Kennedy brings over 35 years of motorcycle industry experience to his new role with Indian
Following Indian Motorcycle’s recent split with Polaris, becoming a completely standalone motorcycle manufacturer again, the 125 year old legacy brand brought on Mike Kennedy as CEO to oversee operations. It’s refreshing to see a true motorcycle guy take the helm at Indian Motorcycle, especially given other manufacturer’s hiring of European shoe guys and pizza guys to run their operations. Kennedy is a true biker, a lifelong motorcycle rider, and a veteran in the powersports industry.
Kennedy knows the motorcycle industry, with over 35 years of leader experience in our space. He worked 26 years for Harley-Davidson, did a leadership stint at Vance & Hines, was VP at Bombardier Recreational, and ran RumbleOn for a few years, the largest motorcycle dealership network in North America, if not the world. Kennedy has been a leader in the motorcycle industry since the late 1980s.
Mike Kennedy, Indian Motorcycle’s new CEO. A man who knows motorcycles. Photo by Indian Motorcycle/The Brand Amp.
Kennedy brings a deep personal passion to Indian, and a single minded focus on motorcycles. “I think I know that as good as Polaris was, they didn’t quite understand the motorcycle market like a company that would wake up every day and that’s all they do,” he recently stated in an interview with Cycle World’s Mark Hoyer. “Now when you’re a $500 million company with 900 people, and you wake up every day and you’re focused on motorcycles, you behave differently and you think differently than you did over there.”
Kennedy casts no aspersions on Polaris, however, acknowledging their great handling of and investment in Indian Motorcycle from the outset. “They spared no expense. They did it the right way. They did it for the long haul,” Kennedy quipped. “We are in an incredible position because of that brand, product line, dealer network, manufacturing footprint. We are truly a blessed organization.”
Reflecting on Indian’s lineup of motorcycle models, Kennedy declares, “The Scout is the sexiest cruiser on the planet, bar none.” His favorite bikes are the big tourers, stating, “You think about the heavyweight lineup- Challenger, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Pursuit- the current bagger lineup is incredible. It’s the class that I like the most personally, because that’s what I like riding.” Committed to the cruiser, bagger and tourer classes of motorcycles, and with a global dealer network of 600, over 230 of which are here in the states, Kennedy pledges “trust through transparency. That’s my commitment to all of our dealers across the globe.”
Mike at the plant in Spirit Lake, Iowa, getting to know the men and women who build the bikes. Photo by Indian Motorcycle/The Brand Amp.
As Indian celebrates 125 years in 2026, Kennedy reflects, “Just think about that for a second! That is thin air for any industry, to have a brand that has been around for 125 years.” All year, Kennedy invites riders to join them at a racetrack, a rally, a benefit ride, or to come visit the plant in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Much to celebrate.
The future of Indian Motorcycle is as bright and exciting as any time in the brand’s long, storied history. Mike Kennedy seems to be the perfect fit for the iconic motorcycle company in moving forward. He is certainly the real deal.
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Here’s Indian’s YouTube introduction of Mike Kennedy:
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