect were the foundation of every ride.

7. 2020 – Pandemic Disruption and Structural Weakness

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on the IMRG network.
Because each chapter relied on a sponsoring dealership, closures and management changes left many groups without official status or support.

In the United States, a Regional Council structure helped stability — with regional coordinators helping to sustain chapters through online communication, remote events, and continuity planning.
In the UK and Europe, however, no equivalent system existed, leaving local chapters dependent on their own determination and volunteer leadership.

This imbalance exposed the fragility of IMRG’s model outside North America and revealed how crucial grassroots commitment was to keeping the network alive.

8. 2021 – The IMR Rollout and Member Frustration

In November 2021, Polaris Ins / IMC LLC introduced the new IMR (Indian Motorcycle Riders) identity — a global umbrella intended to include all Indian owners, even those without an IMRG chapter nearby.

However, the rollout occurred without consultation or prior notice to existing IMRG members and leaders.
Riders felt confused and devalued, uncertain about whether IMR replaced IMRG or complemented it, and communication from Indian UK was minimal.

We had correspondence with Thierry Fouchet of the IMR EMEA office which captured the frustration felt across the community:

  • Lack of information and late event announcements.
  • No national coordination or point of contact for IMRG in the UK.
  • A growing perception that corporate focus had shifted away from IMRG.

Thierry’s response explained that IMR was meant as a global registry of all Indian owners, with IMRGs remaining local, dealer-linked communities.
Although the logic was sound, the communication failure fractured trust and accelerated disconnection between riders and the corporate structure. Unfortunatly there is still no real contact for the IMRG in the UK.

9. 2022 – Rekindling Passion: Grassroots Spirit and the Rise of the IRF

By 2022, riders across the UK and Europe were actively working to restore the IMRG’s sense of unity and belonging after several years of uncertainty.

They drew inspiration from multiple sources — from Indian Bike Week (IBW) in America, which began as a small Indian-only ride-in in 2009 and evolved by 2016 into one of the largest and most respected grassroots gatherings in the Indian community, to long-standing European vintage events such as Old Indians Never Die and similar classic Indian rallies across the continent.
These heritage events had for years celebrated the same principles of brotherhood, honour, and respect, keeping alive the legacy of Indian Motorcycles long before Polaris’s revival.

At the centre of this new wave of energy stood the Indian Riders Fest (IRF) in the Czech Republic. Originally a regional rally, IRF developed into a pan-European celebration that now attracts thousands of riders from more than thirty countries. By 2022, it had become one of the flagship Indian Motorcycle gatherings worldwide — officially supported by Indian Motorcycle EMEA and praised for its inclusive, family-like atmosphere.

Across Europe, other national and regional Indian motorcycle events — including the Indian Motorcycle Rally Denmark, Indian Riders Polska, Spanish IMRG gatherings, and numerous independent dealer- or community-hosted rides — all contributed to this wider resurgence.
Some of these events predated the IRF, but together they formed a vibrant, interconnected network of Indian culture that transcends corporate structure.

Grassroots ideas like the “UK-700” also arose during this time — not as official initiatives, but as rider-driven efforts to bring together IMRG chapters, independent Indian owners, and passionate dealerships under one shared ethos of brotherhood, camaraderie, and mutual respect.

This era marked a pivotal turning point: riders reclaiming and rebuilding their community, strengthening friendships across borders, and proving that Indian’s enduring legacy thrives best when led by the riders who live it.

10. 2023 – Slowdown, Alternatives, and Resilience

By 2023, IMRG activity had slowed in several regions due to dealer closures and limited coordination.
In contrast, the IMRG U.S. & Canada Regional Council maintained structure and momentum.

Bryan Moore of the Council summarized its mission clearly:

“If there are folks out there in the U.S. that are too far from a dealership but would like to start an actual IMRG Chapter independent of a dealership, reach out. We can help you get an at-large chapter going.”

In Europe and the UK, many riders sought alternative paths to maintain connection and community.
New and existing independent Indian groups — several formed around or before 2020 — stepped forward to fill the gaps left by dormant IMRGs.
These independent clubs continued the IMRG’s legacy of riding, charity, and fellowship, demonstrating that the true strength of Indian’s community lies not in policy but in people.

11. 2024 – A Decade of IMRG

In January 2024, Indian Motorcycle EMEA released the “10 Years of IMRG” commemorative set — an embroidered patch, magnet, and pin marked “2014–2024.”
Initially launched in EMEA, it was later introduced in North America following requests from riders who wanted to celebrate the milestone collectively.

The commemorative release marked official corporate recognition of IMRG’s global ten-year anniversary — a symbolic acknowledgment of the riders who built and sustained the network through a decade of change.

12. Legacy – Brotherhood Through Adversity

The story of IMRG is not just a corporate history — it’s a human story of endurance and community.

It shows how:

  • The dealership-dependent model worked brilliantly during strong years but struggled during market shifts.
  • The IMR rebranding caused fragmentation but inspired new forms of unity through independent rider groups.
  • And how the brotherhood of Indian riders, rooted in respect, honour, and camaraderie, has continued to thrive through self-determination and shared love for the brand.

Indian Motorcycle’s heritage and imagery — the headdress, the 1901 insignia, the proud colours — remain symbols of these values.
For many, owning an Indian is more than riding a motorcycle; it is a statement of belonging to a tradition of friendship and honour that spans generations.

From Sturgis 2013 to a decade of IMRG in 2024, the message endures:

If you’re on two wheels, you’re with us.

Summary

The Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG), founded in 2014, stands as both a cornerstone of Indian’s modern revival and a continuation of a legacy stretching back over a century.

Through growth, fragmentation, and renewal, its members have proven that the true heart of Indian Motorcycle lies not in corporate structure but in the riders themselves — united by brotherhood, camaraderie, and respect.

The IMRG and the independent clubs around it together form a living testament to the resilience of the Indian name and the riders who proudly carry it forward.

 


 

 

 

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